Author name: oisinkelly

Every home in Ireland is due to get 100 euro off their water bill, according to new plans from the government. The Irish Independent reports the tax relief may be extended to try to ease mounting pressure over the water charges, with more than 80 rallies planned against the fees tomorrow. It’s understood that everyone […]

Almost 2,500 people were waiting more than a year for an outpatient appointment at Letterkenny General Hospital in August. That’s an increase of over 100 on July’s figures, and a jump of almost 1,500 in the past six months. Earlier this month in the Dail, the Health Minister, Leo Varadkar said that Letterkenny General wasn’t

Police are continuing their enquiries following a major car crime spree spanning the Strabane District last week. Between Thursday night last and Sunday morning, police received more than 20 reports that cars in Sion Mills and Strabane had been broken into. It brought the total number of vehicles targeted in recent weeks to almost 30.

Ten jobs are to be created at a new brewery in Derry. The Walled City brewery will brew and sell craft beers from new premises in Ebrington Square. Ilex, an urban regeneration company in Derry, made the announcement yesterday (Thursday). Manager of Walled City brewery, James Huey, said he hopes to build the company and

The Norths Environment Minister has said he believes the draft budget is “bad for the people” of Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland Executive has agreed next year’s draft budget yesterday evening. SDLP minister Mark H Durkan voted against the draft budget while ministers from Alliance and the Ulster Unionist Party abstained from the vote. Mr

AA Ireland is calling on the Government to bring an end to Fire Brigade call-out charges for householders and to instigate a complete overhaul of how fire services are funded across the country It has compiled figures which show that in Donegal,there is a fee of €250.00 per brigade for a domestic chimney fire and

Gardai are appealing for information regarding a fatal collision in Raphoe which claimed the life of a motorcyclist.  He’s been named locally as 34 year old Hugh Shalvey, a native of Monaghan who has been living in Raphoe for some time. The crash happened at Oakfield Demense on the Derry Road in Raphoe before 4 o’clock

An Independent Councillor says the Donegal public hasn’t properly been made aware that 9-10% of the public water supply pipes in the county are made from asbestos cement. According to Councillor Dessie Sheils, an official audit determined the figure but this information was never passed on to the public. He is calling on Irish Water

A spokesperson for some of the families bereaved by the Omagh bombing says their campaign for a full public enquiry will now be escalated following a report from the North’s Police Ombudsman. An investigation found intelligence officials didn’t give all the information they had to detectives investigating the 1998 Omagh bombing. The ombudsman concluded Special

    Fianna Fáil’s Spokesperson on Arts says new information about the appointment of John McNulty to the board of the Irish Museum of Modern Art raises further questions of the minister responsible.   It’s reported that two days before the Donegal man was appointed to the board of the irish Museum of Modern Arts,

An investigation’s found intelligence officials didn’t give all the information they had to detectives investigating the 1998 Omagh bombing. The North’s Police Ombudsman says Special Branch withheld details like phone numbers for security reasons. However, his report concludes it wouldn’t have prevented the attack, which killed 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins.

A Donegal County Cllr has said that a meeting with Irish Water officials yesterday has “changed nothing”. The Question and Answer session between senior Irish Water representatives and local authority members was held in Carrick-on-Shannon yesterday evening. Cllr Patrick McGowan says Fianna Fail Cllrs went to the meeting armed with a number of questions. He

Gardai have confirmed that a man has died following a road traffic collision in Raphoe. The crash, involving a motorcycle, occurred shortly before 4pm this afternoon near Ballinalecky Crossroads. Its understood that the motorcyclist collided with a vehicle towing a trailer. Gardai and the ambulance service are at the scene. Motorists are asked to approach the area

A judge has ordered a psychiatric assessment to be carried out as soon as possible on a County Donegal man charged with the murders of his parents. Jimmy and Kathleen Cuddihy, who were in their 70s, were found dead in their home just outside Carndonagh on Thursday the 23rd of October. 42 year old Julian

The Social Protection Minister says she is looking at including the Buncrana-Derry bus route in the free travel pass scheme. Joan Burton was responding the questions raised by Deputy Charlie McConologue. The service was taken over by McGonagle Coach & Bus Hire following the closure of the Lough Swilly Bus Company,however the Department of Social

