Author name: oisinkelly

  Nearly 5,300 children have not been allocated a social worker by Tusla – despite child protection and welfare concerns with Donegal having one of the longest lists in the country. Over 680 are deemed high priority cases. Areas of Dublin have the longest lists, followed by the midwest, Waterford/Wexford and then Donegal. Joseph Mooney, […]

  Netflix customers are being warned of a phishing scam that has been reported in recent days. An email claiming to be from the streaming service will say a customer must update their billing details or else lose their account. However, this has been identified has fake. Technology correspondent Jess Kelly says people should not

  The Health Minister says the current restrictions on travel, work and movement will remain in place for the next few weeks. Health officials will formally make a recommendation to the government today, as the current measures are due to end on Sunday. Yesterday, 28 more patients lost their lives because of the coronavirus, while

  Deaths of Covid-19 patients in care homes may not be included in officials figures in Northern Ireland. First Minister Arlene Foster says the region is still only registering coronavirus deaths in hospitals. The issue of deaths in care homes is due to be discussed at a Stormont executive meeting today. Meanwhile, Deputy First Minister

  A Donegal County Councillor has expressed disappointment after two minor projects for flood prevention works in the Twin Towns were rejected by an Bord Pleanala. One application was to seek money to remove vegetation from embankments of the River Finn and the other was to clear three black spots along the rivers course. Both

  In response to COVID-19, The Exchange Inishowen, Spraoi agus Spórt and Trinity Court have set up a temporary Food Bank to serve the peninsula. Supported by Inishowen Development Partnership, the three charities will collect donations of food and work with local voluntary groups to distribute parcels to people in need. A fourth centre is

  There are now 125 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Donegal. Five new cases were confirmed today by the Department of Health. Out of the 28 new deaths recorded today, two of them are in the north west. The Social Protection Minister’s defended the government’s approach to testing for coronovirus. It’s after concerns were raised

  An Inishowen man who was at deaths door after contracting Covid-19 has issued a warning to the public that if you don’t address symptoms early on it could ‘take you out’. Joe Whoriskey spent the last couple of weeks in hospital in Galway and then Letterkenny, with several of those days unconscious and on

  A number of Garda checkpoints across Donegal have revealed that a significant number of people are continuing to make unnecessary journeys. Gardai are continuing their mammoth operation today at various locations in the county and spot checks have indicated that people are travelling several towns from their home to do their weekly shop. As

  The Director of Water and Services at Donegal County Council says a decision to restrict access to a number of beaches is in a bid to save lives. Michael McGarvey says a number of problem areas were identified following an in-depth consultation with the Gardai. The beaches affected are; Kinnagoe, Lisfannon, Shrove, Rathmullan, Block

    A Donegal TD says it’s clear that restrictions on public movement to combat Covid-19 will need to be extended beyond next Monday. The death toll in Ireland from Covid-19 now stands at 235 while there currently 6,074 confirmed cases. Pearse Doherty says this coupled with case clusters in nursing homes and care settings

  A breast surgeon at Letterkenny University Hospital says that staff need more specific PPE equipment as a matter of urgency. Emergency surgery is still on-going at the hospital but surgeons currently don’t have full length, long sleeved waterproof gowns. Dr. Manvidas Vargalis says the PPE equipment that arrived from China to Letterkenny is for

  Councillors in Inishowen have made a passionate plea to the public to adhere to the Government restrictions in place ahead of the Easter Bank Holiday weekend. A letter, urging people to come together by staying apart and keeping within 2km of their home in the fight against Covid-19 has been signed by all nine

  A further 25 people have died from Covid19 in the Republic, while 365 new cases have been confirmed. 13 deaths located in the east, 8 in the north, 2 in the south and 2 in the west of the country. It brings the death toll here to 235. The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus now

  People who are currently on holiday in Donegal are being urged to go home until restrictions are lifted. It comes following more reports today of a large number of people from various parts of the country now residing in their holiday homes in Donegal. Donegal TD Padraig MacLochlainn says these individuals will be more

  The Cathaoirleach of the Inishowen Municipal District says while he hopes that the new emergency powers will curtail people travelling to Donegal this weekend, concern remains that a certain element will continue to take chances. There are reports that some have already started travelling to seaside locations in the county. Garda checkpoints are to

  The Health Minister has signed regulations giving gardaí emergency power to enforce restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic. People found not following health advice will be forced to return home. Yesterday saw the largest daily rise in the number of deaths here since the outbreak began – 36 people died, bringing the total to 210.

  Third level students will not sit their exams in exam halls next month. The closure of universities and colleges and social distancing concerns due to Covid-19 have prompted the announcement. Government says impacted students have been notified by institutions and other means of assessment have been finalised. Dr Padraig Walsh from Quality and Qualifications

  There’s been particular concern expressed at the prospect of large numbers of people ignoring travel restrictions and coming to Donegal over Easter. Donegal Deputy Charlie Mc Conalogue says up to now, Gardai have been doing a very good job policing the restrictions and reminding people of their responsibilities. Now, he says, it’s vital that

  A West Tyrone MLA says vacant hospitals and schools in the area could be used in the fight against Covid-19, either as Field Hospitals or test centres. Daniel Mc Crossan has written the Health Minister Robin Swann, saying there are effectively two empty hospitals in Omagh, while there is a former Grammar School in

  More than 8,000 calls have been made to helplines by the elderly and vulnerable in Ireland in the past week. Alone received more than 3,000 calls up to Sunday, while the Covid-19 Community Call forum which was launched by the government last Monday received over 5,000 calls. The Covid-19 Community Call Forum works with