Listen back to main evening news, sport & obituaries
Listen back to the main evening news, sport and obituaries for Wednesday February 2nd:
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12,560 new Covid cases in ROI, 4,769 in NI
12,560 new cases have been confirmed in the Republic this afternoon, 5,940 confirmed through PCR tests and 6,620 by people who yesterday registered a positive antigen test through the HSE portal. 92 new Covid-related deaths have been reported over the past week. 630 Covid patients are in hospital, with 65 in intensive care. Latest figures …
Boy hailed for rescuing father after cliff fall
A boy from Kilcar has been commended for bravery by the HSE’s National Ambulance Service. Ten-year-old Owen Cunningham raised the alarm after his father Seamus sustained injuries when he fell off a cliff on 16th November 2021, while working on farm fencing. Realising the danger his father was in and not having a mobile …
Taoiseach has ‘open mind’ on not raising State pension age
The Taoiseach has said he has an open mind on not raising the State pension age. It’s after an Oireachtas Committee recommended keeping the qualifying age at 66 – rather than following the Pensions Commission advice to raise it to 68 by 2039. It also advised getting rid of mandatory retirement ages in employment …
Taoiseach has ‘open mind’ on not raising State pension age Read More »
Use of masks in primary schools under review
The National Public Health Emergency Team is currently reviewing the use of masks in primary schools. Representatives appeared before the Oireachtas Health Committee this morning. Deputy Cathal Crowe described the ongoing use of masks in primary schools as a struggle, and asked when this measure would be stood down. Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr …
29 people awaiting beds at LUH
There were 29 people awaiting beds at Letterkenny University Hospital this morning, three of them on Emergency Department trolleys. According to the INMO’s Trolley Watch report, the figure at Sligo University Hospital was even higher, with 34 admitted patients awaiting beds there, 25 of them in the ED. In total, there were 520 people awaiting …
Cancer patients in Saolta region have worst outcomes in Ireland
The Dail has been told that cancer patients in the Saolta region have the worst outcomes in Ireland. Independent TD Sean Canny was speaking during a debate on the cost of cancer care, during which he called for investment in the Regional Cancer Centre in Galway, as well as in other Level 3 hospitals across …
Cancer patients in Saolta region have worst outcomes in Ireland Read More »
Glenties community commended for their part in ‘Wild West’ shooting investigation
The community of Glenties have been praised for their part in the investigation into the Wild West shooting rampage. Yesterday, 24 year old Stephen Dowling of Burren Road, Carlow was sentenced to 8 years in prison after he figured a number of shots from a high-powered telescopic rifle on Glenties main street in the early …
Glenties community commended for their part in ‘Wild West’ shooting investigation Read More »
Diver seeks details on Mica Emergency Payment protocols
A leading Mica campaigner has voiced his frustration over a lack of progress on the delivery of the enhanced Mica redress scheme announced back in November. Paddy Diver claims Donegal County Council needs to refocus its efforts . On the Nine til Noon Show this morning, he hit out at what has become a cycle …
Diver seeks details on Mica Emergency Payment protocols Read More »
Plans to increase pension age in doubt
The Social Protection Minister has said she’ll consider a committee report which recommends against increasing the State pension age. An Oireachtas committee has said it rejects the Pensions Commission recommendation that the retirement age increase beyond 66. It also wants mandatory retirement clauses in contracts to be banned. The Pensions Commission found the current State …
Serious concern raised over building housing special educational needs students in Inishowen
Serious concerns have been raised over not fit for purpose facilities for students with special educational needs at a school in Inishowen. Anthony Harkin’s 15 year old son AJ attends Scoil Mhuire Buncrana and along with other pupils with special educational needs has been moved to a building off campus with Covid cited as a …
Donegal Deputy reiterates call for ‘Person K’ to be examined
A Donegal Deputy says it’s astonishing that ‘Person K’ identified in the Greenwich report as having been involved in multiple murders in the North West between 1989 and 1993 was never brought to justice. The recently published report details that the so called ‘Person K’ is believed to have been involved in multiple murders and …
Donegal Deputy reiterates call for ‘Person K’ to be examined Read More »
Long-awaited HGV restrictions come into force in Clady
Hauliers who had been crossing the border into Donegal through Clady village will now have to rethink their route. It’s after 7.5 HGV weight restriction signs were erected in the west Tyrone village in recent days after a significant local campaign. The community has previously voiced concerns relating to heavy duty vehicles passing through the …
