Author name: oisinkelly

Nearly 5,500 children have been waiting at least six months to see a psychologist in the community. According to the HSE’s latest figures, almost 3,200 kids have been waiting over a year. There’s a big variation in waiting lists across the country – with Donegal, North Dublin and Galway among the worst affected areas. Mark

The SDLP wants health authorities in the North to consider advising the public to cover their faces when they’re out and about. The party says the Scottish government’s “decisive intervention” on the use of masks will help prevent transmission where people slip up with social distancing. In the Republic, chief medical officer Tony Holohan said

The country’s top health officials are considering allowing cafes, restaurants and retailers to reopen by mid-summer. According to The Irish Times, people may also be allowed to holiday within Ireland by late summer. It’s part of a plan to gradually reopen the country between May and September. The government is expected to reveal details of

Wind energy became Ireland’s number one source of electricity for a full quarter for the first time during the first three months of 2020. Figures released this week by the SEAI showed wind energy provided 43.8% up to the end of March, followed by natural gas, which provided 41.8%. Justin Moran of the Irish Wind

A further 59 deaths from Covid-19 have been confirmed in the Republic today, bringing the death toll to 1159. 299 new cases have also been confirmed, bringing the number of confirmed cases to 19,877. Just one new case has been confirmed in Donegal, bring the total in the county to 453, representing 2.3% of the

The Garda Commissioner says it’s not possible to close a loophole in the COVID-19 laws. A gap in the legislation means day-trippers from Northern Ireland do not have to abide by movement restrictions. The regulations are underpinned by the Health Act, which only applies to residents of the State. Commissioner Drew Harris says there’s close

Gardaí are appealing for information about two suspected arson attacks. A week ago tonight, there was an attack at a garden centre in Castlefinn, while a week earlier, a house on Letterkenny’s Port Road was targeted. Garda Grainne Doherty appealed for information about the two incidents on today’s Nine til Noon Show…….

A Donegal TD says no-one believes that there will be droves of people crossing the border in the coming days because of an anomaly in Covid-19 regulations, but says it’s still important that the regulations are changed. Deputy Padraig Mac Lochlainn says the vast majority of people on both sides of the border are acting

More than 1,400 people have now died of coronavirus across the island of Ireland. A total of 309 people have lost their lives in the North, but the rate of growth of the virus is slowing on both sides of the border. However, First Minister Arlene Foster says the fight is far from over………..

The criteria for Covid-19 testing are being broadened from this morning, to include more suspected cases of the virus. Now those with either a fever, a recent cough, or shortness of breath can look for a test. A further 18 people with Covid-19 have died, bringing the death toll to 1,102, while there are now

A major Garda operation to prevent the spread of Covid-19 over the upcoming May Bank Holiday weekend is formally underway. Operation Fanacht, which was first implemented at Easter, will see thousands of checkpoints and patrols carried out by Gardaí through to midnight on Bank Holiday Monday. Commissioner Drew Harris says it will be the biggest

A Donegal Councillor fears changing habitat rules and constant demands for clarification may delay major flood prevention works in the future. Earlier this month, a proposal to dredge the River Finn was rejected by An Bord Pleanala, following an intensive consultation and application process. Cllr Patrick McGowan says that was a relatively small project, with

Donegal’s Sliabh Liag Distillery has temporarily scaled back production of its spirits to make hand sanitiser. The company has received clearance from Revenue to make the switch, and has pledged to donate the first 1,000 litres the produce to Donegal’s essential services. The company has been working with Algaran Teoranta in Glencolmcille, and says its

The Chairperson of the Friends of Lifford Hospital says there was a widespread understanding in Lifford that a council owned site off Gallows Lane was earmarked for the development of a new Commnity Nursing Unit. John Quinn was speaking after the Donegal News reported today that the siter was now being earmarked for accomodation by

People may have to wear face masks in certain settings when any coronavirus restrictions start to be eased. It comes amid reports restrictions may not be lifted at all or only eased slightly from next week because of concerns at the high number of new cases being recorded. 701 new cases of Covid-19 were announced

NUI Galway and the Western Development Commission have launched a major survey to gather data on employees’ experiences of remote working. One of the project leads, Professor Alma McCarthy of NUI Galway, says they had already planned a survey of the potential of remote working in the context of regional development. Now, she says, in

The group that represents garda sergeants and inspectors is backing calls for an all-Ireland approach when policing the coronavirus. The President of the AGSI Cormac Moylan agrees that the loophole in the regulations must be addressed………… However, a former Tanaiste and Justice Minister doesn’t believe it’s practical to simply tell people crossing the border from

Donegal TD Charlie McConalogue says the Health Minister must rectify the situation over people travelling here on day trips from the North. The Department of Health has confirmed those visiting the Republic and not staying the night, aren’t affected by the coronavirus rules. It’s after reports of a gap in the law, which means people

Blood Bike North West is to receive €22,500 from Optum to help its services in the region. Optum says the money will go towards providing transport services for COVID-19 test kits and samples to and from Letterkenny University Hospital and other health care facilities. Bernard McDyre is Chairperson on Blood Bike North West………….

A loophole in Ireland’s Covid-19 travel restrictions has sparked frustration in Donegal this weekend. Garda Headquarters has informed senior officers all over the country that the restrictions on movement to stop the spread of the coronavirus do not apply to those on day trips from Northern Ireland. Gardai in border counties have been told those

The Health Minister says around 61 per cent of people who’ve had Covid-19 in the Republic have recovered. New figures show another 52 people have died from the virus, bringing the death toll to 1,063. The number of confirmed cases in Donegal has risen by 7 to 437. In his latest twitter update, Simon Harris

People with a fever, cough, or shortness of breath will be able to get tested for Covid-19 from next week. The case definition is being changed, but vulnerable people will still be prioritised. Currently, only people in at-risk groups, with two symptoms, can be sent for testing. There have now been 1,014 Covid-related deaths in

  The Gaeltacht Minister is currently considering a funding package for various Donegal families who provide accommodation for children attending the Gaeltacht. Earlier this week saw summer language courses in the Gaeltacht cancelled, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Hundreds of people right across the Donegal Gaeltacht are affected however it’s understood that Minister