Author name: oisinkelly

The leaders of the three coalition parties will meet later today to discuss placing the country back into a six week lockdown. NPHET has recommended Level 5 restrictions for the entire country. 1,000 new cases of Covid-19 and three more deaths were confirmed yesterday. Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne, says he’ll support

A Ramelton based councillor says Donegal County Council should revoke the planning permission granted for a mast at Drumonaghan Wood. Cllr Ian McGarvey told a Letterkenny Municipal District meeting this week he believes the proposed development contravenes the County Development Plan. Responding, officials said the application was fully assessed and considered in the context of

The cabinet sub-committee on COVID is expected to meet tomorrow afternoon, with government sources saying they don’t believe the decision can be delayed beyond the weekend. NPHET has recommended moving the entire country to a level five lockdown for six weeks. Taoiseach Micheál Martin says it’s being given very serious consideration, but the full social

Downing Street says trade talks with the European Union “are over”, after the British Prime Minister told businesses to prepare to breakaway with no deal in place. Boris Johnson says there needs to be a “fundamental” change of position from the EU – accusing leaders of making “unacceptable” demands. He wants a deal similar to

The HSE says there are no plans to establish a Covid -19 Test Centre on the Inishowen Peninsula. Cllr Albert Doherty, the Cathaoirleach of the Inishowen Municipal District had made the call for a centre this week, but in its response, the HSE says there is sufficient capacity in Letterkenny, while the pop-up centre in

  Bus Eireann say at the moment school buses will run as they are. Under Level 4 restrictions Bus Éireann and Expressway services in Donegal will operate at a capacity of 25% in line with Level 4 Government restrictions. People are being encouraged to only use the services if their journey is essential. Brian Connolly,

This year’s MacGill Summer School will be moving online as a result of the current pandemic. Covid-19, the social and economic fallout of it, Education, Brexit and the US Presidential Elections will dominate the conversation at the 40th annual summer school which begins next Thursday. The Taoiseach, Professor Sam McConkey, Congressman Brendan Boyle and former

There will be extra garda checkpoints across the country this weekend. A new High Visibility Nationwide Policing Plan came into effect at 7am this morning and will run until midnight on Sunday. There will more checkpoints and patrols particularly at public parks and popular attractions. Officers will also be encouraging people to practice public health

  A Fianna Fail Councillor says the retail sector in Donegal deserved more time to allow them prepare to close under Level Four. Most businesses had been planning for a busy few months, ordering extra stock ahead of the Christmas period. However with just under 24 hours’ notice, they were told they had to shut

  The Education Minister says if the country goes to level 5 she would seek public health advice in relation to schools remaining open. NPHET advised the Department of Health on Wednesday that schools are not amplifying the case numbers. Minister Norma Foley says schools continue to be a safe place to be:

  Household visits are banned nationwide as new Covid-19 restrictions came into effect overnight. While Donegal, Cavan and Monaghan are now under level 4 restrictions, meaning shops that sell non-essential items are not allowed to open for four weeks. In addition, no more than six people from two households can meet outdoors. It comes as

  The HSE spent nearly 4.5 million euro on private ambulances in the first six months of this year. According to freedom of information figures, Letterkenny University Hospital’s bill was the highest, at 629,000 euro. Private ambulance providers are used for non-urgent cases when the National Ambulance Service isn’t available. Lifeline Ambulance Service got over

A four-week lockdown in Northern Ireland begins at 6 o’clock this evening. Pubs and restaurants will be forced to close, apart from for takeaways and deliveries. Schools and colleges will shut for two weeks, but retail shops will remain open – unlike in Donegal, Cavan and Monaghan. Donegal GP Denis McCauley says people are likely

  Donegal County Council has confirmed a junction in Milford is being prioritised for an application for emergency funding. Cllr Liam Blaney told Letterkenny Municipal District that the crossroads, which is close to the Old Technical school, has been the scene of several accidents, the most recent on the first if this month. He called

  The Mayor of Letterkenny Municipal District says Donegal County Council should begin working on plans for greenways on both sides of the Swilly. Cllr Donal Coyle says work should start now on the development of greenways to link up with similar facilities which are already at the planning stage. He acknowledges it’s an ambitious