Author name: oisinkelly

The new “supercouncil” which will take responsibility for the Derry and Strabane area from next April is to be formally known as Derry City and Strabane District Council. The decision was taken at a meeting yesterday with support from Sinn Fein, the SDLP and Independents. Unionists opposed the name, with some suggesting that Foyle should

A new report has found that Letterkenny Institute of Technology has the biggest economic impact of all third level colleges in Ireland. Essentially, every euro invested in LYIT creates an economic boost to the economy worth more than four euro. Despite significant cuts in third-level education funding in recent years LYIT has increased student numbers and

The EU can’t do much to help reduce the high road tax costs that Irish hauliers have been protesting against. That’s according to the Midlands Northwest MEP Marian Harkin who was speaking in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Ms Harkin says that Ireland, like the UK, has full control of its tax systems and the

A group that works with young people in care says it is concerned with the findings of a HIQA report into Child Weldare and Protection Services in County Donegal. An inspection by HIQA found non-compliance with 22 standards in areas including the protection of children who are at risk of harm or neglect. HIQA’s report found

  The North’s new Health Minster has again insisted money is in place to complete the new Radiotherapy Unit at Altnagelvin Hospital and that the project is on track to be finished by mid 2016. There were suggestions last month that budgetary problems may hamper plans for staff training, and that could push back the

The 64 year old man arrested on Tuesday  by Gardaí investigating the disappearance of Mary Boyle in March 1977 has been released from Garda custody without charge. Pending further investigation a file will be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions. The man had been detained at Mullingar Garda Station under Section 4 of the

Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle has been suspended from the Dail having refused to take his seat during a row over speaking rights for the Technical Group in the Dail. A total of three Independent Deputies were order from the Dáil. As Deputy Pringle continued to try and make his point the Ceann Comhairle ordered Deputy

An action plan has been put in place to address deficits in the Child Welfare and Protection Services in County Donegal identified in a HIQA report. The report identified a number of issues in the services including a delay in children and families in accessing a number of child protection and welfare services. The report

The Taoiseach has asked the Sinn Fein leader if he is aware of IRA members, found by the organisation to be guilty of sexual abuse in Northern Ireland, being moved to safe houses in Donegal. Enda Kenny raised the matter in the Dáil this afternoon following a meeting with Mairia Cahill in Dublin this morning.

The retail warehouse which houses the NowDoc service in Lettekenny has today at auction for 650 thousand euro. The selling price is significantly above the reserve €490,000 – €540,000. The premises is described as a modern retail warehouse investment arranged over two retail warehouses. Unit one is let to Health Service Executive and is the

The mother of Mary Boyle has said that the arrest of a man in relation to her daughters disappearance today gives her renewed hope. A 64 year old was detained in Mullingar Co. Westmeath this morning for questioning about the alleged kidnap of Mary Boyle. The 6 year old disappeared while visiting her grandparents home

A garda accused of harassing a woman has been brought before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on foot of a bench warrant after he failed to appear yesterday. 38-year-old Garda Donal Maguire is charged with harassing one woman at a location in Dublin over a period in 2012. He is also charged with harassing the same

The first of a number of public meetings against water charges is being held in St Johnston this evening. The meeting, which has been organised locally, is being held in the resource centre at 745pm. There will also be a similar meeting in Lifford Resource this day next week (October 28), and a protest will

The UK Minister for Transport should consider providing exemptions to Irish hauliers on Northern Ireland roads, particularly the A5, according to a report adopted by the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly. The UK’s HGV levy which was intriduced last April provides that all vehicles of a gross weight of 12 tons or more must pay a

An Assembly of the European Regions conference is underway in Letterkenny with around 100 delegates from all over Europe in the area for three days. The conference is focusing on E-health, Independence and Inclusion in the 21st Century and is being hosted by Donegal County Council. Policy and decisions makers from a range of European

Over 60 nursing home staff at at Aras Ghaoth Dobhair have been asked by management to take a 5% paycut. It’s understood that the home has to make saving of 70,000 euro per year. Management of the 41 bed private facility are meeting with union representatives later today. SIPTU representative, Declan Ferry says they will

Met Eireann says high winds will be slow to ease across the country today, after a night of strong gusts and gales. An Orange Weather Alert remains in place in the North West until 2 o’clock. Motorists are being urged to take care as a lot of debris has been left on roads around the

Gweedore based company ‘Nuance’ is to close next month with the loss of some fourteen jobs. The American voice recognition company have been based at the Gweedore Industrial Estate for the past ten years. The company, formerly called Spinbox, also have operations in Dublin. Donegal Deputy, Pearse Doherty has called on Udaras Na Gaeltactha to

The Standards in Public Office Commission hearing into claims that former Donegal Councillor Dessie Larkin breached ethics legislation in 2006 has been adjourned. The members of the commission will now consider Mr Larkin’s response to the allegations before issuing their findings. Mr Larkin, who is now employed as the Letterkenny Town Manager faces nine allegations