Author name: oisinkelly

    The planned Inishowen Innovation Hub has been brought to life in a new video, showcasing what it will look like. The former Town Council Office in Buncrana is to be transformed into a state of the art building which is set to be a start up location or base for local entrepreneurs, remote

  The National Public Health Emergency Team meet this morning to discuss the first week of Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions. The national 14-day incidence rate has now dipped below 300 for the first time in over a week as case numbers continue to fall. There were 20 new confirmed cases in Donegal yesterday while the

  There are currently 1,330 people in Donegal on the waiting list for a driving test with over 50,000 people waiting nationwide. According to freedom of information figures, there are 697 people waiting in the Letterkenny test centre, 398 in Donegal and 235 in Buncrana. The Road Safety Authority says people who apply now are

  Northern Ireland’s Chief Medical Officer says the belief that normality will return at the end of the four weeks of restrictions is misplaced. Dr Michael McBride has said the R number is falling as a result of the current measures, after it was at around 1.5 when the restrictions were put in place. However,

  Around two weeks worth of rain is expected to fall in the west over the next 24 hours. A status yellow rainfall alert is in place for Donegal, Connacht, Clare, Cork, Kerry and Limerick until 6am tomorrow morning with 60 millimetres expected – which could lead to some flooding in parts. A similar wind

  School secretaries and caretakers on low pay with no job security are to have their conditions of employment regularised. A new preliminary agreement reached at the Workplace Relations Commission will see more than 1000 school secretaries and caretakers receive better working conditions if agreement is reached between all sides. The dispute centres on a

  A Donegal Deputy is demanding answers from the Marine Minister over ongoing concerns with fishing rights off the coast of Donegal and elsewhere. It follows claims that a Japanese tuna fishing boat and other vessels traveled for two months to fish for bluefin tuna in the North Atlantic on the edge of the Irish

Minister Simon Harris says there will be no ’12 pubs of Christmas’ or packed gatherings this December. Level 5 restrictions are due to remain in place until the end of November, but it’s hoped the country will then move to level 3 at least. The Higher Education Minister says he’s hopeful people will be able

  Covid-19 infections have led to a serious crisis in Altnagelvin, warns an SDLP member. Foyle MLA Sinead McLaughlin was responding to the news that there are now no spare ICU beds in Altnagelvin and little spare capacity in most hospitals in Northern Ireland. I comes as the hospital’s 18 bed capacity has been reached

An online support group has been set up to ensure people know they are not alone during Covid-19. The Covid Cases Ireland group is a space for people to talk openly about their experiences with Coronavirus. The group is for those who contacted covid, are experiencing ongoing symptoms regardless of positive or negative results, caring

Judges, lawyers and gardai are to receive specialist training in how to treat sexual assault victims. It’s part of a number of new measures to improve the justice system for victims. Numerous victims have spoken about how they felt they were inappropriately treated during their trial and how it could put other people off coming

The Chief Medical Officer doesn’t think people should be fined if they refuse to self-isolate despite Covid 19 guidelines. Health officials are concerned that some people with symptoms, those who’ve tested positive or are waiting on a test result aren’t restricting their movements. Some countries have made it a legal requirement – with fines for

720 new cases of Covid-19 have been reported today, with 5 additional deaths. The national 14 day incidence rate per 100,000 population is now 307.6. Of today’s cases, there are 228 in Dublin, 130 in Cork, 47 in Galway, 31 in Meath and 27 in Limerick. The rest are spread across 20 other counties. While

  The Irish Blood Transfusion service is urging people to donate blood this week, as a blood donation clinic in Ballybofey will be open to the public. The clinic will be open but is operating an appointment system due to Covid-19 and will run this evening, tomorrow and Thursday. Stephen Cousins, National Donor Services Manager

  A Donegal Minister has defended controversial Government legislation on Mother and Baby homes which seals an archive on the institutions for 30 years. Over 100 people attended a demonstration at Aras an Uachtarain yesterday as President Michael D Higgins signed a controversial bill on the homes into law over the weekend. Minister Charlie McConalogue

Over 175,000 people have signed a petition to revoke legislation on Mother and Baby homes which seals an archive on the institutions for 30 years. As part of the Commission of Investigation’s work – a database will be passed on to Tusla to help survivors trace their families. Over 100 people attended a demonstration at

  Gardai have been calling to supermarkets over the weekend to ensure they’re blocking off items they’re not meant to be selling. The Tanaiste says retailers are only allowed sell essential items and not clothes or toys. Consumer journalist Siobhan Maguire says smaller shops feel hard done by:

  Staff at a Northern Ireland hospital are “stretched to the limit” due to the pressures from Covid-19. It was confirmed yesterday, two patients and seven members of staff in a ward at the Ulster Hospital in Belfast have tested positive for the virus. While the Antrim Area Hospital say it’s operating beyond capacity and