Author name: oisinkelly

The number of people with Covid-19 in ICU is at its lowest level this year. 23 patients with the virus are currently in intensive care, while 59 people are in hospital – the lowest in nearly 9 months. 398 new cases of the disease have been confirmed in the Republic. Trinity College Dublin Professor of […]

The Taoiseach says one million people should be fully vaccinated against Covid 19 by the end of the day. So far over 3 million people have been given a dose of a jab. Micheál Martin says 70 per cent of adults should be fully vaccinated against the virus by the end of July. Meanwhile, the

€12.5m in funding has been announced for the development of Dunree Military Fort and Museum. The funding under Failte Ireland’s Platform for Growth Programme 2021 will have a transformative impact on the site with amendments and improvements to many aspects of the site including new walkways, pathways and additional car parking. 25% of the funding

A Donegal Deputy believes the current Mica Redress Scheme can be overhauled rather than being thrown out completely. Deputy Thomas Pringle says homeowners were encouraged to build big houses by the Government and banks and that a redress scheme that recognises that is needed. He told today’s Nine til Noon Show that it is ultimately

There are further calls for the threshold for eligibility for social housing to be increased. Concerns have repeatedly been raised that as a result of the low threshold people cannot access the council’s social housing waiting list. A family must earn €30,000 or less in order to be eligible to apply for social housing. Councillor

Donegal County Council is being asked to put in a funding application for a Village Renewal Project in Newtowncunningham. At this week’s meeting of Inishowen Municipal District, Cllr Paul Canning said because of a number of projects, including social housing and a new Primary Care Centre, it hasn’t been possible to carry out resurfacing and

Cases of Covid-19 will drop significantly once over-30s are vaccinated, according to a former head of the HSE. 30 to 39 year olds are expected to be able to register for a jab next week. The HSE says the online portal will open ‘shortly’ for this age-group, as people in their 40s continue to be

The five-day moving average of Covid-19 cases has dropped by 24% since last Saturday. It now stands at 327, after 259 cases were reported yesterday – the lowest in nearly six months. 76 Covid patients are in hospital, with 27 in intensive care. Dr Mary Favier, a member of NPHET, is urging people to be

A South Donegal Deputy is calling for members of his own party to resign for their involvement in a polling controversy. Fianna Fáil last night admitted party activists posed as market researchers to carry out polling, prior to 2007. Sinn Féin and Fine Gael have both admitted to a similar practice – but say it

US president Joe Biden believes the UK-EU trade row must not endanger peace in Northern Ireland. He’ll express his concerns when he meets Boris Johnson today, ahead of tomorrow’s G7 summit of world leaders in Cornwall. The EU and the UK are rowing over the Northern Ireland protocol – which involves how goods trade between

The Housing Minister says his department is working to figure out how to address concerns of home owners in Donegal and Mayo over the defective blocks grant scheme. Minister Darragh O’Brien updated cabinet today on issues associated with Mica and says he is working with other Departments and agencies after serious concerns emerged about the

The Housing MInister has pledged to review the Mica redress Scheme and bring recommendations to cabinet on how to address a number of issues. The issue was raised at cabinet this afternoon. This evening, wee spoke to MInister Charlie McConalogue………

Mica is everybody’s problem. That’s according to the Chairperson of the Ray Community Group who has warned that the Community Centre will have to shut its doors unless the remit of the Mica Redress Scheme is expanded to include public buildings. Declan Meehan told Greg Hughes today, that there is not one person that is

A senior Sinn Féin figure has denied the party deceived people by having members pose as representatives of a fake polling company. A polling system from the party saw members pretend to be from a fictional company in order to compile voter data. They used ID badges alleging they were from the independent Irish Market

Sick pay rights are to be given to all workers from next year. Under proposals being brought to Cabinet by Tánaiste Leo Varadkar today, employers would have to guarantee a minimum number of paid sick days from 2022. It’s estimated half of workers may not have access to company sick pay at present. Donegal Deputy

A master plan for the redevelopment of Buncrana’s pier and shorefront has moved a step closer to becoming a reality. Donegal County Council has agreed that the project which would include the refurbishment of the town’s pier area and the relocation of the RNLI base from Ned’s Point to Buncrana pier, would was worthy of

Farmers are holding a demonstration in Raphoe on Friday as part of a nationwide rally to highlight the importance of commercial farming to the rural economy. Farmers will be assembling at Raphoe Mart at 10am on Friday before travelling through the town in their tractors in a bid to warn against the dangers in the

Two paddleboarders have been rescued after being blown out to sea off Mermaid’s Cove in Sligo. Malin Head Coast Guard was alerted just after 6pm yesterday evening with the Bundoran RNLI subsequently launched at 6.11pm, arriving at Mermaid’s Cove, a short time later. The Rescue 118 helicopter was also tasked to the scene. On arrival

Councillor Gerry Crawford has been announced as the new Cathaoirleach of the Lifford Stranorlar Municipal District. He takes over the role from Sinn Fein Councillor Gary Doherty. Councillor Martin Harley meanwhile, has been elected Leas-Cathaoirleach. Councillor Crawford says Mica will be top of his agenda in the year ahead:

A proposal for the installation of the proposed Inishowen Heritage and Play Trail in Carndonagh has gone out to public consultation. It followed community discussions on how to enhance the Barrack Hill Town Park, with an emphasis on accessibility and quality of play equipment. The plans are available to view at the Visit Carndonagh Offices.