‘Why are we not voting for female candidates?’ – Cllr Niamh Kennedy


BY JEROME HUGHES THE Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council is raising the difficult question of why the electorate is choosing not to vote for female candidates at election time. Cllr Niamh Kennedy recently became only the fourth woman to be elected Chairperson of Donegal County Council in the local authority’s 125 history, and the first […]

Ballybofey-Stranorlar wastewater project is making progress


SIGNIFICANT progress is being reported by Uisce Éireann regarding a €31 million project to upgrade wastewater infrastructure in Buncrana, and in Ballybofey-Stranorlar. The upgraded sewerage schemes aim to improve water quality in Lough Swilly and the River Finn by eliminating stormwater overflows, safeguarding the environment, and supporting social and economic development. The project is now reaching the […]

High Court proceedings issued against State


THE organisation taking legal action on behalf of homeowners affected by defective concrete have confirmed they are taking up a new case. Coleman Legal, on behalf of Defective Blocks Ireland CLG, has successfully applied to have proceedings against the Minister for Housing and the Irish State admitted to the Commercial Division of the High Court. The […]

Queen of the Sea-Weed: Lorraine’s making waves around the world


by Evelyn Cullen CARRIGART woman and innovative entrepreneur, Lorraine Gallagher is making waves at home and beyond with her new business The Seaweed Company, which harnesses the previously untapped potential of seaweed. Seaweed is one of the fastest growing biomasses in the world, and Lorraine has discovered that it can be used in a variety […]

Fundraiser launched for Castlefinn man awaiting heart transplant in US


By Dionne Meehan FUNDRAISING efforts are underway to help a Castlefinn man who is awaiting a heart transplant in America. Kieron McGee moved to America over 20 ago. Advertisement Through his self-determination, hard work and perseverance, he has built his own successful business and is a loving and devoted father to his son Cody. However, […]

Letterkenny book club keeps ‘súil’ on local writers


by Evelyn Cullen LETTERKENNY’S Irish language book club ‘Club Leabhar an Iarthuaiscirt’ is currently reading ‘Súile Éisc agus scéaltaí eile’, a book of short stories in Irish written by Michelle Nic Pháidín. Ms Nic Pháidín, who grew up in Gaoth Dobhair is a well-known former journalist with the Donegal Democrat and has previously published a […]

Guesthouse plans for Letterkenny refused by council


by Louise Doyle GUESTHOUSE plans for Letterkenny have been refused by Donegal County Council on the grounds that it would have an ‘unacceptably detrimental impact’ on the residential area. Applicant MCT Efficient Developments Limited lodged plans for retention permission in May 2023 for renovation works to convert two dwelling houses into one and change its use from […]

Boy (11) who cut toe in Donegal hotel swimming pool awarded €10,000


AN 11 year old boy who caught his toe on a broken tile in a hotel swimming pool has been awarded €10,000 in general damages at Letterkenny Circuit Court. The incident occurred at the Redcastle Hotel on August 13, 2020 when the boy was six. The infant was taken to Dungannon Hospital in County Tyrone for treatment […]

Council spends €25,000 on ‘watching brief’ 


by Louise Doyle DONEGAL County Council has spent almost €25,000 on a Dublin-based solicitor who had been keeping a ‘watching brief’ on legal proceedings against a local councillor, we can reveal. Information released to the Donegal News through a request under the Freedom of Information Act shows Donegal County Council has paid €24, 848.50 on attendances […]