Long-awaited HGV restrictions come into force in Clady Read More »
‘Child pornography legislation language dangerous’ – Senator Flynn
A Donegal Senator says the terminology currently being used in child pornography legislation is harmful. Senator Eileen Flynn has moved to introduce a child trafficking and child sexual exploitation material amendment bill to address what she says is a very important language issue. She’s proposed the legislation use the term ‘child sexual exploitation material’ as …
‘Child pornography legislation language dangerous’ – Senator Flynn Read More »
Plans for €100 off electricity bills to be debated today
A proposal to cut €100 off every household’s energy bill will be debated in the Dáil today. The cabinet signed off on the plan last week, and hopes it will be passed through the Oireachtas this month. The once-off payment will then be taken off people’s electricity bills at the end of March. But People …
Plans for €100 off electricity bills to be debated today Read More »
Taoiseach praises Bloody Sunday commemorations
The Taoiseach has praised the Bloody Sunday families and the people of Derry after travelling to the city for last weekend’s 50th anniversary commemorations. Speaking in the Dail during a discussion on legacy issues in the context of the New Decade New Approach, Michael Martin said the message of the weekend was one of resilience …
Work to commence on Buncrana water supply
Work is due to get underway in the coming weeks on the water supply in Buncrana. The new water mains are set to reduce the high level of leakage in the area and will increase security of supply and reliability. Irish Water, working in partnership with Donegal County Council, is replacing approximately 900m of old …
Cancer patients paying €800 per year on hospital charges
Most cancer patients spend €800 a year on public hospital charges, according to the Social Democrats. The party will bring forward a motion in the Dáil today, calling for the fees to be scrapped for these patients. Inpatient hospital charges are €80 per visit – capped at €800 a year. The Social Democrats’ health spokesperson, …
Cancer patients paying €800 per year on hospital charges Read More »
‘Exam-only Leaving Cert missed opportunity’ – CRA
The government’s approval of an exam-only Leaving Cert is a missed opportunity for meaningful reform, according to a youth advocacy group. Yesterday it was announced this year’s exam won’t have predictive grading and instead give students fewer questions and greater choice to answer. It comes despite calls from students for the hybrid model to remain …
‘Exam-only Leaving Cert missed opportunity’ – CRA Read More »
FSR to receive over £150,000 in funding
Foyle Search and Rescue is to receive over £150,000 in funding. DAERA Minister Edwin Poots confirmed the funding to Mr Durkan in the Assembly yesterday. It’s understood that the money will go towards essential equipment to support search and rescue teams. Since being established in 1993 Foyle Search and Rescue has saved countless lives of …
Listen back to main evening news, sport and obituaries
Listen back to the main evening news, sport and obituaries for Tuesday February 1st.
Update: Security alert at Foyleside shopping centre ends
Police have confirmed that the security alert at Foyleside shopping centre has ended and has been declared a hoax. All stores are now open and operating as normal. Earlier today the PSNI liaised with management at Foyleside Shopping Centre to advise they had received a report of a bomb being placed in the centre …
Update: Security alert at Foyleside shopping centre ends Read More »
Doherty clashes with Taoiseach over Bobby Storey funeral
Taoiseach Michael Martin has clashed with Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty in the Dail this afternoon, after Deputy Doherty raised questions about the party held by Department of Foreign Affairs staff after Ireland secured a place on the UN Security Council. Deputy Doherty asked if Minister Simon Coveney would come to the Dail to answer questions …
Doherty clashes with Taoiseach over Bobby Storey funeral Read More »
10,618 new Covid cases in ROI, 4,622 in NI
10,618 new cases of Covid 19 have been confirmed in the Republic this afternoon. There were 4,208 PCR confirmed cases, while a further 6,410 people registered a positive antigen test through the HSE portal. Meanwhile, 4,622 new coronavirus cases have been recorded in the North in the last 24 hours. There have been four aditional …
Man jailed for eight years for Glenties shooting spree
A man who went on a shooting rampage with a high-powered rifle in Glenties has been jailed for eight years. 24 year old Stephen Dowling of Burren Road, Carlow who went on, what was described in court as, ‘a wild west rampage’ in February of 2020 was sentenced today at Letterkenny Circuit Court. Reacting to …
Man jailed for eight years for Glenties shooting spree Read More »
Breaking: Security alert at Derry shopping centre
Foyleside Shopping Centre in Derry has been evacuated due to a security alert. Police said there had been a report of a bomb being placed in the centre this afternoon. Motorists and pedestrians are advised to avoid the area and there are no further details at this stage.
Donegal Gardai need more support in traumatic incidents – AGSI
The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors has called for mandatory support for members caught up in traumatic incidents in the line of duty. It comes following the sentencing today of 24 year old Stephen Dowling of Burren Road, Carlow who went on, what was described as, ‘a wild west rampage’ in Glenties in …
Donegal Gardai need more support in traumatic incidents – AGSI Read More »
New car registrations in Donegal up over 2%
The number of new cars registered in Donegal is up over 2%. 619 new cars were registered in the county last month, up from 604 during the same period the previous year. Nationally, however, new car registrations for January are down slightly. According to the Society of the Irish Motor Industry, over 25,000 new cars …
14 Covid infected patients at LUH
66 people with Covid-19 are in ICU this afternoon – the joint lowest since early October. Figures also show there’s 624 patients with the virus in hospital. Latest figures show 14 infected patients at Letterkenny University Hospital, two in Intensive Care Last week, the HSE said almost half of admissions to hospital linked to Covid …
Campaign launched for more NW neurology nurses
A campaign has been launched today seeking investment to tackle a serious shortage of nurse specialists in neurology in Sligo University Hospital. The Neurological Alliance of Ireland says increasing the number of nurse specialists in neurology will reduce waiting lists, free up hospital resources and deliver real improvements for neurology patients. The NAI says Sligo …
Power outage causing water supply issues in Inishowen
Irish Water say supply disruptions may be experienced in Craigtown, Burnfoot and surrounding areas due to a power outage. Work is currently ongoing to resolve the issue with supply expected to be restored by 4pm this afternoon.
Police in Derry declare device a hoax
Searches have been carried out in Derry today following an anonymous report received by police in the early hours of this morning that a device had been left at a school. Officers conducted searches and checks both in the building in the Hawkin Street area and the surrounding area. Chief Inspector Clive Beatty has confirmed …
LUH second most overcrowded hospital in January
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation has warned that chronic overcrowding cannot become the norm once again in the country’s hospitals. Last month, a total of 8,636 patients were on trolleys at hospitals across the country, 817 of those patients were waiting on a bed at Letterkenny University Hospital. Letterkenny was the second most overcrowded …
Calls for dedicated planning team for Letterkenny
There are calls for a dedicated planning team for Letterkenny. It’s thought the town has suffered since the town council was abolished some years ago. Plans are already afoot for Letterkenny to become a city by 2040. Cllr Gerry McMonagle say if the Council is serious about developing the town, then it would be a …
Calls for dedicated planning team for Letterkenny Read More »
Students to sit traditional Leaving Cert exam
Students will sit the traditional Leaving Cert this summer – with greater choice than usual. Education Minister Norma Foley will bring this proposal to cabinet this morning. Students had been calling for a combination of written exams and accredited grades – similar to the past two years. Solidarity TD Mick Barry believes the traditional leaving …
New ‘Harnessing Digital’ strategy to come before cabinet
A new national digital strategy will be brought to cabinet today. The strategy, “Harnessing Digital”, aims to give all Irish households and businesses access to a Gigabit network by 2028, and to ensure all populated areas of Ireland are covered by 5G network by 2030. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery and Investment hopes the …
New ‘Harnessing Digital’ strategy to come before cabinet Read More »
Fine for parking on footpaths doubles
Fines for parking on footpaths, cycle tracks and bus lanes double from today. The penalty is increasing from 40 to 80 euro. Announcing the move last month, the Transport Minister Eamon Ryan said it would encourage a more considerate use of road space and promote active travel.
