A Donegal based Senator has made history as the first traveller to address the Dail. Senator Eileen Flynn was speaking as part of statements on the report of the Special Oireachtas Committee on key issues affecting the traveller community. She told the Dail that the travelling community must be afforded every opportunity going forward. The …
Donegal Senator makes history as first traveller to address Dail Read More »
Minister for Foreign Affairs will attend an extraordinary meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels today. The meeting will focus on the EU’s cooperation with its partners in responding to Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine. Its expected EU Ministers will have an in-depth discussion on the situation and the coordination of next steps with …
Foreign Affairs Council to discuss response to Russian invasion Read More »
There’s a warning inflation could double what was expected here by the end of the year. The ESRI had predicted an inflation rate of between 4% and 6 % in 2022. However spiralling fuel prices caused by the war in Ukraine have prompted fears the pressure around energy supplies may continue for a lot longer …
Listen back to the main evening news, sport, farming and obituaries for Thursday March 3rd:
8,788 new Covid19 cases have been confirmed today. There are 4,042 PCR-confirmed cases, while 4,746 people registered a positive antigen test through the HSE portal. 661 patients are in hospital, which is an increase of 8 on yesterday. 46 are in ICU, which is unchanged.
Census 2022 will take place on Sunday, April 3rd. This year’s form will have 8 new questions on issues such as renewable resources, internet access, childcare and smoking. This year’s edition will also feature a voluntary time capsule, which will allow households to leave a message to be released in 100 years. Director General of …
There are calls for a reduction in taxes on fuel after petrol prices hit a new high yesterday. Premium unleaded petrol reached 2 euro per litre in a service station in Dublin. AA Ireland says oil stocks are at their lowest in seven years, as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine intensifies. David Horgan, Managing Director …
Calls for reduction in fuel taxes as prices hit new high Read More »
The Housing Minister has also welcomed the publication of the report and has confirmed that it will now be analysed by the Expert Working Group. Minister Darragh O’Brien says today is an important step forward in getting an enhanced scheme up and running. He has confirmed that he intends to bring the final details of …
SCSI report to pave way for redress scheme to come before Cabinet in April Read More »
The SCSI has published its much anticipated ‘Construction Costs for the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme’ report. Based on 2022 material and labour rates, the SCSI has set out an average rebuild cost of €157 – €165 per square foot for an estate type house and €145 – €167 for one-off houses. The enhanced redress …
Concern has been expressed over what’s been described as a lack of regional balance in job creation statistics for Northern Ireland. The data shows that only 103 jobs had been created in West Tyrone in the 15 months up to March 2021. West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan believes the figures demonstrate a high level of …
Concern over lack of regional balance of job creation in North Read More »
A Donegal Labour Councillor believes Alan Kelly never got the chance to demonstrate his leadership skills. Alan Kelly resigned as Labour leader last night after accepting that his parliamentary party no longer had confidence in him. Earlier, he denied members of his parliamentary party were working against him from the start of his time as …
Move to oust Alan Kelly premature – Labour Cllr Martin Farren Read More »
Both the HSE and Donegal County Council are being urged to be proactive as it relates to buildings in Buncrana which are set to become vacant as a result of the new Primary Care Centre. A number of buildings across the town are currently being used as clinics and surgeries but will be vacated when …
Council urged to explore use of buildings in Buncrana set to become vacant Read More »
Investigations are ongoing after a pedestrian was seriously injured in a crash in Raphoe yesterday afternoon. At around 2:30pm yesterday at Guesthouse End Street a car collided with a second vehicle which Gardai say struck a pedestrian. The woman in her 50s was removed from the scene to Letterkenny University Hospital in a serious condition. …
The SCSI is to present the findings of its ‘Construction Costs for the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme’ report today. Last month, the body was instructed to produce an independent, standalone construction cost report for the demolition and rebuilding of homes affected by defective concrete blocks. The report provides costing for eight house types in …
A review of medication practices in every CAMHS team in the country is getting underway today. It was ordered after the scandal in the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service in south Kerry. A review found 46 children were significantly harmed, after they were prescribed inappropriate medication by a junior doctor. Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae …
Review of CAMHS medication practices underway across the country today Read More »
The commercial vaccancy rate in Donegal has increased. The number of vacant commercial properties in Donegal has increased to 16.9% in the last quarter of 2021, above the national average of 13.9%. According to figures published today by GeoDirectory, Ballybofey has the highest commercial vacancy rate in the country at 30% while Buncrana had the …
Ballybofey records highest commercial vacancy rate in Ireland Read More »
A mural was last night unveiled in Letterkenny in a show of solidarity with the people of Ukraine. The mural was painted by street artist Ciarán Dunlevy and is on display in the Port Road. The unveiling coincided with a vigil.
