Author name: oisinkelly

Ireland “beginning to turn a corner” but hospitals remain under threat

NPHET believe the country is “beginning to turn a corner” in tackling the current wave of Covid-19 – but that hospitals will remain under threat in the weeks ahead. A further 8 deaths linked to the virus were confirmed last night with 4,929 new cases – 157 new cases were recorded in Donegal. One in […]

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Healthcare workers in North ‘frightened’ over next few weeks

  Healthcare workers in the North are frightened about what will come in the next few weeks, according to unions. Hospitals there are preparing for a third surge in facilities of the Covid-19 pandemic. Some management groups were close to calling a major incident at hospitals over the weekend. The Stormont Executive meet later to

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Calls for children with special needs & teachers to be prioritised for vaccine

  The Labour Party is calling for children with special needs and their teachers to be added to the priority list for Covid-19 vaccinations. It says giving them the vaccine would be the quickest way of ensuring a speedy return to the classroom. The Education Minister said the reopening of special schools will be prioritised

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RAP, Gaoth Dobhair acquired by ProAmpac Holldings

Rapid Action Packaging in Gaoth Dobhair has been acquired by US company ProAmpac Holdings. ProAmpac, today confirmed the acquisition from Ludgate Investments. The acquisition of RAP by ProAmpac, a global leader in flexible packaging represents a significant expansion opportunity for the company. RAP, an Údarás na Gaeltachta client company which employs 200 people in Gaoth

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Minister says they’re working towards Leaving Cert going ahead

  The Education Minister says we are not in the same position as were in last year and it is the Government and Teaching Unions intention that the traditional Leaving Cert will go ahead. Minister Norma Foley says schools are now better equipped for online and remote learning and relevant bodies are working towards the

Minister says they’re working towards Leaving Cert going ahead Read More »

Covid-19: Ambulances left waiting outside LUH overnight

  Ambulances with patients were left waiting outside Letterkenny University Hospital last night as the facility was under increased pressure due to Covid-19. 79 patients with the disease were being treated in the hospital at 8pm last night, while there’s a further three suspected cases. There were few beds left available in the facility due

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Disability groups says children & parents need to be heard

  Disability groups say the voices of children and parents need to be heard by the Education Minister, following the decision to close schools. Inclusion Ireland, Down Syndrome Ireland and AsIAm will meet Norma Foley later to discuss the need for special needs home tuition. They say the families of the over 30 thousand children

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Significant increase in those with Covid-19 in hospital in Northwest

The head of the HSE says Ireland’s health system is under ‘increasing strain’. Paul Reid’s comments come as 1,421 people are now being treated in hospital for Covid-19, while 121 are in intensive care. There’s been a significant increase in those with Covid-19 in hospital in Donegal and the northwest. 65 are in Letterkenny University

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PSNI, Police, Northern Ireland

Police say shooting of man in Creggan last night is ‘barbaric’

Police in Derry have described the shooting of a man in Creggan as the second ‘barbaric’ paramilitary style attack in two days. The shooting took place outside a house in Creggan Heights just before 7:45pm yesterday. The man was taken to hospital for non life-threatening injuries. A vehicle was also set on fire at the

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1,285 people with Covid-19 being treated in hospital this morning

1,285 people with Covid-19 are being treated in hospital this morning, an increase of 132 since yesterday. There are 107 patients with the virus in ICU. It comes as the more highly transmissible South African variant has been identified in Ireland. The first three cases of the strain were confirmed here yesterday, along with a

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Gardai seize an estimated €105,000 of suspected cocaine in Lifford

  Gardaí in the Letterkenny District Drugs Task Force have seized an estimated €105,000 of suspected cocaine following an operation in Lifford yesterday. As a result of an intelligence led operation, a vehicle was stopped at a Checkpoint around 3:10pm, yesterday afternoon, in Drumbuoy, Lifford. The vehicle was searched resulting in the discovery of approximately

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DCSDC to transform former guardhouse at Ebrington into offices