Fresh appeal issued over one of Donegal’s most gruesome murders
Superintendent David Kelly of Milford Garda Station has issued a fresh appeal over one of Donegal’s most gruesome murders. Shaun Duffy was killed at his home in Dungloe over 17 years ago. On the morning of Saturday 29th January 2005, 36 year old Shaun Duffy was murdered in his home at Meenacross, Dungloe. Mr. Duffy …
Fresh appeal issued over one of Donegal’s most gruesome murders Read More »
Listen back to main evening news, sport & obituaries
Listen back to the main evening news, sport and obituaries for Monday 31st January:
26,072 Covid cases confirmed over past three days
26,072 cases of Covid 19 have been confirmed over the past three days. The Department of Health is no longer releasing daily figures over the weekend. Therefore, three days of cases numbers have been released this afternoon. 692 patients are in hospital, with 75 of those in ICU.
‘An unfortunate day’- Cathaoirleach reacts to meeting
The Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council has described a series of adjournments at the latest sitting of the Council as unfortunate. The monthly meeting Donegal County Council has been suspended until next Monday. It follows the taking of a recorded vote which saw Councillor Frank McBrearty suspended from all Council Municipal District and Committee …
‘An unfortunate day’- Cathaoirleach reacts to meeting Read More »
3,737 new Covid cases recorded in North
3,737 new coronavirus cases have been recorded in the North in the last 24 hours. There have been eight additional covid related deaths. 363 patients are being treated for the disease in hospital in Northern Ireland, with 22 in ICU.
Update: Council meeting adjourned until next Monday
The monthly meeting Donegal County Council has been suspended until next Monday. It follows the taking of a recorded vote which saw Councillor Frank McBrearty suspended from all Council Municipal District and Committee meetings for one month.
Breaking: Council meeting adjourned for sixth time
Donegal Cllr Frank McBrearty is facing possible suspension from all council and Municipal District meetings as he continues to refuse to leave a meeting of council after members voted that he should. Cllr McBrearty contends that the council no right to do so, and told the meeting this could cause a constitutional crisis. …
Breaking: Council meeting adjourned for sixth time Read More »
Council meeting adjourned for fifth time
Donegal Cllr Frank McBrearty is facing a 10% cut in his pay and expenses after continually refusing to leave the authority’s monthly meeting When the meeting reconvened after a fourth adjournment, Cathaoirleach Jack Murray read an extract from the council’s standing orders which provides for penalties in the case of a member refusing to …
Council vote to suspend Cllr McBrearty from meeting
Donegal County Council has voted by 32 votes to one to remove Cllr Frank McBrearty from its monthly meeting in the Aura Leisure Centre in Letterkenny. The only Cllr to record a no vote was Cllr Michael Cholm MacGiolla Easbuig ; Cllr McBrearty himself did not record a vote. Once the recorded vote had …
Council vote to suspend Cllr McBrearty from meeting Read More »
Monthly council meeting adjourned multiple times
Donegal County Council’s monthly meeting has been adjourned three times, the first time within five minutes of its opening. As minutes from the November meeting were being discussed, Cllrs Gary Doherty and Nicholas Crossan asked what the situation was regarding claims made at that meeting of systematic corruption in Donegal County Council. The claims had …
Monthly council meeting adjourned multiple times Read More »
10 year moratorium on further military exercises in Irish waters proposed
It’s proposed an immediate 10 year moratorium on further military exercises taking place in Irish waters be introduced. It’s after Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney confirmed over the weekend that Russia is moving its drills outside of Ireland’s Exclusive Economic Zone. The Irish South and West Fishermen’s Producers Organisation and the Irish Fish Processors and …
10 year moratorium on further military exercises in Irish waters proposed Read More »
Legislation to appoint food regulator to be introduced in coming weeks
The Agriculture Minister says legislation to appoint a food regulator will be introduced before the end of March. Farmers have been calling for government to move quickly on the appointment, with many unhappy at how costs and profits are shared along the food supply chain. Protests against the sale of low-cost chicken took place outside …
Legislation to appoint food regulator to be introduced in coming weeks Read More »
Drugs dogs would make Gardai’s work more effective – GRA Vice President
The Vice President of the GRA says the use of drugs dogs in Donegal would greatly assist in cracking down on the circulation of drugs. The benefits of using a drug dog was highlighted after €3.1m worth of cocaine was uncovered at Dublin Port over the weekend. There are currently no drugs dogs available to …
Drugs dogs would make Gardai’s work more effective – GRA Vice President Read More »