Author name: oisinkelly

  Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are set to agree a framework document on a grand coalition between the two parties today. It will spell out what they would hope to achieve in an historic agreement between the two old political rivals. The document will include a guide for moving towards a single tier health […]

    The HSE is urging everyone to continue to adhere to the Public Health Guidelines. The Crisis Management Team (CMT) co-ordinating all HSE Services across the CHO 1 area which covers Donegal in the fight to identify, contain and stop the spread of Covid 19 has appealed to the general public to continue adhering

  Public buildings in Derry and Strabane to shine a light for front line workers. Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Michaela Boyle, is backing an Ireland wide initiative this Easter Saturday to shine a light or candle from your window in solidarity with frontline staff, healthcare workers and people affected everywhere

  A further 28 people are confirmed to have died from Covid19 in the Republic. 500 new cases confirmed today – highest figure recorded in a single day. It now brings the death toll to 263 while the number of confirmed cases stands at 6,574.

  Donegal County Council is warning people that they may be liable to a fine if they do not dispose of materials appropriately at recycling banks. The local authority says they are working to keep waste management services operational during the COVID–19 restrictions. However, the council is urging people to when using the recycling bring

  Hundreds of thousands of workers being paid through the Wage Subsidy Scheme will face tax bills at the end of the year. The scheme enables employers impacted by COVID-19 to continue paying staff. Over 40 thousand employers are availing of the Wage Subsidy Scheme which refunds them 70 per cent of their employees wage

The unemployment rate in March, including those receiving the Pandemic Unemployment benefit was 16.5 per cent. The CSO has released its first set of official monthly unemployment figures since the crisis began. A third of those receiving some form of welfare support are aged 15 to 24, while the rate for those aged over 25

  A major Garda operation along the Donegal border is continuing and has seen a significant number of cars being turned back under the new clampdown as part of Covid-19 restrictions. The checkpoints have been set up at a number of crossing points along the border as of yesterday and are on-going this morning. Gardai

  An Bord Pleanala has overturned a decision by Donegal County Council against plans for an amusement arcade in Letterkenny and has given the green light for the development. Mr Conor Carey lodged an appeal to change the use of the existing ground floor office on Lower Main Street into an amusement arcade after it

  State exams may now be held in late summer or autumn because of the coronavirus. The Irish Times says the government believes it’s unlikely the restrictions will be lifted in time for their usual June start date. Students have been urged to continue with their studies as senior officials in the Department of Education

  Donegal County Council is encouraging any business that has been affected by COVID-19 to check if they’re eligible for the SCBI “COVID-19 Working Capital Loan Scheme”. The scheme offers loans of up to €1.5m at reduced rates, with up to €500,000 unsecured to mitigate the impact of COVID19. The SBCI Covid-19 Working Capital Scheme

  Nearly half of all businesses in Ireland have laid off staff because of the coronavirus pandemic. According to a survey by Chambers Ireland, a fifth have let their entire staff go. 42 per cent of businesses have closed entirely, and most expect to be shut for three months. The survey took place throughout Ireland

    The number of confirmed cases of Covid- 19 in Donegal has risen again. There are now 120 confirmed cases in the county, a rise of six on yesterday’s figure of 114. Meanwhile, The National Public Health Emergency Team noted today’s guidance from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) that the

  Another five people have died in Northern Ireland from the Coronavirus. That brings the total number of deaths there to 78. 84 new positive cases were reported in the last 24 hours, which means there are 1,339 confirmed cases in the North.

  Donegal County Council has announced that access for vehicles to a number of beach car parks and beaches in the county has been restricted to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The local authority says they have taken the action in order to support public health guidance following observations and consultation with relevant authorities. The beaches

  Gardai in Donegal say that there is a concern that there may be a rise in the consumption of alcohol at home at this time and there is also concern about the impact this may have on the mental health of people and on their children. The Alcohol Forum has produced a resource “Don’t

  The Garda Commissioner says people who made it to their holiday homes must now remain there during the COVID19 restrictions. New powers that allow Gardaí to enforce coronavirus restrictions are now in effect. The Garda Commissioner Drew Harris says while public cooperation with the guidelines have to far been good, things are starting to

  The Donegal County Library is lending a hand in the fight against Covid-19. The library has let a local group borrow their 3D printer to make PPE face masks for frontline staff at Letterkenny University Hospital. It’s understood that work is already underway with the extra supplies expected to be delivered to the hospital

  Post offices will be closed on Saturday to give staff a break. An Post says it’s putting special measures in place for Easter Weekend, and post offices will be open until 1pm on Good Friday. Management says staff are due a well-earned break over the Easter bank holiday so they can resume services on

  Police have issued a warning after noticing an increase in the amount of vehicles and people moving around the Derry area in recent days. In a statement, police say that they are on patrol and urging people to adhere to the North’s Executive regulations. They are reminding everyone to only travel for essential journeys

  Gardai are today launching a major policing operation aimed at encouraging people not to travel over the upcoming Easter weekend. Patrols and checkpoints will be stepped up across the country. The Garda operation will focus on routes out of towns and cities and those towards weekend hot-spots like beaches and parks. There will be

  A search is ongoing for a stolen SUV after the keys were stolen from a holiday home in Falcarragh. Thieves broke into a property at Derryreel at some stage between 3pm last Thursday and 8.30am on Saturday morning. The front window of the house was broken and the key to the back door of

A further 36 Covid-19 deaths have been confirmed in the Republic, the single biggest number in one day, bringing the death toll to 210. 345 new cases have been confirmed, with the number of confirmed cases in the Republic now standing at 5,709. 114 cases have now been confirmed in Donegal, up 11 on yesterday’s

Donegal Libraries along with special guests will deliver storytelling sessions aimed at families to help reinforce the importance of reading at home. A part of the Right to Read programme, Spring into Storytime is a national initiative running across all libraries during April and May. Donegal Libraries along with special guests will deliver storytelling sessions

Another three people have died from Covid-19 in Northern Ireland. It brings to 73 the number of people who lost their lives to the virus north of the border. 97 new cases were reported, bringing the total number of reported cases to 1,255. Meanwhile, a Memorandum of Understanding has been formally agreed to underpin and