Author name: oisinkelly

  The country isn’t at the point yet where Covid-19 restrictions could be lifted on May 18th. That’s according to the chief medical officer, after latest figures show 1,375 people with the virus have died, while over 22,200 have been infected. The total number of confirmed cases in Donegal now stands at 467. A relaxing […]

  Gardaí have been told they will not be given priority Covid-19 testing, according to the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors. The AGSI says it’s deeply disappointed at the decision after management told the Policy Authority on April 20th that there would be priority testing. The AGSI represents almost 2,500 mid-ranking gardaí and its

  Northern Ireland’s set to announce a phased lifting of its restrictions today. The Stormont Assembly has held several meetings this week to discuss a gradual removal of the measures. And Finance Minister Conor Murphy says another meeting will be held today, before an announcement is made:

  Donegal County Council’s Road Safety Officer is urging people not to let their commitment to road safety slip. Brian O’Donnell says there are more people on the roads now after the slight easing of restrictions earlier this week, but there is anecdotal evidence from gardai that speeding has been on the increase, as have

A gorse fire in Ranafast has been brought under control, with fire service personnel and members of the local community monitoring the scene this afternoon to make sure it doesn’t flare up again. At one point, the flames were very close to a local home, but were beaten back with no damage to people or

12,408 people in Donegal have asthma, and the Asthma Society of Ireland is urging them to ensure it’s in control as Covid -19 continues to pose a major threat. The society has now launched a new support service on WhatsApp after the number of calls to its helpline grew tenfold. Chief Executive Sarah O’Connor says

Gardai in Donegal are stressing that people who have been cocooning should not use the slight easing of restrictions to go to shops or to visit friends. Sergeant Eunan Walsh says there were several incidents at checkpoints in the county yesterday in which older people indicated they would be interacting with others. On today’s Nine

A major economic study has found that Donegal is one of the three counties which are most exposed to significant economic disruption as a result of Covid-19. The economic analysis which has been commissioned by the three regional assemblies finds Donegal has an exposure rate of 50.6%, against a national average of 46%. There are

A Donegal councillor is calling for a full review of the administration of the Local Improvement Scheme, and the criteria under which funding is allocated, in order to avoid any suggestion of what he termed “a nod and a wink” politics. Cllr Michael Cholm Mac GiollaEasbuig says he’s been told the council will receive just

More than 61,000 Covid-19 tests have been carried out in the past week, with 2,200 returning a positive result. The total number of tests carried out is now close to 215,000. The testing criteria have been broadened so that people will no longer need to be in an at-risk group to be eligible. Dr Cillian

The chief medical officer says the country will only be re-opened in a cautious and conservative manner, to try prevent further Covid-19 restrictions later this year. 1,339 people with the virus have died, after a further 23 fatalities were confirmed last evening, while the number of cases has risen to just under 22,000. Donegal has

Foyle MP and SDLP leader Colum Eastwood has welcomed the announcement of Executive match-funding for City Deals. Mr Eastwood said that Derry’s City Deal has the potential to transform the North West economy, with a total of £210 million of investment and attracting new jobs. That’s been echoed by Sinn Fein MLA Martina Anderson, who

Some coronavirus restrictions are being eased from today . The 2km exercise distance is being extended to 5km, while those cocooning can go out for brief exercise. Another 16 deaths from Covid-19 were reported in the Republic yesterday, along with 266 new cases. The Republic will begin a phased reopening on May the 18th. North

New analysis from the INMO shows over 11,000 babies have been born in Ireland’s hospitals since the arrival of COVID-19 in late February. Based on 2018 figures, the busiest maternity service in Ireland is Rotunda with just over 8,500 births. Letterkenny University Hospital is 10th on the list with just over 1,700 births in 2018.

An Inishowen councillor says fly tipping is rampant, and remains a major issue under lockdown. After highlighting recent illegal dumping in the Lough Inn and Glengannon areas recently, Cllr Albert Doherty says he was alerted to three other areas in North Inishowen where people hold turbary rights and came across the materials when they went

A leading Health and Safety consultant in the North West says Irish employers are obligated to make Covid-19 updates to their health and safety policies. Employers are being urged to update safety measures, risk assessments and safety statements to mitigate the risks of COVID-19 as some employees prepare to return to work. Workers will gradually

16 more people have died from Covid-19 in the Republic, bringing the death toll to 1,319. A total of 21,772 people have tested positive for the virus, after 266 new cases were confirmed yesterday. There were four new cases confirmed in Donegal yesterday, bringing the county’s total to 465. The HSE is stressing the importance

The Taoiseach’s announced that the Government’s promised 18 million euro as part of global efforts to defeat the coronavirus. Heads of state have been joining a live-streamed round-robin to announce their countries’ contributions to the Global Vaccine Alliance, GAVI. Today’s announcement brings the total that Ireland has already committed to combat Covid-19 to 78 million

Inclusion Ireland is welcoming new guidelines for doctors treating people with disabilities during the pandemic. There were fears if covid-19 had overwhelmed intensive care units, life-saving treatment would have to be rationed. Inclusion Ireland says the new rules give clarity to medics and will reassure people with disabilities that they will get equal treatment if

Publicans want to reopen their bars six weeks earlier than scheduled in the government’s pandemic plan. Trade groups have offered up a “radical” plan that would limit the number of people on the premises, ban live music, and make pubs table service only. They hope to convince public health authorities to let them get back

Detectives in Derry are appealing for information following the report of a serious assault at Carlisle Road yesterday evening. The assault was reported to have occurred at the lower end of Carlisle Road close to the roundabout at around 4.50pm on Sunday afternoon. It was reported that a man, in his 30’s, was punched and