Author name: oisinkelly

Stormont ministers have been warned that unless tough new Coronavirus restrictions are introduced in the North – not even a full lockdown in mid December will prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed. Health minister Robin Swann is understood to have put forward new proposals including the introduction of localised travel restrictions within Northern Ireland. The Executive

In a joint statement, Donegal’s two Sinn Féin TD’s have repeated calls for more urgent government support for Letterkenny University Hospital as the Covid crisis there deepens. Speaking in the Dáil this week, Deputy Mac Padraig Mac Lochlainn told the Taoiseach that there were 133 staff off work as of Friday last, with that number

    One of the country’s leading teachers union says school staff and students should be prioritised once a Covid vaccine is available. Two vaccines have proven to be 95 per cent effective in trials so far. Ireland is set to get over 2 million doses of the Pfizer jab once it’s approved for distribution.

  A Donegal Deputy has described residents near the landslide at Meenbog receiving letters just days after the incident informing them of a second wind farm development near the site as ‘beyond belief’. A full investigation into the developments at the site of the landslide near Ballybofey is underway. Deputy Pearse Doherty believes that the

  A crash outside Magherabeg National School in Manorcunningham has sparked fresh safety fears. The two vehicle collision happened shortly before 3pm yesterday afternoon on the busy main Letterkenny – Derry road. Both teachers and parents had previously campaigned for traffic calming measures outside the school and while periodic speed limit signs were installed, it’s

  The Arranmore Island Co-op has received funding to carry out a study on a proposed Blueway project. The initiative would extended the greenway in Burtonport onto Arranmore via the ferry, offering a walking or cycling route from a mainland setting to an inhabited offshore island. Cllr Michael Cholm MacGiolla Easbuig says this would complement

  Some schools are not following Covid-19 guidelines, according to a teacher union. At today’s Oireachtas Education Committee, the Teachers Union of Ireland will call for enforcement where non-compliance is found. Meanwhile Forsa will voice its concern at the lack of clarity regarding the supply of PPE to staff, and will accuse the Department of

  The Taoiseach says a decision on exiting Level 5 restrictions will be made next week. Micheál Martin told a meeting of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party last night that he wants people to have a ‘wholesome and enjoyable’ Christmas. A Dáil debate on exiting Level 5 in early December will take place on Tuesday,

  A Derry City and Strabane District Councillor says Health Trusts must put in place a system to ensure that nurses are not penalised for parking in the hospitals where they work. Cllr Jason Barr says he’s been told that on a number of occasions, nurses have come out from shifts at Altnagelvin Hospital to

  The Dail has been told that the success or failure of the National Broadband Plan will be one of the litmus tests on which the current Government is judged. Donegal Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn told Rural Development Minister Heather Humphreys that Covid-19 has shone a light on the fact that broadband is no longer a

The Taoiseach has told the Dail that whatever resources are needed to fight Covid-19 at Letterkenny University Hospital will be provided, but the key to easing the pressure is widespread adherence to restrictions. Michael Martin was responding to Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn, who told the Dail that 133 staff were off as a result of the

The Taoiseach has told the Dail he believes that offshore wind farms will replace onshore wind farms in the years ahead. Michael Martin was responding to Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle, who asked when a review of planning legislation relating to wind farms will be completed. Deputy Pringle told the Dail last week’s peat slide close

  The sister of a woman who’s in ICU with Covid-19 at Letterkenny University Hospital has made an emotional plea to the public to adhere to public health advice. Donegal woman Lisa, who’s in her early 40’s, began to feel poorly and experiencing symptoms of the virus late last week and since tested positive for

There’s anger in Carndonagh over access being blocked to a popular walkway. The route known locally as Rodan (Rudden) is used regularly as short by residents but was discovered sealed off this week. It’s been claimed that it is a public walkway with native hedgerows also taken out without planning or consultation with the local

  There are urgent calls on the developer behind the Meenbog Wind farm not to proceed any further with the plans following a major bog slippage at the site last week. An investigation by Donegal County Council is continuing into the incident. It’s emerged that residents in the area received letters from the developer yesterday;

  Second level teaching unions are calling for the school Christmas holidays to be brought forward to boost morale. Schools are due to finish up on December 22nd, but some unions want the break moved to Friday December 18th, so students and teachers can restrict their movements before visiting elderly relatives. Education Minister Norma Foley

    A Donegal County Councillor says there’s three eyes on Oldtown Bridge in Letterkenny for a reason, and the OPW must honour its commitment to carry out a clean-up operation. Concerns were previously expressed about silt build up in the third eye of the bridge however following studies, it’s thought that clearing it is

  The pressure on Letterkenny University Hospital as a result of Covid-19 is to be raised with Taoiseach Michael Martin in the Dail this afternoon. Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn was due to raise it last evening, but there was no time due to a number of procedural votes. Last night, he was told that 133 staff

  People are being warned not to use antibiotics if they have any symptoms associated with Covid-19. As part of European Antibiotics Awareness Day, doctors say the drugs have no impact on viral illnesses and should only be taken when prescribed by a doctor. Consultant Microbiologist, Professor Martin Cormican, also says antibiotics will only remain