Author name: oisinkelly

  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

  One of the largest tourist attractions in Donegal will not reopen this year. It was initially hoped that Waterworld would open later in the summer but the company has announced that due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, it will be unable to open for the season. It follows consideration of the public health requirements where

Water Safety Ireland is urging people not to swim somewhere unsafe because they’re trying to keep apart from people during the pandemic. It says high tides and strong rip currents, because of the new moon, mean there is a higher risk of drowning accidents. People walking near beaches or on the shoreline may also find

The funeral of Detective Garda Colm Horkan has heard how he was one of nature’s gentlemen – and that his death spread a story of tragedy and sadness right across the country. The 49 year old is being remembered after he was shot dead in Castlerea, Co. Roscommon on Wednesday night. Hundreds of Gardai performed

There’s a warning from the Chief Medical Officer that the “widespread community transmission” of Covid-19 we saw here in April could easily return. Dr Tony Holohan was commenting on the release of the latest data on the pandemic here, as two more deaths were confirmed. Suzanne Byrne reports:

Leo Varadkar has said the government won’t be afraid to reintroduce Coronavirus restrictions if there’s a second wave of the virus. It comes after major changes to the exit pathway with most of normal life able to resume from June 29th. Pubs, restaurants, gyms, cinemas, hairdressers and barbers will be among those allowed to re-open

A 43-year-old man has been charged in connection to the murder of Detective Garda Colm Horkan. Stephen Silver of Aughaward, Foxford, county Mayo appeared before a special sitting of Castlerea District Court last night. Ben Finnegan reports:

Letterkenny Institute of Technology has been allocated 308 free places on Springboard Plus courses. The programme provides free higher education courses in areas of identified skills needs to unemployed people, those previously self-employed, and those returning to work. The Minister for Education and Skills, Joe McHugh TD, has launched a new suite of courses under

The roadmap for exiting Coronavirus restrictions has been sped up with much of phase four moved to the end of June. Pubs, hairdressers, barbers, cinemas and restaurants can all open from the end of this month. Mass can return with a cap of 50 people attending and up to 200 people can meet outdoors, with

The President of the European Commission says it is not certain where Brexit negotiations will be at the end of the year. Ursula Van Der Leyen was commenting after an EU leaders summit wich was held by video link today. They were responding to Britain’s decision not to apply for an extension to the transition

  It’s been claimed that not all children are being treated equally under a summer education plan announced by the Government. The Summer Provision programme is normally available to children with special needs; however this year it will open to children with behavioural problems and those with intellectual disabilities. But second level students with Down