Author name: oisinkelly

  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.

Donegal-based Gallagher’s Bakery has announced a significant rebranding and repositioning, with the launch of a new range of sourdough bread products. The new products and packaging reflect a new identity, which the company says will replace Gallagher’s existing range while retaining the 52-year-old brand’s heritage. The Ardara-based business employs more than 300 people, and CEO

The President of Letterkenny Chamber says the decision to light the star at the Polestar Roundabout in the town at the weekend was a deliberate one to reflect the hope for a better time ahead. The star, which Chamber has named the ‘Star of Hope’, was lit by Nine Year Old Kalize McGuigan. Watch the

Donegal County Council says a full multi-agency investigation is underway into the bog slippage at the site of Meenbog Wind Farm near Barnesmore Gap, with a focus on mitigating the impact of the event, preventing further pollution, and determining the cause of the event. No threat has been identified to water supplies on either side

The European Union will likely refuse a Brexit trade deal unless the Internal Market Bill is scrapped, according to the Foreign Affairs Minister. London says the UK needs it to resume trade between it’s different regions, but the EU says the bill breaks the Withdrawal Agreement. Brexit talks are continuing in Brussels today, with focus

A West Donegal Cllr says funding has been allocated for works at the bottom of Errigal Mountain could be the precursor to other important work in ther area . The works are intended to address the rough terrain by constructing a pathway at the bottom on the mountain, with work to begin in the spring.

The Bishop of Raphoe is calling for the ban on public worship to be lifted. Amidst weekend speculation that level 5 restrictions in Donegal may be extended into December, Bishop Alan McGuckian told this morning’s Donegal News that the prospect of churches remaining closed in the weeks leading up to Christmas is both frustrating and

Council buildings across the country will light up for road safety today as part of this year’s World Day of Remembrance for road traffic victims. And they’re asking the public to join in between 7 and 8 pm tonight by lighting a candle in a window. So far there have been 127 deaths on the

An angling club in Donegal has received a grant from the Dormant Accounts Fund for a special project to introduce people to angling who mightn’t otherwise get to do so. Deele Community Anglers will run the programme next year. Inland Fisheries Ireland Education and Outreach Officer Lorraine O’Donnell says it’s a very good initiative: For