Author name: oisinkelly

Ballybofey still has the highest number of commercial vacancies in Ireland, according to figures published today by GeoDirectory. In the second quarter of this year, just over 32% of business premises in Ballybofey were vacant. Letterkenny had a commercial vacancy rate of just over 21%, a 1% increase on the same period last year. The […]

A Donegal Deputy says it’ll be a nightmare for the government if Europe decides Irish Water is not independent of the State later today. There’s speculation that Eurostat will rule that the funds spent on the utility will have to stay on the exchequer balance sheet for now. It would mean the government has around

A West Donegal councillor is claiming the overnight NowDOC service in Derrybeg will close for a fortnight from next week as part of what he believes is a trial run. There have been suggestions that the “Red-Eye”shifts in Derrybeg and Carndonagh could be suspended as part of a reorganisation of the service.. Cllr Michael Colm

Sophie Maguire was transferred to London from Altnagelvin Hospital after she was born with blood flow problems around her brain, and at an inquest on Friday, a doctor admitted she could have survived had she received antibiotics earlier. Sophie’s mother, Leanne, told BBC Radio Foyle she was stunned by that admission and she is now

Gardai are warning of increased crime levels in some rural areas of Donegal. They are also urging people to be vigilant following reports of high pressure sales activity, particularly at the homes of elderly and vilnerable people in rural areas. There are reports of aggressive tactics being used by people selling equipment, furniture and electronic

A Donegal County Councillor has expressed his shock at being threatened with legal action by HSE over comments he made during a meeting. Councillor Paul Canning made a series of allegations, while claiming the HSE was enforcing no smoking laws unfairly to the detriment of local pubs and clubs. In what’s thought to be an

After a series of setbacks Jason Black has decided to abandon his bid to climb the K2 Mountain. The team were to begin their summit push today but had to scrap those plans when all of their equipment was lost in an avalanche. Poor weather was also hampering the attempt. Jason confirmed the news to

An Inishowen woman who had been missing since last Tuesday has been found safe. Concern was growing for the well-being of 45 year old Deborah Love who had been seen since Tuesday last, and had last made contact with her workplace on Thursday. Deborah’s husband made an emotional appeal on Highland Radio for help in tracing

  Up to twelve people have been taken to hospital and a number of businesses have been evacuated following an underground cable electrical fire, causing carbon monoxide gas being released in the Waterside area of Derry. Spencer road remains closed at this time and motorists are advised to avoid the area

Donegal County Council has agreed to provide funding to Ireland West Airport in Knock for the next 10 years. As part of deal in conjunction with other councils including Sligo and Mayo, Donegal will contribute 30 thousands Euro per year over the next ten years. Councillor Seamus O’Domhnaill was initially cautious over the plans but

  The sale of illegal cigarettes is ‘the new cocaine’ trade in Ireland. That’s the conclusion of a new report that’s been submitted to a committee investigating cross-Border smuggling. It warns that laws in the area aren’t being enforced rigorously enough, and almost 1 in 4 cigarettes smoked here have been smuggled in. Benny Gilsenan

The fire service are currently at the scene of a suspected gas leak on Spencer Road in Derry. Properties in and around the area are currently being evacuated The Ambulance service is also at the scene as a number of people have been reported to be experiencing headaches Spencer Road remains closed at this time

A Beretta “over and under” double-barrel shotgun was produced before a judge in court today so he could decide if it could be fired. The firearm was produced before Judge Kevin Kilrane when detective Paul McHugh was asked if it was usable when he found it in the boot of a car in Co. Donegal

The Local Enterprise Office in Donegal has taken on a national role in trying to help Irish businesses succeed in Europe. Access to EU funding, help with grasping EU rules and making international connections are all set to become easier, following the recent launch in Letterkenny of the Enterprise Europe Network. The project is a

A meeting is to take place tonight with a view to starting a scrambling club in West Donegal. In recent years, there have been complaints about young people using the dunes on Carrickfinn, Bunaninver and other beaches in the area. Local Councillor Michael Colm Mc Giolla Easbuig says the issue has been a contentious one,

A Donegal councillor is welcoming the review of An Bord Pleanala announced last evening by the Environment Minister Alan Kelly. MInister Kelly announced a review of the structure and function of the board, with a view to having a report and recommendations by the end of the year. Donegal Councillor Patrick Mc Gowan says a

  Residents in Derry’s Moss Park say they are sickened after another night of vandalism in the area. Street lights were smashed, lights on the main Glengalliagh Road were damaged, and fires were started on a number of green areas last night. Speaking to Highland Radio News from Moss Park this afternoon, Councillor Sandra Duffy

Police are appealing for witnesses following the report of a sexual assault in the St Columbs Park area of Derry on Friday night, 24 July. It was reported that a 17 year old girl was in the area of the park around midnight when she was approached by an unknown male and assaulted.  He is

Two men have appeared in court following a garda seizure of cannabis plants and cannabis herb worth €2 million. The men, both Chinese nationals aged 41 and 40, were charged at Carrick-on-Shannon District Court last night with possession for sale and supply and cultivation of the drugs. The offences were said to have been committed

An All-Day auction hosted by Galway company O’Donnellan and Joyce yesterday saw €5m raised on property sales in the West and North West, including three Donegal properties. A two bedroomed cottage at Glengesh, close to Ardara was secured or €35,000. In Stranorlar, a two bedroomed apartment at Castle Place sold for €25,000 while a five

Sinn Fein has rejected the Taoiseach’s comments labelling a possible Sinn Fein and Independents government as a ‘political freak show’. Enda Kenny made the remark at the McGill Summer School in Co. Donegal last night, during a discussion on the next General Election. Responding to the comments, Sinn Fein’s Enterprise Spokesperson Peadar Toibin says he

88 Irish athletes and their 40 coaches are preparing for the opening of the 2015 Special Olympic World Games in Los Angeles at 1 o’clock tomorrow morning Irish time. Irish athletes will be competing in 12 different sports – among seven thousand athletes from around the world. Two Donegal athletes are particiating – Buncrana golfer

A man who caused almost £1,000 worth of damage to James McClean’s Maserati car has received a suspended sentence. Aaron Sean Dalton assaulted the premiership footballer’s father outside his Creggan home during the incident. Dalton, of Moss Park, pleaded guilty to criminal damage and common assault on January 10. Derry Magistrates Court heard the 28-year-old

  Taoiseach Enda Kenny was greeted by anti-water charge protesters in Co Donegal yesterday evening. There was a heavy Garda presence around the village of Glenties as the protesters gathered around the Highlands Hotel. Crash barriers were erected and the garda helicopter hovered overhead. Speaking after he addressed the MacGill Summer School, Enda Kenny says