There's concern that the Government isn't up to speed nor fully committed to dealing with the findings of the damning 'Brandon Report'.

It comes as the Donegal centre which was the subject of the report on the sexual abuse of at least 18 residents between 2003 and 2016, is to close.

The 2020 National Independent Review Panel report found at least 108 incidents of sexual abuse had been perpetrated on upwards of 18 residents between 2003 and 2016 by a resident given the name “Brandon”.

This happened with the knowledge of management and continued despite efforts of nursing staff to have it addressed. “Brandon” died in 2020.

Meanwhile, families of those living in the facility say they were not consulted over the imminent closure with service users set to be dispersed to various other centres in Donegal.

Speaking in the Dail, Independent Donegal TD Thomas Pringle says that unfortunately there is a very real risk that this could happen again:

Today marks 50 years since Donegal man Michael Leonard was shot dead at the border between Fermanagh and Donegal.

He was 24 years of age.

This year, a campaign calling for a fresh inquest into his killing has gained momentum, with the Leonard family holding talks with the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Tánaiste Michael Martin while a booklet was launched in March calling for a new inquiry to be held.

We will be dedicating our lunchtime bulletin to his story later today.

Michael's brother, John Leonard, believes that he could have lived but he was left bleed out on the side of the road:

Making local injury units 24/7 is being suggested as a way to instantly cut down on hospital overcrowding.

2022 was the worst year for overcrowding on record, with over 121 thousand patients left waiting for a bed.

A motion is going before the Dáil today calling for Medical Assessment Units and Local Injury Units at Ireland's smaller, Level 2 hospitals to stay open 24 hours a day.

Sligo Leitrim Independent TD Marian Harkin is one of those behind the motion - she says it could alleviate pressure on emergency departments overnight:

A Sligo-Leitrim TD has labelled the withdrawal of funding for the N17 Knock to Collooney project as “effective abandonment” as she called on the government to confirm that it has a policy to provide the necessary and timely funding for the N17 project.

It has been claimed that The North West has been dealt a serious blow as funding for the N17 Knock to Collooney Scheme has been pulled by the Government.

Although the scheme has not been removed from the National Development Plan, it will effectively be suspended if no funding is allocated for the foreseeable future.

Independent Deputy Harkin outlined her disappointment that the project wouldn’t be completed for “the foreseeable future”.

In response, Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys confirmed the government’s policy and will raise the issue of the N17 project:

There were 54 complaints made to the Ombudsman for Children's Office in 2022 on behalf of children in the North West, a new report shows.

Nationally, there was a 14.76% decrease in the number of complaints to the Ombudsman for Children's Office last year, reflecting the disruption experienced by children, particularly in the area of education.

In Donegal, there were 36 complaints made in 2022, reflecting a 14.2% decrease.

Sligo and Leitrim both recorded a 57.14% increase, with 9 complaints in each county.

Ombudsman for Children Dr Niall Muldoon says government needs to step up its game as families and children are being let down by inaction:

Donegal County Council is being urged to take a more proactive approach when it comes to the Tenant in Situ Scheme.

The scheme allows local authorities to buy rental properties from private landlords who are selling, so the Housing Agency can continue to rent these properties to the tenants who are living there.

Cllr Noel Jordon believes that Donegal is lagging behind compared to other counties.

He says it would solve a range of issues when it comes to the housing crisis:

Tributes have been paid to Gerry Finneran at this month's sitting of the Manorhamilton Municipal District.

The well-known community activist, involved in GAA circles and other local groups passed away in recent days.

Gerry will repose in the Rainbow Ballroom, Glenfarne on Wednesday, 17th May from 4pm to 6.30pm, and from 7pm to 9pm with the funeral mass taking in St Mary's Church on Thursday 18th May at 12pm followed by interment in the adjoining cemetery.

Cllr Seán McDermott says that he will be sorely missed in the community:

The Donegal based President of the GRA says gardai can't respond properly to anti-immigration protests as policing is in crisis.

It's after violent protests against migrants in Dublin over the weekend.

Meanwhile ,demonstrators are currently using cars and tractors this morning to block road access to a hotel being used for asylum seekers in Inch, Co Clare.

Brendan O'Connor from the Garda Representative Association says gardai don't have the resources to tackle these issues:

There is alarm this morning in relation to the safety of a major water supply servicing parts of north Leitrim and South Donegal.

Yesterday’s meeting of the Manorhamilton MD of Leitrim County Council was told by a local councillor how raw sewage that originated from an unfinished housing development in Garrison and spreading towards the Lough Melvin Special Area of Conservation.

It’s being claimed that the sewage originated on the Lakeside Road in the Fermanagh town and has the potential to be damaging if the issue is not addressed.

Councillor Justin Warnock raised the matter yesterday and he urged the Local Authority in Leitrim to raise the issued with Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Northern Ireland Water, and the Department of Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs.

Speaking to Ocean FM News following yesterday’s meeting says that if the sewage finds its way into a water supply that services a large area thousands of people will be impacted

There is alarm this morning in relation to the safety of a major water supply servicing parts of north Leitrim and South Donegal.

Yesterday’s meeting of the Manorhamilton MD of Leitrim County Council was told by a local councillor how raw sewage that originated from an unfinished housing development in Garrison and spreading towards the Lough Melvin Special Area of Conservation.

It’s being claimed that the sewage originated on the Lakeside Road in the Fermanagh town and has the potential to be damaging if the issue is not addressed.

Councillor Justin Warnock raised the matter yesterday and he urged the Local Authority in Leitrim to raise the issued with Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Northern Ireland Water, and the Department of Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs.

Speaking to Ocean FM News following yesterday’s meeting says that if the sewage finds its way into a water supply that services a large area thousands of people will be impacted