Author name: oisinkelly

  Almost €1,700,000 has been allocated to homes in Donegal in the form of housing adaptation grants. – the biggest allocation in the North West. The money is to assist older people or those with a disability in carrying out necessary works to make their home more suitable for their needs. The grants are 80% […]

  The Housing Minister hasn’t ruled out an investigation as to who may be liable for the defective block issue in Donegal and Mayo. Minister Darragh O’Brien is in Donegal today opening a number of housing schemes and formally launching the Mica Redress Scheme which is already underway. Specific targets have already been set for

  The Asthma Society of Ireland is urging employers to ensure that they are aware of the needs of people with respiratory illness such as asthma and COPD. The society says there are almost 16,000 people in Donegal with asthma, and hundreds more with COPD and other conditions. Spokesperson Deirdre Lennon says there are things

Without a change to Phase 3 – we could experience a situation like in Melbourne or Aberdeen, according to a health expert. 50 new cases of Covid-19 were reported by the Department of Health yesterday – 5 of them in Donegal – with the majority of new infections in people below the age of 45.

  Bus Éireann has confirmed it has begun trialling a reservations system on Route 32, which links Letterkenny and Dublin, via Tyrone and Monaghan. It follows complaints that several people were unable to board buses in Monaghan because they were already full as a result of the reduced capacity because of Covid-19. The issue was

  Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien will open a number of housing schemes in Donegal today, before travelling on to Inishowen where he will officially launch the Mica Redress Scheme, which is already up and running. Minister O’Brien will visit Donegal Town, Killybegs, Raphoe and Newtowncunningham, before the Mica launch event in Buncrana. Junior Minister Charlie

  Upgrade work at Carndonagh Community Hospital has been described as a vital step in safeguarding the hospitals future. it was confirmed last week that major refurbishment works are due to get underway at the hospital in the coming days and will be complete by July 2021. Retired GP Doctor James Madden and Chairperson of

  A Minister of State for Donegal has defended the Government’s approach in delaying Phase Four of lifting Covid-19 restrictions. Many pubs across the county are to remain shut until August 31st at the earliest. Minister of State Charlie McConalogue says that he did convey the concerns of local publicans and they were discussed at

  Serious concern has been raised over what’s been described as ‘crazy’ volumes of traffic on the road to Melmore, home to the iconic Murder Hole beach in north west Donegal. The route is said to be very narrow and unable to cope with the thousands who flock to the popular beach each week. Last

  The funeral of John Hume will take place in Derry this morning. The Nobel Peace Prize winner died on Monday aged 83, following a long battle with dementia. His family have asked people not to line the streets to pay their respects due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Bishop of Derry Donal McKeown says local

  Public health officials are considering whether to recommend face masks be mandatory in secondary schools. The current advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team is that face coverings are not required in school settings. Masks are already mandatory on public transport, with the measure being extended to shops and shopping centres from Monday.

  A financial support package for pubs which still can’t open is being considered by the government. Several Ministers are working on a scheme for businesses which remain shut due to Phase 4 of lifting Covid-19 restrictions being delayed by three weeks. Pubs won’t reopen until at least August 31st, following advice from the National

Pubs will not be allowed to reopen next Monday amid concern at the increased rate of spread of the Coronavirus. The government has agreed to delay the move to Phase 4 of the reopening of the country as the case numbers continue to rise. Taoiseach Micheal Martin says he knows the decision is a disappointment

The National Public Health Emergency Team appears to have recommended pubs remain shut. The Taoiseach says he’s received “very firm advice” from the public health experts, which is being currently discussed at a Cabinet meeting. Under Phase 4, pubs which don’t serve food were due to reopen on Monday. But Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has cast

More than 650 GP practices received over 300,000 euro each in medical card payments last year. 50 doctors received over half a million euro, according to freedom of information files. In total, GP surgeries got 589 million euro under the scheme in 2019. But Dr Denis McCauley, the chairman of the Irish Medical Organisation’s GP

Parts of West Donegal have been severely impacted by flooding this afternoon. Areas of Gweedore, Crolly and Dunlewey are impassable at the moment, its expected some road closures will be implemented. A status yellow rain warning is in place for the County until 1pm tomorrow afternoon. Councillor John Seamais O’Fearriagh fears with a high tide

Plans for a crematorium in Donegal have been submitted to Donegal County Council. The proposed development in Manorcunningham would have the capacity to conduct 5 to 20 cremations a week. Currently people from the North West have to travel to Belfast or Cavan for a cremation. Businessman Shane Stewart says so far, the feedback has

Deputy Thomas Pringle says the Government must address the complaints of asylum seekers that left vulnerable people choosing to go on hunger strike to have their voices heard. Earlier last week, residents of the direct provision centre at the Skellig Star Hotel in Caherciveen, County Kerry had begun to refuse food to protest their living

Gardaí in Letterkenny are investigating two break-ins over the past six days, one of them at a Business Premises in Cloughfin, Castlefin, the other in Ballymacool, Letterkenny. Sgt Eunan Walshe is appealing for information on both, starting with the Castlefinn incident, which happened between 11am and 2pm yesterday………….

The family of John Hume are asking people to light a candle this evening, instead of lining the streets to pay their respects. They’re concerned a public gathering for the 83 year old’s funeral may put people at risk of contracting Covid-19. The former Nobel Peace Prize winner will be removed from his home in

  There have been 15 arrests for Drink and Drug Driving in the Donegal Garda Division over the past week. There were six drink driving arrests, one arrest for being intoxicated in charge of a vehicle, and eight arrests for the offence of drug driving across the Division. Five of the drink driving arrests and