Former Minister Liz O’Donnell has been named as the new Chairperson of the Road Safety Authority, with her nomination set to be ratified by cabinet this morning. Her appointment will then be confirmed by Transport Minister Pascal Donohoe. Ms O’Donnell replaces broadcaster Gay Byrne, who held the post for eight years. Her appointment has been

The son of an elderly couple found murdered at their home is due to appear in court in Letterkenny today. 42-year-old Julian Cuddihy from Churchtown, Carndonagh, is accused of the murders of his father Jimmy Cuddihy (77) and his mother Kathleen Cuddihy (73). The retired maths teacher and his ex-nurse wife were found dead at

The Irish Times is reporting today that two days before Donegal man John Mc Nulty was appointed to the board of the irish Museum of Modern Arts, Department of Arts officials were asked which State boards under its control had vacancies. Documents released to the newspaper under the Freedom of Information Act show Minister for

The low cost airline, Ryanair, is axing its Derry to Birmingham route according to City of Derry airport. They said the decision to end the service was taken after the airline reviewed its winter network. City of Derry airport said it was “disappointing” news for the airport and passengers. The service will officially end on

Donegal farmers have described a 24-hour protest outisde Foyle Meats in Carrigans as “highly successful”. The farmers 24-hour protest in Carrigans ended at 3 o clock this afternoon. The factory in Carrigans was unable to kill cattle today as a result of disruption caused by the protest. However, Meat Industry Ireland has condemned the protest describing

Eircom is to offer superfast broadband to 66 communities around the country. The company starts work next month in Cavan Town, Kilkenny City and Letterkenny Town – with construction set to take three months. Eircom says the speed, of one gigabit per second, would mean downloading a film would take less than a minute. However

The daughter of Donegal couple Jimmy and Kathleen Cuddihy is appealing to all families who have relatives with mental health issues to look for help from the appropriate services. Maureen Cuddihy was speaking at the funeral of her parents at the Sacred Heart Church in Cardonagh this morning. They were found dead at their home

Independent Newspapers Security Correspondent Jim Cusack says while a man was detained last week by gardai investigating the disappearance in 1977 of six year old Mary Boyle from Kincasslagh at Cashelard, Ballyshannon, the prime suspect remains convicted killer Robert Black. Black, a van driver, was a frequent visitor to Donegal, and it’s believed he may

A Stranorlar Area Councillor says pressure must be put on government to provide a new bridge over the River Finn linking Donegal and Castlederg. Cllr Gary Doherty was speaking after work began last week to widen the approach to Castlefinn Bridge after a lengthy local campaign. The works were formally approved at last month’s meeting

The funeral of Jimmy and Kathleen Cuddihy, will take place at Sacred Heart Church in Carndonagh today. The bodies of the couple, both in their 70s, were found at their home in Churchtown, Carndonagh on Thursday morning. On Friday night, at a special sitting of Ballyshannon court, Julian Cuddihy was charged with the murder of

Gardai are warning of surface water on many Donegal roads following severe rain overnight, with minor flooding reported in some areas. No major road closures have been reported across the county or the North West region, but caution is being advised. There is some flooding reported in Tyrone and Derry, particularly in Magheramason and on

Ryanair has announced it is scrapping its Derry – Birmingham route in four weeks time. The airport has confirmed that he route is being shelved because the airline could not secure sufficient passenger numbers to make it viable. The route was to have continued until March next year, but it’s now been confirmed the service

 Donegal farmers are currently taking part in a 24-hour country-wide protest outside meat factories. The protests are in response to the loss-making prices and specification cuts which have affected the income of many farmers in the North-West. There is currently a 350 euro per head price difference between cattle sold in Donegal compared to those in

The funeral of Carndonagh pensioners Kathleen and Jimmy Cuddihy who were found dead in their home in Churchtown on Thursday will take place tomorrow. On Friday night, at a special sitting of Ballyshannon court, Julian Cuddihy was charged with the murder of his parents. The 42-year-old was remanded in custody and Judge Kevin Kilraine directed