Author name: oisinkelly

The Chairman of Donegal County Council says he believes a tourism promotion trip to Glasgow will pay dividends, particularly as the strength of sterling offers very good value to UK visitors. Lord Provost Sadie Docherty, whose family roots are in the west of the county, hosted a delegation from Donegal Tourism at which the county’s […]

  The I-M-F says public opposition to water charges is beginning to weaken, as a result of the reduction in charges. The comments are made in a new report on Ireland’s economic progress – although a spokesman says the comments were written before the most recent demonstrations. The Fund also says the government could need

Dragons Den entrepreneur Peter Casey has confirmed he will contest the upcoming General Election in Donegal as an Independent candidate. Mr Casey, from Derry, had been considering contesting the election either in Donegal or a Dublin constituency since he announced his intention to run in January. The two three-seat Donegal constituencies, North East and South

Donegal Down syndrome have welcomed the decision by the HSE to abandon a term previously employed to define intellectual disabilities. The HSE confirmed this week that they will no longer use the term “mental handicap” when referring to certain conditions recognised under the Long Term Illness Scheme – including Down Syndrome. The Donegal Down syndrome

Former Finn Harps manager Patsy McGowan has been ordered to pay a man €15,800 damages after he brutally assaulted him in the boardroom of the club. McGowan assaulted fellow board member Shane McConnell at the Co Donegal club following a fall-out over internet rumours. 77-year-old Patsy McGowan of Knock, Ballybofey, was convicted of assaulting 34-year-old

The Right2Water group in Donegal says it will be asking the public in Donegal to offer suggestions as to where the campaign needs to go. Spokesperson Cllr Gary Doherty was speaking as the group called for a general election, claiming the government can no longer ignore the strength of feeling evident in recent protests. Cllr

The Donegal Education and Training Board will hold its annual Education and Training fair at Letterkenny’s Mount Errigal Hotel tomorrow, with an emphasis on what employers want and need. The day is being split into two, with an employers’ forum in the morning followed by the exhibition element of the event. Dr Martin Gormley is

It’s emerged that Irish Water anticipates the first round of its water bills will contain inaccuracies. Bills go out from next month and the utility has acknowledged that up to 150-thousand households with private wells may be billed mistakenly and it’s likely there may be incorrect details on the number of people in many houses.

The family of missing Derry man Gary Campbell say they have received information that he went into the Foyle from Craigavon Bridge in the early hours of Saturday morning. Gary, who was from the Creggan was taken from the bridge by the PSNI on Friday night and brought home, but left a few hours later

A man’s been jailed for 18 months for allowing cultivation of €212,000 worth of illegal cannabis plants on his farm. 47 year old Ivan Mahon was sentenced to two years, with the final six months suspended. He pleaded guilty to renting an old farm cottage in South Donegal for the cultivation of cannabis. Judge John

A powerful Westminster Committee’s criticised the British government’s role in the controversial On The Run initiative. The group of MPs conducted its own investigation to how nearly 200 republican terror suspects were told they weren’t wanted by police. The case against the Hyde park bombing suspect, Co Donegal man John Downey, collapsed when it was

Concerns have been raised by residents of a Co Tyrone housing estate about a recent plague of rats in the area. A number of houses in Parkside Gardens in Sion Mills have been infested by rats after works were carried out by the rivers agency. Local Cllr Patsy Kelly was in the estate yesterday, and

More details have emerged of how the government intends to recoup unpaid water charges. New laws will see Irish Water have the power to go to the District Court for an attachment order, in a process that’s expected to work more quickly than regular court proceedings. If its granted, the order would see outstanding charges

A judge at Derry Magistrate’s Court has said he will reluctantly witness summons a surgeon if he does not make contact with the PSNI. The comments by District Judge Barney McElholm came during a bail application by 21 year old Aaron Hyland, whose address was given as Cranbrook Court in Belfast and is charged with

The campaign for a replacement bridge at Mullantyboyle in Glenties is being brought to the Dail this week after confirmation that Donegal County Council has submitted a formal application for funding to the Department of the Environment. The bridge collapsed five years ago, and since then the local community has campaigned to have it repaired.

Farmers, the public, forest owners and managers are being warned to be vigilant against wildfires. Junior Agriculture Minister Tom Hayes says a number of major blazes have destroyed or damaged property in recent years, after spells of dry weather. It comes as investigations continue into a number of fires reported over a ten day period

Donegal County Council is asking the public to get involved in reviewing speed limits in housing estates throughout Donegal. In statement, the council says reviewing speed limits  is an ongoing process but all submissions to be included within the current review should be submitted by Thursday, April 2. It follows a decision by the Department

The uncle of a Derry man, who has been missing since the early hours of Saturday morning, says the family fear the worst. 31-year-old Gary Campbell, from the Creggan Estate, was last seen in the early hours of Saturday morning in the Creggan Street area. He was wearing a yellow and white checked shirt, black

Donegal County Council are to carry out a major study looking at both existing and potential flood risks in the county. Eleven areas throughout the county will come under the spotlight this week. The work will rely on the public to help determine potential hazards, so the Council can identify measures to manage the risks

Police in Strabane are investigating after a staff member had their belongings stolen at a restaurant yesterday. A handbag and a mobile phone were stolen yesterday afternoon by three boys who entered the premises. The incident happened in broad daylight. Police are appealing for anyone who was in the Branch Road area and noticed anything

The Finn Valley Wind Action group are holding a number of public information meetings in Stranorlar and Killygordon this evening. The meetings are aimed at assisting people with submissions or objections against the proposed Carrickduff Windfarm to An Bord Plenala. Planree Ltd have applied to An Board Pleanala to develop Ireland’s biggest onshore windfarm at

Irish food producers are this week showing off their produce to international food buyers. The Bord Bia run conference – Marketplace International – is the largest international food buyer event ever staged in Ireland. More than 400 buyers from Europe, Australia, China and the Middle East will visit factories and farms around from Donegal to

Police in the North are reportedly investigating six key IRA suspects who received letters telling them they were not wanted by the force. The On The Runs outside the jurisdiction received messages telling them they were not currently sought by police but not ruling out future prosecutions. The Sunday Telegraph said they were alleged to

Tens of thousands of people, including hundreds from Co Donegal, attended an anti-water charges protest in Dublin yesterday. The demonstration was organised by the Right2Water group, a coalition of community groups, political parties and trade unions. The march organisers claimed over 80,000 people took part. Three separate groups assembled at Connolly Station, Heuston Station and