Author name: oisinkelly

Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister is self-isolating after a case was identified in her household. Michelle O’Neill says she will work from home after being identified as a close contact for the second time. Under rules in the North, she must now complete 10 days of isolation.

The number of people with Covid-19 in hospitals has risen to 1,529. The total has increased for the second day in a row, however, compared with last week the figure is down 21 percent. In the past 24 hours there were 54 admissions and 30 discharges. Last night, there were 211 people with the disease

A new fund for tourism businesses which are not covered by the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme has been established by Failte Ireland. It will be worth a total of 55 million euro, and the body says it will cover a wide range of companies. Many businesses in the tourism sector may not be eligible for

Two Donegal organisations are to receive funding as part of the first tranche of the €20m Strengthening Disability Services Fund. iCARE’s, iADULT Day Service has been allocated just over €1,300 for assistive technology while Donegal Horizons has received €5,600 in funding to go towards assistive technology also. The one-off grants, announced as part of Budget

Pharma firm AstraZeneca will now deliver 40 million doses of its vaccine against Covid-19 by the end of March. It’s been called a “step forward” by Brussels, after the bitter row over supply cuts which nearly derailed the Brexit agreement on the North. Brussels was expecting 80 million doses by the end of March at

A status yellow snow and ice warning is in place for Donegal this morning. The alert runs until 10am. Met Eireann is saying there is a chance of wintry falls, with motorists reminded to slow down and keep a safe distance from the car in front.

Childline, is calling on individuals and families in Donegal and across the country to get climbing in February to help raise vital funds. The service is highlighting how young and old alike can make a difference for children by taking on the ‘Climb for Childline’ challenge and picking a peak to conquer this month. ISPCC

The DUP has condemned a sectarian graffiti attack on a Catholic church in Co Derry overnight. Parishioners found death threats on the doors and on a crucifix on the grounds of St Mary’s in Limavady this morning — signed with the names of loyalist paramilitary groups. Local MP Gregory Campbell fears it’s linked to “wider

1,247 more people have been infected with Covid-19, and 15 more patients have died. 430 of the latest cases are in Dublin, with 97 in Wexford and 87 in Cork. There are 31 new cases in Donegal today. Incidence rates have continued to fall, but one in every two hundred people in the country has

Gardaí in Donegal are urging all motorists to adhere to the speed limits. It comes as Gardai in Buncrana detected a motorist travelling at 149km/h in a 100KPH zone yesterday evening. While gardai in Letterkenny detected an unaccompanied learner driver travelling at 166km/h yesterday. As the driver was an unaccompanied holder of a provisional licence,

Gardai say they continue to implement the 4 E’s engage, explain, encourage and as a last resort, enforce at their checkpoints. It comes as Gardai in Ballybofey were conducting an Operation Fanacht checkpoint yesterday afternoon at Mcgrory’s Brae, when they encountered a driver who was believed to be conducting a non essential journey. A Fixed

Gardai in Donegal say nationwide checkpoints and high visibility patrols at public amenities will continue this weekend. They’re advising the public to plan their activities over the weekend as people are only allowed to exercise within 5km of their home. Gardai say the public should be aware that if a driver is found in breach

Public consultation has opened on the development of a new agri-environment results-based pilot project. Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue says the project will explore new ways of approaching environmental actions and help identify what value can be brought to the next national agri-environmental scheme. The pilot project is in line with the Programme for Government’s commitment

An additional 48 Covid-19 related deaths have been confirmed in the Republic. A total of 1,254 new cases have also been reported, 40 in Donegal. The 14 day incidence rate of the virus in Donegal currently stands at 544.6 cases per 100,000 people. The national rate of infection is 574.7 per 100,000 of the population.

The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Brian Tierney, has today opened an online Book of Condolence for members of the public to share their tributes and thanks to Dr Tom McGinley, founder of the Foyle Hospice, who passed away on Thursday. Dr McGinley, who was originally from Gweedore, Co Donegal, set

The AstraZeneca Covid vaccine has been approved for use in Europe. The European Medicines Agency gave it the green light this afternoon for use in people aged over 18. It means it can be administered to all adults, despite German experts advising not to give the jab to those aged 65 or over.

A formal application to demolish iconic Letterkenny nightclub, The Golden Grill has been lodged with Donegal County Council. Planning permission to demolish the premises and erect temporary security hoardings has been submitted to the Council in the name of John Barry. The iconic nightclub in the heart of Letterkenny was first opened by Bernard McGlinchey

16 people were fined yesterday for organising or attending house parties. It comes as more than 2,400 fines for non-essential travel have been issued so far. Gardai are warning they now have the power to issue fines to people hosting or attending a house party. Yesterday 16 people were hit with the penalty as they

A yellow weather warning for very unsettled weather comes into force tonight at 10 o’clock. Wet and windy conditions bringing a risk of localised flooding is expected. It will be cold also with wintry falls of snow and icy conditions. The warning will remain in place until 11pm on Sunday.

A further 22 Covid related deaths have been recorded in Northern Ireland. 669 people have tested positive for the virus in the last 24 hours. 745 people are being treated in hospital with the disease in the North, while there are 67 patients in ICU.

A case of Bird Flu has been confirmed in Donegal. The Department of Agriculture says a confirmed case of Avian Influenza was confirmed in a whooper swan discovered in the Redcastle area on Wednesday. To date, there have been 26 cases of wild birds with Bird Flu, in 24 separate events in Ireland since early

The Agriculture Minister has issued a call for proposals for Agri-Food Tourism Initiatives under the 2021 Rural Innovation and Development Fund. The fund allows rural Ireland to showcase its people, landscape, history and culture through agricultural produce, food and drink and local cuisine. Funding under this scheme allows rural businesses, including farmers, producers and artisans,

    To mark the Fifteen-Hundredth anniversary of Colmcille, Donegal County Council along with Derry City & Strabane District Council are coordinating a programme for the year which includes a community grants scheme. As part of the Colmcille 1500 Commemorations grants of €2,000 or £1,800 are available for projects that primarily take place within the

  The number of people with Covid-19 at Letterkenny University Hospital has dropped further. As of last night, there were 75 patients with the virus being treated on site, down from the previous figure of 83. Meanwhile, the testing of close contacts resumes today after the practice was suspended due to the large number of