Author name: oisinkelly

  Recruitment for the Acute Stroke Unit at Letterkenny University Hospital is underway with a view towards opening the facility in September. It was initially set to open early this summer, however the process was delayed due to Covid-19. The lack of a unit at the hospital was brought back into the spotlight in January […]

  A Donegal Deputy has met with Housing Minister Damien English and told him that when it comes to rolling out the Mica Redress Scheme, no family can be left behind. Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn has received assurances from Minister English that the 90% Government contribution under the scheme will be paid swiftly and in stage

Irish Water say they are continuing to monitor a number of water supplies in Donegal as despite heavy rainfall, water supply schemes still face demand issues. Water supplies in Lettermacward and Rathmullen are currently in drought with three other schemes in potential drought status including Letterkenny, Lough Mourne and Rosses Regional – Crolly. Since the

Councillor Donal Coyle has been announced as the new Cathaoirleach of the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District. The Fianna Fail Councillor takes over from Independent Councillor John O’Donnell. Meanwhile, Councillor Liam Blaney has been elected Leas Cathaoirleach. Looking to the year ahead, Councillor Coyle is urging people to support local businesses following a challenging year:

Serious concern has been raised over a lack of a turning point for larger vehicles at Fanad Lighthouse. Both cars and buses are said to be finding it difficult to access the popular attraction. The lighthouse is featuring in a number of tourism initiatives and while this is welcomed locally, it’s thought now more so

  A senior consultant has called for money from the National Treatment Purchase Fund to be diverted to Letterkenny University Hospital to allow the restart of elective surgery. Mr Michael Sugrue, a Breast Surgeon at the hospital, says he and his colleagues are willing to work extra hours in order to tackle the backlog, but

  Donegal Hoteliers are reporting an increase in extended bookings for the months ahead. Hotels and guesthouses are due to reopen next Monday with all the HSE and Government guidelines being adhered to. It’s understood that many people are opting to stay for longer periods in hotels in the county to maximise the ‘staycation’ experience.

  Thousands of homes and businesses are said to be without water in south Inishowen following a major pipe burst to the main supply which serves the area. The burst happened on the line near the fire station in Buncrana however it’s affecting Burnfoot, Bridgend, Burt and Newtowncunningham areas. Irish Water crews are to carry

  There’s been a big increase in the amount of speeding fines collected by Gardai in Donegal. According to freedom of information figures, drivers in the county paid just over 425,000 euro worth of penalties over the course of 2018 and 2019. 2,720 fixed charge notices for speeding were paid in Donegal last year, up

  The Cathaoirleach of the Donegal Municipal District has described plans for a new complex in Donegal Town as a vote of confidence in the town, representing a huge investment for the area. An Bord Pleanala has given the green light for the major development which will include a swimming pool, coffee shop houses, office

  The number of children and young adults contracting Covid-19 is raising concern among the National Public Health Emergency Team. Of 202 cases diagnosed in the past two weeks, 76 were in people aged under 35, including 16 involving children under 14 years of age. Two more people with Covid-19 have died, bringing the death

  Leo Varadkar has said there’s no Plan B if a programme for government isn’t passed this week. Members of Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and the Greens will continue to cast votes today ahead of the results being announced on Friday. If they’re approved, Micheál Martin will be elected as Taoiseach on Saturday. But Fine

  ealth Minister has committed to support a national campaign started by the Alcohol Forum in Donegal in conjunction with the ICAAN. The “Deliver change on drink deliveries” campaign is calling for the closing of loopholes in alcohol delivery services and to bring forward legislation allowing for greater clarity on point of sale, age verification

Another 2 people with Covid-19 in Ireland have died, bringing the death toll to 1,717. 4 new cases have also been confirmed – the lowest rate since March 9th – while the total number of cases is 25,383. Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan says a number of clusters have also been denotified and there’s been

Donegal County Council has today launched its new eParking Service. The initiative will provide cashless methods to pay for parking via a smartphone APP and website. It will operate in Ballybofey, Buncrana, Bundoran, Donegal Town and Letterkenny where pay and display is currently in operation. Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Councillor Rena Donaghey explains how

  Gardai have been praised for diffusing a number of unauthorized diffing events and unruly behaviour in Letterkenny over the weekend. Hundreds of people are said to have congregated in the Bonagee area on Saturday and Sunday night, while traffic was frequently at a standstill in the town centre. There was a big increase in

  The 6 week hosepipe ban will remain in place until July 21st despite rainfall across the country. Irish Water says of 900 water schemes, 37 are still in drought and 59 are at risk of drought. Managing Director Niall Gleeson explains why the ban has to continue:

  Nearly 33 thousand fewer people will receive the pandemic unemployment payment tomorrow. Over 465 thousand will claim the payment of 350 euro this week. The government says 17 thousand will receive the payment for the last time as they return to work. Elizabeth Canavan from the Department of the Taoiseach says the number of

  It’s emerged that access to two popular beauty spots in Inishowen has been cut off to the general public. Pathways to the Isle of Doagh and Tullagh beaches have been closed with either a fence or a barb wire perimeters in recent days. It’s understood that there have been concerns locally over Quads, Scramblers

  Public health doctors have been asked to revisit hard capacity limits at churches as they reopen in the weeks ahead, following criticism from the Catholic Church. Up to 50 people will be allowed at a religious service from next Monday, rising to 100 by the 20th of July. A government spokesman says that will

  The lobby group for restaurant owners says half of them will go out of business if they don’t get a 1.8 million euro bailout. The Restaurant Association of Ireland’s commissioned a report on the hit to the sector from the pandemic lockdown — and a future of social distancing. It’s asking the state to

    Donegal is set to benefit from a €4 million Government support package to mitigate against Brexit and other challenges. Donegal County Council secured funding of €3.7m to establish the Alpha Innovation Centre – a low carbon enterprise campus in Letterkenny’s Enterprise Quarter, offering a high-tech workspace hub. While ERNACT, based out of the