Author name: oisinkelly

Army should be used to rollout Covid vaccine – MacSharry

The Army should be used to rollout the Covid 19 vaccine, according to a South Donegal TD. There has been criticism over the low level of vaccinations that have taken place in the country, since the Pfizer vaccine was approved. Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said yesterday the vaccination target has increased from 20,000 to 35,000 […]

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Donegal creche prioritising children of essential workers this week

  A Donegal crèche Manager says while they’re happy to provide childcare throughout the lockdown, they still have grave concerns over the level of Covid-19 in the community. Wonder Years Childcare in Letterkenny is open but only operating with just over half of its usual staff due to a number of the team being deemed

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Investigation continuing into burglary at former ‘Grill nightclub’

  An investigation is continuing into a burglary at the former ‘Grill nightclub’ in Letterkenny. The incident happened at some stage between 7am on Friday the 1st of January and Midnight on Sunday the 3rd of January. Entry was gained to the building through a basement door. An office was ransacked inside and fire extinguishers

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Public encouraged to take part in final EnVision Inishowen workshop

  Groups, businesses and residents in the south Inishowen area are being encouraged to take part in the final EnVision Inishowen workshop. It’s getting underway next Wednesday January 13th 11am via Zoom for the border areas of Muff, Bridgend, Killea, Carrigans & Newtowncunningham . The meeting is set to provide an opportunity to have a

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Ministers meet to consider closing schools until end of January

  Senior government ministers will meet today to consider closing schools until the end of the month. The cabinet sub-committee on Covid-19 will discuss the proposal before a final decision is made tomorrow. It comes as 6,110 new cases of the virus were confirmed last night – the highest since the pandemic began – with

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IPA disappointed by “blanket decision” on non-emergency care

  The Irish Patients Association says it’s disappointed by a “blanket decision” to cancel non-emergency care in public hospitals. The HSE says both inpatient and outpatient treatments will be put on hold from tomorrow, so there’s extra capacity for surging Covid-19 admissions. Latest figures from National Treatment Purchase Fund show nearly 613,000 people are waiting

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Schools in North to remain closed for foreseeable future

  Schools are to remain closed in Northern Ireland for the foreseeable future. The Stormont Executive will meet today to finalise a tightening of the current six-week lockdown. It will include an extended period of remote learning and new rules on travel. First Minister Arlene Foster says stay-at-home laws will also be re-introduced, after being

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Discussion to take place on establishment of All-Ireland soccer league

A discussion will take place this week on the establishment of an all-Ireland soccer league. Foyle MLA Martina Anderson will lead a delegation to meet with the North’s Minister for Sport on Wednesday. Ms Anderson says the success of other sports like GAA, boxing and rugby operating on an all-island basis demonstrates that it can

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First Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine administered in Northern Ireland

The first Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine has been administered in Northern Ireland today. 94-year-old Eileen Lynch has become the first person in the North in the over 80 category to receive the vaccine developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca. Eileen received the vaccine from Dr Michael McKenna at her local GP surgery on the Falls Road, Belfast.

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Minister says LUH staff will be offered vaccine within the week

  A senior Government Minister says it’s his belief that staff at Letterkenny University Hospital will be offered the Covid-19 vaccine in the coming days. Elsewhere, well over 3,500 people have had their first vaccine shot in the last week — with clinics to be extended nationwide in the coming days. It’s after two thousand

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Public Health expert reiterates call for all-island approach to virus

    A Public Health expert has reiterated comments that if Covid-19 was affecting animals or poultry, there would be an all-island approach to the virus by now. Dr. Gabriel Scally has long been calling on Governments North and South “to declare an all-island emergency” to tackle rising Covid cases on both sides of the

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Government must stand up for coastal communities – Mac Lochlainn

  There are urgent calls on both the Taoiseach and the Minister Charlie McConalogue to seek a re-negotiation of access to Irish fishing waters following the outcome of the Brexit trade deal. Sinn Féin spokesperson on Fisheries and the Marine and Donegal Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn believes the deal amounts to another 15% cut in

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Government urged to announce plans for schools to reopen

  There are calls on the Government to urgently announce its plans for schools to re-open after Christmas. Opposition parties will meet with Ministers later today, with schools due to welcome back students on January 11th. Sinn Féin’s Donnchadh O’Laoghaire says it’s hard to see how schools can open safely, given the spiralling cases of

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Gardai clock motorists speeding in icy conditions near Letterkenny

    Two motorists have been clocked driving at excessive speeds on the outskirts of Letterkenny. Gardai were conducting a speed checkpoint outside the town yesterday evening and recorded one motorist travelling at 144km/h while the other at 132km/h. Gardai are reminding people to drive with care, most especially when road conditions are so poor/icy.

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Minister Ryan says further restrictions are a possibility as cases rise

The Transport Minister says reducing the exercise limit from 5 kilometres to 2 is among the possibilities if Level 5 restrictions don’t work this month. However Eamon Ryan says government will wait to see if the current measures stem rising infection rates. Almost 3,400 Covid-19 cases were recorded here yesterday – a figure that includes

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Ireland’s Hospitals will be overrun by Covid-19 – Chief Clinical Officer

Ireland’s hospitals will be “overrun” by Covid-19 if the current growth rate continues, according to the HSE’s Chief Clinical Officer. 673 coronavirus patients are being treated in hospitals, an increase of 92 since yesterday morning. Dr. Colm Henry’s warning the current trend means hospitals can expect up to 3,000 admissions by the end of the

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NI’s first minister says the region has “gateway of opportunity” post Brexit

Northern Ireland’s first minister says the region has a “gateway of opportunity” post Brexit. Arlene Foster says she’s confident they can flourish in the global market if they leave the EU customs union in four years time. They’ll be able to decide if they wish to exit the single market set up by the Northern

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Gardai urge victims never to feel trapped in an abusive situation

Gardai in Donegal have issued a reminder of the scenarios where Level 5 travel restrictions do not apply. Gardai have urged victims never to feel trapped in an abusive situation and not to forgo medical attention for a sexual or physical trauma because of the restrictions that are in place. They say the travel restrictions

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Nursing home residents, Covid positive, will have vaccination delayed

Nursing Homes Ireland says only residents who are Covid positive will have their vaccination delayed. It’s after HSE documents seen by the Irish Independent recommended deferring the dose until four weeks after the first positive test. Vaccinations are due to begin in Nursing homes on Monday, with the target completion date set at the end

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