A Donegal Senator has requested that the Justice Minister visits the closed Donegal Courthouse.

The courthouse has remained closed since October when it was shut due to safety concerns.

Fine Gael's Manus Boyle has raised the issue recently in the Seanad.

Senator Boyle outlined what he will say to the Minister when he visits the county:

An  invitation has been issued to Garda Commissioner to visit and see first-hand the conditions that Gardaí are working under at Sligo Garda Station.

The invitation was issued in the Dáil by Sligo Leitrim Deputy Eamon Scanlon who also wants Justin Kelly to address the shortage of service officers in the North West as a matter of urgency.

The Fianna Fáil TD also raised issues surrounding the station in Tubbercurry during an exchange with the Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Niall Collins.

 In response Minister Collins confirmed that works were planned for Sligo Garda Station.

He also confirmed plans for a new Divisional Headquarters are also under consideration.

Donegal County Council's budget meeting has resumed after being adjourned again this morning over controversy surrounding an expected decision on commercial rates.

The executive currently has a recommendation on the table to increase commercial rates by 5%.

The last increase to commercial rates in Donegal was in 2018. While there were proposals to increase them over the last few years, each was ultimately rejected by the council.

Last month, Sligo County Council took the decision to leave commercial rates unchanged for the upcoming year.

Cathaoirleach of the Donegal MD and Fianna Fail Cllr Michael Naughton has the latest from the County House in Lifford:

Gardai are stepping up their efforts to reduce retail crime in the North West in the run up to Christmas.

It's part of Operation Tairge which is the Garda Siochana's national initiative aimed at combating retail crime.

It comes as retail crime will largely trend upwards over the festive period.

Chairman of Sligo BID Finbarr Filan says that crime in Sligo largely mirrors the national statistics:

The Government has been accused of abandoning working families in Donegal.

There's said to be a big cohort in the county who can't afford a mortgage but also don't qualify for social housing.

This week, the Government announced a suite of new measures which aims to speed up the delivery of housing and infrastructure.

But speaking in the Dail as part of statements on the Governments housing plan last night, Donegal Sinn Fein TD Padraig MacLochlainn claims that many young people have been denied a roof over their head:

Sligo County Council has announced a temporary closure of Keeloges Church and Graveyard for approximately two weeks.

The closure is necessary to allow contractors to carry out vital vegetation management works under archaeological supervision.

The works are part of an ongoing conservation effort to safeguard the site, including addressing safety concerns following a collapsed internal wall.

Speaking to Ocean Fm Cllr. Marie Casserly wants to reassure local residents that the site will be treated with respect, and public access will resume shortly.

Funding to the value of €700,000 has been allocated for Donegal Airport at Carrickfinn.

Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien earlier confirmed the allocation.

Ireland West Airport is set to get the biggest share in funding under the latest round of the Regional Airports Programme.

The facility in Knock is being allocated €1.9m, followed by Kerry at €1.4m.

The funding will support payroll costs in air traffic control, fire services and security screening.

Donegal Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher says both Airports play vital roles in the North West and West of Ireland.

Gardai are stepping up their efforts to reduce retail crime in the North West in the run up to Christmas.

It's part of Operation Tairge which is the Garda Siochana's national initiative aimed at combating retail crime.

It comes as retail crime will largely trend upwards over the festive period.

Chairman of Sligo BID Finbarr Filan says that crime in Sligo largely mirrors the national statistics:

The Justice Minister is facing increasing pressure to give a firm commitment that Donegal Town courthouse will reopen.

Minister Jim O'Callaghan is visiting Donegal tomorrow for a number of key engagements.

Donegal Town courthouse closed in September due to health and safety concerns with sittings moved temporarily to Ballyshannon, pending a review by the OPW.

It was revealed earlier this week that the ceiling in the public entrance porch has partially collapsed.

Independent Cllr Jimmy Brogan says the Ministers visit to the County is timely, and will be seeking some reassurances:

Concerns have been raised over the lack of beds in Aras Breffni Nursing Home in Manorhamilton.

The nursing home currently holds 25 beds for patients across North Leitrim.

The orginal building had a capacity of 40 beds, which has led to increased waiting lists for patients.

Local councillor Felim Gurn says it's about time capacity was raised in the home: