Author name: oisinkelly

A Donegal Deputy says there needs to be a focus on ensuring the safe evacuation of remaining Irish citizens in Afghanistan. It’s understood efforts are continuing to get 60 Irish passport and visa holders home however, they are being warned to stay away from Kabul airport. 85 people were killed and at least 143 injured

Work is continuing on trying to stage Electric Picnic next month, with pleas from the live events sector for the Government to show support for the industry. Some senior ministers are believed to be supporting the idea of holding the event in Laois at the end of September, despite Laois County Council refusing permission. A

The leader of the DUP will meet with the Taoiseach today to discuss the ongoing impact of Brexit on Northern Ireland. Jeffrey Donaldson is urging the Irish Government to join with the DUP in calling for changes to the Northern Ireland Protocol. The Protocol was brought in to avoid a ‘hard border’ and allow free

Five towns and villages in Donegal have been included in a new €7 million fund to support the enhancement of streetscapes and shopfronts across the country. The Donegal areas to be included are Castlefinn, Laghey, Burnfoot, Falcarragh and Milford, with September 7th the closing date for applications . Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr. Jack

SIPTU has warned that ambulance shortages are no longer a rare occurrence as they once were. On a number of occasions recently, no ambulance was available to respond to calls in Donegal with crews having to travel from other parts of the country. One incident involved a garda patrol car being used to respond to

The Covid-19 vaccination centre in Carndonagh is to close this week. However, the Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council says the job is nowhere near complete. The clinic opened at Carndonagh Community School on June 30th with people having to travel to Letterkenny Institute of Technology’s vaccination clinic to receive a jab after this week. Councillor

The husband of Samantha Willis who died with Covid-19 after giving birth has been speaking of how she thought of others right up until the end. The 35 year old passed away at Altnagelvin Hospital, Derry last week after welcoming daughter Eviegrace. She was unvaccinated based on public health advice which later changed and had

The North’s Infrastructure Minister has committed to visiting Strabane soon, following multiple large flooding incidents that have plagued parts of the town in recent times. There have been repeated floods in both the Ballycolman estate and Pearse Gardens areas of the town in recent years with claims there may be a major structural problem within

Women in the early stages of pregnancy aren’t at increased risk when it comes to contracting Covid-19, according to a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist. Dr. Maeve Eogan says there isn’t any evidence to suggest the first trimester poses a higher risk. It comes amid concerns from teacher unions about the decision to bring unvaccinated pregnant

It’s believed NPHET’s recommending Covid-19 related restrictions should be lifted in as little as six weeks’ time. Following a meeting yesterday, it’s understood public health officials are recommending the government introduce a ‘personal responsibility’ model. It’s thought rising rates of vaccination will present the government with more options, as it prepares to publish its updated

Concerns are mounting for missing Derry man, Francis McMenamin who is believed to have travelled to Killybegs. The 57 year old who is missing from the Bogside area of the city was last seen at lunchtime on Monday. A man fitting his description was spotted in Killybegs yesterday but as of yet he has not

20 Field Supervisors are being sought in Donegal by the CSO ahead of Census 2022, which takes place on April 3rd next. The jobs will operate on a fixed contract between January 4th and May 20th, with the application form available on the CSO website from 9 o’clock this morning. In November, the campaign to

The Justice Minister says Cabinet will give all due consideration to public health advice before moving forward with any plans to ease restrictions. A roadmap to reopening is due to be published on Tuesday, which will outline how measures will be lifted up to Christmas. NPHET met earlier today to discuss the escalating Covid-19 numbers,

52 pharmacies in Donegal are now listed on the HSE website as providing vaccines, with people over the age of 12 being invited to register with a local pharmacy if that’s how they wish to receive their vaccination. Meanwhile, the Vaccination Centre at Letterkenny Institute of Technology is still operational, having administered over 90,000 vaccines

A West Tyrone MP has called on the Irish Government and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, to establish an Irish Passport office in Northern Ireland. Sinn Féin’s Órfhlaith Begley claims that her office has been inundated with requests and complaints from people in the North who are seeking to obtain an Irish passport, but

The country’s three main teaching unions say it’s “incredible” that pregnant teachers are being sent back into schools this coming term. Women in the first 14 weeks of their pregnancy are currently unable to take a vaccine, but are expected to teach in person classes. The Minister for Education, Norma Foley, defended the measure, saying

The Garda Commissioner says the force has learnt lessons from last weekend’s All-Ireland hurling final. It comes after huge crowds gathered on the streets of Limerick, Cork and close to Croke Park before and after the game. Several pubs around the Dublin stadium were told to close for a time in the interest of public

A family representative on the Defective Blocks Working Group says they will be returning to full discussions in the coming weeks with a comprehensive document that clearly outlines their position. Affected homeower Eileen Doherty says considerable work has been done over the summer, and family representatives in Donegal now have a clear and unified position