Author name: oisinkelly

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.

A number of aviation unions are calling for the EU’s digital green certificate to be in place by the end of June at the latest. The cert, which would show if a person was vaccinated or had a negative covid-19 test, would allow EU citizens to travel throughout the bloc. Airlines for Europe, which represents

There won’t be a decision on how to use the Johnson and Johnson vaccine until early next week. The National Immunisation Advisory Committee has been meeting today to discuss the issue. They’re weighing up the impact of European Medicines Agency advice to be aware of rare instances of blood clotting associated with the vaccine. Health

Stormont Infrastructure Minister Nicola Mallon has said despite further legal delays, the A5 upgrade could still be finished by 2028. Responding to an Assembly Adjournment Debate moved by West Tyrone MLA Declan McAleer, Ms Mallon said the further consultations and reviews sought by the Planning Appeals Commission can be completed by the end of next

This year’s Redcastle Sunflower Festival is being held in honour of Amelia, Tomas and John Mullan who passed away in August last year after the car they were travelling in skidded off the road at Quigley’s Point and entered Lough Foyle. The annual festival aims to encourage people to plant sunflowers across the village, this

The shooting of three deer found dumped in the Falcarragh area has been described as a barbaric act. The dead animals were discovered dumped close to a main road in the Greenhill area this week. The deer have since been removed by Donegal County Council. Local Councillor John Sheamais Ó Fearraigh says it is still

A Donegal Deputy has warned the Government that its actions to support the Irish seafood sector now will confirm the level of its commitment to fishing communities in Donegal and around the country. Deputy Thomas Pringle made the comment as he told the Seafood Sector Taskforce the Government must ensure that the sector receives a

A Letterkenny Councillor says there is a lack of ambition from Irish Water in relation to future investment in water infrastructure for the town. It follows a meeting with the utility to discuss ongoing issues across the county, including; South Inishowen, Manorcunningham and Pluck. Councillor Gerry McMonagle says he was told by senior Irish Water

The Irish Government is being urged to help offset the latest delays to the A5 Derry to Dublin road link by part-funding City of Derry Airport. Foyle MLA Martina Anderson and Donegal Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn have issued a joint statement urging the Irish government to contribute to the running of the airport, and also to

Hairdressers and barbers will be prioritised for re-opening next month, along with places of worship. The Taoiseach also told his party last night that click-and-collect and non-essential retail are likely to resume in May. Micheál Martin also confirmed he hopes to reopen the entire construction sector next month. But former HSE director-general, Tony O’Brien, says

The National Immunisation Advisory Committee will meet today to consider whether to roll out the Johnson and Johnson vaccine here. It’s after the European Medicines Agency found a possible link between the Covid-19 vaccine and very rare blood clots – but said the benefits outweigh the risks. Ireland’s due to receive 600,000 doses of the

Minister Simon Coveney says the date of a border poll should be decided by people in Northern Ireland rather than any head of state. It comes after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he doesn’t believe there will be a vote on Irish unity for a very long time. Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney says

The Taoiseach has pledged to work with Minister Darragh O’Brien to ensure that potential burial grounds at Mother and Baby Homes are protected. The issue was raised in the Dail today by Deputy Thomas Pringle, who pointed out that Cork City Council has refused planning permission for a housing development on the grounds of the

Donegal TD Pearse Doherty has moved a bill in the Dail which he says would ensure that insurance companies pass on savings that they will make because of the introduction of new personal injury guidelines. The Judicial Council (Amendment) Bill would, he says, ensure that the insurance companies cannot row back on their commitments that

A South Donegal Deputy says he doesn’t have confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government’s handling of the pandemic. Deputy Marc MacSharry also says Leo Varadkar shouldn’t be flying kites on reopening society if he’s not going to follow through. He says he isn’t happy with Micheál Martin’s handling of the crisis:

Plans are being cosidered for a walk-in Covid test centre in Letterkenny. The Director of Public Health North West has confirmed that the centre may be operational in the coming days with people able to present for a test without a GP referral. Donegal’s 14 day incidence rate of the virus is the highest in

The Mica Action Group have released a short film highlighting the plight of affected homeowners in Donegal. The video; ‘Mica the Bigger Picture’ was created by a Mica affected homeowner showcasing other homes which too, have been affected by the defective block issue. Concerns have been raised by homeowners and political representatives over the Mica

A Fermanagh man has been sentenced to 5 years and 3 months in prison for causing the deaths of two people by dangerous driving in Bundoran in 2018. 23 year old Joseph Gilroy of Lisnaskea, previously pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death and serious injury, driving without insurance and failure to report a crash.

There was a 46% drop in burglaries in Donegal during 2020, according to CSO figures collated by PhoneWatch. The Donegal reduction was one of the biggest in the country, with a 42% reduction in the three counties of Ulster, and 35% across the republic. Almost 11,000 burglaries and other related offences occurred nationwide last year.