Author name: oisinkelly

The Tanaiste says the Government wants people to have as normal a Christmas, as is safely possible. Senior Ministers are now considering allowing three households to gather for Christmas. NPHET is meeting this morning to make its recommendation on easing Level 5 restrictions. Leo Varadkar says he want people to be able to meet their

There are calls for an investigation into how Covid-19 is spreading in Letterkenny University Hospital. The call comes from Councillor Gerry McMonagle, member of the Regional Health Forum West who has been speaking as its emerged staff in the medical records department at the hospital are isolating following an outbreak of the virus and as

A West Donegal councillor says the government is failing the students and parents of Pobail Scoil Gaoith Dobhair because of the failure to facilitate social distancing on school buses. Cllr Michael Cholm MacGiolla Easbuig says while many school buses are at 50% capacity as recommended and required, buses serving Gweedore are full, and that’s not

A state watchdog’s warning the future of Ireland’s environment is ‘not optimistic’ unless urgent action is taken. The Environmental Protection Agency says some bird species are under threat, and air quality doesn’t meet WHO standards in some urban areas. It says littering remains a big problem, and the number of very clean rivers in Ireland

The committee that decides what the Dáil debates looks set to be wound up after a blazing row over the appointment of Supreme Court Judge Seamus Woulfe. All seven opposition groups and parties walked off the Business committee yesterday after the government refused to schedule a debate on the issue. It marks a significant breakdown

The US President-elect says the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic must be kept open regardless of what happens with Brexit. He’s previously warned a breach of the Good Friday Agreement would threaten the prospect of a future US-UK trade deal. Joe Biden has told reporters in Delaware he’s already discussed the issue with

NPHET will meet this morning to consider whether the country should exit Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions next week. The meeting is taking place a day earlier than usual, with Cabinet set to consider its recommendations ahead of an announcement tomorrow or Friday. It’s expected Ireland will move to a modified level 3 next week with

Planning Permission has been granted for the new Community Nursing Unit to be built in Letterkenny on the Kilmacrennan Road, close to the St Conal’s Hospital campus. It’s envisaged the 110 bed unit will be open in 2023, with a mix of long stay, short stay, rehabilitation and dementia care being provided. It;s also been

The government has been accused of engaging in guesswork to re-open the country by not having proper data to inform decisions on COVID restrictions. Cabinet met this morning to discuss easing level five with further meetings and an announcement planned for Thursday or Friday. It’s expected retail will be allowed to open next week but

  Gardai in Donegal are once again appealing to the public to reduce non-essential travel as checkpoints continue across the county. Sgt Eunan Walsh has acknowledged that ‘the goal posts may need to change next week’ if retail reopens here and remains shut in the north. Despite the current lockdown, Garda are reporting large volumes

  There are further calls for a proposal to erect gates and fencing on the grounds of Gartan Outdoor Centre to be shelved. It’s emerged that a road in Gartan where it’s planned to have permanent gates erected is Council owned and therefore against the law to block the public route. It’s also thought that

A senior Government Minister says that it’s his belief that Donegal will move out of Level 5 with the rest of the country next week. The national 14 day incidence rate is estimated to be 108 cases per 100 thousand; however both Donegal and Louth have rates of over 200. The slow decline of the

  Drainage works are underway on the site of the NCT Centre in Carndonagh with hopes to have tests fully operational by the end of the week. It was revealed on Highland Radio last week that flooding problems at the centre were resulting in only part of the NCT tests being conducted in Carndonagh, with

  A number of Donegal people have already returned home from the US to live and work, with more planning to do so in the coming weeks and months. The Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council says one of the highlights of the virtual Golden Bridges conference which took place at the weekend was the evident

Brexit trade negotiations are continuing today but they’re being conducted online after a member of the EU’s negotiating team tested positive for the Coronavirus last week. The EU’s Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said earlier today that “fundamental divergences” still remain between the two sides. But he says they are continuing to work hard for a

A Donegal Deputy has reiterated his belief that Letterkenny University Hospital is being ‘discriminated against’ in terms of funding. It’s after Sligo University Hospital received funding for the appointment of five new consultant posts, with recruitment to start immediately. It’s understood that there’s been a need for these positions to be approved for some time,

  The Donegal GRA Representative says Gardai simply don’t have the appropriate tools to deal with potential attacks on members of the force. It comes as assaults on Gardai increased by over a fifth last year, and have continued to rise in 2020. There were 763 physical attacks on Garda members in 2018, rising to

    The Chief Executive of the Vintners Federation of Ireland says it’ll be up to publicans and the authorities to maintain Covid-19 guidelines should restrictions differ north and south come next week. In that scenario, pubs may be open in the Republic from December 1st but remaining shut in the north until at least

  Some parents in Donegal are refusing to send their children on public transport due to Covid-19 capacity issues. Despite an initial aim by Bus Eireann of having school buses run at 50% capacity due to the pandemic, some are still operating at full capacity. While a number of private bus operators in the county

  The Vintners Federation of Ireland wants ALL pubs to be allowed open from December 1st. It doesn’t believe it would be good for them to close at 10pm as speculated, when level 5 restrictions are lifted. It thinks shutting them early would lead to more house parties. VFI chief executive, Padraig Cribben, says pub