Author name: oisinkelly

The Archdeacon of Derry is among those paying tribute to Fr Neal Carlin who passed away yesterday afternoon. Fr Carlin was the founder of the Columba Community, and established St Anthony’s Retreat Centre near Bridgend, White Oaks Rehabilitation Centre, Columba House, and the IOSAS Centre & Celtic Prayer Garden near Muff. A spokesperson for the

101 community organisations in Donegal will share almost €160,000 which has been allocated to the county under the Community Enhancement Programme. Minister Heather Humphreys says the key theme of this year’s programme was supporting groups as they re-open facilities which have been closed due to COVID-19. These include community centres, men’s and women’s sheds, parish

The walk-in Covid-19 test centre located at Nailors Row Car Park behind Cockhill Health Centre in Buncrana will continue to operate until August 15th. No appointment is necessary at the centre, but the HSE is urging people to book online to save time. You can book your online test here The centre was established in

The highest number of cases of Covid-19 since late January has been reported today. The government says there are 1,782 new infections. The seven-day average has risen to about 1,300 cases – with very high incidence rates in Donegal, Louth and Galway. The government says the trajectory of the virus is very uncertain. In the

Donegal County Council, Gardai and the HSE are urging people to socialise responsibly this weekend. In a joint social media post under the banner “It’s time to reconnect safely”, they urge people to be cautious with gatherings, particularly if there are unvaccinated persons present. Meanwhile, An immunology expert says vaccine passports should be used to

A judge at Derry Magistrates Court has said there should be more co-ordination between North and South on travel restrictions. He was speaking he remanded a Derry man who refused to quarantine after returning through Dublin from Turkey in custody. The man’s solicitor said his client suffered from anxiety and depression, and it was a

€510,000 in funding has been announced in equipment grants for Donegal sporting clubs and groups. The funding has been allocated under the latest round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme. In welcoming the allocation, Minister Charlie McConalogue says the funding will support Donegal organisations to increase participation and to help mould future sporting heroes.

Live music is now allowed outdoors in pubs, restaurants and hotels under redrafted Fáilte Ireland guidelines. Multiple tables can also be booked for outdoor events that can accommodate up to 200 people. Drafted in the wake of the controversy over the Tánaiste’s attendance at a party for 50 people at the Merrion Hotel organised by

Donegal County Council has adopted a Tobacco Free Campus Policy. The initiative aims to promote the de-normalisation of smoking, vaping and tobacco use throughout all Council buildings and facilities. Donegal County Council’s Tobacco Free Campus Policy will be effective from September 30th. As a precursor to the launch of Donegal’s ‘Not Around Us’ Campaign, the

A driver has been arrested in the Buncrana area on suspicion of drug driving. The driver was stopped by the Buncrana Roads Policing Unit last night after being detected speeding in a 100KPH zone. The driver subsequently failed a roadside oral fluid test. A fixed charge penalty notice is to be issued for the speeding

Met Éireann’s warning people in 15 counties to expect thunderstorms and heavy rain today. A status yellow alert has been issued for Connacht, Ulster and parts of Leinster and Munster. It begins at 9 o’clock this morning and will end at the same time tomorrow. Flooding and dangerous driving conditions are expected.

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