Author name: oisinkelly

The deadline for the new Beef Genomics Scheme has been extended by a week. Applications for the scheme, which replaces the previous Suckler Cow scheme were to have closed tomorrow, but Junior MInister Joe Mc Hugh says questions over elements of the programme meant many farmers have not yet signed up. He says the Agriculture […]

A Midlands North West MEP says the fanfare over final agreement on the Rural Development Programme masks the fact that funding to rural Ireland is being cut by over 30%. Marian Harkin says 6% of the cut is from the EU, with the rest resulting from a sharp reduction in the amount of matching funding

  Gardaí are appealing to drivers to help reduce bank holiday fatalities. Since 2010, 256 people have been killed between June and August in Ireland. The majority of fatalities occur on rural roads, and between 2010 and 2014 twenty-two people in Co Donegal tragically died on during the summer months. Garda Traffic Inspector, MIchael Harrison

  A Donegal born economist has said that a CSO study into income levels proves that the county is one of the poorest in the state. The recently published CSO figures looked at incomes per head across the country between 2000 and 2012. It calculated income per head for each county, made up of wages,

A Co Donegal man, who had been reported missing in America, has contacted family and friends to let them know he is safe and well. Police in the US and Essex has raised concerns for Ciaran O’Donnell, who had been on holiday in Florida. The 29-year-old, originally from Milford, lives and works in Basildon, Essex.

Police in America and in England say they are concerned for the safety of an Irish man missing in Florida. In a statement police in Essex said 29-year-old Ciaran O’Donnell, originally from Milford in Co Donegal, said family and friends have been unable to trace him. He was last seen in the Panama City Beach

A woman is in a critical condition following a two car collision outside Ballybofey this afternoon. A section of the N15 has been closed in the area near the Roadhouse Bar, which is about a mile outside Ballybofey. The main road out of Ballybofey to Barnsemore Gap is closed and diversions are in place. Gardai

Strabane Councillor Karina Carlin says that plans for an urban park on the derelict development site adjacent to the Alley Arts Theatre are a now step closer to realisation. She was speaking after Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Health and Community Committee approved an application for the project to the Department of Social Development.

Residents in the Cockhill area of Buncrana are stepping up their campaign for a pedestrian bridge ahead of a Road Safety seminar in the town next month. Spokesperson John O’Keefe says the community does not have faith in Donegal County Council’s plan to use temporary traffic lights to restrict traffic on Cockhill Bridge to one

The Killybegs Coastguard says there’s likely to be far more activity on Slieve League this year, and as a result, more accidents. Spokesperson Shane Mc Crudden was speaking after a 60-year-old woman was airlifted to hospital last evening after breaking her ankle while walking. The coastguard was closely involved in the operation to get her

The North’s Agriculture Minister has said since the announcement that up to 800 Department of Agriculture and Rural Development jobs would be relocated to Ballykelly, there has been significant interest in the site from other sources. Michelle O’Neill was responding to questions from East Derry MLA Cathal O’hOisin. He says this means that as well

  Northern Ireland’s devolved government is facing suspension or collapse. It’s after the local parties failed to agree on a Welfare Reform Bill. The Stormont Assembly never brought in cuts that were agreed in Westminster in 2013, and the legislation that would have allowed that is being blocked by Sinn Fein and the SDLP. Justice

A 60-year-old woman has had to be taken to hospital after she fell at Slieve League. The woman fell and broke her leg while out walking at the beauty spot earlier today. Malin Head Coastguard were then called and the coastguard helicopter and Killybegs coastguard were tasked to the scene. Ambulance paramedics treated the woman

Opposition has emerged to a Donegal county council decision to approve planning permission for improved tourist facilities at Malin Head. The work will include providing toilets, improving access and car parking. An estimated 200 thousand people visit Malin Head each year. Wildlife and Nature photographer Ronan McLoughlin says the development will ruin what is a

The Roads Service in Derry is to increase enforcement of double yellow lines in the Rosemount area of the city in a bid to address serious bottlenecks in the area. The problem is most serious around Park Avenue and its junctions with Academy Road and Northland Avenue. Last year, a proposal to implement a one

Fianna Fail’s only female elected representative in Donegal has said the party is not doing enough to increase the number woman in politics and is unable to give leader Michael Martin her fall support. Councillor Rena Donaghey was reacting to yesterday’s shock announcement from Senator Averil Power that she was leaving Fianna Fail, with her

Donegal’s Councillors have deferred a decision on proposals to invest thirty thousand a year into Ireland West Airport over the next ten years.   As part of the deal, in conjunction with six other councils, Donegal council would receive preference shares. Ireland West Airport is seeking to raise funds to boost passenger numbers. A number

A cash trapping device has been discovered on an ATM in Derry. The device was found by a man carrying out repairs on the cash machine at a service station on the Buncrana Road this morning. A cash trap is a device which is fitted to the slot where money comes out of the machine.

A man has appeared in court in Letterkenny today charged with two counts of criminal damage after an attack on an Orange Hall in Convoy last year. The damage caused to Convoy Orange Hall and Convoy Presbyterian Church was almost a quarter of a million euro. Eamonn McGill, from Macmeenstown, Convoy, faced two charges of

A number of plants, believed to be cannabis, have been found growing on land across the road from Buncrana Garda Station. Gardai confirmed that the discovery was made as the land, situated along McCarter’s Road in the Ardaravan area of the town, was in the process of being “cleared” by workers. He said the unspecified

Concerns have been expressed over the Donegal County Council’s Corporate Plan which is due to be adopted today. The mission statement of the wide ranging plan is ‘serving our communities, supporting our businesses and welcoming our visitors. Some councillors are concerned that not enough consultation has gone into the plan. Councillor Gerry Crawford hopes to

It’s emerged that one of the men who died in yesterday’s fatal plane crash on the Carlow Wexford border had a holiday home in Carrickfinn, and regularly flew into Donegal Airport 58n yar old Paul Smith and his colleague 69 yerar old Bryan Keane, both from Athboy in County Meath died when their plane crashed

Donegal county council has approved planning permission for improved tourist facilities at Malin Head. This will include providing toilets, improving access and car parking. An estimated 200 thousand people visit Malin Head each year. Councillor Martin McDermott says it’s now up to Failte Ireland to provide funding so work can begin……..

The North’s First Minister Peter Robinson has been admitted to hospital for a suspected heart problem. A statement from the DUP says Mr Robinson “felt unwell this morning and has been admitted for some further tests.” Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness says he’s concerned to hear the news – and says his thoughts & prayers

Following reports of Irish Water and its contractors laying off up to 50 meter installers in Donegal, the action group Right2Water says it demonstrates the utility’s real priorities. The group denies Irish Water claims that its staff were intimidated, and says if Irish Water was serious about upgrading the water infrastructure, it would have diverted