Derry City and Strabane District Council has approved plans to transform the former guardhouse and jail at Ebrington into offices. The Chair of the Council’s Planning Committee says the proposal is important in enhancing and regenerating the building that is significant to the built heritage of the area. Michaela Clarke has more:

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Councillor believes people are forced into homelessness in Donegal

It’s been claimed people are being forced into homelessness in Donegal because they cannot secure accomodation in the private rental market. Councillor Micheal Cholm MacGiolla Easbuig says there’s an increase in people seeking emergency accommodation because they cannot secure long-term rental accommodation. He says property owners are opting to facilitate short-term rentals for people holidaying

Councillor believes people are forced into homelessness in Donegal Read More »

310 Covid cases confirmed in Donegal, another national high of 8,248

Another record high number of Covid-19 cases has been reported this evening. 8,248 cases have been confirmed along with a further 20 Covid related deaths. 310 of those cases are in Donegal. The 14 day incidence rate of the virus in the county currently stands at 1290.9 per 100,000 people. The Chief Medical Officer says

310 Covid cases confirmed in Donegal, another national high of 8,248 Read More »

‘Definite commitment’ to run Leaving Cert exams – Minister Foley

The Education Minister says there is “a definite commitment” from teachers and government to run the Leaving cert exams in their traditional format this summer. Norma Foley met teaching unions today, after the government rowed back on plans to have 6th years attend school for 3 days a week from Monday. She says there is

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DACC raises concerns over further delays in screening services

Donegal Action for Cancer Care has raised serious concerns after the National Screening Service announced that as a result of the third wave of Covid-19 sweeping the country, some screening services will now operate at a reduced capacity. Routine Breast Check screening, is one of those affected along with . However, follow-up clinics will continue

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Calls on Government to ensure Ireland secures share of EU Brexit fund

A Midlands North West MEP is calling on the government to ensure it secures a sizeable chunk of the EU Brexit adjustment fund. Chris MacManus says Irish fishing industries will be hugely impacted by the EU-UK Trade deal. He’s arguing the Government needs to be properly compensated from the €5bn fund that’s been set up

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Another status yellow low temperature/ ice weather warning issued

Another status yellow low temperature/ ice weather warning has been issued for the entire country. Met Éireann is warning of hazardous icy conditions in places with a widespread severe frost and pockets of freezing fog. The warning will come into effect from 5pm this evening and remain in place until 12 noon tomorrow. Improved conditions

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Greencastle, Breakwater, Wind, Sunk

Fishermen makes plea over major Brexit fallout issue at Greencastle

  An Inishowen fisherman is pleading with both the Marine Minister and the Government to resolve issues of landing catch at Greencastle. A significant number of fishermen in the county are said to be impacted by the Brexit fallout issue, whereby their vessel is registered in the UK and is now only permitted to dock

Fishermen makes plea over major Brexit fallout issue at Greencastle Read More »

Intoxicated motorist attempts to evade police close to Donegal border

An intoxicated and uninsured motorist attempted to evade police close to the Donegal border overnight.  Police were carrying out a vehicle check point on Castlefinn Road, Castlederg last night when they observed a Suzuki Grand Vitara turning sharply from them and driving into what was a dead end. Police followed the vehicle and observed a

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Donegal student believes predictive grades should be an option

  A Leaving Cert student in Donegal believes that predictive grades should be an option this summer and that the Government should consult more with students generally going forward. It comes as more than 23,000 people have signed a petition calling for predicted grades to be an option, with those behind the call say students

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Emergency repair work underway as north Inishowen hit by water outage

  A significant number of homes and businesses have been hit by a water outage in North Inishowen. Irish Water and Donegal County Council are currently undertaking emergency repair works to the burst water main which is affecting Carndonagh and surrounding areas Repair crews are on site and are in the process of repairing the

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Government U-turn on schools ‘ should never have taken this long’

  An INTO Donegal representative has hit out at the Government for taking so long to make a U turn on its decision to keep schools open for leaving cert students and special needs classes. It’s after teaching unions said their members would not be going into schools on Monday. Instead, Leaving Cert students will

Government U-turn on schools ‘ should never have taken this long’ Read More »