Ukrainian officials believe Russian rocket strikes are cutting off heating and water supplies in several major cities, as troops close in on the capital. It’s currently freezing in Kyiv, and many of those who’ve chosen to stay are sheltering underground with missiles devastating buildings. A week since Russia’s invasion began, it appears to have taken …
Further questions are being asked over the level of communication as it relates to Storm Franklin and Mica homeowners. It’s understood that Cllrs were well briefed as it relates to storm Dudley and Eunice however, it’s thought more could have been done in terms of prior warnings for Franklin. There was structural damage to a …
Furthers questions raised over damage caused to Mica homes by Storm Franklin Read More »
Ireland has again been criticised for failing to provide Traveller accommodation. The Council of Europe said that less than one fifth of last year’s budget allocation had been spent mid-way through 2021, while over half of all local authorities hadn’t drawn down any funding at all for Traveller housing. However the Irish Examiner reports the …
Ireland criticised again for failing to provide traveller accomodation Read More »
Full planning approval has been granted for 70 new social homes in Strabane. The project will include 60 new houses and 10 apartments on the former Lady of Mercy High School site between Evish Road and Mount Carmel Heights in the town. The application for the housing scheme was made by local company McGettigan Homes, …
Planning approved for 70 new social homes in Strabane Read More »
Listen back to the main evening news, sport and obituaries for Wednesday March 2nd here:
It’s been confirmed today that Dr. Orla Flynn will be the first president of the new Atlantic Technological University, which will be established on 1 April. Dr Flynn is the current president of Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology. Her appointment was confirmed this afternoon by Minister Simon Harris. Dr Brendan McCormack (IT Sligo), Dr Orla Flynn …
7,694 new cases of Covid 19 have been reported this afternoon. Of those, 3,342 were confirmed through PCR tests, while 4,352 people registered positive antigen tests through the HSE portal yesterday. As of 8 0’clock this morning, 653 Covid 19 patients were in hospital, 46 of them in Intensive Care. Latest figures for Letterkenny University …
7,694 new Covid 19 cases reported this afternoon Read More »
The Government is willing to disregard people in rural areas and those without access to broadband in the pursuit of privatisation. That’s according to Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle who was speaking today on a Private Members’ motion on the National Driver Licence Service. The Dail has heard calls for such services to remain available …
NDLS downgrade unacceptable for Donegal – Pringle Read More »
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has branded proposed legislation on remote working as “useless, unreasonable, and unfair” to employees. ICTU along with employers group IBEC were before an Oireachtas Trade Committee today, to discuss the finer details of the Right to Request Remote Working Bill. General Secretary of ICTU Patricia King says there’s …
Proposed legislation on remote working “useless & unreasonable’ Read More »
A small quantity of drugs have been seized in Derry. Police responding to a report of people acting suspiciously in an alleyway on William Street at around 12:20am, conducted a search and subsequently seized a small quantity of suspected Class A drugs. A 24-year-old man was dealt with by way of a Community Resolution Notice. …
The INMO is seeking an urgent meeting with senior management in Letterkenny University Hospital in light of dangerous overcrowding. It follows the revelation last evening that 10 ambulances were backed up at the hospital as unprecedented numbers attend the Emergency Department. The INMO says Letterkenny University Hospital has informed all staff that the facility is …
The HSE Chief Executive says they’re trying to hire new healthcare staff in a ‘very challenging recruitment market’, particularly in non city based hospitals such as Letterkenny. The HSE expects to recruit only half of the staff it has funding in place for this year, with non-availability of staff being identified as a major element …
HSE boss says 50% of vacant posts won’t be filled in 2022 Read More »
The Donegal Road Safety Working Group and Finn Harps Football Club have announced the winners of the Primary School Road Safety Art Competition. This year once again many excellent drawings were submitted and the competition continues to be popular with Primary school children in Donegal. Overall Winner: Sam Byrne, St. Baithin’s NS, St. Johnston. Runners …
Winners of Road Safety Art Competition announced Read More »
The issue of the dredging at Magheraroarty is to be raised in the Dail, after it emerged that at times, ferries and fishing boats are unable to use the pier there. Local Cllr Michael Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig says dredging the area around the pier was previously done as a matter of routine, but now, …
Delay in Magheraroarty dredging to be raised in Dail Read More »
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation is seeking an urgent meeting with senior management in Letterkenny University Hospital in light of what they say is dangerous overcrowding. It’s claimed all staff have been notified that the hospital is nearing major incident level capacity. INMO Industrial Relations Officer, Neal Donohue says the level of overcrowding in …
‘Staff, patients and people of Donegal deserve better’ -INMO Read More »
During National Slow Down Day, 1,675 vehicles were detected speeding across the country. A number of detections were highlighted in Donegal. One motorist was caught speeding at 124km/h in a 100 km/h zone in Listillion, Letterkenny while another driver was detected travelling at 78km/h in a 50km/h stretch in Porthall. Elsewhere, in Portnason, Ballyshannon a …
Number of motorists detected speeding in Donegal on National Slow Down Day Read More »
