Author name: oisinkelly

  The General Manager of Letterkenny University Hospital has given reassurances that the resumption of services is at an advanced stage. Outpatient appointments are largely reinstated at the hospital while technology is also being used for some consultations. General Manager Sean Murphy says there is a good system in place to bring those who need […]

  Ibec, the group that represents Irish business, has said that unless there is a dramatic intervention from Government a significant number of businesses will fail in 2020. The SME sector is said to have been the worst impacted by the enforced lockdown of business and consumers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ibec research shows

  There’s been a big uptake in the Mica Redress Scheme in Donegal already with a significant number of people using both the website and dedicated helpline. The long awaited scheme officially opened yesterday morning and with the majority of affected homeowners having completed preparatory work in advance, Donegal County Council has received a significant

  Speculation is mounting that there could be two Junior Ministers for Donegal as part of the announcement tomorrow. Fine Gael TD Joe McHugh and Fianna Fail TD Charlie McConalogue are widely tipped to receive junior minister portfolios. It follows serious concern raised locally and along the west coast that from Donegal to Limerick is

  Hotel owners say a massive cut to the VAT rate, rates waivers, bridging loans and continuing wage subsidies are needed to save up to 180-thousand jobs in tourism. Their trade group will speak to the Oireachtas Committee on Covid-19 Response this afternoon. The Irish Hotels Federation says business this year is going to be

  As accommodation, restaurants, cafes and attractions continue to reopen across the country, a Donegal Tourism officer has asked visitors to be patient. Following the recent release of approved guidelines for the hospitality industry, businesses have been busy preparing their premises to ensure that they reach the recommended safety standard. Bundoran Tourism Officer Shane Smyth

  The Chief Medical Officer is appealing to people with foreign holidays planned, to cancel them. The National Public Health Emergency Team is noticing a “worrying trend” of Covid-19 cases increasing, and new clusters emerging. One of the clusters was located in the north west and was linked with travel to Iraq. No new deaths

The Chief Medical Officer says rising case numbers and new clusters of infection in Ireland are a “worrying trend”. No new deaths linked to Covid-19 have been reported today – but 24 more people have tested positive for the virus in the Republic. It brings the total known to have been infected here to 25,462,

Fianna Fail TD Charlie McConalogue has acknowledged the concern at the lack of ministerial representation in Donegal and Connaught, but says the job of a minister is to represent the whole country, and not just their own county. He says the appointment of junior ministers will hopefully see more geographical balance, and if asked, he’ll

Sheep farmers in Donegal are being urged to monitor their flocks and report any thefts to gardai. The Donegal IFA is calling for a strong Garda response after 40 sheep were stolen earlier this month in Gleneely. The association says this was not an isolated incident, and reflects a deeper problem that needs to be

A public inquiry will be held into the proposed Dalradian Gold Mine project in County Tyrone. West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan says this is a particularly complicated project and more than 40,000 representations have been made to the Department for Infrastructure about the proposal. There are also concerns about the social and environmental impacts of

Antenatal services are to be restored in Inishowen, after the previous service ceased in 2018. Deputy Padraig Mac Lochlainn says he had raised the issue with former Health Minister Simon Harris, and had hoped for progress before now. Management at Letterkenny University Hospital, responding on the Minister’s behalf, have now confirmed to him that they

The Board of Management at Little Angels school have held a meeting after concerns were raised by parents over a decision not to run classes over the summer. The Summer provision programme is being introduced in various schools across the country. The Little Angels School initially decided not to run the programme this year however

(Map shows where new government Ministers are based) The Taoiseach appointed just one minister from the west coast to cabinet yesterday. Three TDs from Mícheál Martin’s home constituency of Cork have cabinet jobs — and six from Dublin. The focus is now on the appointment of 20 junior ministers, which is expected to address some

A status orange rain warning has been issued for Sligo, Donegal and Leitrim. Met Eireann is predicting persistent heavy rain with up to 60 millimetres possible by midday tomorrow. A status yellow wind warning is also in place for Donegal until 10pm. Gardai are advising road-users to drive with care and to stay alert on

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has been elected Taoiseach by the Dáil. 93 TDs voted in favour of his appointment – all of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Greens as well as 9 independent TDs. Micheál Martin is now traveling to Áras an Uachtaráin where he’ll be given his seal of office by President

The Chief Medical Officer is encouraging people to choose “staycations” this Summer, over foreign travel. Dr. Tony Holohan says he’s “beyond nervous” about the return of international travel from next month, when the government is due to publish a list of countries that people will be allowed to travel to without quarantining on their return.

A status yellow rainfall alert came into effect from 9am affecting Donegal, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo. Heavy rain and strong winds are forecast while there is also a risk of of flooding in places. The warning is in place until 9 o’clock on Monday morning. Jean Byrne from Met Eireann said Ulster and North Connacht

Micheál Martin will be elected Taoiseach today at a special sitting of the Dáil. It comes after the members of Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and the Greens voted to support the programme for government yesterday. Political Correspondent Seán Defoe reports:

A local councillor is calling for the restoration of recycling facilities in Raphoe as quickly as possible after the facilities that were there were withdrawn. Cllr Liam Doherty says it’s ironic that people in Raphoe are being urged to recycle, but they have to drive elsewhere to do it, creating emissions in the process. Cllr

AA Ireland says as the easing of COVID-19 restrictions continues, major routes across the country have seen traffic levels return to approximately 75% of normal volumes. That figure has been reflected in Donegal, as Donal Kavanagh now reports: