Author name: oisinkelly

Lough Swilly Ferry Service to return next week after Arranmore Ferry Company sign contract

The Rathmullan to Buncrana Ferry Service is to run for a six week period beginning next Thursday. It follows the signing of a contract between Donegal County Council and the new operator, the Arranmore Car and Passenger Ferry Service. The terms of the new Lough Swilly contract have not been disclosed, but Dominic Sweeney of

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Leading energy specialist says building more windfarms would be ‘madness’

One of Europe’s leading energy specialists has said that building more wind turbines around Ireland is ‘madness’. Dr Tony White, who has 35 years experience in international power markets and the low carbon economy, addressed the MacGill Summer school in Glenties, yesterday. Ireland aims to generate 40pc of all its electricity by 2020 from renewable

Leading energy specialist says building more windfarms would be ‘madness’ Read More »

Donegal Childcare Committee says it’s time for action on childcare costs

The Donegal Childcare Committee has been reacting to publication of a report into Childcare costs by the Children’s Minister – which calls for a radical overhaul of parental leave. The inter-departmental review – discussed by Cabinet this afternoon – recommends extending paid parental leave to one year – with parents able to split the second

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Taoiseach says watchdog report into Leitrim community hospital highlights ‘unacceptable’ issues.

The Taoiseach says a watchdog report into a community hospital in Co Leitrim has highlighted ‘unacceptable’ issues.  A HIQA report into St Patrick’s Community Hospital identified serious breaches – including some residents being made to wait weeks for a shower. The HSE says the hospital is very old and may not meet modern standards –

Taoiseach says watchdog report into Leitrim community hospital highlights ‘unacceptable’ issues. Read More »

MacGill Summer School debates prospect of British withdrawal from the EU

A former Irish ambassador to the UK has urged the government to begin planning for a possible British withdrawal from the European Union. Daithi O’Ceallaigh told the MacGill Summer School he believes many people in the UK have not thought through the potential consequences of withdrawl, not least in terms of relations between England and

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Consultant looking at how best to protect Mount Errigal from the threat of erosion

A consultant has begun assessing problems with the access path to Errigal Mountain, with a public consultation to take place in Dunlewey at the weekend. Chris York from the Scottish company “Walking the Talk” is currently surveying the mountain, will be available to meet people at the Dunlewey Community Centre between 4pm and 7pm on

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Councillor not happy as council says it won’t extend translation services

Donegal Council has said it has no plans to extend Irish translation system to special purpose meetings. There was controversy this week when a Donegal County Councillor expressed annoyance that a translator was not made available for a special purpose meeting. Micheal Cholm MacGiolla Easbuig made his contribution to the meeting in Irish but refused

Councillor not happy as council says it won’t extend translation services Read More »

330 new jobs to be created in Co Donegal by Pramerica, with many more to follow

Hundreds of new jobs have been announced for Co Donegal today. Pramerica in Letterkenny are to create 330 new jobs over the next three years. The company are to build a new state of the art campus near its current location in Letterkenny. The first construction phase will begin at the end of this year,

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New Pramerica facility will bring Donegal into the 21st Century – Mc Ginley

Donegal Deputy Dinny Mc Ginley has hailed today’s announcement of 330 jobs at Pramerica in Letterkenny as hugely significant, not just for the town, but for the county. Speaking at the official announcement this morning, Deputy Mc Ginley said it’s a hugely significant announcement…………..

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Breaking – 330 new jobs to be created over the next three years in Pramerica

330 new jobs are to be created by Pramerica in Letterkenny over the next three years. Pramerica, which came to Donegal almost 16 years ago, currently employs 1,200, and could potentially expand that to 1,800 with the capacity of a new three building facility which was recently granted plannning permission by Donegal County Council. The

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Danny Mc Daid 15k launched

Details of next month’s Danny McDaid 15K road race were announced in the Station House Hotel, Letterkenny on Monday afternoon. The event, which is sponsored by The Station House Hotel, will take place on Sunday week, August 2 with an 11.30 am start. Speaking at the launch, race director, Brendan McDaid, said the organisers were

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Tanaiste claims the public will want to see a stable government after next election

The Tanaiste has claimed that the public will want a stable government after the next General Election. The latest opinion poll at the weekend put the Labours party’s support at 8pc, suggesting that the party may only win six seats in the next election. But Joan Burton says with the next election some distance away,

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Ervia CEO – Irish Water ‘came up short’ on explaining charges

The head of Irish Waters parent company has launched a strong defence of the utility from what he called “rubbish commentary in the media”. Ervia CEO Michael McNicholas says its nonsense to suggest that enough money was being spent on the States water infrastructure in recent years – and that every State body is pilloried

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Pramerica in Letterkenny to reveal significant jobs announcement

It’s anticipated that Pramerica in Letterkenny is to make a major jobs announcement today. Enterprise and Jobs Minister Richard Bruton is due at the plant shortly after 10 o’clock, a visit that comes just a few weeks after Donegal County Council granted planning permission for four office blocks in the IDA Business and Technology Park

