Author name: oisinkelly

Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle says the announcement of a Covid information line by gardai this week raises serious questions about the government’s attitude to Donegal. Questioning Taoiseach Michael Martin in the Dail this afternoon, he said he attended a weekend briefing for local Oireachtas members in light of comments on Friday last by the Chief […]

Money is to be provided to restart work on a breakwater at Greencastle Harbour. The stalled project saw work done between 2007 and 2011, and today, Agriculture and Marine Minister Charlie McConalogue confirmed that just under €12 million will be spent on completing the work, with 25% of the money coming from Donegal County Council,

A Covid outbreak at Letterkenny University Hospital’s Maternity Department has been brought under control. The General Manager of the hospital has confirmed that a number of staff and patients were affected by the outbreak. Sean Murphy says there has also been a decrease in the number of people with Covid-19 presenting at the hospital over

The North’s Health Minister is being urged to provide more vaccination appointments for the North West. Concerns have been raised by people in Strabane and the wider area who are struggling to secure an appointment for vaccination or who are being forced to travel as far as Belfast to receive the jab. Access to the

The Director of Public Health in the North West says there needs to be an acceptance that Covid-19 is in the community and preventative measures need to be taken. Dr Anthony Breslin says while the signs are good, there is still evidence of outbreaks of the virus within Donegal originating from social gatherings with one

38 people with Covid-19 were in ICU last night – the first time the figure has fallen below 40 in 2021. Across public hospitals there were 132 patients with the virus. 6 of them are being treated at Letterkenny University Hospital with 1 person in ICU with the virus. The national 14-day incidence rate has

The National Public Health Emergency Team has asked the HSE to look at the possibility of running mass vaccination centres on a 24-hour basis. However, the Executive says the vaccine programme is reliant on supply, and also people presenting for their jab – but will extend the roll-out as needed to keep up with supply.

There’s still uncertainty over whether Gaeltacht courses planned for this summer will go ahead or not. In a Parliamentary response received by Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty from Gaeltacht Minister, Catherine Martin there appears to be little clarity for Gaeltacht colleges or if compensation will be forthcoming should courses be cancelled. Deputy Doherty says another year

Two Sinn Fein MLAs have confirmed that they will not stand for the party in the next Assembly election. Foyle MLAs Martina Anderson and Karen Mullan have confirmed that they will stand down and not seek re-election next year. It comes after it emerged last week that the entire leadership of Sinn Fein in Derry

The five day moving average of new Covid-19 cases has increased by 8 percent in the past week. The figure was 437 last Tuesday but has increased to 470 this week. There has also been a 9 percent rise in the 14 day incidence rate over the same period, 134 cases per 100,000 people. 383

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