Author name: oisinkelly

Irish householders could face much higher water charges under the rules of an EU water directive. That’s according to the Independent MEP Marian Harkin. She says that when Ireland was negotiating the EU water framework directive it negotiated certain facilities that would enable EU member states not to charge households for water it they didn’t […]

Ireland has successfully resisted cuts in key whitefish quotas, following a deal brokered at the EU Agrifish council in Brussels. Significantly, the Irish quota for prawns – the fleet’s second most important fishery – has been increased by a marginal 3 per cent. For the North West region, there will be a 20% increase in

Derry City councillors have voted to remove the word Derry from a new plaque marking the reopening of the Guildhall. It had been proposed that it would read that the Guildhall was re-opened in 2013 by “the Mayor of Derry, Councillor Kevin Campbell”. However the DUP suggested it should read mayor of the city in

Police investigating violent dissident republican criminality have arrested a man in county Tyrone. The 27 year-old was detained in the Strabane area. A car has also seized for forensic examination. He has been taken to the serious crime branch at Antrim police station for questioning.

Letterkenny Chamber is urging members to be wary of potential credit card fraud when doing business over the internet. Chief Executive Toni Forrister says one local business contacted the office to say they have been targetted recently with orders shipped to a Nottingham UK Address paid for with what they now know was a fraudulent

Next year is set to be the best ever for Irish tourism, beating this year’s 7.3 million visitors. 2014 saw growth of almost nine percent and 2015 is set to see a further rise. It’s estimated that tourism next year will be worth around 4 billion euro to our economy. CEO of Tourism Ireland Niall Gibbons

Debate on the government’s new laws on water charges will be cut short tomorrow night – to guarantee it’s passed before Christmas. A so-called “guillotine” motion will be tabled tomorrow night to make sure the Water Services Bill is passed. It means TDs might not have time to vote on all the amendments tabled by

Senior management at UIster Bank say they will not reverse the decision to close the branch at Gortin, betwen Omagh and Strabane. The branch is one of a number on both sides of the border which is slated for closure as part of the bank’s latest cost cutting plan. Earlier today, a Sinn Feín and

A Strabane SDLP Cllr has failed to back the parties candidate for the Westminster election in West Tyrone. Daniel Mc Crossan from Strabane was chosen on Sunday night to challenge Sinn Fein’s Pat Doherty. In recent months there were suggestions that there is tension in the SDLP camp in Strabane, which could compromise the party’s

The Public Expenditure Minister says the public will face higher water charge bills if the Seanad rejects the Governments revised bill. There are concerns within the coalition that Independent and opposition Senators could scupper the new package of lower charges for households – and lead to the old billing structure applying from January 1st. Donegal

Gardai and the PSNI will this Tuesday afternoon operate a joint traffic check in Bridgend as part of the annual campaign to reduce drunken-driving on both sides of the border. The PSNI’s Inspector Steve Haslett and Garda Inspector Michael Harrison will attend the check point on the Derry/Donegal border to re-enforce the joint don’t drink

Unionist councillors are to contest the name of the Derry City and Strabane district council name. The name was officially agreed at a meeting of the shadow super council earlier this year in October. The legal challenge, known as a call-in procedure, will allow solicitors to review the motion. DUP councillor Gary Middleton says the

The Public Expenditure Minister says the public will face higher water charge bills if the Seanad rejects the Governments revised bill. There are concerns within the coalition that Independent and opposition Senators could scupper the new package of lower charges for households – and lead to the old billing structure applying from January 1st. Minister

The SDLP in West Tyrone has selected Strabane representative Daniel Mc Crossan to contest next year’s British General Election. Mr Mc Crossan will challenge Sinn Fein’s Pat Doherty, saying that an abstentionist MP has stunted the growth of Omagh and Strabane and singularly failed to advance the interests of the North West. However, Mr Crossan

Officers from Revenue’s Customs Service, backed by gardai, have seized cigarettes, spirits, beer and vehicles following raids in Donegal, Mayo, Roscommon and Kildare. As well as cigarettes and alcohol, various documents were also seized, as was cash totalling almost €30,000. The retail value of the cigarettes, which included ‘Marlboro Red’, ‘West’, ‘L&M’ and ‘WZ Gold,’

Donegal South West Deputy Thomas Pringle says he believes an Independent led government is a distinct possibility, and would be a good thing for the country. On his prospects of retaining a Dail seat after the next General Election, when Donegal loses a Dail seat and becomes a single five seat constituency, Deputy Pringle says

A telephone counseling service has recorded a nationwide 22% increase in demand for its service but points out that less than one percent of all calls come from Donegal. Connect is a freephone telephone counseling and support service for adults who were sexual abused during their childhood. The service, which operates 20 hours a week,

A Strabane woman, who was caught up in a terrorist attack in Syndey today, has described the situation as terrifying. Hundreds of armed police have surrounded a cafe in Sydney – where a gunman is holding up to 30 people hostage. Five people have escaped from the Lindt café in the city’s financial district –

A Letterkenny family whose greyhounds were stolen in the early hours of Saturday morning have been reunited with their family pets. The McKeever family from Ballymacool were devastated to find that their three greyhounds had been taken from a shed close to their home after it was broken into on Friday night. Dad John McKeever

Irelands largest on shore windfarm could be constructed in Co Donegal. The 500 foot turbines will run along a 15km stretch from Barnesmore Gap to the Finn Vally area. If the plans for the windfarm development go ahead then it will be one of the biggest of its kind in Ireland. The 500 foot turbines