Author name: oisinkelly

  The new Cathaoirleach of the Inishowen Municipal District says he wants to see the North West City Region made a central part of policy in both Dublin and Stormont. Speaking after his election last evening, Cllr Albert Doherty said many pressing issues await the community as the Covid 19 lockdown eases. He says it’s

The Taoiseach is urging the EU Commission to change its guidelines for the distribution of Coronavirus support funds. Under current plans Ireland will get just 3 billion of the 750 billion euro COVID recovery fund announced last week. This calculation is largely based on the fact that Ireland is one of the wealthier member states.

  Gardai are investigating a report of criminal damage which happened overnight in Letterkenny. The door of a business premises on Lower Main Street was reported damaged at around midnight last night. Gardai say no arrests have yet been made with enquiries on-going. Anyone with information is being asked to contact Letterkenny Garda Station.

  The Licensed Vintners Association is urging pubs to make sure they re-open responsibly. Pubs that serve food can open their doors again on Monday as coronavirus restrictions are eased. But there are reports some owners are planning to break the 105-minute time limit for customers to stay. Donall O’Keeffe, CEO of the LVA, says

  The Donegal Rape Crisis centre is reporting a surge in calls over the last few weeks and has stated that a funding injection from Government is needed to cope with the demand. Yesterday alone saw four crisis referrals by the local centre. The Covid-19 lockdown has been cited as a catalyst for the spike

A leading chain of hair salons is going to charge customers more to undo the damage caused during lockdown. Peter Mark’s salons are due to re-open on Monday along with hairdressers and barbers across the country. It says customers may be charged an extra 60 euro for a “colour detox” if they dyed their hair

  The head of the HSE says nearly 1 in 10 people in the Republic have now been tested for Covid 19. Almost 405 thousand tests have been carried out so far – more than 28 thousand of them have been positive. Meanwhile, the HSE is finalising plans to release a new app aimed at

  It’s emerged public health patients are receiving treatment at private hospitals while 40 beds lie empty at Letterkenny University Hospital due to a lack of funding to staff them. The latest sitting of the Regional Health Forum West heard that funding to reopen these beds will be sought under the HSE’s Winter Plan. It

  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