Government representatives who are due to visit America for St. Patricks Day are being urged to exert whatever influence they can on the US Administration to provide solutions for the undocumented Irish. The Migration Policy Institute estimated that there were approximately 16,000 undocumented Irish in the US in 2017. Donegal born Senator Robbie Gallagher says …
Senator Gallagher hopes St Patrick’s Day visits can find solution for undocumented in US Read More »
MS sufferers in parts of Donegal are effectively left stranded by a lack of accessible transport. The Swilly-Mulroy MS Support Group says it has a number of wheelchair users who have been unable to attend the weekly support group recently due to a lack of funding for accessible transport. The Milford & District Resource Centre …
Major investment needed for accessible transport – Meehan Read More »
The Health Minister has been told that there is an unprecedented crisis in Letterkenny University Hospital’s Emergency Department. At one stage yesterday 10 ambulances were backed up at the hospital’s ED. Speaking in the Dail last night on a Sinn Fein motion on Health Waiting Lists, Donegal Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn once again highlighted the impact …
WATCH: Health Minister hears of ‘unprecedented crisis at LUH’ Read More »
A Donegal town is to receive a share of €1.75m in funding announced today for 13 Historic Towns under Historic Towns Initiative with Heritage Council. €250,000 has been sanctioned for Ballyshannon to conserve the historic built environment. The project will work with the owners of seven buildings on the Mall and Main Street and will …
Ballyshannon to receive €250,000 to conserve historic built environment Read More »
A South Donegal Deputy has questioned if Ireland has done all it can amid the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Speaking in the Dail Deputy Marian Harkin said Russia’s invasion was premeditated and well planned. While Ireland announced sanctions on Russia in previous days, Deputy Harkin is unsure if enough has been done:
There are big plans afoot for Bridgend with a planned project set to significantly improve the road through the village. It’s estimated that the Donegal – Derry route facilities more than 19,000 vehicles in both directions every day. The project is geared towards upgrading a 1.2km section through Bridgend and onto the border. A public …
Public consultation to take place on improving Bridgend road Read More »
At least 21 people have reportedly been killed and 112 wounded following Russian shelling in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. The regional governor says homes were among the buildings hit. Moscow’s urging residents in Ukraine’s capital to flee – saying it’ll strike key security and communication services. Convoys of Russian armoured vehicles are edging …
Russian shelling in Kharkiv kills over 20 people with 112 wounded – Reports Read More »
The Health Minister has been told that failure to invest in beds and staff at Letterkenny University Hospital resulted in 10 ambulances being backed up at the hospital’s Emergency Department yesterday. A statement issued by Saolta yesterday, said that with an average of 120 patients presenting at the hospital daily over the past week, significant …
Health Minister told failure to invest in LUH resulted in back up of ambulances Read More »
The Minister for the OPW has come under fire for not engaging on the issue of coastal erosion in North Inishowen. There have been ongoing campaigns calling for action to protect the coastline in the Ballyliffin and Malin areas of the peninsula. Particular erosion concerns centre on the Ballyliffin links golf course and the area …
OPW Minister criticised over coastal erosion issues in North Inishowen Read More »
Fórsa is holding an information meeting for Donegal school secretaries on new employment proposals next week. It’s ahead of a ballot of school secretary members on a set of proposals designed to regularise their employment terms and conditions. Draft proposals were finalised last week at the WRC which include a new pay scale aligned with …
Fórsa to hold meeting for Donegal school secretaries Read More »
Two gardai and three sergeants got over €50,000 each in overtime last year. According to freedom of information figures, one officer got €61,000. The total bill for Garda overtime in 2021 was €114 million – nearly 15 million more than the previous year. Sinn Féin’s justice spokesman, South Donegal Deputy Martin Kenny, is calling for …
120 patients on average have been presenting to Letterkenny University Hospital for treatment every day over the past week. Management has confirmed that the situation has resulted in significant delays and pressure on bed availability at the hospital. Figures released this evening show that 139 people attended the Emergency Department yesterday. The high number of …
Listen back to the main evening news, sport and obituaries for Tuesday March 1st:
It’s been claimed that there are currently ten ambulances backed up at Letterkenny University Hospital. This equates to roughly three quarters of the entire fleet available to Donegal in any given day. Cllr Gerry McMonagle who is also chair of the Regional Health Form West says the situation appears to have hit crisis level. Cllr …
8,071 cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed today. The Department of Health has been notified of 3,300 PCR-confirmed cases. In addition, 4,771* people registered a positive antigen test through the HSE portal yesterday. As of 8am today, 616 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of whom 48 are in ICU.
Gardai are currently at the scene of a crash in Donegal Town. No further details are known at this time.
The HSE says it must recruit 9,500 people a year just to ‘stand still’. CEO Paul Reid says staff turnover means the health service would need to recruit almost 20-thousand new staff in order to meet its recruitment targets. The HSE came before an Oireachtas Committee last month, after details of an internal meeting …
HSE must recruit 9,500 people a year just to ‘stand still’ Read More »
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