Someone will be co-opted onto Donegal County Council by Fine Gael tonight.

The seat has to be filled after it was vacated due to the departure of Manus Boyle to the Seanad.

Two candidates have put themselves forward for selection - they are former Cllr Barry Sweeny and Michael Boyle, brother of Manus Boyle.

Both men will be seeking support from fellow party members.

Chairperson of Fine Gael in the Donegal constituency Doreen Kennedy says both are very strong candidates:

There are calls in Sligo to increase the speed limit of one road back up to 80km/hr.

Earlier this year, local and rural roads saw the speed reduced to 60km/hr, however it is seen by some to be causing a hazard along the old N4 road, now the L3700.

Numerous reports have been made since the reduction of people speeding and overtaking along the stretch, due to the road being in good condition.

Ballymote-Tubbercurry Fianna Fail Cllr Liam Brennan says there’s frustration among locals over the issue:

Sligo Abbey saw a decrease of over 10% in visitor numbers in 2024 when compared to 2023.

According to latest figures from the Office of Public Works, Sligo Abbey had 34,135 visitors last year, down from 39,145 the year previous.

It’s thought the heritage site may be a victim of its own success following what was labelled as an exceptional year in 2023.

Andrew Whitefield, Head Guide at Sligo Abbey, says they’re aiming for 40,000 visitors this year:

A Donegal TD has highlighted that hundreds of children may have undergone unnecessary surgeries in recent years.

Allegations focus on a large number of patients that received hip surgery in Children’s Health Ireland hospitals in Dublin.

During Leaders Questions - Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said the State understands the stress this has caused to parents and children affected.

Speaking in the Dáil this afternoon, Sinn Fein Deputy Pearse Doherty has demanded answers and accountability:

There are calls for North West farmers to be given transparency on prices from the retail sector.

As it stands, there are concerns over what may be considered an imbalance in the food supply chain and unfair trading practices.

North West MEP Ciaran Mullooly highlighted the lack of retail stores publishing where they bought cattle from, and how much was paid for it, which they are obliged to do by law.

Independent Ireland MEP Mullooly says the threats issued to farmers in the past over beef blockades, should also be given to anyone not complying with the transparency legislation:

The Dail has heard that many roads across Donegal are in an awful state and in urgent need of upgrading.

It comes as the Government is being urged to review the Local Improvement Scheme with claims that it's currently inadequate.

100% Redress Party TD Charles Ward has claimed that there are hundreds of people in the county who have been on the LIS waiting list for years.

He also says that rural and Gaeltacht communities in Donegal are dying as a result and called for increased funding under the scheme:

A Sligo Leitrim TD has defended Sinn Feins behaviour in the Dail Chamber this week.

It comes as the Opposition is set to press ahead with a motion of no confidence in Verona Murphy, which will take place next week.

The Government's indicated it supports Verona Murphy in the position with Micheál Martin stating the attitude of the opposition towards the Ceann Comhairle in recent days has been 'quite simply extraordinary'.

Speaking to Ocean FM news, Sinn Fein TD Martin Kenny stands by his party's actions in recent days:

There are further warnings that the imminent move of the Donegal Education Centre to Letterkenny will have a major impact on the footfall in Donegal Town.

While the move looks all but final, there are hopes, even in the eleventh hour, for the Department of Education to intervene and halt proceedings until such time as an investigation into the consultation process is conducted.

In the Seanad earlier, Labour Senator Cosgrove spoke of the six women who are at the centre of the debacle and how this decision will affect them.

Senator Cosgrove also urged the Board of Management to properly engage with all stakeholders:

A teacher at the Donegal Education Centre says many teachers were surprised and disappointed at how last night’s AGM was facilitated.

The 2023 AGM was held in Letterkenny as opposed to Donegal Town where it usually takes place.

It took place against the backdrop of plans to move the facility from its base in Donegal Town to Letterkenny.

Teachers say that they were denied the opportunity to voice concerns in relation to the move at night’s event.

Seamus Maguire is a teacher at the Donegal Education Centre.

He says the AGM had a number of major differences compared to previous ones he has attended throughout the years

It's been confirmed that Sligo County Council have made an application to the Rural Regeneration Development Project for the Rosses Point marina project.

The project, if successful would be seen as a safe landing space for, boats yachts and sea anglers in north Sligo.

The purpose of Category 2 funding is defined as "project development and enabling initiatives”, in order to apply for Category 1 at a later date.

Local Councillor Thomas Walsh says the project, if completed, would have wide-ranging benefits for the region.