Author name: oisinkelly

1,173 new cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed today – the highest figure in nearly five and a half months. 79 patients are in hospital with the virus, 23 of whom are in ICU. The chief medical officer, Tony Holohan, says half of today’s cases are among 19 to 34-year-olds, and cases are increasing in

Serious concerns have been raised over parking at Lisfannon Beach. The Cathaoirleach of the Inishowen Municipal District says the parking situation at the moment poses risks with motorists forced to park on the hard shoulder in a 100 km/h zone. The carpark at the beach has been closed due to erosion in the area. Councillor

A Derry Councillor says vaccination certificate systems North and South must work together. Councillor Sandra Duffy says it’s vital for those living and working in border areas that a vaccination system in the North works in tandem with a system in the Republic and vice versa. She says it defies logic if there are two

Two palliative care consultants have been appointed to the Donegal Hospice. Previously, there was only one palliative consultant at the hospice with the role vacant since January 2019. Some services at the hospice were scaled back as a result with patients being treated instead at Letterkenny University Hospital. Chairperson of the Hospice, Grace Boyle told

€23 million has been given to support six airports nationally. Donegal, Dublin, Cork, Shannon, Knock and Kerry are all benefitting, with the split based on passenger numbers in 2019. €142,000 has been sanctioned for Donegal Airport. Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Hildegarde Naughton says the funding will go towards helping the facilities

A Donegal County Councillor doesn’t believe people have lost confidence in the Government’s handling of the pandemic. Councillor Nicholas Crossan agrees that plans being put forward by the Government allowing only vaccinated people dine indoors is the right move. He told today’s Nine til Noon Show that the country will come to a point where

The Minister for Defence has apologised for the lack of support and recognition given to Irish soldiers involved in the Siege of Jadotville. It follows the publication of a report by an independent review group which highlighted the issue. The siege happened in the Congo 60 years ago and saw 158 men from A Company,

More than 5 million doses of a Covid-19 vaccine have now been administered in the Republic. Over 60 percent of adults are now fully vaccinated. While 75 percent of adults have had at least 1 vaccine dose. Chair of the vaccine taskforce, Professor Brian MacCraith, says it’s a ‘very significant day’ in the vaccination programme:

Legislation to allow indoor hospitality reopen will go to its final stage in the Oireachtas later. The Seanad will consider the Health Bill which, if passed, would then go to the President to be signed into law. Yesterday the Tanaiste revealed July 26th as the target date for the reopening. Fine Gael Senator and Seanad

  Flights between Donegal and Dublin are set to resume on Monday July 26th as it’s been confirmed the the PSO contract for the route has been awarded to Amapola. The Swedish operator has been awarded a 7 month contract with flights to operate twice daily. Transport Minister Eamon Ryan says to ensure the continuity

The speed limit from Ballymacool Town Park to Conwal graveyard is to be reviewed as part of a national review of speed limits. Local Councillor Ciaran Brogan has this week, called for the current speed limit on the route to be reviewed with a view towards reducing the limit and installing traffic calming measures. He

The Dail has been lobbied once again to ensure a 100% Redress Scheme is sanctioned for Mica affected homeowners. Donegal Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn appealed to the Finance Minister, Public Expenditure Minister and Housing Minister this week to put in place a fully funded scheme to make up for what he says is years of State

The head of the HSE says the Delta variant is spreading faster than expected. It comes as a further 994 Covid-19 cases have been confirmed, the highest since February 13th. There are 80 people in hospital with the virus, and 22 in ICU. Paul Reid says officials are concerned about the increase in cases:

Monday July 26th is the planned reopening day for indoor dining. Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has said that’s the day Government hopes indoor hospitality will be able to resume for the first time this year. He says work is under way to finalise the guidelines for that re-opening:

The Finance Minister has been told that the process in place for Mica affected homeowners to apply for property tax exemption doesn’t make sense. Under the current legislation passed in the Dail last night, to qualify for the exemption the homeowner must have had remedial works carried out on their property, remedial works must be

The Malin Head Coast Guard has warned that minutes matter when responding to a rescue call. It comes following a number of recent incidents where rescue services have been delayed launching as a result of cars being parked in a yellow boxed outside the lifeboat station in Downings and Bunbeg. Divisional Controller with Malin Head

Insurance companies and banks could be asked to make a voluntary contribution to the mica redress scheme. The Housing Minister says good progress is being made in talks on changes to the scheme. Homeowners in Donegal and Mayo are looking for scheme to cover 100 per cent of the remediation costs. Minister Darragh O’ Brien

Donegal County Council is being urged to ensure that the necessary infrastructure is put in place to prevent further flooding at the Ashfield Estate in Letterkenny. The issue was raised at the Letterkenny Milford Municipal District meeting this week by Cllr Gerry McMonagle, who was told that Ashfield is a private estate which hasn’t yet