Author name: oisinkelly

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

  A Donegal County Councillor says he’s been inundated with messages of frustration from people keen to see gyms and golf courses reopen. Under Level 5 restrictions, they’ve been forced to close, while the playing of elite sports and GAA can continue. Inishowen Councillor Jack Murray is seeking a rational for behind the decision making.

  It’s been confirmed that a new Postgraduate Research Suite at Letterkenny Institute of Technology is to be named in honour of Ramelton born Nobel laureate Professor The new facility in the CoLab building reflects the growing number of research students operating out of the college. Speaking ahead of a virtual event to officially open

  The chief medical officer says too many people are testing positive for Covid-19, and then failing to isolate themselves. Dr Tony Holohan’s comments followed the confirmation of 939 more cases of the virus in the Republic yesterday, and three more deaths. There were 262 cases in Dublin, 96 in Cork and 61 in Meath

  The number of mortgage approvals in September was up by almost 20 percent on August. New figures from the Banking and Payments Federation have found that over 4,600 mortgages were given the green light last month. First time buyers account for 57 percent of approvals – valued at 650 million euro. Chief Executive of

  14-thousand training places are being opened up in third-level courses to help people get back to work after the economic shock of the pandemic. The 30 million euro scheme includes over two and a half thousand places on postgraduate courses, all of them free or discounted. Higher education Minister Simon Harris says with things

Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce have introduced a new Click and Collect service to help support businesses. Customers can now do all their shopping online from the comfort of their own homes. Businesses are operating online, click & collect, phone and collect and also deliver straight to your door. You can view the video below on

Critically ill Covid-19 patients in Northern Ireland could be transferred here if there is a severe surge in cases. The Irish Times says government sources have also confirmed that could result in the cancellation or deferral of non-covid treatment in the Irish health service. Both jurisdictions have an agreement to transfer patients if intensive care

The Department of Agriculture says livestock sales will have to continue as an online-only operation — despite the collapse of one of the main apps earlier this weekend. Sales were delayed for around two hours in more than half the marts in the country on Saturday due to a server glitch — with four shutting

The number of new confirmed cases of Covid-19 rose to four figures again yesterday. A thousand and 25 people tested positive in the latest data, though there were no further deaths reported among patients. The fortnightly caseload by population is highest in border counties, north Leinster and the northwest. Dr Denis McAuley, chairman of the

There are calls for a limited number of buyers to be allowed back into the ringside of marts. Mart Managers Association of Ireland have called for the Minister of Agriculture to review the situation after 17 online buying systems crashed yesterday resulting in some marts having to send livestock home. IFA President Tim Cullinane has

A Sinn Féin MLA has said the safety of postal staff must be paramount to ensure the safe continuation of postal services across Derry. There has been a backlog in parcel and letter deliveries, with concerns still remaining over the safety of staff and the disruption to services with over half of staff off work