Author name: oisinkelly

The Health Minister says he’d like to see the Pfizer vaccine rolled out to 12-15 year olds with underlying conditions as quickly as possible. The European Medicines Agency has approved the jab for children of that age after a trial found it was safe to use. There’s been no advice from the National Immunisation Advisory […]

People are being warned not to barbecue or light campfires when visiting scenic areas today. A status yellow fire warning is in place until September and with warmer weather on the way, we’re being asked to be act responsibly. Coillte National Safety Manager, Mick Power, is urging people to raise the alarm if they do

Testing capacity at one of Limerick’s walk-in centres will be doubled today, as part of efforts to tackle the county’s rising Covid rates. A new pop-up testing facility will also be set up next week – and an online referral system goes live today. Limerick’s levels of Covid-19 are around three and a half times

14 people have been arrested for public order offences – after large crowds gathered in Dublin city centre last night. A number of missiles, including glass bottles, were thrown at Gardai – and one officer was hospitalised with a leg injury. Nine adults and five under 18s were arrested and are being detained at Pearse

A Donegal TD has called on Minister Charlie McConalogue to engage with his Department of Marine officials, the Sea Fisheries Protection Agency (SFPA) and the European Commission to ensure that a fish-weighing system can be established at Killybegs. Sinn Féin spokesperson on Fisheries and the Marine Pádraig Mac Lochlainn was speaking after the High Court

Gardai insist they’ve enough resources to manage any large crowds that gather this bank holiday weekend. People are being encouraged to socialise outdoors – but to avoid busy areas and observe social distancing. Local authorities have also installed extra bins and toilets to avoid a repeat of scenes on South William Street in Dublin last

The Chair of Donegal County Council’s Irish Language Committee has hit out at the Minister of State for Gaeltacht and Sport claiming that he has refused to meet a local Mna an Tí Committee while he is in Donegal. Minister Chambers is in the county this week for a number of days. Councillor Micheal Cholm

The Cathaoirleach of the Lifford Stranorlar Municipal District has called for further support to complete the Donegal Community Stadium. While almost €4m has been granted to the FAI under the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund for the development of the stadium, Councillor Gary Doherty says that funding will not complete the entirety of works with

A Donegal County Councillor says he supports changes to Local Property Tax announced by Government as part of their Economic Recovery Plan. The rate of LPT is to be cut and the bands widened while homes built since 2013 will now be subject to the tax. Councillor Barry Sweeney told today’s Nine til Noon Show

The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association has rowed in behind calls for a 100% Mica Redress Scheme. Thousands of houses across Donegal are affected by the defective block issue as well as farm buildings and sheds. Henry O’Donnell, INHFA National Council member says the current scheme is inadequate and falls well short of what

A consultant infectious disease expert says virus case numbers are ‘largely stable’ but expects a rise as people increase their mixing. The Chief Medical Officer’s concerned about the ‘significant increase’ in cases of covid 19 in Limerick, with an incidence rate of 411 per 100 thousand people. Tony Holohon says it’s extremely important everyone in

Concern has been raised over the demolition of the former Nazareth House Orphanage in Fahan. It’s believed the building was demolished in recent days to pave the way for the development of a number of holiday homes. Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle says to his knowledge no archaeological survey has been carried out on the site.

The Sinn Fein leader is due to meet with Mica affected homeowners in Donegal today. Mary Lou McDonald says the government believes the scheme for those affected by mica is working but that’s not the case. She’s called for consistency in dealing with issues such as mica and pyrite and believes intervention is needed as

Donegal is to receive a share of a €17.3m package to help the country’s road network become more climate resilient. €1.1m has been allocated for 26 projects across Donegal to protect roads and bridges against weather damage such as flooding. Donegal has received the second highest allocation in the country. Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue says

A family home in Newtowncunningham has been defaced in a sectarian attack. The family who have been living in the area for 17 years are said to have been left devastated after sectarian slogans were discovered painted on the boundary wall of the home on Monday morning. Gardai have been notified of the incident. Councillor

A South Donegal Deputy has heavily criticised the Chief Medical Officer’s outrage at people gathering outdoors last weekend. Deputy Marc MacSharry says people are simply doing what they were told, having ‘an outdoor summer’. He says that there is a level of paranoia and scaremongering that doesn’t correlate with the number of Covid cases in

The General Manager of Letterkenny University Hospital says the normal level of patient treatments and consultations is expected to return in the next few weeks. A limited resumption of services at the hospital was announced yesterday following the HSE’s cyber attack. Up to 30,000 appointments have been cancelled at hospitals within the Saolta Hospital Group

The Vice President of the GRA has hit out as its emerged no unmarked Garda car is available for use by the drug unit in Donegal. Brendan O’Connor says the drug unit in the county has made significant seizures of drugs. Latest figures show drug driving detections nationally have now exceeded drink driving. Mr O’Connor

The National Immunisation Advisory Committee has advised reducing the gap between doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. It has recommended 8 week intervals instead of the current 12 weeks. The advice could see thousands of people who’ve had a first dose fully vaccinated sooner. The recommendation, to the Chief Medical Officer, has gone to the HSE

A Donegal Deputy has appealed to the Public Expenditure Minister to sanction a 100% Mica Redress Scheme. Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn called on Minister Michael McGrath to work hand in hand with his colleagues to do what’s right for those affected by Mica in Donegal and Mayo. Deputy MacLochlainn told the Dail that the current scheme

Donegal Action for Cancer Care has met with the Health Minister to discuss the need for an action plan to tackle major waiting lists post Covid. Stephen Donnelly has confirmed that a second breast check unit is being considered for Donegal to address the backlog of patients currently awaiting an appointment. He also said waiting

The HSE’s warning people to expect ‘significant interruption’ to health services again next week. It says the situation has improved a little, with some IT systems working again after the ransomware attack. Letterkenny University Hospital has announced a limited resumption of services. Up to 30,000 appointments have been cancelled in seven hospitals in the North