One hundred years ago this week a great strike took place at the Tirconaill Mental Hospital (St. Conal’s Hospital) in Letterkenny that would be reported in media outlets around the world. On April 1, 1924 over 100 employees withdrew their labour and marched out the gate of the institution leaving just seven employees to look […]
Budding Donegal politicians go to Leinster House
YOUNG Donegal budding politicians joined over 160 young delegates from Comhairle na nÓg (local youth councils) across Ireland in Dáil Éireann to debate the critical issue of mental health, one of the biggest topics of concern to young people in Ireland, particularly since the pandemic. Mental health was identified by over 3,000 young people across […]
Shortage of GPs in Donegal ‘not a new issue’ – Pringle tells Dáil
INDEPENDENT Donegal TD, Thomas Pringle, insists “there is still a long way to go” with respect to addressing the lack of healthcare services in the county, as he supported a motion in Dáil Éireann calling on government to increase GP numbers. Deputy Pringle has welcomed the opening, on Tuesday, of the new Ballyshannon Community Hospital but […]
Donegal woman’s hospital ordeal fuels GP shortage debate
A DONEGAL woman claims she was rushed to hospital after collapsing in her Ballybofey home because she was unable to get a GP appointment. 65-year-old Teresa Gillespie spoke to the Donegal News in a week when the issue of GP shortages was once again raised in Dáil Éireann. She said her family has been registered […]
Kylie Ann’s five year wait for scoliosis surgery despite government promises
By Kate Heaney THE Kilmacrennan father of a ten-year-old girl who is waiting five years on critical, complex, spinal scoliosis surgery has done everything he possibly can to get Kylie Ann the operation she so badly needs. Jonny and Catherine Stewart have endured having to watch as Kylie Ann’s condition deteriorates, fearing it could become […]
Changes to Doctor cover in Garda Stations not workable – GP
BY JEROME HUGHES A LEADING Donegal GP has said a call to introduce formal contracts between GPs and Garda stations is unworkable. Dr Denis McCauley was speaking after a proposal was put forward by a Donegal TD to increase GP cover in Garda stations. Advertisement It follows the case where a man with psychiatric issues […]
Donegal TD calls on restrictions on e-cigarettes that target young people
Independent TD for Donegal, Thomas Pringle believes the government should restrict flavours, packaging and advertising for e-cigarettes that could be seen to target younger people. Addressing the Dáil, Deputy Pringle said he supported the introduction of a licensing system for the sale of tobacco and nicotine inhaling products, such as e-cigarettes. The proposed restrictions on […]
Government agrees to increased sentences for assaults to Gardaí And Emergency Service Workers
THE Government has agreed to amend laws to increase sentences for assaults causing harm to members of An Garda Síochána and other emergency workers. These legislative changes will be brought forward by way of Committee Stage amendments to the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill. The amendments will change the maximum sentence for assaulting or obstructing […]
Government urged to properly invest in rural Ireland
Independent TD for Donegal, Thomas Pringle, said the planning system plays a role in contributing to the housing crisis, as he pressed Government to properly invest in rural Ireland and publish the long-awaited rural guidelines. He called for a significant increase in the development of rural towns, and not just bigger towns, but smaller villages […]
Pringle presses Government to provide list of affected school building projects
THE Government has been urged to provide a list of the school projects put on hold and their cost. Addressing the Dáil on Wednesday, Deputy Thomas Pringle said, “The government’s decision to halt 58 school building projects is not only disgraceful but nonsensical, and the fact that the Minister for Education is refusing to provide […]