Author name: oisinkelly

There are renewed calls on the Government to reinstate the cliff rescue element to the coastguard in Bunbeg as a matter of urgency. The service was withrawn from West Donegal some years ago, with local Coastguard sources saying they’ve been prevented from attending such rescues as they once did. Local Cllr Michael Cholm MacGiolla Easbuig

  The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation feels it’s not physically possible for children to return to schools in September under the two metre social distancing rule. The group says the Department of Education will publish a roadmap for the reopening of schools in two weeks time. It says teachers will have no difficulty returning to

  It’s been claimed that the misuse of prescription drugs in Strabane is a major problem. The use Benzodiazepine, Opioids and Amphetamines is said to be increasing at an alarming rate, particularly among young people. It’s further claimed that the new type of drug use is leading to youths being hospitalised. Community Activist Michael McLaughlin

  Almost 100 people in Donegal have been driving with only a learner permit over 20 years. According to freedom of information figures, 255 people in the county have been driving with a learner permit for 10-20 years. The figures also show that there’s currently a total of 7,055 learner driver in the county. Aisling

  Leaving Cert students have until 10 o’clock tonight to register for calculated grades. The system was brought in by the Department of Education to replace the written exam due to Covid-19. More than 50,000 students have registered so far. Ciara Fanning, president of the Irish Second Level Students’ Union, says it’s an easy process:

  The government is being urged to give a cast iron guarantee that local councils will be fully reimbursed for the rates income they are losing as a result of Covid-19. Deputy Marc Mc Sharry told the Dail last evening that the rates holidays given to SMEs need to be extended, but that cannot be

  The Dail has been told there should be no further delay with the Mica Redress Scheme, as Donegal County Council awaits the detail of the scheme, and the go ahead to publiash the criteria and invite applications. Deputy Padraig Mac Lochlainn urged the government to ensure there is no further delay, and also stressed

The decision on how long the COVID emergency payments will last may be made by the next government. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said the pandemic payment will be extended beyond the current June expiry date. The Labour Party says it would be premature to end the payments before people are fully back to work. Meanwhile,

    60 people have died on Irish roads so far this year, that’s an increase of 9 percent compared to last year. 18 pedestrians have been killed in 2020 – double the amount in 2019. Gardai have launched their June Bank Holiday road safety appeal. Chief Superintendent Paul Cleary says there’s been an increase

  The Donegal Vintners Association is warning that there must be reduction in the social distancing guidelines from two metres to one for pubs to be viable when they eventually reopen. The World Health Organisation has advised that keeping your distance one metre apart from another is sufficient going forward however Ireland is, for now,

  Families may be able to visit their loved ones in nursing homes sooner than initially planned. Currently visitors are not permitted until the end of June. The National Public Health Emergency Team says its conscious of the negative impact the ban on visiting is having on the mental health of residents. Dr Tony Holohan

  A special online meeting, targeting businesses in Donegal is taking place this week. The event is being hosted by Donegal Sinn Fein and aims to help businesses in the tourism, hospitality and retail sector towards a recovery after this crisis and the supports needed to do that. The online Q&A is getting underway tomorrow

    There’s further concern over more illegal dumping cases in Donegal. The latest discovery was made on a side road at Dundrain, Inishowen and included large items such as garden furniture, electrical equipment and numerous bags of household rubbish. Donegal County Council has since carried out a clean-up operation in the area. Local Cllr

  Ireland’s debt could return to near record levels due to Covid-19. The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council says it could reach 160 per cent of gross national income – up from 99 per cent in 2019. In its latest financial assessment, it also warns it could take up to three and a half years for

  Charity services are at risk of collapse over the coming months, according to a body that represents the sector. The Wheel says many are facing an unprecedented social and economic crisis after Covid-19. A recent survey by the Charities Regulator has found more than half say they’ll be unable to continue providing services for

  A West Tyrone MLA says the current Covid-19 crisis underscores the critical need for a Universal Basic Income to provide security in the face of wider economic insecurity. Daniel McCrossan says the Department for Communities must develop a robust support action plan following a 90% increase in unemployment North of the border. Mr McCrossan

Irish Water say the resumption of projects in Letterkenny this week will be slowed down slightly because of the need to adapt working practices to meet government and HSE guidelines. Work is underway again on plans to upgrade and replace drinking water mains in a number of areas, as well as improving the wastewater network.

Gardai in Donegal have confirmed that crime figures are down since lockdown began. However, offences are continuing across the division with more arrests made this week for the likes of drink and drug driving, possession of drugs and public order. Gardai say that the rate of burglaries is down and while this is a good

Donegal TD Pearse Doherty doesn’t know if he would have joined the IRA during the Troubles had he been old enough. The Sinn Fein Finance Spokesperson says he hopes he would have had the courage to stand up for his community against the British Army if he was living in Derry during the 1970’s. Over

  There’s further concern over the livelihood of private bus operators in Donegal. Many operators in the county say that they face an uncertain future with fears that some may not be able to resume services in the aftermath of Covid-19. The Government is being called upon to intervene and subsidise operators as a matter

  Daniel O’Donnell says gardai gave him a letter to allow him to travel to nursing homes around Donegal to entertain residents. Cocooners in community hospitals across the county have been treated to surprise concerts in their gardens during the lockdown. Daniel says the idea came to him one day: