Author name: oisinkelly

The head of the HSE is describing the ransomware attack as ‘unfair, unjust and incomprehensible’. Paul Reid says he’s ‘gutted and angry’ after what the country’s been through with Covid-19. The executive says the ransomware attack has had an ‘disabling effect’ on the health service, and will take several weeks to resolve. It’s led to […]

The Covid-19 vaccine portal has opened for 49 year olds to register. High risk patients and frontline healthcare workers who have yet to receive an appointment can also register. People can sign up by phone or online, and will be given Pfizer or Moderna when vaccinations start later this month. However it’s expected Johnson and

A Donegal Deputy has asked the Taoiseach if he is is doing stand up comedy now. The interjection came during a discussion on when TDs should return to Leinster House. Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn, the Sinn Fein Whip, was one of a number of TDs who argued that the time is right to return to the

The Taoiseach has told the Dail that Housing Minister Minister Darragh O’Brien is considering proposals from Mica affected homeowners in Donegal, and will meet with them online later this week. Michael Martin was responding to Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald, who urged the government to to deliver a 100% Mica Redress Scheme similar to

A Donegal senator has claimed the media is not reporting on important issues relating to Sinn Fein, particularly in terms of the standing down of senior figures in Derry. Referring to what he called the Martin McGuinness machine, Senator Niall Blaney told the Seanad the lack of coverage on what has been happening in Derry

The General Manager of Letterkenny University Hospital says work is ongoing to diagnose the extent of the HSE’s cyber attack. Dialysis services and vaccination clinics are operating as normal at the hospital. As is hematology and oncology clinics, unless contacted by the hospital to advise otherwise. All other services at Letterkenny University Hospital have been

Gardai are investigating a number of ‘Money Muling’ incidents in Donegal. They are urging parents to educate their children on the issue and for people to never send or receive money on behalf of someone else. Gardai say criminals are using messaging services like Whatsapp to recruit ‘mules’ and students, minors, the unemployed and newcomers

The Sinn Fein leader is to lobby the Taoiseach in the Dail this afternoon to deliver a 100% Mica Redress Scheme. Two protests are being held in Donegal this weekend as affected homeowners say they are at the end of their tethers with the amount of money required to apply for the long awaited scheme

It’s claimed cats may be being poisoned in the Ballybofey area. It follows a number of incidents where cats have been found having seizures and have had to be put down as a result. Doreen Russell from the Twin Towns Lost and Found Dog Rescue Group told the Nine til Noon Show that at this

It’s only a matter of time before someone is seriously injured or worse unless action is taken to address speeding issues at Liscooley on the main Ballybofey to Lifford Road. That’s according to Councillor Patrick McGowan who says the installation of one single flashing speed sign in the area is just tokenism. Minor traffic calming

City and county councillors are in line for a 47% pay rise in six weeks’ time. They’re set to be paid €25,000 a year from the 1st of July – compared to €17,000 at the moment. Cabinet ministers are expected to approve of the increase when they meet this morning. Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice says councillors

A One Way System designed to improve traffic flow around four of Letterkenny’s busiest schools could be operational by this time next year. An allocation of €1 million was received from the National Transport Authority earlier this year for the project as part of the Active travel scheme. The designs and other documentation should be

New cases of Covid-19 have decreased by 2% over the past week. 2,870 have been reported in the past seven days, 61 fewer than the previous week. That’s despite the ban on inter-county travel being lifted last Monday, along with several other measures. 360 new cases were reported yesterday. But public health expert, Professor Gabriel

The Health Minister says it may take weeks to get all of the HSE’s systems back operating following last week’s cyber attack. But Stephen Donnelly says steady progress is being made, as work to rebuild it with back-up data continues. Diagnostics and lab services are among the areas worst impacted, with thousands of patients affected.

The defective blocks crisis in Donegal is to be highlighted in two simultaneous protests at the weekend, one in Buncrana, the other in Letterkenny. A protest is also taking place in Ballina, Co Mayo. The protestors say they are at the end of their tethers, and the the amount of money they require just to

The newly elected leader of the Ulster Unionist Party has vowed to protect the Good Friday Agreement that his party helped create. Doug Beattie has also promised to offer a progressive and unifying agenda if his appointment is ratified by the Ulster Unionist council next Thursday. The Upper Bann MLA was the only candidate who

Today on Global Road Safety Week, a Donegal County Councillor is calling for Gardai to crackdown on speeding tractors and heavy goods vehicles. Particular concern has been raised over the use of mobile phones by drivers operating tractors. The issue was raised by Councillor Terry Crossan at the recent meeting of the Joint Policing Committee.

There’s major disruption to services at Letterkenny University Hospital today following a huge cyber attack on the HSE and Department of Health. All outpatient appointments at the hospital have been cancelled as a result as well as diagnostics services. The hospital is however, continuing with a number of critical surgeries and dialysis treatment. The Eye

The HSE has confirmed it’s been recommended that the age limit for two vaccines be lowered. NIAC has recommended the AstraZeneca and Johnson and Johnson vaccines can be used in people in their 40s. Health officials are expected to announce an updated decision on the rollout in the coming days. The HSE’s Chief Clinical Officer,

The Cathaoirleach of the Donegal Municipal District has called for more Garda resources to be put in place to combat a huge increase in drug use in the county. Latest figures provided at the latest sitting of the Joint Policing Committee showed that detections for the sale and supply of drugs in the county has

Non-essential retail can welcome customers back to stores for the first time in 2021. Last week customers needed an appointment with Pennys saying 275 thousand people made an advance booking with the store. As restrictions ease people are reminded to continue to practice social distancing and hand hygiene, while also being patient. Michael Margey, President

The extent of cyber attacks on the Department of Health and the HSE will become clear as this week goes on. Thousands of patients have had their appointments cancelled for the coming week, including at Letterkenny University Hospital with urgent care prioritised. A review of all IT systems within the Government is now believed to

People in their 40s will find out later this week when they can register for a Covid-19 vaccine. The HSE is currently working through people aged in their 50s while new guidance on the usage of the Johnson and Johnson and AstraZeneca vaccines is due to be announced this week. There were 355 new cases