Author name: oisinkelly

Significant international travel might not return by Christmas

  The Tánaiste says international travel at significant rates might not return by Christmas. It comes as the government has extended level five restrictions until March 5th – with no guarantee they’ll end then. New laws are on the way to enforce mandatory quarantine for a limited number of people arriving into Ireland. But opposition

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Donegal to benefit from €1bn Cross-Border EU Programme

  €1bn will be delivered to border counties including Donegal between 2021-2027 under the PEACE PLUS North South cooperation programme. The programme will combine the existing PEACE and INTERREG EU funding into one cohesive cross-border programme to support peace and prosperity with a particular focus on Northern Ireland and border counties. The scheme will be

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Deputy Pringle to bring constitutional referendum bill before Dail

Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle is to bring forward a bill to the Dail tomorrow morning that if passed, would lead to a referendum on constitutional protections for Economic, Social and Cultural rights. Deputy Pringle says the bill would be an anchor for the rights to housing, health and education to be provided for on the

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Cabinet agrees extension of lockdown until March 5th

Cabinet Ministers have approved an extension of the lockdown until the 5th of March. The majority of construction sites are expected to stay closed until March with some hope special needs education can resume next month. New travel restrictions have also been confirmed with mandatory quarantine required for anyone arriving into Ireland without a negative

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Independent investigation to be held into mother and baby homes in NI

An independent investigation will be held into historical mother and baby homes in Northern Ireland. First Minister Arlene Foster says the voices of survivors will be heard “loudly and clearly” in the inquiry, which will conclude within 6 months. The full details of a research report into the institutions, which looked at the day-to-day running’s

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Gardai investigating spate of burglaries in Letterkenny

  Gardai are investigating a spate of burglaries that happened between Wednesday and Thursday of last week in Letterkenny. A number of premises were targeted including two delicatessen shops, a takeaway and a barbers shop. Gardai haven’t ruled out that the crimes may be connected. The first burglary occurred on Wednesday morning last between 4am

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Calls for review of Donegal’s gritting programme ‘before it’s too late’

There are further calls for Donegal’s current gritting programme to be reviewed as a matter of urgency. Councillor Ciaran Brogan brought a motion before Donegal County Council this week calling for the council to engage with private contractors and farming operators to assist in gritting local roads. The Council have agreed to hold a workshop

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Ministers to receive report on Mother & Baby Homes in North

  A report on Mother and Baby Homes in Northern Ireland will be delivered to Stormont Ministers later. Research on the institutions has been compiled by academics and will produce recommendations on future steps, which may include a public inquiry. There are calls for the First and Deputy First Ministers to meet with survivors there

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Disappointment over no plans for extra bring banks

  A West Donegal County Councillor has expressed disappointment after Donegal County Council refused to add additional services to bring banks across the county to allow for the recycling of paper and plastic. Councillor Micheal Cholm MacGiolla Easbuig brought the motion before the yesterday’s sitting of Donegal County Council. The local authority in response, says

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People aged 70 and over will start being vaccinated next month

People aged over 70 and older will start being vaccinated against covid-19 from next month, the government has confirmed. The delivery will begin with those aged 85 years and older and will be administered initially through GPs in their surgeries. 143 thousand doses of the covid-19 vaccine have been administered so far. Deliveries of the

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Inpatient and day surgery restrictions continue at LUH

Saolta has confirmed that all but very urgent and time critical inpatient and day surgery continues to be curtailed in Letterkenny University Hospital. The restrictions were brought in earlier this month but in a statement the hospital group says; in light of very significant pressure in the hospital caused by COVID-19 and high community infection

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‘FUTURE Ballyshannon’ launched today

Donegal County Council has launched ‘FUTURE Ballyshannon’, a visioning project which aims to deliver a Regeneration Strategy and Action Plan for Ballyshannon Town Centre. The Regeneration Strategy and Action Plan was commissioned by Donegal County Council in November 2020, to provide an evidenced framework that will set out the future regeneration aspirations and priorities for

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Man remanded in custody following Garda car ramming incident

A County Tyrone man who allegedly rammed a garda car twice during a high- speed chase in Donegal has been remanded in custody until Thursday, at Donegal Town District Court. 31-year-old Duane Farry, with addresses at Mountstewart Road, Fintona and Ashfield Gardens Fintona also assaulted Detective Garda Paul McHugh causing him to dislocate his finger

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Donegal County Council, County House, Lifford

Concern over proposed variations to County Development Plan

A number of Councillors have raised concern over proposed variations to the County Development Plan. The plan was before Donegal County Council this afternoon for approval. It aims to ensure alignment with the National Planning Framework and the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy. Speaking in the Council Chamber, Cllr Patrick McGowan says while he supports

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No communication from Government on zero Covid strategy – Pringle

  A Donegal Deputy is claiming that there’s been no communication from the Irish Government with their Northern Ireland and UK counterparts over a Zero Covid strategy. It would mean a ban non-essential travel into Ireland and implementing a mandatory 14-day quarantine period for those who must travel here. It’s thought that the strategy would

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Parking issues in popular residential area prompt calls for action

  Concerns have been raised by residents in Ard O’Donnell, Letterkenny over reports that some investors are buying properties in the area and changing them into apartments. During a recent Letterkenny/Milford Municipal District meeting, Councillor Kevin Bradley highlighted that the council should ensure proper planning is in place for street parking. It’s understood that residents

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Full return of schools not expected until around St Patrick’s Day

  Discussions on reopening class for children with additional education needs will continue this week – however a full return of schools is not expected until around St Patrick’s Day. The Taoiseach said over the weekend the Government is planning for a phased re-opening due to the high rates of Covid-19 transmission in the community.

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Calls for footbridge idea for busy Letterkenny area to be revisited

  There are further calls to revisit a previous proposal to install a footbridge from Letterkenny Retail Park to Leck Graveyard. It’s expected the plan for a relief road scheme will not be finalised for some time for the Leck Road with Cllr Gerry McMonagle suggesting a footbridge be considered again. Speaking in the Council

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