Author name: oisinkelly

A major relaxing of Covid restrictions gets underway today for the first time this year, with 12 thousand businesses expected to reopen this week. Travel across counties and haircuts are allowed, as well as click and collect. Religious services are also permitted, and galleries, museums and libraries are also back open. Leah Fairman, Manager, Ballybofey […]

The Taoiseach’s urging people to “keep their guard up” as the country reopens this week. From tomorrow people will be able to get their hair cut, with the return of personal services, places of worship will reopen, click and collect will resume and larger outdoor gatherings will be allowed. Micheál Martin says the potential for

Sinn Fein’s calling for a ban on the block purchase of residential properties by international investment funds. It’s bringing a motion before the Dail this week which will also demand funds pay ‘appropriate’ levels of tax. It comes as some affordable housing bodies are being outbid by international investment funds by up to 80,000 euro

Some people who’ve expressed concern about getting a particular Covid-19 vaccine have been told by the HSE’s helpline to ask their GP for a different jab. That’s according to Dr Illona Duffy, a GP in Monaghan, who says this is a breach of HSE policy. Currently, there are age limits on the AstraZeneca and Johnson

The Road Safety Authority says it will be making online theory tests available to all drivers later this month. Over 100 thousand people are now waiting to sit the test after centres had to close during the Level 5 lockdown. At the moment, online assessments are only available to people who are sitting exams to

An advocacy group for vulnerable adults says it’s “cautious” about the removal of serial Covid testing in nursing homes. The HSE’s to stop carrying out mass testing in homes that meet strict criteria in relation to vaccination rates among residents and staff. Data shows nursing homes with high levels of vaccination have a positivity rate

The introduction of mandatory hotel quarantine has led to no new Covid variants being detected in Ireland. HPSC figures show the number of cases of the Brazilian and South African strains reached 30 at the end of March. But that figure fell to zero in the last week of April, when the system was in

There has been a negative response to signs that have been placed along the green in Moville banning cycling on the pathways. Many believe the pathways to be one of the safest places in the area for children to cycle and has been used for cycling for a number of years. Chairperson of Green Party

The number of Covid-19 patients in public hospitals has halved in the past month. It dropped to 111 last night – the lowest since September 27th. Four hospitals have only one Covid patient and seven have none at all. The number of infectious Covid-19 cases in Letterkenny University Hospital is down to 4. Former HSE

Thousands of people got up in the rain and wind this morning to raise funds for Pieta House. The suicide prevention charity’s described the weather for Darkness Into Light as “challenging for a challenging year”. Participants walked, ran, swam or hiked on their own or in their social bubble. More than 6 million euro has

Nurses and midwives have called on the Minister for Health to answer their long standing demand for extra annual leave days. Minister Stephen Donnelly addressed the INMO’s delegate conference this morning. The organisation is seeking 10 extra holiday days for its members who have been battling the COVID crisis over the past year. Arranmore Island

Houses are affordable in just seven counties for a single worker on a typical salary, according to an analysis of date from the CSO, with the North West the region in which most of the counties are based. Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Cavan, Longford, Mayo, and Roscommon are the counties in which a person on a

Efforts are underway to establish two additional Covid vaccination centres in Donegal. Buildings have been identified in Dungloe and Carndonagh which will run in tandem with the mass vaccination centre at LYIT. Paul Hooton, Chief Director of Nursing and Midwifery at the Saolta Group with responsibility for the vaccination programme across the West and North

The HSE’s Chief Clinical Officer says he’s confident a positive outcome will be reached regarding the Johnson and Johnson vaccine and who it can be given to. The Health Service has asked for ‘flexibility’ to allow the vaccine to be administered to people under the age of 50. Larger volumes of the Johnson and Johnson

Sinn Fein Deputy Padraig MacLochalinn says it’s time for a fresh approach for the party in Derry. The entire leadership of the party in the city has been asked to stand aside following an investigation into the party’s election performance and governance. Foyle MLAs Martina Anderson and Karen Mullan have confirmed this week, that they

It’s now time to move on from the damage caused by the Chief Medical Officer’s statement last week. That’s according to Letterkenny Chamber President, Michael Margey who says the Donegal brand is strong and that message now more so than ever needs to be promoted. The impact of Dr Tony Holohan’s comments that Covid-19 was

A Donegal TD says there needs to be progress on the setting up of a working group to examine defective housing, saying after announcing the initiative in February, the government has missed all its deadlines. The group was to have been established by the end of April, with an initial report expected in July. However,