Author name: oisinkelly

The joint leaders of Northern Ireland’s devolved government say their response to Covid-19 is proof unionists and nationalists can work together. After three years of deadlock, Sinn Féin and the DUP started collaborating again in January. It meant the administration at Stormont was only 10 weeks old when they found themselves dealing with the pandemic.

Reducing our social distancing rule from two metres to one could see the rate of transmission quadruple, according to a leading health expert. Some minister raised the issue at Cabinet on Friday and it’s expected to be brought up again when they meet the Chief Medical Officer next week. The World Health Organisation says one

Four major projects have been announced for Donegal under the Leader programme, including key tourism developments in Dunlewey and Arranmore Island. Donal Kavanagh has more:

The time travellers spend self-isolating here should be based on the country they came from, according to a health expert. New rules means it’s now an offence for people arriving here not to fill in a form detailing where they’ll spend two weeks self-isolating. Meanwhile the Chief Medical Officer says discussions are still ongoing about

It’s expected parents and children could have some Covid-19 restrictions lifted in June, months earlier than planned. Government departments are working with The National Public Health Emergency Team to try ease measures for under-18s from June 8th, when Phase 2 of the reopening of the country is due to happen. Over 24,500 people have now

Businesses in Donegal are being urged to apply for the Restart Grant for Small Businesses scheme. The scheme, which has no opened for applications, is being administered through local authorities. There is a link to the form on the Donegal County Council website. Councillor Michael McBride is hopeful a large number of firms in the

The Donegal animal rescue group ‘Animals In Need’ is calling for more people to come forward as animal fosterers after three kittens were found this week dumped down a drain in Falcarragh. The group says the kittens were found in a plastic bag, and by chance, a local woman heard them crying in the drain

11 more deaths have been reported related to Covid-19. The death toll in the Republic is now 1,592. 115 new cases have been detected in the past 24 hours, with the total now at 24,506. The number of confirmed cases in Donegal has been revised downwards by one, with the official figures now standing at

Irish soldiers on peacekeeping duty in Lebanon will be allowed to return home next month. They had been due to fly home in the middle of May before the UN suspended the rotation of troops due to the Coronavirus. The members of the Defence Forces have been there for more than six months. Defence Minister

Brexit is back as a risk that the country needs to plan for, according to the Finance Minister. Pascal Donohoe says it will have to be considered in day to day planning. He says it’ll add to the challenges faced by Irish companies this year. Speaking at the Institute of International and European Affairs, Minister

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