Author name: oisinkelly

North Inishowen continues to have the highest rates of Covid-19 in the county and the country, but the incidence rate there is dropping. Four of Donegal’s seven Local Electoral Areas have seen falls in the figures, with three seeing increases. The Milford Local Electoral Area’s increase was enough to see it become one of the […]

1,491 new cases of Covid 19 have been confirmed today in the Republic, with 193 patients in hospital, 28 of them in ICU. 1,641 new cases have been confirmed today north of the border, with three further covid related deaths. 226 patients are being treated for the disease in hospitals in Northern Ireland, with 39

Saolta has confirmed the Letterkenny Vaccination Centre will operate as a walk-in facility on Sunday. Anyone aged 16 and older who hasn’t yet received their first dose vaccine can go to centre without an appointment, with forst doses or the Pfizer vaccine being offered. Saolta ran a number of walk-in vaccination clinics throughout the West

The rate of unemployment fell in July as the economy continued to reopen. Including those in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment, it stood at 14.4 per cent last month. That’s down from 16.2 per cent in June. CSO figures show the unemployment rate for people aged 15 to 24 was just over 30 per

Registration for covid vaccines for 12 to 15 year olds will open next week. The Health Minister says it’s expected it will start on Thursday August 12th. Minister Stephen Donnelly is encouraging parents and young people to seek information from reliable sources, such as the HSE website.

Another status yellow thunderstorm and rain warning will impact most of the country again tomorrow. The 24 hour alert, for Connacht, Ulster, north Leinster and north Munster, will kick in from 9am tomorrow. It comes as a similar level warning is now in place for the entire country. Met Eireann says there will be downpours

193 people with Covid-19 are in Irish hospitals today, the highest total since mid-April. The figure has increased from 187 yesterday, and is 19 percent higher than last Thursday. According to the HSE there are 30 people with the virus in ICUs across the country.

The HSE is urging people in Donegal to avail of the online self-referral Covid testing booking system. The public is encouraged to book an appointment online via the portal at hse.ie which Dermot Monaghan, Head of Service Primary Care CHO 1 says allows for the easy flow of the testing centre. Booking online enables people

Crowds took to the streets of Buncrana yesterday to once again call for a 100% Mica redress scheme. Affected homeowners and supporters made their way down the town’s Main Street yesterday afternoon. It comes ahead of a second demonstration being planned for Dublin for next month. Meanwhile, yesterday’s first meeting between Donegal members of the

6 people were rescued yesterday evening by the Lough Swilly RNLI after their boat suffered power failure off Rathmullan. Lough Swilly RNLI were tasked shortly after 5:30pm by the Irish Coast Guard to a small vessel not far from Rathmullan. The Lifeboat Crew towed the vessel to the safety of Rathmullan pier.

A Status Yellow Warning for thunderstorms is now in place across the country. Met Eireann says thunderstorms with the risk of hail will lead to localised flooding and hazardous driving conditions. The warning is in place until 7pm.

1,314 new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the republic this evening, with 187 Covid patients in hospital today, of which 30 were in ICU. Latest figures for Letterkenny University Hospital show 12 patients, two of them in ICU. 1,040 new cases of Covid 19 have been confirmed North of the border this afternoon,

Former Minister Katherine Zappone has told the Government she WON’T be taking up the position of UN Special Envoy. Zappone said the criticism of the appointment in recent days has impacted the legitimacy of the job itself. There had been controversy about the Government appointing a former Minister and Zappone’s recent hosting of an event

    An island wide status yellow thunderstorm warning has been issued for tomorrow. Met Eireann says thundery spells of rain will fall between 6am and 7pm. There will be a risk of lightning and local hail at times. A similar warning has been issued north of the border, with forecasters warning there could be

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, announced today the €7 Million Fund to over 50 rural towns and villages. With Donegal receiving one of the highest payments of €320,000. The Streetscape Enhancement Initiative is a key part in Our Rural Future, that will help projects to get upgrades to building facades,

  347 people are currently awaiting a bed in Irish hospital wards this morning – 28 of which are in Letterkenny University Hospital, which is the fourth-highest total in the country. 6 patients are awaiting a bed in the Emergency Department, and 22 patients are awaiting beds elsewhere in the hospital. Only University Hospital Limerick,

63 percent of parents are happy for their children to receive a Covid-19 vaccine. New research carried out by Zahra showing that four out of 10 parents believe the pandemic has had an impact on their child’s mental health, while just under half think their childrens’ confidence has been knocked. The survey shows the highest

Donegal County Council is looking at whether more towns should be included in the list of areas where casual trading can be licensed, with a consultation period now open until September 3rd. Under Bye-Laws previously adopted by the council, casual trading areas have been designated in Ballyshannon, Bundoran, Buncrana, Killybegs and Letterkenny. At present, there

1,015 new cases of Covid-19 have been reported in the Republic this evening. Meanwhile the Chief Medical Officer’s urging people to stay at home if symptomatic. Dr Tony Holohan says doctors are reporting outbreaks linked to people with symptoms attending workplaces, eating out, or visiting friends. Another 1,082 cases of coronavirus have been reported North

Letterkenny University Hospital remains extremely busy this week; with higher than average numbers of people attending. A statement issued by Saolta this afternoon says as a result, patients are currently experiencing long waiting times to be admitted from the Emergency Department to an acute bed in the hospital. Management at the hospital are appealing to

Donegal County Council has completed and submitted a Category 1 funding application for Buncrana under the Rural Regeneration Development Fund. Cathaoirleach Cllr Jack Murray says the application is a real statement of intent from the council to prioritise investment in Donegal’s largest seaside town. The initial application is for just over €1.35 million for planning

163,400 people are receiving the Pandemic Unemployment Payment this week – the lowest figure recorded since the pandemic started. The figure marks a drop of 29,000 on last week, which saw the resumption of indoor dining. In Donegal, the figures showed that today 5,026 people were receiving PUP compared to 5,983 people receiving it on