Two awards for defective concrete crisis production


A FILM highlighting the defective concrete crisis in Donegal has won two awards. Galar, directed by Inishowen filmmaker Niall Duffy, scooped Best Irish Short Film and Best Actor (Mark Loughran), at the Dublin International Short Film and Music Festival. While a few of the cast and crew were in Ballyliffin for the Disappear Here Film Festival, cast member Barry O’Donnell was […]


‘People didn’t have time to leave unfit homes’


CALLS are to be made for the opening of community centres to allow people to take refuge from their structurally unsafe homes during severe weather warnings. Stormy Amy battered Donegal earlier this month, with the county recording some of the highest speed winds during the red weather warning. In response to Storm Amy, Donegal County […]


Developer’s Convoy housing plans deemed invalid


PLANNERS have written to a developer who lodged plans for a major housing development in Convoy, stating their application does not comply with planning and development regulations. Applicant Meadowfield Developments Ltd lodged plans with Donegal County Council on September 22, seeking permission for the construction of 32 new dwelling units at Flaxfields, Kiltole, Convoy. The proposed […]


Almost 1,800 welfare referrals from Donegal to Tusla during pandemic


ALMOST 1,800 child abuse or welfare referrals from Donegal were made to Tusla in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic, we can reveal. Figures obtained by the Donegal News from the Child and Family Agency show the total number of referrals (child abuse/welfare) for Donegal in 2020 was 1,772. Just 629 cases were open to social work at […]


Kyle McDermott remembered on first anniversary of his death


FAMILY and friends have been remembering a Donegal man on the first anniversary of his death. Kyle McDermott (24), who was originally from Burt, died in Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry following an altercation on the Victoria Road area of Ballymagorry village, near Strabane, on October 7, 2024. Daniel Patrick Hanna (24) of Victoria Road, Strabane, has been charged […]


‘Substantial’ number of patients to LUH by ambulance


“A SUBSTANTIAL” number of patients arrived to Letterkenny University Hospital’s Emergency Department on Tuesday, the HSE has said. In a statement on Tuesday evening, the HSE said 105 patients were waiting in the hospital’s emergency department, with five ambulances queued up outside. However, we were reliably informed that the number of ambulances waiting was 11. […]


Donegal childcare providers demand increased funding for the sector


A DONEGAL childcare provider has said the government must act urgently to provide much needed funding and resources into the sector, or face up to the consequence that children will suffer. Sharon Graham Porter is the owner of Kid Kare Créche and Montessori in Donegal Town. On Tuesday, seven of its staff were among the thousands […]


Works start on Falcarragh Community Hospital


ESSENTIAL renovation works at Falcarragh Community Hospital are expected to be fully completed by the end of next year. The HSE Estates Department has advised that the initial phase of works are due to finish by the first quarter (January to March) of 2024, with the overall project expected to be completed by Quarter 4 of […]


Unprecedented demand at Letterkenny Foodbank


WITH the cost of living crisis pushing up demand, Letterkenny’s foodbank has been forced to reduce its handout frequency. The registered charity has warned of its concerns for this coming winter amid a 33 per cent surge in the number of people it has supported in the last six months. Such has been the pressure […]