Author name: oisinkelly

New limits on gatherings are being introduced in the North in response to an increase in the number of coronavirus cases. The new restrictions come into force next week. They’ll see a limit of 15 people for outdoor gatherings, down from 30 people. While indoors, 6 people from 2 households will be allowed meet. Health

Museums, cinemas, theatres and art galleries can continue to operate under the new measures to stop the spread of Covid-19 The government has issued a clarification amidst confusion over the latest restrictions. It says that these venues can continue to operate where physical distancing and all other protective measures can continue to be maintained. That’s

Eight Bottlenose Whales have died after they washed up on Rossknowlagh Beach yesterday. It’s not known why they swam to the coast, as they usually live in deep water. Volunteers of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group are taking samples from the whales, before the carcasses are removed by Donegal County Council for incineration Sibéal

Herd-immunity is not a solution to Covid-19, according to the World Health Organisation. More than 785,000 people in the world have now died with the disease, while over 22.2 million cases have been recorded, according to Johns Hopkins University. More than half are in three countries – with 11.6 million cases in the United States,

A leading health expert says the restrictions should be lifted in Kildare, Laois and Offaly if Covid-19 cases are confined to clusters. The National Public Health Emergency Team will meet this morning to consider whether to extend the lockdown, which is due to end on Sunday. Infectious diseases professor Jack Lambert says it should be

Nursing homes would be unable to staff their services if one of the recommendations from a new report is implemented. That’s according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, which is seeking an urgent meeting with the Health Minister. The Covid-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel says staff should be banned from working across multiple sites

The Western Development Commission has launched a ‘More to Life’ campaign in a bid to encourage more people to make the move to Donegal and the Western Region. The WDC is highlighting the number of lifestyle and career opportunities that are available in the West and North West. The group says the region offers many

There are calls for infrastructural needs in Dungloe to be addressed urgently. An audit of footpaths and road in the town has been carried out by the community in conjunction with Donegal County Council which identified various needs in the town centre and in particular the Carnmore Road area. Local Councillor Micheal Cholm MacGiolla Easbuig

Alcohol Action Ireland wants minimum pricing to be introduced to curb excessive consumption of the strongest drinks on the market. It’s annual price review says drink is now so cheap a woman can consume the weekly low-risk limit for less than five euro, while a man can do so for just over 7-euro-50. The survey

A Donegal TD says more consistency is needed in the government’s approach to tackling Covid-19. Speaking after the announcement of new restrictions last night, Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn said there are so many contradictions in the new regulations that people are losing faith. He says the lack of logic must be addressed…………..

A Bristol based consultant whose sister died in Letterkenny University Hospital says she understands the report of a review of Gynaecological Clinical Services at the hospital will be available next week. Dr Margaret MacMahon, a native of Letterkenny, had led calls for a review of the diagnosis and treatment of gynaecological cancers at the hospital,

Two meetings which were to have taken place this week as part of the public consultation on the future of Ards Friary have been cancelled. The Guardian of Ards Friary Father Philip Baxter says it’s hoped the meetings will be rescheduled in September, subject to government guidelines. Fr Baxter says in light of last night’s

An online survey has been launched on the future of the oceans, with a view towards bringing in measures to restore and protect the oceans by 2030. The Marine Institute is backing the initiative, which is part of the EU’s Mission for Healthy Oceans, Seas, Coastal and Inland Waters. The Mission has five interdependent objectives

LYIT president Paul Hannigan says preparatory work has continued behind the scenes, and he believes Letterkenny, Sligo and Galway-Mayo Institutes of Technology will be in a position to lodge a formal application by the end of this year. He says there is a clear process for assessing that application, and it’s reasonable to hope that

  The Chairman of the Irish exploration company mining for gold in Inishowen believes there is a renewed interest in gold because of fears that currency will devalue due to the economic impact of the pandemic. Arkle Resources raised over €660,000 this week in a share offer to fund three projects, including its dig at

Foyle MLA Martina Anderson has welcomed confirmation that separate phases of the new A5 Derry to Aughnacloy road could be constructed simultaneously in order to complete the massive project by 2028. Ms Anderson, who is Sinn Fein spokesperson for tackling regional inequalities says while the start of the project has been delayed because of planning

The Taoiseach says a decision on reopening pubs that don’t serve food will be made at the end of August as planned. Micheal Martin says new restrictions announced yesterday evening will not impact on the current plans to review Phase 4. He says pubs will continue to be kept under review……………

  The government has warned the country is at a ‘tipping point’ as new restrictions come into effect to tackle the spread of Covid-19. Public transport should now be avoided where possible and those over 70 are being asked to restrict their social circles. Visitors into homes are now limited to six people from three

There’s a warning about rain and powerful winds for 48 hours, starting tonight. There are yellow alerts for unseasonably wet weather and strong winds across the country. On-shore winds, high tides and a strong sea swell mean coastal flooding is a real risk too. Met Éireann forecaster Matthew Martin says the warnings may have to

One Covid-19 related death and 190 more cases have been confirmed this evening. It means the number of people who’ve contracted the virus here stands at 27,499, while the death toll now stands at 1,775. None of today’s new cases are in Donegal. We’re being warned to be “extra careful” about social distancing, even if

Letterkenny Institute of Technology says the new facilities to be built on the campus will support government policy to enhance capacity in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths, and provide the Institute with the physical infrastructure to support students in a modern, purpose-built environment. Construction is set to begin in the first quarter of next year.