Author name: oisinkelly

The European Union says the Brexit transition period could effectively be extended if there’s no trade deal. It was one of the options EU negotiator Michel Barnier outlined to member states this morning. He also said it’s possible there could be a short ‘no-deal’ period in January – even if a trade deal’s agreed. Talk […]

  It’s thought the significant rise in the number of Covid-19 cases in Donegal yesterday was the result of a delay in reporting at a national level. There were 46 new confirmed cases of the virus in Donegal yesterday while there were six the day before. Mags Morgan Infection Control Nurse Manager for Donegal says

  The Principal of Carndonagh Community School has moved to clarify the facts as it relates to Covid-19 in his school. Out of the 1,100 students and 120 staff, there have been seven positive cases – all from community transmission. From that, up to 40 people had to self-isolate with no positive cases resulting from

  The Transport Minister has expressed further interest in the possibility of rail being restored to Letterkenny. Campaign group ‘Into The West’ met with Minister Eamon Ryan over the weekend to discuss improved rail provision for the north-west. The Minister also confirmed that he’s working with Stormont Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon on a comprehensive review

  There’s been an increase in Donegal families contacting Saint Vincent de Paul who are struggling to access and keep their children in third level education. The lead up to Christmas is a traditionally busy time for the charity with local communities praised for donating and helping Saint Vincent De Paul in their annual appeal.

  A Donegal County Councillor has hit out at those responsible for removing childrens pads from five defibrillators in south Donegal. Parts of the lifesaving equipment were discovered vandalised at three national schools, the child care centre and a local garage in the Ardara area at the end of last week. Anyone with information is

  The chief medical officer says he’s ‘concerned’ over the spread of Covid-19 is rising once again. It’s after 429 cases were recorded yesterday, less than two weeks after level 5 restrictions were lifted. 46 of the new cases were in Donegal with the county’s incidence rate rising to 219.9. Dr Tony Holohan says the

  The Minister for Agriculture visited Killybegs over the weekend to discuss the current Brexit state of play with representatives of the fishery sector. The Minister held a full day of engagements meeting with various stakeholders and local businesses in advance of an expected outcome on Brexit EU-UK talks. Minister Charlie McConalogue says the port

  The Deputy Chief Medical Officer says nothing about the development of a Covid-19 vaccine suggests shortcuts have been taken. It comes as Department of Health research shows 45 percent of people would definitely take the shot, while 28 percent say they would probably take one. Dr Ronan Glynn has said trust and transparency is

The lower our cases stay in January, the more effective a vaccine will be. That’s the message from an Infectious Diseases Consultant at St Vincent’s Hospital. 429 more cases and one further death have been confirmed this evening. 122 of the cases are in Dublin, 46 in Donegal, 30 in Limerick and 22 in Laois.

248 more people have tested positive for Covid-19, and three more patients have died. There were 6 new Covid-19 cases confirmed in Donegal yesterday evening. There are 21 confirmed cases in Letterkenny University Hospital and 2 in ICU as of yesterday evening. The average 14 day infection rate nationally now stands at 81.5 per hundred

The European Commission President and the British Prime Minister have instructed their negotiators to continue Brexit trade talks. Ursula von der Leyen spoke to Boris Johnson by phone this morning ahead of tonight’s deadline. She says it was a “constructive and useful” conversation where they discussed the major unsolved issues. Speaking in Brussels, Ursula von

Irish Water is being urged to do more to warn local communities when water is going to be switched off. The call has come from Sinn Fein, after they claimed an outage in Falcarragh on Thursday of this week caught many local residents and businesses unaware, forcing some outlets to close for a time. It

The Taoiseach has said the prevailing mood in Brussels is there will not be a Brexit trade deal. Speaking after attending the European Council summit Micheál Martin said all politicians need to reflect on the consequences of that. EU and UK negotiators will make a call on Sunday as to whether there is any point

The government insists the rollout of a Covid-19 vaccine will be done in a safe and effective manner. The Taoiseach has received the report of a high-level vaccine taskforce and its recommendations will be considered by cabinet on Tuesday. GPs, nurses and pharmacists will have a role and there will be a communications campaign to

  The Green party leader believes any work proposed for windfarm development on bogland in Donegal should be suspended unless it is certain such work would not cause peat slippage. An investigation is ongoing as it relates to bog slippage at a wind farm site at Meenbog with work on the development currently suspended until

  Covid-19 restrictions have been eased in Northern Ireland today, with restaurants and gastro pubs allowed re-open. The lockdown was originally due to end in mid-November but was extended for two extra weeks. Gyms, salons and non-essential retail can also welcome customers back today, but household gatherings are still not allowed. Belfast restaurant owner Michael

  An Inishowen Cllr has described the incidence rate of Covid-19 in his area as ‘spiralling out of control’. It comes as latest figures show that the 14-day incidence rate of Covid-19 in North Inishowen is over six times the national average. In the two-week period that ended on Monday, the country’s rate was 80

The Tanaiste says the government will do all it can to protect the fishing industry. Leo Varadkar was responding in the Dail to questions from Wexford TD Verona Murphy, who said there is anxiety in fishing communities from the North West to the South East. She reminded the Tanaiste that in the absence of a

The Inishowen Rivers Trust is receiving over €59,000 under the sustainability tranche of funding distributed by Rethink Ireland. The trust is an environmental charity committed to protecting and enhancing the rivers and natural water bodies of Inishowen. Last year, the group launched the ‘Inishowen River Guardians Programme’ to provide specialised training to volunteers, and spokesperson