Author name: oisinkelly

Minimum unit pricing is set to be introduced to stop the sale of cheap alcohol. The Sunday Independent reports the move would see a can of beer cost a minimum of €1.32 and a bottle of wine cost at least €7.75. The introduction of MUP has been delayed since legislation was passed in 2018, leading

A 22 year old man has died after falling into a blowhole along the coast of Cork. He was part of a group who were camping near Garretstown Beach close to the Old Head of Kinsale. The man was pronounced dead at the scene and his body was recovered by rescue divers. One of his

Indoor dining, inter-county travel and the re-opening of hotels may not happen until July. The Business Post reports outdoor dining at pubs and restaurants as well as beer gardens could be allowed in June. The plan to ease lockdown may see click and collect back from May 4th – with non essential shops re-opening a

The head of the HSE says the Johnson and Johnson vaccine will be rolled out immediately – if it’s given the green light. The National Immunisation Advisory Committee is due to make its decision in the coming days – after considering links to very rare blood clots. From today, 62 year olds can register for

An operation to put out one of the largest gorse fires in recent years in Northern Ireland has entered a third day. It started on Slieve Donard in the Mourne Mountains on Friday morning. More than 100 firefighters were involved in tackling the blaze in County Down yesterday. Crews returned to the area this morning

The Taoiseach says yesterday was the biggest day yet in the Covid vaccine rollout – with over 41 thousand doses given out. A quarter of adults have now had their first dose – and one in ten have received both jabs. It comes as 165 thousand AstraZeneca doses are due to arrive here next week,

The Dail has passed a motion calling for the withdrawal of the European Council of Ministers’ proposal on management of carbon-rich soils. The motion was moved by Independent Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle, who said the proposal could allow government’s set the standards for eligibility for CAP payments in such a way that excludes some hill

The Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council and the Mayor of Derry and Strabane have joined together in calling for compliance and for people on both sides of the border to adhere to restrictions and stay local. The message comes as the weather is set to improve over the weekend and various restrictions have been lifted.

The Finance Minister has confirmed that he will have no role in any decision made by banks to assist Mica affected homeowners. There have been repeated calls for banks to help meet the 10% contribution required under the Mica Redress Scheme. Minister Colm Brophy confirmed to Senator Vick Boyhan in the Seanad this morning that

A Donegal Deputy believes the 2024 deadline to end direct provision in Ireland will not be met. The Children’s Minister Roderic O’Gorman published a white paper on ending direct provision in February this year which coincided with the opening of a direct provision centre in Letterkenny. Speaking in the Dail, Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle said

A Donegal doctor fears the reopening of the hospitality sector in Northern Ireland will lead to a surge in Covid cases in border counties. Today, close contact services and outdoor visitor attractions are reopening as restrictions ease further in the North. However, Dr Denis McCauley, Chair of the GP Committee of the Irish Medical organisation

Temperatures are set to soar as high as 20 degrees in parts over the weekend. The good conditions are also expected to continue into the early part of next week: Met Eireann’s Head of Forecasting Evelyn Cusack says the best of the weather will be in the west:

It’s emerged that the SUSI grant has been withdrawn midterm from a number of Donegal students. A total of 2,050 students across the country have lost their SUSI grant, 78 of them from Donegal. In some instances, students are being asked to repay some of the grant paid by SUSI. Donegal Aontú representative, Mary T

The Tanaiste has committed to raise the issue of funding for iCare and Bluestack Special Needs Foundation with the Minister of State for Disability. Donegal Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn told Leo Varadkar in the Dail that the €36,000 sanctioned for each centre after a lengthy campaign does not go far enough. Both iCare and Bluestack Special

Today on ‘Go Purple Day’ Gardai in Donegal will be getting involved in the initiative which aims to promote and support domestic violence services across the county. The campaign in Donegal is being organised in conjunction with Donegal Women’s Centre, Donegal Domestic Violence Service, Lifeline Inishowen and the Donegal Rape Crisis Centre. Gardai will be

The return of schools and people to workplaces appears to be contributing to a jump in Covid-19 cases – according to NPHET. 617 new cases of the virus were recorded yesterday with the five-day moving average increasing 8% to 415, in the past week. 84 of the cases were confirmed in Donegal with the county’s

Hairdressers and barbers will reopen in Northern Ireland today, as more restrictions are eased. Several salons say they’ve had an increase in bookings from the Republic in recent days. Outdoor visitor attractions will also reopen today, while driving lessons and tests will resume. Sports clubs can return to competition, and Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill

A 14-year-old girl from Co Louth has been reunited with her family after being found safe and well. Svetlana Murphy had been missing since Monday afternoon and gardai issued a Child Rescue Ireland Alert, fearing for her safety and welfare. She was found in the Belfast area last night, and an 18-year-old man’s been arrested.