Author name: oisinkelly

Minister Eamon Ryan is being urged to intervene in the ongoing delays in the rollout of fibre broadband in Donegal. National Broadband Ireland confirmed at a meeting with Donegal County Councillors and TDs that some homes in the county will not be connected to high speed broadband until at least 2026. It’s projected that just […]

Reconstruction works on a pier in West Donegal have been welcomed. Works have commenced on Bun An Inbhear pier in the Gweedore area after it was badly damaged by erosion. Councillor Micheal Cholm MacGiolla Easbuig says such works are vital for fishermen using the pier. He says investment in the county’s piers cannot be overlooked:

Nearly 100,000 children aged between 12 and 15 haven’t been registered for a Covid-19 vaccine. 64% of this age-group have signed up – compared to 78% of 16 and 17 year olds. The HSE says 86 per cent of 18 to 29 year olds have registered. Darragh O’Loughlin, from the Irish Pharmacy Union, says demand

The Housing Minister says he hasn’t yet had a chance to review a report on alleged planning corruption in Donegal. The study into supposed issues with housing in the county was submitted to the Department of Housing in June 2017. But more than four years later, it still has not been published. Darragh O’Brien says

Three tonnes of marine litter has been collected in Donegal over the weekend. 25 beach clean-ups were organised in the county for Clean Coasts’ annual Big Beach Clean. A Big Beach Clean event at Bundoran Beach on Friday last saw an additional 75kg of marine litter removed by 9 volunteers. Sinead McCoy, Coastal Communities Manager

The Housing Minister says he expects the terms of a Mica redress scheme to be improved. Pressure is building on the government to help homeowners affected by the Mica affected blocks. Campaigners continue to demand an overhaul of the current scheme to allow for 100% redress. Darragh O’Brien says a decision is expected in the

Donegal County Council’s Mica Redress Committee has unanimously endorsed the position paper presented by the Donegal representatives on the Defective Blocks Working Group on Friday evening. The committee was briefed on the paper today by members of the Mica Action Group, at an online meeting that was also attended by Donegal’s Oireachtas members. Committee Chair

Gardai and the PSNI say they believe the INLA is now a criminal gang, which is heavily involved in drugs, extortion and money laundering. They also believe the group has access to weapons following a number of shows of strength, including some in Derry early this year. The group announced a ceasefire in 1998 and

A senior trade union official has called on gardai to be more proactive in protecting staff at Letterkenny University Hospital following an incident last week in which a man was removed from the facility against the advice of staff. The person behind the removal was seen in a video not wearing a mask, and making

An Ireland South MEP is calling for a change of direction to solve issues over the Northern Ireland Protocol. Sean Kelly says it’s in everyone’s interests to make the Protocol work, but admits there are unique problems to overcome. Mr Kelly says he plans to lead a European trade delegation as soon as possible……….

Concerns continue to be raised over the layout of a busy junction in Milford which has a become notorious for road traffic incidents. Donegal County Council has confirmed that safety improvement works are being carried out at the Gap Junction at the ‘Old Tech’ with a survey of bus and HGV movements at the junction

October 8th has been identified as the date for a second Mica protest in Dublin if 100% Redress is not delivered by Minister Darragh O’Brien. The date was published on social media last evening after the Donegal representatives on the Defective Blocks Working Group presented their final position paper on Friday evening. Meanwhile, an Inishowen

The Ulster Unionist Party leader says the President’s decision not to attend an upcoming religious centenary event that will mark the 100th anniversary of partition, and the foundation of Northern Ireland, is “disappointing and hard to fathom”. Doug Beattie says next month’s church service in Armagh is an opportunity to promote reconciliation on the anniversary

The Tanaiste says tomorrow is a ‘big day’ for thousands of businesses, as the country enters a new phase of easing Covid-19 restrictions. Thousands of workers are set to return to offices for the first time in 18 months, initially on staggered basis to allow for social distancing. Rules around group activities will ease, with

The Minister for Further and Higher Education has announced that pop-up vaccination centres are to open on college campuses later this month, and that institutions with vaccination centres already on their campuses will also be part of the college vaccination initiative – including LYIT. Minister Simon Harris says the programme is aimed at getting even

A union representing 14,000 school staff says the best way to ensure they stay open is to tread carefully when it comes to easing covid restrictions. NPHET has indicated rules around close contacts could be eased in schools before the end of this month. However Forsa, which represents special needs assistants, secretaries and caretakers, is