Author name: oisinkelly

  A ban on single use plastic comes into place in the Republic of Ireland this weekend. Ten of the most commonly found littered items will be banned such as cotton buds, plastic straws and stirrers. A deposit refund scheme for plastic bottles and cans will also be introduced toward the end of next year.

The families of those killed on Bloody Sunday say they’ll continue to seek justice for their relatives. It’s after the trial of a British soldier facing murder charges collapsed. Soldier F was facing prosecution over the deaths of James Wray and William McKinney in Derry on January 30th, 1972. The trial of Soldier B for

The Tanaiste says there is “no reason to believe” that the Delta variant of Covid will lead to a fourth lockdown. Leo Varadkar told the Irish Independent the public can still have an outdoor summer and schools will return in September due to the ramping up of vaccinations and current restrictions. It comes as the

Sinn Fein is calling for a full public inquiry into the deaths of nursing homes residents during the pandemic. The party’s health spokesperson says there’s been concerns for many months about claims of neglect during Covid-19. David Cullinane says an inquiry into what happened is needed:

A Donegal Deputy is calling on the Minister for Health to ensure that Donegal pharmacies are prioritised for supply of the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which is set to be available for 18-34 year olds from next Monday. Sinn Fein Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn says that now as Donegal once again has the highest incidence

  Two high profile cases in which former British soldiers were accused of murders in Derry will not now proceed. The Director of Public Prosecutions has confirmed that the prosecutions of Soldier F, accused of killing James Wray and William McKinney on Bloody Sunday, and Soldier B, charged with the murder of 15 year old

      Amid predictions of a fourth wave of Covid-19 cases, one walk in testing centre in North Donegal is reporting a positivity rate of 11 per cent. Donegal has the highest 14 day incidence rate in the country at 250 cases per 100,000 people against a national average of just over 100. South

Two North West TDs are urging the government to give Credit Unions and Post Offices the support and backing they need to provide community banking services, and offer a real alternative to the mainstream banks. Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle and South Donegal Deputy Marian Harkin both used a debate on the future of banking to

A West Tyrone MLA is welcomed EU confirmation that insurance green cards will no longer be required for drivers from Northern Ireland when crossing the border. Daniel McCrossan says motorists from the North will be able to drive throughout the South and the rest of the EU on foot of this week’s announcement from the

18 to 34 year olds will be able to get Johnson and Johnson Covid vaccinations in pharmacies from next Monday. While the vaccine portal will open to that age group to get a dose of AstraZeneca or J&J in a vaccine centre from July 12th. The registration portal for 30 to 34 year olds to

The Chair of Donegal County Council’s Fisheries Committee says with the Marine Minister coming from the county, now is the time to be ambitious. The committee met this week to discuss a number of issues, including ongoing dredging efforts, the recent fisher’s protest in Dublin and the announcement of Ireland’s reduction in quotas for the

There’s no stopping a Delta wave of Covid-19 in Ireland, according to the Chief Medical Officer. The proportion of the strain in new cases is estimated to be as high as 70 percent. The National Public Health Emergency Team is predicting significant transmission of the virus in the coming months, with a possible peak of

Jeffrey Donaldson has described the Northern Ireland Protocol as “the greatest threat to the economic integrity of the UK” in any of their lifetimes. He’s become the party’s third leader in two months. Mr Donaldson says the removal of the Irish Sea border is the only path to stable and sustainable government in the North:

The HSE has confirmed that 18-49 year olds will have a choice of what vaccine they get. NIAC is advising that under 50s are still offered an mRNA vaccine by the HSE, however if they want an earlier vaccination they can opt to get an AstraZeneca or Johnson and Johnson jab. The registration portal will

The vaccination portal for 30 to 34 year-olds will open towards the end of next week. The HSE has also confirmed 18 to 49 year olds will have a choice of vaccine. The official advice is those age groups should be offered an mRNA option – but they can opt to have AstraZeneca or Johnson

The PRO of the Mica Action Group says a public inquiry into the Mica scandal will be important, but the immediate priority is to ensure 100% redress. Michael Doherty was speaking to Highland Radio in the wake of yeasterday’s inaugural meeting of the Working Group established by Minister Darragh O’Brien following last month’s massive demonstration

Funding put in place to provide for rigorous infection control measures in nursing homes is no longer available as of today. South Donegal Deputy Marian Harkin says it is unacceptable that the funding is being withdrawn when infection rates are rising leading to visiting restrictions being imposed on centres. The HSE announced yesterday that visiting

A Donegal Restaurant owner is travelling to Dublin on Monday to stand with others in the industry as part of a demonstration against the delay to the opening of indoor dining. The group will gather outside Leinster House at 2pm to highlight to Government the fallout of the decision this week. Linda Boyle, Co-Owner of