Author name: oisinkelly

Almost one in eight people say they know of at least one learner driver who is getting behind the wheel unaccompanied. A new survey from AA Roadwatch has found almost a third of people have been directly affected by limitations on driving tests. Currently just essential workers are allowed take the exam, as part of

The number of people infected with coronavirus is on the rise. 769 new cases have been confirmed and 2 more patients with the virus have died. 284 new cases are in Dublin, with 67 in Donegal, 47 in Offaly, 45 in Meath, 44 in Kildare, and the rest are spread across 20 other counties. The

Ireland’s EU Commissioner Mairead McGuinness has denied the bloc is engaging in vaccine nationalism. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has threatened to block exports of AstraZeneca’s Covid jab if it’s European commitments aren’t met. EU leaders are due to meet in the coming week to discuss if action should be taken to address shortfalls

Down Syndrome Ireland is celebrating its 50th year in operation this year as the world marks the international awareness day for the genetic disorder. It’s asking people to mark the occasion by putting on their brightest and most colourful socks and posting a photo on social media. Gardai in Donegal have already got their funky

It’s understood that a man stabbed his mother and girlfriend in a double-murder suicide in Newtownabbey, near Belfast. Police are investigating the discovery of three bodies at separate properties last night but say they are not looking for any suspects. Officers had responded to a report of a knife incident in the Derrycoole Way area

The head of the HSE says people will not be given the choice of receiving one vaccine over another. The rollout of AstraZeneca resumed today following a week-long suspension over blood clotting concerns. A ‘small number’ of patients are receiving a dose in hospitals, as the health service returns to the 30,000 patients impacted by

50,000 people joined an online Mass last night, as the Pope elevated Knock Shrine in Co Mayo to international status. It now has the same rank as Lourdes and Fatima – two of the world’s best-known shrines. Up to 1.5 million people go to Knock every year, to visit the site of an apparition of

The Deputy Chief Medical Officer is expressing gratitude to the millions of people who complied with public health measures on St. Patrick’s Day. Dr. Ronan Glynn’s acknowledging the fatigue, frustration and exhaustion that people are feeling with the current restrictions. He’s apologising to anybody who feels at the ‘end of their tether’ over his comments

An Inishowen councillor says a new impetus must be injected into updating the Buncrana Area Plan. Cllr Nicholas Crossan says the spectre of Covid 19 will loom over the town and its environs for years to come, and it’s vital that the plan reflect what needs to be done in terms of serving the needs

  There are fresh concerns over barriers currently facing Donegal businesses in trading with the UK. The impact of Brexit is being felt by many local companies with the cost of exporting goods to England and Scotland in some cases increasing tenfold. This is resulting in consumers abroad paying more for a particular Irish product.

  Pressure is mounting on Irish Water to investigate fully the supply problems in the Rossbracken area of Manorcunningham. Yet another water outage has hit the area, leaving a large number of homes without a supply. It’s estimated that this is the fifth burst affecting town land since Christmas. There have been on-going calls on

  A Milford Councillor believes that the drugs issue affects every town and village in Donegal and action is needed on every level. This week saw the biggest ever drugs haul in the county, with Gardai discovering 2.8 million euro worth of cocaine hidden in the panels an abandoned van in Milford on Tuesday. Figures

  Tough Covid-19 restrictions could be in place until June. The National Public Health Emergency Team says there needs to be a cautious approach to easing restrictions over the next few months to avoid a fourth wave. It comes as 582 new cases of covid 19 have been confirmed, while there’s been no additional deaths.

  NPHET say there’s been a clear increase in people going to workplaces. The number of close contacts was over 2 per adult from January but rose to a peak of 2.7 in early March. It comes as 582 new cases of covid 19 have been confirmed, while there’s been no additional deaths. 8 new

  A border TD says there are concerns people will travel to Northern Ireland for Mass over Easter. It’s after the Catholic bishops in the North announced a return to public worship from Friday of next week. Public Masses are still banned in the Republic under level 5 restrictions, except for small weddings and funerals.

  It’s been confirmed that dredging works are to begin at Magheraroarty Pier next month. The pier is said to be frequently faced with sand build up resulting in some boats unable to dock at certain times of the year. Donegal County Council is to alleviate the situation in the coming weeks but there have

  Health officials are due to give an update on the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine in Ireland later today. It comes after the European Medicines Agency expressed confidence in it. Its use had been suspended in several countries over blood clot fears. But the EMA yesterday found the injection is ‘safe and effective.’ Dr

Companies in Donegal who use large amounts of heat or run HGVs are being asked to take part in a study to determine the cost and CO2 savings from switching from oil and diesel to natural gas. The study will determine the feasibility of using special high pressure trailers to importing gas into the county

The European Medicines Agency says the Astra Zeneca covid vaccine is safe and effective. It follows a meeting of Europe’s health regulator to review the data on blood clots developed by a small number of people in Europe after they were vaccinated. The use of the jab was suspended in a number of countries, including

A primary school in North Inishowen is set for an upgrade following confirmation that funding has been secured for new facilities. Scoil Eoghain in Moville has been approved funding under the Additional Accommodation Scheme with the money going towards one mainstream classroom with toilet facilities. Local Cllr Martin McDermott says the work should be carried