Author name: oisinkelly

  A Stranorlar GP says the on-going controversy with the AstraZenena vaccine has probably affected people’s confidence in the jab but has given reassurances that the vaccine is safe. All AstraZeneca vaccination clinics due to take place today have been cancelled following concerns over potential links between the vaccine and very rare blood clots. The

  The Tanaiste says he believes public health officials made the right call in limiting the AstraZeneca vaccine to the over 60 age group. Thousands of vaccines planned for today have been cancelled as a result. Leo Varadkar says we’ll know in a few days if the country can still vaccinate 80 per cent of

Parents are being reminded that the deadline for applications for the School Transport scheme is looming. Applications for the scheme are currently open and can be accessed online while existing applications will automatically roll over into the new school year. Details are also available on Bus Éireann’s website with the closing date for applications is

  Employers are being warned of the high risk of new Covid-19 outbreaks if workers return to the office too soon. The government’s reminding employers and employees they should continue to work from home whenever possible. Despite the slight easing of Level 5 yesterday, only essential workers are currently permitted to be physically present at

  The National Public Health Emergency Team will warn TDs and Senators later that the risk of a fourth wave of Covid-19 remains ‘considerable’ if restrictions are eased too quickly. Members of the group will be before the Oireachtas Health Committee to provide an update on the country’s fight against the virus. Acting Chief Medical

    All AstraZeneca vaccination clinics due to take place today have been cancelled. The Acting Chief Medical Officer says limiting the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine to over 60s “will likely have an impact” on the country’s vaccine programme. However Dr. Ronan Glynn says its extent “remains to be seen”. The recommendation from the

  The Manager of iCare in Inishowen says they are deeply saddened and disappointed over weekend vandalism at the facility. An investigation is underway after children’s toys were damaged outside the Buncrana centre at some stage on Saturday evening/night. iCare provides support for local children with autism with the centre continuously struggling financially to provide

  There are calls for improved facilities at Donegal’s lakes. While current caravan and camping sites in the county have been deemed an invaluable asset to coastal parts, it’s thought more can be done around lakes closer inland. Kayaking and other water activities on lakes have increased dramatically in popularity but in many cases there

  There are fears that an EU proposal on the management of peat soils could have a serious impact on Donegal farmers. The proposal will mean that farmers would be required to carry out actions on these peat soils that would effectively make farming activity impossible. The lands affected would be ineligible for CAP payments.

Motor insurance premiums are likely to come down in the latter half of the year. That’s according to a Junior Finance Minister who has been meeting with a number of providers. It’s after the Judicial Council approved guidelines that will mean pay-outs for personal injury claims will be significantly reduced. Minister Sean Fleming says insurers

A Facebook group established to oppose a planned asphalt plant in South Inishowen now has almost 1,000 members, with people being urged to become involved in the campaign. The plant is proposed for the site of the old quarry at Barr’s Pitt, just off the R239 between Burnfoot and Muff. A planning application was lodged

As all students return to school, 93% of teachers noticed disengagement by some of their students when school buildings were forced to close, according to a survey by the Teachers Union of Ireland. The union is calling on Education Minister Norma Foley to do something about this regression during remote learning. Meanwhile, principals in Donegal

The loss of Irish language courses in the Donegal Gaeltacht for a second year in a row would have serious ramifications for the economy, according to a local councillor. Cllr Michael Cholm MacGiollaEasbuig says while some colleges are looking at providing online courses this summer, there won’t be the usual influx of students into the

Fine Gael will hold an online event on remote working this Thursday and they want to hear from Donegal Constituents. Speaking ahead of the event, Donegal Deputy Joe McHugh said it will be an opportunity for individuals or businesses in Donegal to engage with Minister Heather Humphreys in relation to the future of work. Minister

Derry City and Strabane District Council will today consider the planning application for the Culmore Greenway, which is set to link Bay Road park with Culmore Country Park, before crossing the border into Muff The project is part of the North West Greenway, which involves an £11 million investment by the European Union. The application

The five kilometre travel limit has been lifted, with people free to travel within their county or 20 kilometres from their home. It’s one of the Level 5 restrictions being eased, as well as two households being allowed to meet outside – but not in private gardens. All students will return to schools for the

Health officials are urging people to keep following the public health rules – as some restrictions begin to ease tomorrow. After more than 100 days of lockdown, people will be able to travel anywhere within their county from midnight tonight. Two households can meet outdoors, schools will fully re-open to all students and the construction

A Fianna Fáil TD claims the four-day closure of a Sligo vaccine clinic over Easter shows people in the northwest aren’t being vaccinated with the “same haste” as others. Vaccine clinics in Ireland’s main cities kept working through the Easter Weekend – giving a record number of doses on Good Friday. Sligo-Leitrim TD Marc MacSharry

Reports suggest Gardai are strengthening their armed support unit in Donegal in response to the recent violence in the North. It’s been reported an urgent recruitment campaign is under way to fill vacancies in the unit in Ballyshannon. But Gardai have confirmed the competition to fill vacancies in the ASU was initially advertised late last

A further 14 officers have been injured during another night of trouble in Belfast. Petrol bombs and masonry were thrown at police and there were attempts to hijack cars. Three 14 years olds were arrested during the disorder and they’ve all been released pending further enquiries. Cara Hunter is a local MLA:

The Road Safety Authority is urging motorists to take extra care this weekend after three separate crashes overnight. 8 people have died on the roads in the last 10 days, two of those happened last night in Wexford and Galway. Emergency services were also called to the scene of a collision in Donegal, where a

The number of people with Covid-19 in hospital has fallen by almost a quarter since the start of the month. Latest figures show 208 patients are being treated – including 51 in intensive care units. The number of infectious cases at Letterkenny University Hospital has dropped from 8 to 4 this week. While for the