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Christina Hendricks, 40, was not impressed to be offered a part as 39-year-old Charlize Theron’s mother

Hollywood’s leading ladies are often cast in roles that are well beyond their years, but Christina Hendricks was shocked to be asked to play the part of Charlize Theron’s mother – despite being just three months older than her. The 40-year-old actress was asked to play the role of Patty Day, mother to 39-year old

Christina Hendricks, 40, was not impressed to be offered a part as 39-year-old Charlize Theron’s mother Read More »

Full interview with Tanaiste Joan Burton from MacGill Summer School in Glenties

The Tanaiste, Joan Burton was in Co Donegal this week for the MacGill Summer School. Our reporter Barry Whyte spoke to Ms Burton about numerous topics in a lengthy interview. The Labour leader discussed the importance of the MacGill Summer School, the upcoming General Election, Labours poor performance in the latest opinion poll, how the

Full interview with Tanaiste Joan Burton from MacGill Summer School in Glenties Read More »

The Justice Minister says criticism of a ‘flawed Garda culture’ is an untrue

The Justice Minister says criticism of a ‘flawed Garda culture’ is an untrue, ‘shapeless’ and ‘disempowering’ criticism.  Frances Fitzgerald says she has not found the force ‘demonstrating a corner cutting culture’ – in spite of the assumptions in the public arena. She says that she accepts that arrogance can happen – but says that elevating

The Justice Minister says criticism of a ‘flawed Garda culture’ is an untrue Read More »

Renewed criticism of MInister Alan Kelly’s absence from the MacGill Summer School

The Environment Minister has again come under fire for pulling out of a debate on the Irish Water saga. Alan Kelly had been scheduled to attend MacGill Summer School in Glenties tonight, but withdrew because of a diary clash. A Right 2 Water protest was planned to coincide with tonight’s debate – that will now

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Senior doctor warns low immunisation rate could compromise ‘herd immunity’

The HSE’s Public Health Specialist in Donegal is warning that if more children aren’t immunised in Donegal, there is a risk of serious diseases spreading. The HSE says in order to protect all children from certain serious infections, over 95% of babies must be vaccinated, but at present, current uptake rates for the 13 month

Senior doctor warns low immunisation rate could compromise ‘herd immunity’ Read More »

Police renew appeal for information after fatal crash near Cookstown last week

Police investigating a fatal road traffic collision on the Moneymore to Cookstown Dual Carriageway on Friday last continue to appeal for witnesseses. Victor Wylie, who was in his sixties, died when the tractor he was driving was involved in a collision with a blue coloured Honda 4×4 on the Moneymore bound carriageway at around 9.30am.

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Jason Black says deadly avalanche won’t put him off K2 climb

A Donegal mountaineer says a deadly avalanche on a nearby mountain won’t put him off attempting to climb K2. Jason Black, from Letterkenny, is preparing for the expedition on what’s believed to be the world’s most dangerous mountain. An avalanche struck on another peak beside his current position yesterday, hitting a crew who had shared

Jason Black says deadly avalanche won’t put him off K2 climb Read More »

HSE concerned in significant drop in babies being vaccinated

The HSE has expressed concern following what’s been described as a “significant” drop in the number of babies being vaccinated in Donegal. Parents are being urged to ensure they avail of all vaccinations, with the HSE pointing out it takes five GP visits to ensure a child is fully protected against serious diseases. While most

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Emma Thompson ‘not impressed’ by attitudes to women in acting

Emma Thompson has spoken out about ageism and opportunities for women in the acting industry. The actress’ latest role sees her playing a 77-year-old prostitute in The Legend Of Barney Thomson. “I don’t think there’s any appreciable improvement and I think that, for women, the question of how they are supposed to look is worse

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Cillian Murphy: Dragons’ Den is my guilty pleasure

Peaky Blinders star Cillian Murphy has revealed his guilty pleasure – Dragons’ Den. The Irish star has described the show as “unbelievably bizarre” but “really compelling”. Cillian, who has narrated the BBC’s latest natural history series, Atlantic, is one of many famous voices supporting the campaign to keep the BBC licence fee. “Paying our licence

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Tanaiste says she cannot see purpose of planned Right2Water protest in Glenties on Friday

The Tanaiste says she cannot see the purpose of planned protest by an anti-water charges group in Glenties on Friday evening. Right2Water is planning to hold a protest to coincide with An Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s visit to the MacGill Summer School on Friday. The organisers of the MacGill Summer School has expressed concerns about the

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Fianna Fail leader backs Pat The Cope Gallagher to run in next General Election

The Fianna Fail leader says he believes the party can win two seats in Co Donegal in the next General Election. Donegal will become a five seater constituency in the next election. Deputy Charlie McConalogue will aim to retain his seat, while no other candidates have been confirmed. There has been speculation that former Minister

Fianna Fail leader backs Pat The Cope Gallagher to run in next General Election Read More »