Author name: oisinkelly

28% of Covid-19 tests taken at Buncrana’s test centre are positive. Figures from the HSE show the highest positivity rates for self-referrals as of Tuesday evening, are in Buncrana followed by Tallaght Stadium, Dublin. Meanwhile, Buncrana also has the highest positivity rate for walk-in testing at 23.6%. Donegal GP Denis McCauley who is Chair of […]

The Arkinson family solicitor says the possibility of a public inquiry into the death of Arlene Arkinson offers hope that someday they will be able to bury her. Yesterday’s inquest into the Castlederg teenager found that she was murdered by convicted child killer and rapist Robert Howard. The 15 year old disappeared in August 1994

An Irish MEP says there’s been a catalogue of bad faith from the UK side on the Northern Ireland protocol. It’s after the UK called for significant changes to the agreement, saying it’s causing major problems for trade. But the European Commission immediately ruled out renegotiating the deal. Fianna Fail MEP, Barry Andrews, says the

Broadband issues in the Castlefin area are said to be causing havoc for people working from home. Councillor Gary Doherty has raised concerns over what he says are serious broadband issues. He says outages have been affecting the village and surrounding areas since the weekend with similar service disruptions experienced in April. Councillor Doherty says

The number of domestic violence cases sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions has increased by over two thirds this year. Gardai sent 550 files to the DPP between January and May – compared to 327 in the same period in 2020. 31 of the cases were in Donegal. The force was looking for direction

The Stormont executive will meet today to decide whether to allow restrictions to ease significantly on Monday. Live music is due to fully return, while audiences would be allowed in theatres and concert halls. Social distancing would be reduced to one metre indoors – and scrapped entirely outdoors and on public transport. Belfast GP Alan

A Donegal Mica campaigner says he would like to see a special cabinet meeting in August to discuss the issue. The Defective Blocks Working Group meets again tomorrow, with Mica Action Group PRO Michael Doherty saying they are now getting down to what he termed the ‘heavy lifting’. After yesterday’s meeting ended, campaigners reported progress

The five-day moving average of Covid-19 cases has increased by over 300% over the past month. Deputy chief medical officer, Ronan Glynn, says it has risen from 300 to 1,223 during that period. 1,378 new cases were reported yesterday – the highest daily total since January 30th. The 14 day incidence rate of the virus

Today’s meeting of the Mica Working Group has ended, with progress being reported. Paddy Diver of the 100% Redress No Less Campaign says agreement has been reached on scrapping the upfront costs of up to €7,000 to make an application, and issues surrounding rent payments for temporary accomodation and the scrapping of the need for

The British government is looking for significant changes to the Brexit protocol in relation to the North. It also wants what it calls a ‘standstill period’ to facilitate negotiations. The Northern Secretary says there has been change in trade between Britain and the North as companies changed supply lines. Brandon Lewis also claims there has

Ireland could report up to 4,000 Covid cases per day in the coming weeks. Leo Varadkar says the country is experiencing a fourth virus wave caused by the Delta strain. The Tanaiste says he’s concerned by the recent jump in cases. But says deaths will likely be lower compared to the January wave due to

Sinn Fein’s Finance Spokesperson says the Central Bank’s finding that companies penalise insurance customers for their loyalty is a victory for consumers. On average, long-term car insurance customers are charged 14% more versus those renewing for the first time. While loyal home insurance customers pay 32% extra. The regulator says it will now ban this

The Legal Services Regulatory Authority received 64 complaints against lawyers in Donegal last year, the third highest in the country. According to the Irish Independent, a total of 1,389 complaints were made against solicitors across the country and 33 against barristers. The Irish Independent’s Legal Affairs Editor, Shane Phelan says the complaints vary from misconduct

The President has officially signed the new legislation on indoor dining into law. Pubs, coffee shops and restaurants are set to welcome back customers indoors from Monday. Stephanie Rohan reports from the Government’s Cabinet meeting at Dublin Castle.

An Inishowen Caravan and Camping centre owner has heavily criticised Irish Water over what she says is a lack of communication over night time restrictions. On Monday, the utility said that specific night-time restrictions were being put in place in a number of areas of East Donegal for the next week, with further restrictions likely

The Taoiseach is appealing to the public to keep following covid guidelines not matter how tired people are of the pandemic. The Delta variant has led to an 88 per cent increase in cases here over the past week – with a rise in every county. 1,110 new cases were reported yesterday. Micheál Martin says

Minister Damien English says it is disappointing that the Mica Redress Scheme has not worked as well as it should have. Minister English was Minister of State for Housing when the 90 10 redress scheme was announced. He says the Defective Blocks Working Group which is meeting today is progressing works on closing the 10%

A senior Minister says any advice from a public source must be accurate, following reports Irish holidaymakers travelling to Malta without a Digital Covid Cert were told it wouldn’t be a problem. A number of people who had travelled to the island have been placed in mandatory quarantine as the country doesn’t accept a negative

The British Government’s plan to amend the Northern Ireland Protocol is a very dangerous and worrying development. That’s according to Donegal Pharmacist Tom Murray of Border Communities Against Brexit. Today the UK government will unveil a so-called ‘command paper’ – saying the current arrangement is causing significant disruption in the North. The British Prime Minister,

All adults are now able to sign up for a Pfizer or Moderna Covid-19 vaccine. The HSE’s online portal opens for everyone over 18 today – meaning they can register for an mRNA jab. Almost 5.3 million vaccines have been administered so far, with nearly 2.5 million adults fully vaccinated. Former head of the HSE,

Cabinet ministers are expected to sign off on guidelines for the resumption of indoor dining today. It’ll allow pubs and restaurants to serve indoors from next Monday – as long as the President signs off on the legislation. They’ll have to close at 11.30pm, and work is under way on an app to scan Digital

The incidence rate of Covid-19 has increased in every county over the past week. Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn says there have been 7,700 cases in the past seven days – up 88 per cent on the previous week. Donegal has the highest 14-day incidence rate at 725 per 100,000 of the population.

The British government is expected to call for significant changes to the Northern Ireland Protocol today. It will unveil a so-called ‘command paper’ in Westminster – demanding an overhaul of the agreement with the EU. British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, says the current arrangement is causing significant disruption to trade in the North. But Minister