Author name: oisinkelly

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

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