Author name: oisinkelly

The General Manager of Letterkenny University Hospital says there has been a notable increase in the number of people presenting at the hospital with non-Covid related illnesses. Sean Murphy says after a drop in non-Covid patients attending the hospital at the start of the pandemic, Emergency Department attendances and admissions have returned to expected levels […]

Gardai in Donegal say worrying trends are continuing with motorists taking more chances on the roads. Inspector Michael Harrison says the number of drivers speeding is on the rise despite a lesser number of vehicles on the road due to Covid-19 restrictions. He was speaking as National Slow Down Day continues across the country. So

The Donegal IFA Chairman has issued an appeal to farmers to put safety first because not doing so, he says puts the lives of them, their children and neighbours at risk. There has been a total of 8 confirmed deaths on farms in Ireland this year. Brendan McLaughlin says during current times with more children

A senior Fianna Fáil TD’s ruling out the possibility of another general election, due to the Covid-19 crisis. Government formation talks will continue today between Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Greens. They’ll discuss education this morning and a plenary session will be held in the afternoon. South Donegal Deputy, Marc MacSharry, is confident a

The Killybegs Fishermen’s organisation says Minister Michael Creed has effectively turned his back on the fishing industry in his decision to reject pleas for specific Covid supports for the sector. There’s been a reported drop of between 50% and 70% in some sales over the past few weeks. Earlier this month, the Minister announced a

Some Covid-19 restrictions could be eased sooner, specifically for children and their parents. The National Public Health Emergency Team meets this morning to examine how to lift some of the measures to reduce the burden on young families. Public health officials say they’re aware of the impact of the restrictions on those under-18 and their

A Donegal TD says it’s vital that income supports are maintained, and businesses are given every assistance possible to reopen their doors. Deputy Pearse Doherty was speaking after a survey this week found that disposable income collapsed by 25% in April, with a sharp drop in spending for 2020. Deputy Doherty says reducing or removing

Donegal County Council will meet on Monday for it’s first statutory meeting since the Coronavirus pandemic began. In order to ensure physical distancing, only 11 members will be able to attend. As well as the Chair, there will be four Fianna Fail representatives, three Sinn Fein, two independents and one Fine Gael councillor present. Cathaoirleach

Gardaí are warning drivers extra speed checks are in operation for National Slow Down day. So far this year, 56 people have been killed on our roads, up 10 per cent on the same period last year. Chief superintendent Paul Cleary says many drivers think they can take risks on roads that are emptier due

The ASTI says it has concerns the indemnity brought in around calculated grades doesn’t protect teachers enough. The union believe it covers schools and principals but has received legal advice and is requesting the Department of Education to provide full indemnity. Guidelines were issued yesterday which protects teachers from getting undue influence from students while

The Taoiseach claims the British government is using Northern Ireland as leverage in trade talks with the EU. It’s after the UK government revealed how it plans to implement the Irish protocol in the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement. It will see some additional checks on goods entering the North from Britain. However, the Taoiseach says there

Planning is underway for a potential second wave of the Coronavirus this autumn that could coincide with flu season. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said the virus has been effectively suppressed in the community and the current data is positive. A decision on whether or not to move to phase two of the plan to ease

The EU is backing an amendment to the Irish Protocol in the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement, which would see rights guaranteed to Irish workers in Northern Ireland post Brexit extended to all EU citizens. Midlands North West MEP Chris Mc Manus has been one of those backing the amendment, which has been accepted by the EU

The Malin Head Coast Guard has warned of the potential impact a team coming into contact with a casualty with suspected Covid-19 would have on the provision of the service in Donegal. Paul Gill Divisional Controller with Malin Head Coast Guard was speaking today after the Rescue 118 helicopter and Greencastle Coast Guard were tasked

The Education Minister has confirmed that he and his department are working to deliver an alternative July Education Programme for children with needs who have missed out on specialist help because of school closures. Minister McHugh hopes a programme will be available during July and August, permitting public health advice allows. He has committed to

A South Donegal Deputy has hit out over extortionate penalty clauses being imposed by utility providers on businesses forced to close as a result of Covid-19. Energy, telephone and internet providers are charging customers as much as €400 to terminate their contract early. Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe confirmed to Sligo, Leitrim and South Donegal Deputy

Over €84 million of damage could be caused by coastal flooding in Donegal over the next three decades with 2.6% of the county’s homes and businesses at risk. A total of €2 billion euro in damage could be caused by coastal flooding impacting more than 70,000 Irish properties by 2050. The analysis, by data and

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on the Donegal Donkey Sanctuary, they fear they are on the brink of a financial crisis. The manager of the sanctuary says there has been a huge increase in the number of animals needing assistance and this, coupled with the prospect of no visitors in the summer

Cross border workers have been ‘left blow in the wind’ by the Government during the pandemic. That’s according to Donegal Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn who claims a clause in the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment, meaning those working in the Republic of Ireland but living in the North are not eligible, is a defiance of EU regulation.

Schools are due to be issued with detailed guidance on the Leaving Cert’s predictive marking system today. It will set out how teachers will be expected to grade students and the criteria they should use. The Education Minister Joe McHugh says a students’ results won’t be based on any single exam including the mocks. Minister

New checks will be needed on some goods entering Northern Ireland from Britain, as part of the Irish protocol of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement. The British Government’s unveiled how it will implement the measure, which takes effect on January 1st, regardless of whether a trade deal is struck with the EU. The North will still

  Gardai in Donegal and elsewhere have begun wearing masks this week in situations where they cannot maintain social distancing. The majority of Gardai will be wearing the masks in patrol cars, shops or in someone’s home from now on. But they haven’t been deemed necessary for open air policing, such as foot or bike

  A petition, opposing plans for an asphalt plant in Burnfoot has been launched. Plans have been submitted to Donegal County Council in February for the plant to be developed behind a large quarry at the foot of Scalp Mountain. Some residents in the area have serious health and safety concern regarding the proposals and

  House prices could fall by 5 per cent due to the pandemic, according to a leading expert. It comes after the Construction Industry Federation warned Covid-19 safety measures could add 5 to 10 per cent to the cost of a house While KBC bank says prices could fall by up to 20 per cent.

  The owner of a bus company in Donegal says there is major concern within in the industry as to how public transport will be feasible into the future. A typical coach would normally carry up to 50 passengers from Donegal to Dublin but now under social distancing guidelines, will only be permitted to transport

  The government needs to consider slowly reopening schools, according to a member of the World Health Organisation. There are now over 24,200 confirmed cases of coronavirus here and 1,561 people have died. There are currently 477 confirmed cases in Donegal. Children aren’t expected back at school until September because of the pandemic. But Dr

  There’s been an increase in the littering of disposable gloves and wipes across the county. Donegal County Council says people are discarding their rubbish on the likes of footpaths, in car-parks, at bring banks and along hedges in rural areas. With phase one of easing restrictions now well underway, local Cllr Paul Canning says

  The Data Protection Commissioner’s in discussions with the HSE over its release of workers Covid-19 test results to employers. Yesterday it confirmed the practice had been taking place in ‘exceptional’ circumstances for public health reasons. However, it now says it’s reconsidering the move following criticism – the Chief Medical Officer described it as a

    Ibec has launched a major new campaign to support the North West’s recovery and future growth in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Reboot and Reimagine campaign proposes a €15 billion reboot plan for the first 100 days of a new Government and an increase of €25 billion in the lifetime of the