Author name: oisinkelly

Gay Byrne reveals how he had to be persuaded to buy cottage in Co Donegal

Broadcaster Gay Byrne has revealed how he refused to buy a holiday home in Donegal numerous times before “finally giving in”. Byrne and his wife Kathleen were at Glenveagh Castle yesterday for the launch of a new Donegal tourism App and brochure. The couple have had a holiday home near Dungloe in the west of

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FF seek establishment of cross border agency to tackle fuel smuggling

Fianna Fail is proposing the establishment of a cross border, multi-agency taskforce to tackle fuel smuggling. It would involve all statutory organisations responsible for detecting and policing the illicit fuel trade north and south of the border. The environmental consequences of fuel laundering have been widely reported in areas along the border. Former Minister Brendan

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February saw a 100% year on year increase in overcrowding at LGH

The extent of the overcrowding problem at Letterkenny General Hospital has been thrown into focus this morning with the publication of an analysis of the February figures by the Irish Nurses and Midwifery Organisation. The figure almost doubled last month, with 527 people in total awaiting admission either on trollies in the Emergency Department or

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Rural GPs in Donegal are at “tipping point”

Almost 90 percent of students studying medicine in Irish universities say they’re considering emigrating when they graduate. A study led by NUIG has found that career opportunities and working conditions are among the main factors for emigrating. Meanwhile, this morning’s Donegal Democrat is reporting that a number of GPs in Donegal are warning that the

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Roads remain closed in Derry following restaurant fire

Parts of Queen’s Quay and Lower Clarendon Street in Derry remain closed to traffic this morning following a fire yesterday which gutted the Mandarin Palace and Karma restaurant. Queen’s Quay is closed from Harbour Square roundabout to Queen’s Quay roundabout, with motorists advised to avoid the area if possible. Diversions are in place. The fire

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Brendan Ogle to address Right2Water meeting in Donegal tonight

Right2Water Donegal are to hold a public meeting in Letterkenny tonight. The meeting will be addressed by national co-ordinator Brendan Ogle. The meeting will be held at the Mount Errigal Hotel Letterkenny at 8pm. Brendan Ogle launched the Right2Water campaign in August 2014 as a representative of the Unite Trade Union. Ahead of the meeting

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Audio Update – Almost 5,000 people waiting more than a year for out patient appointments

There were almost 5,000 people waiting more than a year for an outpatient appointment at Letterkenny General Hospital in the last year. The statistics released by the HSE show there has been a 411% increase in waiting list figures over the past year. In February there were 4,947 people waiting more than a year for

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€13 million in LEADER funding announced for Donega

Almost €13 million in LEADER funding has been announced for Donegal. Minister of State, Joe McHugh said he welcomed the funding package for the LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme announced by the government. Once approval for the programme has been given by the European Commission, local action groups throughout Donegal will be invited

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Sex offender escapes jail after positive probation service report

A convicted sex offender with over 90 pornographic child images escaped jail because a judge was impressed with his progress under the Probation Service. 44-year-old Neil McBride, was yesterday placed under continuing supervision for 12 months of the Probation Service and was placed on the sex offenders register for five years. He was also ordered

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Yes Equality Donegal Campaign say priest entitled to opinion on gay marriage

A member of the Yes Equality Donegal Campaign has said that they are disappointed that people have been upset by comments made by a priest on gay marriage. It’s being reported that a number of people walked out of a sermon in Annagry over the weekend. Father John Britto spoke in favour of a ‘No’ vote during the weekend

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Special Olympics Ireland launch fundraising campaign as two Donegal athletes prepare for LA

  Patrick Quinlivan Following confirmation that two Donegal athletes have been selected to represent Special Olympics Ireland at the world games in Los Angeles next July, a fundraising campaign has been launched to fund Team Ireland. Gymnast Patrick Quinlivan and golfer Oliver Doherty will be part of the 88 person squad travelling to LA in

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Quinlivan & Doherty named on Team Ireland for Special Olympics World Games

Two Donegal athletes have will be on Team Ireland that will go to the Special Olympics World Games in America in July. Letterkenny Gymnast Patrick Quinlivan and Buncrana Golfer Oliver Doherty have been selected to take part in LA, California. They are currently training hard at SALTO Special Olympics Club Belfast and North West Special

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ICSA says not enough progress is being made at beef talks

The ICSA says the roundtable beef talks are not achieving their goals. The talks were initiated last year after protests outside a number of beef factories. The association says there’s been too much slippage on the commitments given already, and no guarantees are being received about quality assurance and price. Malcolm Thompson is the ICSA’s

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European Indoor Silver Medallist Mark English Returns to a Hero’s Welcome

The Irish Athletics squad returned home on Monday night from Prague after a successful campaign at the European Indoors. Mark English was the team’s stand-out performer as he won a silver medal in the 800m, coming from second-last at the half-way point to improve on the bronze medal he won at last year’s European Championships.

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Family concern as PSNI reopen investigation into 1974 army killing of Tyrone man

The PSNI are appealing for information about a murder which happened in Benburb Co. Tyrone almost 41 years ago. 27 year old John Pat Cunningham was shot by members of a British Army Patrol on Saturday, June the 15th 1974. The case has been re-opened and a murder investigation has been started, following an assessment

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Stormont in crisis as Sinn Fein withdraw support for welfare reform

Both the British and Irish Governments have expressed concern over the latest crisis in the Northern Ireland Assembly, after Sinn Féin suddenly withdrew its support for welfare reform. Moving to block the bill, Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness accused the DUP of reneging on commitments. DUP leader Peter Robinson said that was “dishonourable and ham-fisted”, saying

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Cllr speaks of terrifying experience as Glasgow flight aborts landing

A Donegal County Cllr has spoken of the frightening experience endured by passengers as a Glasgow flight was forced to abort its landing in Derry yesterday. Cllr Micheal Cholm Mac Giolla Easpaig was on yesterday afternoons Glasgow to Derry flight. He said that the plane had been about to touch down but was forced to

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