Author name: oisinkelly

Derry and Strabane City Deal will see £210 million spent in NW

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

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Employers’ Health and Safety responsibilities highlighted

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

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Government’s promised €18 million to Global Vaccine Alliance

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

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Inclusion Ireland says new guidelines give clarity to medics during pandemic

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

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Publicans want to reopen bars six weeks earlier than scheduled

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

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PSNI, Police, Northern Ireland

Man in a critical condition following serious assault in Derry

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

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Grants scheme for small businesses wholly inadequate – Doherty

The Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance has said that the grants scheme for small businesses announced by the Minister for Finance is ‘wholly inadequate’. Deputy Pearse Doherty said that the average grant payable to firms could be less than €900 with 280,000 micro and small business operating in the State. Deputy Doherty made comparison to

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Government to review its supports for workers impacted by Covid-19

The government will review its supports for workers impacted by Covid-19 over the next few weeks. The Finance Minister says the programmes will be updated to reflect the changing economic and public health circumstances. Thousands of people and businesses are currently availing of the unemployment payment and wage subsidy schemes. Pascal Donohoe says it’s important

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HSE apologise to family after given wrong body by hospital mortuary

The HSE has apologised to the family of a person who died from Covid 19, after they were given the wrong body by a hospital mortuary. The incident happened at Mullingar Regional Hospital last weekend and an internal review’s been launched. The Ireland East Hospital Group says a mistake led to the wrong remains being

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PSNI, Police, Northern Ireland

Land Rover stolen in Derry recovered in Donegal by Gardai

Detectives are investigating a series of creeper style burglaries in the Trench Road area of Derry on Saturday morning. Car keys were stolen from a property and a silver Land Rover Freelander was taken during the incident. The vehicle was recovered a short time later in Donegal by Gardai. Stephen Murphy reports: Police are appealing

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FAI extends cessation of football under its jurisdiction

The Football Association of Ireland have extended their cessation of football under its jurisdiction until May 18th following the latest directives from Government and the Department of Health. In a statement the FAI said: “The Association will now examine what this lockdown extension and the guidelines published in the Government’s ‘Roadmap For Reopening Society and

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Letterkenny AC Senior Athletes taking part in online challenge for local charities

Letterkenny AC senior athletes are taking part in an online challenge to raise money for local charities during the coronavirus pandemic. They are currently planning to split the money raised between St. Vincent de Paul and the Donegal Hospice. Click on the link below to go to the donation page. https://www.gofundme.com/f/lac-lockdown-fundraiser

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All-Ireland Championships could go ahead, according to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar

The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has offered a glimmer of hope for this year’s All-Ireland Football and Hurling Championships. He says the competitions could get underway in August or September but supporters would not be allowed into the games. The GAA insist they won’t be rushing the return of matches and have indicated that club fixtures

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Plans to be made to facilitate classes for Leaving Cert students

The government still plans for the Leaving Cert to go ahead in late July. That’s despite saying schools won’t re-open until September or October. However, the government has suggested classes for Leaving Cert students could happen if social distancing measures can be observed. Fianna Fáil’s calling for the Leaving Cert to be called off, and

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Finn Harps still cautious on Behind Closed Doors Proposals

Finn Harps have stated that they are still cautious on the behind closed doors proposal made by the FAI. The club released the following statement: “Finn Harps FC welcomes the Government’s announcement of the potential to resume activities in July/August but recognizes that restrictions with respect to mass gatherings will still be in place. We

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Alone calling on Donegal communities to look out for elderly

  People in Donegal are being urged to continue to look out for the vulnerable and older people within their communities. It’s after Alone raised concerns this week over an increase in the number of calls they were receiving from older people regarding mental health issues stemming from loneliness. Since it launched in March, Alones

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Clonmany Festival cancelled ‘with great sadness’

  The Clonmany Festival has been cancelled. The weeklong event had been entering its 53rd year and usually attracts thousands of people to the Inishowen village every August. However, following a committee meeting this week and new restrictions on social gatherings, it was decided to cancel the festival until 2021. In a statement, the Committee

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‘Worrying trends’ emerge from Donegal Garda checkpoints

  Gardai in Donegal have confirmed that ‘worrying trends’ are developing at checkpoints across the county. Drug and drink driving detections are up significantly on 2019 despite a decrease in traffic on the roads. However, road deaths in Donegal are down slightly when compared with the same period last year. Gardai have also been allocated

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Businesses who breach social distancing rules could be closed down

  Businesses who breach social distancing rules could be closed down under new plans being considered by the Government. Inspections will be carried out by the Health and Safety Authority. Guidelines on how businesses can implement social distancing are being finalised. CEO of the Restaurants Association Adrian Cummins says the regulations must be practical for

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Revealed: Donegal spends big on groceries since crisis began

  AIB has revealed Donegal consumers spending habits since the impact of Covid-19. The data has been compiled from transactions between 8th March and 11th April. Overall, Donegal consumers are spending 15% less than normal since Covid-19 started to impact Ireland, the smallest drop in spending of any county. However, Donegal consumers are spending 36%

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