Author name: oisinkelly

The North’s Deputy First Minister says there is no question of Northern Ireland seeking to ease Social Distancing rules on June 21st. At the weekend, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that’s what he hopes to achieve in England, and asking questions by video link this afternoon, West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan asked if the Executive […]

  Agriculture and Marine Minister Charlie McConalogue says a 38.3 million euro Capital Investment Package for the ongoing development of the publicly owned harbour network is vital for the smaller piers and harbours in Donegal. 850 thousand euro is be9ing set aside for Local Authority piers and harbours in the county, with 25% will be

A walk-in Covid test centre will open tomorrow in Milford. Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue has confirmed that the centre will open for 3 days at Milford Mart. It will open tomorrow morning, Thursday and Friday from 11am to 7pm daily. Latest figures up to Monday April 26th show the 14 day incidence rate of the

The CEO of Letterkenny Chamber says the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Holohan’s comments were damaging. Dr Holohan on Friday commented that Covid-19 was circulating at dangerously high levels in Donegal which he says, was down to non compliance of public health guidelines. Toni Forrester says branding the entire county as having a high incidence

The Bishop of Raphoe has recommended that Holy Communions in the diocese be postponed until September. Under the latest Government guidelines, from May 10th, up to 50 people can attend religious services with 50 people also permitted at weddings and funerals. Bishop Alan McGuckian, is hopeful that Confirmations may take place over summer months:

A dedicated phone line for reporting breaches of Covid-19 guidelines has been set up by Gardai in Donegal. The line has been established in light of high levels of Covid-19 within the county and the continuation of social gatherings such as parties and wakes. People can report a gathering which they believe to be in

A Donegal Deputy says there is a clear lack of communication between health officials and the people of Donegal. A meeting was held between the Chief Medical Officer, the Health Minister and Donegal Oireachtas members on Saturday following concerns raised by Dr Tony Holohan over the high levels of Covid-19 in Donegal. Deputy Joe McHugh

A Donegal GP claims efforts by people in Donegal to bring the high levels of Covid-19 in the county under control is diluted by the presence of the border. Dr Denis McCauley, Chair of the GP Committee of the Irish Medical Organisation has been reacting to comments by Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Holohan who

A West Donegal Councillor says those behind a planned gathering over the weekend at Magheraroarty Beach showed total disrespect for the local community. An overnight camp was discovered on Saturday morning at the beach with Gardai called to intervene. It comes following comments from Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Holohan who said on Friday that

There are calls for a Band of Trees to be planted across Inishowen to create a biodiversity corridor. The Green Party is proposing the initiative in a bid to tackle biodiversity loss and carbon dioxide emissions. The corridor would see the development of an unbroken band of native tree species from Malin to Burt. Donegal

Ireland has now recorded over a quarter of a million cases of Covid-19. The number of cases of the virus in Donegal has now surpassed 10,000. A total of 10,047 cases have been recorded in the county. Yesterday 453 new infections were reported, with no further deaths from the virus confirmed. Upwards of a tenth

550 network technicians at ESB have begun a two day all-out strike, saying they’re not being properly consulted about the outsourcing of their work. The Independent Workers’ Union began a work-to-rule over the Bank Holiday weekend, refusing to provide emergency cover even as rough weather hit many areas. The ESB says there was no delay

Searches were carried out at a number of locations in Letterkenny last evening by Gardai following reports of an armed incident. The incident has been declared a hoax and Gardai are now investigating.

A Professor of immuno-virology says local lockdowns would be going too far in areas with stubbornly high incidences of Covid. More than half of the Local Electoral Areas in Dublin are above the 14 day national average, of 123 cases per 100 thousand. While officials are considering extra measures for Donegal as it has the

1.6 million doses of covid 19 vaccinations have now been administered in Ireland. The latest figures show that over 788,000 doses were given out in the month of April- almost 200 thousand in the last week alone. From tomorrow, those aged 59 can apply online for their vaccine. CEO of the HSE Paul Reid says

A UCD Professor says the high incidence rate in Donegal might also be due to people’s interactions with the North. Supports including walk in test centres are being looked at for the county, following the Health Minister’s meeting with the Chief Medical Officer on Saturday night. It was organised because Donegal has the highest incidence

The rain we’ve had in the last week has not been enough to eliminate the risk of more serious wildfires. That’s the message from the state forestry agency Coillte — as a condition yellow warning remains in place. Yesterday a farmer’s forestry plantation was destroyed by a gorse fire in Fintra in south Donegal. It’s

A local TD says there was “considerable anger” in Donegal over comments by the Chief Medical Officer about the Covid situation there. On Friday, Dr Tony Holohan said even the “dogs in the street” could see examples of people in the county not following the rules. He was at a meeting with the Health Minister

A Donegal GP says the vast majority of people in the county are working hard to follow the public health guidelines. It has the highest rate of Covid in the country – which was discussed by the Health Minister, the Chief Medical Officer and local politicians last night. Among the suggestions raised to help tackle

The price of alcohol could be twice as expensive here than it is in the North if minimum pricing is introduced. That’s according to a lobby group, who say MUP will drive people across the border for cheaper prices, if brought in before Northern Ireland. The government is keen to introduce minimum unit pricing for

Donegal GAA has released an official statement asking Gaels throughout the county to adhere to all current Covid-19 restrictions. The club will lead the challenge by encouraging all its members to refocus the regulations, the awareness, and the well advertised prevention methods. Chairman of Donegal GAA says the county has continued to maintain a figure

A positive health messaging drive is to begin between community groups and local representatives in response to the rising number of Covid-19 cases in Donegal. Following an urgent meeting with Donegal representatives, the Health Minister, Chief Medical Officer as well as other public representatives, focus has now shifted to extra supports for Donegal in an

There are calls for extra walk-in Covid test centres to be set up in Donegal in the coming week. Local politicians met the Health Minister and Chief Medical Officer last night amid concern over the level of infection here. Donegal currently has the highest incidence rate of coronavirus in the country. Last night’s meeting heard

A Donegal TD has called for an urgent meeting with Minister Stephen Donnelly, NPHET and Donegal Oireachtas members this weekend. If follows comments from the Chief Medical Officer who warned that Covid-19 is circulating at dangerous levels in Donegal, where the 14 day incidence rate of the virus is more than double the national average.