Author name: oisinkelly

There was almost twice as many births in Donegal as deaths in 2012. The figures are contained in the CSO’s vital statistics document for 2012. In 2012 there were 2,068 babies were born in County Donegal. 1,400 of those were born withing a marriage or civil partnership. 667 or 32% of babies were born outside […]

A 43-year-old Derry man who admitted assaulting his partner and inflicting unnecessary suffering on her pet dog has been jailed at the local Magistrate’s Court. John McGinley of Bond’s Hill in Derry admitted the offences which occurred on October 1. The court was told that the injured party, McGinley’s former partner said he was banging

The Head of the HSE has admitted waiting list targets are too ambitious. It follows the publication of their Service Plan for 2015 yesterday, which aims to reduce the time it takes to see a hospital consultant to under a year by the end of 2015. According to reports, nearly 50 thousand patients are currently

The success of the small and medium enterprises sector in Donegal is being highlighted today at a showcase in Letterkenny’s Mount Errigal Hotel. This is the latest “Doing Business in Donegal” event organised by the Donegal Local Enterprise Office. Businesses from across the county are gathering for what’s being presented as both a networking opportunity

A Donegal councillor is again highlighting the issue of tarmacadam being dumped on roadsides in Donegal after personally witnessing it happening on two occasions yesterday. Cllr Michael Colm Mac Giolla Easpaig says a habit has developed of tarmacadam contractors dumping excess tar on the side of the road after they have finished a job, and

  A man in his twenties has been shot in the leg in the Galliagh area of Derry. The incident happened in Bloomfield Park at about 8.30 last night. The was shot in his right leg. His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. Police have appealed for information. Sinn Féin councillor Elisha McCallion says the

A man has appeared in court in Derry charged with the theft of two testers from Boots valued at one pence each. Keith Shannon (44) with an address at Lower Main Street in Letterkenny or alternatively at 60, Coast Road in Larne was charged with stealing the items on November 22 and on November 26.

A major clampdown on driving under the influence of drugs comes into force today, along with blood tests for unconscious drivers involved in crashes. Speaking at the launch of the Christmas and New Year Safety Campaign today, Transport Minister Pascal Donahoe confirmed that US-style co-ordination tests for those suspected of being under the influence are

The new IBEC North West President says Donegal County Council’s should do everything in its power to prioritise local economic development. Ian Ireland was elected for a two-year term at IBEC’s North West AGM this week. IBEC says that Commercial rates hit SMEs hardest as they generally represent the third biggest outlay for small businesses,

Part of Altnagelvin hospital in Derry was evacuated today after smoke was discovered in one of the wards. Up to 21 patients were moved from ward 5 to another area of the hospital. No one was injured. The alarm was raised when smoke was reported coming from a ‘bed pan washer’ The Western Health Trust

Detectives investigating paramilitary activity have arrested four men in County Derry. A man aged 31, two men in their fifties and a 62-year-old were arrested at houses in the Dungiven area. Police also carried out a series of searches. They said they were investigating paramilitary activity, including shootings and threats, predominantly over the past four

Blood samples can be taken from all drivers involved in road crashes from today – including those who cannot give consent. The measure is part of tighter road safety regulations, which come into effect today ahead of Christmas. Minister for Transport Pascal Donohoe will announce the closure of a loophole, which allowed drunken drivers to

Donegal County Council has said it has begun installing Carbon Monoxide alarms and radon gas monitors in its rented housing stock as part of a programme to upgrade insulation in all council houses. This will be done over the next few years as all houses are being brought to current standards. Cllr Gerry Crawford, who

Approximately 50kg of cocaine has been found in a delivery of furniture in County Tyrone. Police say detectives from the PSNI’s Organised Crime Branch attended a commercial premises on Tuesday after information was passed to them. Suitcases full of bags of white powder were found inside a recently delivered container of furniture. They have tested

Two men in their early 30s have been arrested on suspicion of drugs offences in Derry. The arrests came after police stopped a car at Madam’s Bank Road last evening. A 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possessing a Class B drug; cultivating cannabis; being involved in the supply of a Class B drug;

A 16-year-old youth on a knife charge was barred today from Co. Donegal. The teenager was given bail so long as he stays with a relative in another county. A stabbing incident in Letterkenny last night  was described at Glenties District Court today(Wed) when the youth was accused of producing a knife to intimidate another

Gardai have launched an investigation after a woman and her nephew were rescued after their flat caught fire. The incident happened yesterday evening at the Westside Apartments off Letterkenny’s Main Street. Martin Toye and his auntie were taken to safety once fire crews had extinguished the blaze. Speaking on the Shaun Doherty Show, Martin said

There was good news for Donegal Airport today following the announcement that the Public Service Obligation is to continue on the Donegal Dublin route. Stobart Air has been successful in securing the tender to provide the air services on the the route until January 2017. Local Deputy Dinny McGinley has welcomed the news. He says

Up to 40 children had a lucky escape this morning after a school bus caught fire in Letterkenny. The incident happened shortly after 8:30am at the Mountaintop, straight across from the entrance to Foxhills. The fire brigade were quickly on the scene and the children were evacuated safely off the coach. The school bus was

Donegal is losing out on potential job creation because of government inactivity in broadband provision. That’s according to Donegal South West Deputy Thomas Pringle, who says this week’s National Broadband Plan offers no timeframe for the provision of broadband into rural areas which are not being serviced by the private sector. He says the government

There are renewed calls for the permanent dismantling of Castlederg Police Station following confirmation that the practice of opening the station for five hours every week is to be discontinued. Local Cllr Ruairi McHugh says this announcement reaffirms Sinn Fein’s position that what he termed “this militarized barracks” does nothing to achieve civic, accountable and