Author name: oisinkelly

  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 per 100,000 people. But in North Inishowen, it was nearly 519. Letterkenny has the second highest rate nationwide at 322.

  Civic leaders from Donegal and Derry have taken part in a special seminar focusing on the benefits of cross-border collaboration, and promoting the North West City Region Model as an example of best practice for other communities and authorities located alongside international borders. Last evening’s discussion was focused on the Balkan states. The Gateway

A further 15 people with COVID-19 have died in the Republic, with 310 new cases of the virus confirmed. That brings the total number of confirmed cases to 75,203, with 2,117 Covid related deaths. 27 of today’s new cases were in Donegal, where the 14 day incidence rate of the virus is now 230.5 cases

Detectives from the PSNI’s Terrorism Investigation Unit have searched a house in the Ballymagowan area of Derry, in connection with an ongoing investigation into the activities of the New IRA. During the search a number of items were seized for further forensic examination, including electronic items. Local police from the Derry City And Strabane District

679 schools will be connected to broadband by the end of 2022 in an acceleration of the National Broadband Plan, 42 of them in Donegal. Under the original rollout, some schools would have had to wait up to seven years for connection. Now, National Broadband Ireland says all schools will be connected within two years.

There have been a further 14 Covid related deaths in the North, with 441 new cases of the virus reported today. It brings the death toll in Northern Ireland to 1,099. The total number of cases since the start of the pandemic is 56,719.  

  A review has started to increase student nurses allowances from January. Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said it will run alongside a longer-term review examining the support they get. The government has also started a review into whether students are being asked to do inappropriate practices while on placement.

  End-of-term school celebrations are to be restricted this year due to Covid-19. New advice is to be issued to schools from the Department of Education. Parents will not be able to attend end-of-term school celebrations such as nativity plays under public health guidelines. Schools are to be told to record performances so parents and

  The Covid-19 pandemic has created a backlog of 95,000 court cases. The Irish Independent says the restrictions on court business after the March lockdown led to thousands of cases not receiving a hearing date. They include speeding, theft, drugs and some assault offences. It could be the middle of next year before the backlog’s

  The Police Service of Northern Ireland has launched its annual domestic abuse Christmas campaign. Scheduled to run until mid-January, the aim of the campaign is to encourage the reporting of incidents and make victims aware they can take steps to stop it. The campaign’s message is ‘Speak Out’. It will be promoted via online

  The demand for children’s mental health services has increased by almost a quarter since 2012. The Department of Health says there are over 2,100 boys and girls on the waiting list for specialist care. The department will tell the Oireachtas mental health sub-committee today demand for mental health services has increased substantially in recent

  The HSE says its aiming to allow partners of pregnant people attend scans from next week. It’s re-classifying them as ‘essential companions’ for the foetal anomaly check. That is typically offered to women around 20 weeks into pregnancy. If a case of Covid-19 is identified in a maternity facility, restrictions on visits could be

  A further 5 people with COVID-19 have died Meanwhile, 227 new cases of the virus have been confirmed, 26 of the new cases are in Donegal. The national 14-day incidence rate now at 79.5 while Donegal’s is 226.8. The Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan says there were 8 new admissions into ICU today,

  Management have confirmed that Letterkenny University Hospital is extremely busy this evening. This has resulted in ongoing pressure on bed availability in the hospital with patients currently experiencing long waiting times to be admitted from the Emergency Department to an acute bed in the hospital. Once again, the hospital reminds the public to attend

  Another 483 people have tested positive for Covid-19 in Northern Ireland, and 12 patients have died. Seven of the deaths took place in the past 24 hours. 3,220 people were tested in a one-day period, with a positivity rate of 15 per cent. 425 patients are in hospital with the virus in the North,

The Head of Business at Letterkenny Institute of Technology has been elected president of Letterkenny Chamber. Michael Margey was confirmed as Chamber President at a special AGM which took place last night on Zoom. He replaces outgoing president Jimmy Stafford. Michael Margey says while there are challenges ahead, he is optimistic:

A number of shots were fired at a house in the Rossdowney Drive area of Derry last night. Police say no injuries were reported as a result of the gun attack, which was reported at around 11:10pm. The PSNI say up to nine shots were fired at a property, one of which went through the

Irish Water and Donegal County Council are investigating problems with the output from the Owentskna Water Treatment Plant, which is affecting Glencolmcille, Malinmore, Malinbeg, and surrounding areas. Irish Water says reduced water production and increased water demand were first experienced on Sunday, and crews have been working to reconfigure the network and restore water to

Detectives in Derry City and Strabane District have arrested two men in the Waterside area of the city this morning as part of ongoing investigations into criminality linked to the UDA. The men, aged 33 and 46, were arrested under the Terrorism Act and have been taken to Musgrave Serious Crime Suite for interview.

Derry City and Strabane District Council Leisure Centres will reopen to the public for gym sessions and lane swimming only from Friday. Derg Valley Leisure Centre, the Foyle Arena, Templemore Sports Complex and Riversdale Leisure Centre will all reopen whiles users must continue to pre-book their sessions at derrystrabane.com/leisure. In line with the lifting of