Author name: oisinkelly

  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

  The WiSAR Lab at Letterkenny Institute of Technology will showcase three pilot initiatives related to the marine economy at an online seminar today. The lab is part of an international programme aimed at increasing the use of technology in the seafood sector to promote quality, safety and sustainability. Dr Nick Timmons from the WiSAR

  The General Manager of Larissa Lodge nursing home has given reassurances that concerns raised in a recent HIQA report are actively being addressed. A total of 15 issues of non-compliance were identified at the Letterkenny nursing home during an inspection in August. The unannounced HIQA inspection was carried out at the centre in response

    A Donegal GP and former Government Minister believes that we are still in March in terms of tackling Covid-19 and it’s clear that lockdowns are not working. Letterkenny based GP Doctor James McDaid is one of a number of health professionals who are calling for an end to lockdown. The newly formed group,

  Letterkenny University Hospital now has the highest number of Covid-19 patients in the country. Latest figures from the HSE show that there are currently 41 patients with the virus currently being treated on site at the hospital. Last night, Saolta said that the Outbreak Control Team is continuing to respond to the outbreak with

  The Bishop of Raphoe believes that there no reason why Churches shouldn’t reopen and operate as they were during lesser restrictions. Bishop Alan McGuckian says mass goers in Donegal are struggling with places of worship shut and desperately need that outlet during what he has termed a ‘painful lockdown for many’. Under Level 5

  Donegal County Council has committed to assessing reports of safety issues on the main Letterkenny to Ramelton road. The concerns stem from residents living in Loughnagin Heights, who are said to be finding it difficult to access the main road due to the speed some motorists are travelling. The speed limit on the stretch

  The Education Minister’s being urged to consider extending school holidays this Christmas. The Labour Party says it’s needed due to the high levels of stress students and staff have faced in recent months. Minister Norma Foley is to go before the Oireachtas Education Committee later to discuss the impact of Covid-19 on the education

An economic report has found proposed tax changes will a devastating impact retail and tourism sectors in Donegal. The current Retail Export Scheme allows non-EU tourists to claim VAT refunds on Irish craft and gift products purchased in Ireland. However, the Government’s Brexit Omnibus Bill 2020, proposes to exclude all purchases under €175 from the

A further 456 new cases of Covid-19 have been announced, along with 5 additional deaths. 11 of those cases are in Donegal, 105 in Dublin, 85 in Limerick, 43 in Cork, 38 in Meath and 25 in Clare, with the rest in all other counties. The 14 day incidence rate per 100,000 people is now

Live ammunition cartridges have been discovered dumped among rubbish in West Donegal. The cartridges were found in a pile of illegal dumping at Muckish Railway walk this morning. The discovery has been reported to Gardai. Local Councillor John Sheamais Ó Fearraigh says serious harm could have been caused if the cartridges were picked up by

A crucial week for Brexit lies ahead with crunch talks set to resume this evening. But both sides are warning that substantial gaps remain with time fast running out. UK and EU negotiating teams will meet from 6pm this evening to continue efforts to reach a deal. Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney has said time

The Pandemic Unemployment Payment will be subject to income tax despite an effort from the opposition to overturn the government decision. An Oireachtas committee is debating the Finance Bill which gives effect to the budget. Parties had tried to argue the PUP was not taxable prior to August when the payment was put on a

Donegal County Council has met in special session today to approve planning for two major projects under the Rural Regeneration Programme. The two projects are the SEED project in Ballybofey and Stranorlar, and the Carndonagh Town Centre Regeneration Project. Following today’s meeting, details of the two projects have been sent to Dublin for funding approval.