Author name: oisinkelly

Donegal has been identified as one of three Covid hotspots in the country. The county continues to hold the highest 14 day incidence rate of the virus in Ireland at 288.3 cases per 100,000 people. Tests carried out at the walk in test centre in Letterkenny which opened on Saturday has returned one of the

Donegal County Council is considering how best to update and enhance the information boards at the Bernard McGlinchey Town Park. Cllr Gerry McMonagle and Municipal District Cathaoirleach Donal Coyle raised the issue at a recent council meeting, with Cllr McMonagle saying the maps are so outdated they show the Oatfield Sweet Factory to be open,

The Irish Hotels Federation is urging the government to set out a roadmap for the reopening of the sector, with dates laid out as to when they can reopen. Paul Diver, the IHF’s Chair in Donegal, says there is a lot of work involved in reopening a hotel, and there must be plenty of notice

School staff are reiterating calls for them to be prioritised for vaccination due to the growing number of Covid outbreaks in schools in Donegal. The Government last month, announced an overhaul of the rollout of the vaccination programme which resulted in people being inoculated on an age basis rather than profession. Donegal Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn

The National Immunisation Advisory Committee is today expected to recommend the Johnson and Johnson vaccine be used on people over 50. NIAC is also likely to say it can be used on under-50s if another vaccine is not available. The European Medicines Agency says the one-shot jab has a possible link to rare blood clots,

The number of patients being treated for Covid-19 at Letterkenny University Hospital has fallen. Infectious cases at the hospital fell from 15 to 9 over yesterday, with one person receiving care in ICU. Nationally, 151 Covid-19 patients were in public hospitals last night – the lowest in over 200 days. The figure dropped by 22 in

The North’s Health Minister has said the development of an Addiction Treatment in the North West will be dependent on funding being made available. There is a commitment in the ‘New Decade, New Approach’ document to such a centre, but when questioned in the Assembly by Foyle MLAs Karen Mullan and Mark H.Durkan, Minister Robin

A Mumbai native, now living in Letterkenny says intervention from across the world is needed to help India overcome it’s current Covid crisis. India’s Prime Minister says his country is in the grip of “a storm that has shaken the nation”. Hospitals are overwhelmed by Covid-19 patients and there’s a shortage of oxygen. Foreign Affairs

Concerns have been raised over the impact the reopening of Northern Ireland ahead of the Republic will have on businesses in Donegal. Inishowen Councillor Nicholas Crossan raised the issue with Health Minister Stephen Donnelly and called on him to make concessions for Donegal concessions to help mitigate the fallout. Outdoor hospitality will reopen in the

The Mica Redress Scheme has reached a significant milestone in Donegal. 3 homeowners affected by the defective block issue received confirmation on Friday that their application has been passed and they can begin demolishing and rebuilding their homes. Chair of Donegal County Council’s Mica Redress Committee, Councillor Martin McDermott says it marks the beginning of

An Inishowen Councillor is calling on people to continue to comply with Covid-19 restrictions. It’s after Gardai discovered a large group of youths gathered at the football pitch and beach in Culdaff on Saturday night. Gardai say there was evidence also of underage drinking. Councillor Martin McDermott is asking people to hold tight over the

The five-day moving average of Covid-19 cases has increased by 26 percent in the past week. It’s now risen to more than 460, as the National Public Health Emergency Team announced 429 new infections last night, while there was one additional death. 174 people were in hospitals with the disease last night, while 45 are

It was a busy day yesterday for rescue services in the Lough Swilly area. Lough Swilly RNLI were alerted shortly before 2:30pm following reports of a distress signal in the Leenan Head area, upon investigation it turned out to be a silver helium balloon. Meanwhile, shortly after 8pm the crew were tasked to assist a

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