Author name: oisinkelly

96% of Ireland’s bathing waters are meeting the EU’s minimum standards. The Environmental Protection Agency’s annual report shows 111 out of 148 were deemed “excellent” in 2020 – an increase of four on 2019. Of the bathing waters examined in Donegal, all are of “excellent”, “good” or “sufficient” quality. Two beaches with “poor” water quality

The number of people claiming the Pandemic Unemployment Payment has fallen by 8,500 nationally, while just over 300 fewer are receiving the payment in Donegal. The Department of Social Protection is expecting the number of recipients to fall further over the coming weeks as more businesses start to reopen. Nationally, 376,665 people are receiving the

The latest rental survey conducted by daft.ie shows that between January and March, rents in Donegal were on average 7.1% higher than during the same period last year. The average listed rent was €704, up 45% from its lowest point. That percentage rise is the same as the figure for the rest of the country

379 new cases of Covid 19 have been confirmed in the Republic today, with nine additional Covid related deaths reported. There were 27 new cases in Donegal, which has a 14 day incidence rate of 253.2 cases per 100,000 people, compared to a national figure of 128.1. Donegal once again has the highest incidence rate

Irish hospitals are more overcrowded now than at any other point in the pandemic, according to a nurses union. Latest figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation today showed 376 patients are without a bed this morning – the highest number since March 5th last year. University Hospital Limerick has the worst overcrowding, with

Planning for an asphalt plant development in Inishowen has been granted. There was some local opposition to the development in Burnfoot. Donegal County Council says in assessing the application, the planning authority took into accounty third party submissions. The council says; subject to compliance with conditions, the proposed development would be in accordance with the

A coroner has ruled that ten people killed at Ballymurphy in west Belfast five decades ago were “entirely innocent” A corner has found that the use of lethal force by the British Army was not justified. The families of the 10 people killed in Ballymurphy in Belfast have been fighting for answers for 50 years.

  Following today’s protest about restrictions in the Maternity Department at Letterkenny University Hospital, the hospital has issued a statement saying restrictions are under continual review, taking into account community transmission rates, local infrastructure within the unit and staffing. Currently, the hospital says birthing partners of women in labour are welcome to attend, subject to

Donegal County Council Library Service has confirmed that libraries will begin reopening on a phased basis as set out below: Donegal Libraries Re-opening – Wednesday 12th of May Donegal County Council Library Service is delighted to announce a phased re-opening of libraries. The Council will review the situation regularly and may make changes to its

Gardai are continuing to investigate a crash in Castlefin which resulted in a motorist being taken to hospital. The crash between a van and a car occurred shortly before 8pm on Wednesday last near the junction at Carnadore, Liscooley. The driver sustained non life threatening injuries. Gardai are appealing to anyone who was on the

Gardai have launched an investigation after a van was set on fire in the Drumkeen area on Thursday last. At around 1:25am last Thursday, Gardai and the fire service responded to a report of a van on fire at the entrance to a property in the Callan area. Gardai believe the fire was started deliberately.

A new Heart Failure Service is being established at Letterkenny University Hospital. The service aims to support the diagnosis and treatment of people with heart failure living in Donegal. It has been developed as an integrated team to support earlier access to diagnosis and treatment. The new service allows GPs to directly refer patients they

A new Covid-19 walk-in test centre is opening in Donegal this morning. The centre, located at the Carndonagh GAA club house, will operate from 11am to 7pm until Thursday. The county continues to have the highest incidence of the virus in the country. However, yesterday the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Holohan said rates in

A protest is being held outside Letterkenny University Hospital this morning to highlight how Covid-19 restrictions are affecting maternity patients and their partners. Maternity advocacy group AIMS will be holding similar protests at Holles Street and The Coombe in Dublin and Our Lady of Lourdes in Drogheda, Co. Louth. They’re calling for an easing of

381 new cases of Covid 19 have been confirmed in the Republic today, with no additional Covid related deaths reported. There were 39 new cases in Donegal, which has a 14 day incidence rate of 260.7 cases per 100,000 people, compared to a national figure of 129. Donegal once again has the highest incidence rate

A thunderstorm warning is now in place for 13 counties. The status yellow alert affects Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Tipperary.. Met Eireann is warning there’ll be thundery showers with hail and heavy downpours bringing the risk of spot flooding. The warning will remain in place until 8pm

A large crowd has gathered outside a construction site in Carndonagh as mica-affected homeowners stage a protest. A spokesperson for the protestors claimed the contractors on the site are sourcing blocks from a company which previously provided mica affected blocks in Inishowen and elsewhere in Donegal. At the weekend, graffiti emerged on fencing around the

Donegal’s Live Register figure continues to fall, according to the Central Statistics Office. There were 8,632 people signing on at the end of April across Donegal’s eight local offices, down 3% on the March figure, and down 18% on the same period last year. The steepest fall was recorded in Dunfanaghy, with 548 people signing

There’s been a further decline in the number of infectious cases of Covid-19 at Letterkenny University Hospital. Latest figures, show that there are 4 cases at the hospital. 31 Covid patients are intensive care units nationally today – the lowest this year. The figure has fallen sharply from 221 in late January. 124 Covid patients

Almost €160,000 to support community groups and sports clubs impacted by Covid-19 in Donegal. The funding will provide small capital grants designed to assist in the re-opening of facilities such as community centres, men’s and women’s sheds, parish halls and youth centres. Sports clubs will also be given financial support to purchase equipment and sports

Planning permission has been granted for the development of a new graveyard in Lifford. An application was lodged by Rev. Colm O’Doherty for the additional graveyard at St Patrick’s Church, Murlog. The proposal includes an access road, turning circle and disability access as well as the construction of disabled toilets to replace the obsolete toilets