Author name: oisinkelly

Councillor’s hard hitting message after Gaoth Dobhair gorse fire

A West Donegal Councillor has praised the Fire Service and local volunteers for their quick response to a gorse fire in Gaoth Dobhair, which was brought under control last evening. In a hard hitting message on Social Media, Cllr Michael Cholm McGiolla Easbuig urged people to be very careful on how they dispose off ash […]

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LUH has third highest number of Covid-19 patients outside Dublin

Latest figures for Letterkenny University Hospital show that on Sunday last, there were 34 Covid-19 patients being treated there, the ninth highest figure in the country, and the third highest outside Dublin. Meanwhile, Health Minister Simon Harris will meet Nursing Homes Ireland and the health watchdog today about the coronavirus crisis. Almost half of the 687

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“Still Here” campaign has an important message for women in Donegal

Domestic abuse and rape crisis support services in Donegal have added their voices to a major new TV, Radio and Social Media advertising campaign to tackle the serious issue of domestic violence. The campaign seeks to reassure victims that services are ‘still here’, and that victims are being prioritised during the COVID-19 emergency. Mary McGuire

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Brexit negotiations resume as Scotland seeks two year extension

The second round of Brexit negotiations got underway by videoconferencing today. The EU’s Chief negotiator Michel Barnier says advances must be made in all areas and the objective is to make tangible progress by June. The talks centre on Britain’s future relationship with the EU. Earlier, the Scottish government called for a two-year extension to

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Mistakes “invalidate” some Covid-19 Payment applications

584 thousand people will receive the COVID-19 Unemployment Payment tomorrow. Meanwhile, the government’s Wage Subsidy Scheme has paid out 321 million euro to businesses. Some people who have applied for the unemployment scheme have had their payments withheld because they were deemed invalid. Liz Canavan from the Department of the Taoiseach says some are down

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NPHET to discuss childcare proposal for healthcare workers

A solution has been found to support healthcare workers that are in need of childcare. However it needs to get the green light from the National Public Health Emergency Team before details can be announced. NPHET will discuss the proposal when it meets tomorrow. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar says funding is available for the plan. ………

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Government formation talks will continue – Harkin

A group of independent TDs have agreed to a further meeting with negotiators from Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. They discussed the framework document published last week by the two parties on government formation. The three independent deputies at this morning’s meeting also presented proposals for discussion. Sligo-Leitrim-South Donegal TD Marian Harkin was one of

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Many pubs will be permanently lost if supports aren’t available – VFI

The Vintners’ Federation of Ireland is welcoming confirmation from government that commercial rates will be suspended while pubs are closed during the Covid-19 crisis. However, the VFI is warning that more government supports will be needed when clearance is given to open pubs once again. If not, they say many pubs will be forced to

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Guidelines needed for Nursing Home staffing – Sage Advocacy

There’s a call for guidelines to be introduced on the level of nursing staff and medical care needed for residents in nursing homes. Sage Advocacy says it’s very concerned over the recent spike in the number of deaths during the coronavirus pandemic. Its executive director, Mervyn Taylor, says the bulk of nursing home care is

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Persons in Derry and Tyrone targeted in “sextortion” email scam

A senior PSNI officer is appealing to people throughout Northern Ireland not to be duped by scammers,after more than three dozen reports of scams in recent days. Over the weekend there have been more that 40 reports to PSNI of cyber criminals threatening individuals across Northern Ireland, a number of them in Tyrone and Derry.

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PBP says furloughed workers are being forced to use holiday entitlements

A People Before Profit Councillor says Furloughed workers in Derry are being forced to take holiday time during the lockdown. The group says it’s been made aware of workplaces where it has become the order of the day. Councillor Eamonn McCann says being forced to stay at home is not the same thing as a

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PSNI, Police, Northern Ireland

Man charged with number of offences to appear in court tomorrow

Detectives investigating incidents in Derry on Saturday 18 April have charged a 31-year-old man with a number of offences, including three counts of attempted robbery and three counts of possession of an offensive weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence. He is expected to appear at DerryMagistrates’ Court tomorrow, Monday 20 April. Police say

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Seamus Coleman on uniting with Jordan Henderson for the Players Together campaign

Everton and Ireland captain Seamus Coleman has been explaining how he came together with Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson to help support hospital staff in the UK. It’s been just over a week since Premier League players launched the Players Together campaign to help support the NHS through the Covid-19 pandemic. They’re donating part of their

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Rory Gallagher believes the GAA should consider playing games behind closed doors

Derry manager Rory Gallagher feels the public’s desire to watch games means the G-A-A should consider playing games behind closed doors. He says if restrictions are lifted, the association should look to get matches going without crowds and stream them online. Gallagher believes a behind closed doors Championship would not be ideal, but says “you

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Review ordered on travel following arrival of almost 200 workers

The Chief Medical Officer claims firms chartering planes to fly workers into Ireland goes against public health advice. Keelings Fruit in Dublin has been criticised after it flew nearly 200 workers from Bulgaria to pick strawberries. The Taoiseach has now ordered a review into how the current travel restrictions are being followed at ports and

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Census of deaths in long-term residential care to be carried out

A census of ALL deaths in long-term residential care facilities this year is being carried out this weekend. The research includes people who died from Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 illnesses, to find out the scale of the virus in nursing homes. Yesterday saw the death toll rise to 530, after a further 44 patients died after

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Investigation continuing into illegal dumping in Donegal Town

An investigation is continuing into significant illegal dumping in Donegal Town. Up to 50 bags of household rubbish were discovered dumped at a site near the town centre this week. The rubbish contained numerous soiled nappies among other household items which created a very unpleasant smell for residents living nearby. Local Cllr Tom Connaghan says

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Police arrest 103 people over drink or drug driving offences

Despite a 60% reduction in traffic flow, the health advice and business closures, police have arrested 103 people for drink or drug driving offences over the last fortnight. In addition to being detected by police officers on patrol and at vehicle checkpoints, arrests have been made following calls from members of the public, shop and

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LUH operating within capacity but warning against complacency

  The General Manager of Letterkenny University Hospital has confirmed that the hospital is operating well within its capacity for both ICU and Covid-19 in-patients. The number of cases presenting to the hospital is increasing steadily but at a manageable level so far. There are currently 320 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Donegal. Manager Sean

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