Author name: oisinkelly

Tougher travel restrictions into and on the island of Ireland will be discussed when the National Public Health Emergency Team meets this morning. A further 295 cases of Covid-19 were diagnosed yesterday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 2,910, while eight more people have died. 36 cases are now confirmed in Donegal. Modelling

There are more than 5,100 kilometres of asbestos water pipes in the country, with Donegal identified as one of a number of counties to have significant amounts of pipes built from asbestos cement. According to details released under the Freedom of Information Act, these old pipes are located in every county in Ireland. In total,

An agreement has been reached that will allow marts to open on a limited basis to facilitate farmers who need to sell stock. Last week, the government announced a blanket shutdown of marts as part of its response to Covid-19, but Mart Managers of Ireland say they’ve managed to reach an agreement with the Department

A leading doctor claims there could be more deaths from coronavirus in the North than in the Republic because of testing differences. Professor Gabriel Scally claims it’s absurd a person in Donegal has to self-isolate for 14 days if they show symptoms of the virus – but only for seven days if they’re in Tyrone.

A Donegal TD says regulations regarding cross border workers must be changed to ensure that all workers on the island who have paid their taxes and social insurance qualify for the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment. Deputy Padraig Mac Lochlainn says at present, the payment is being denied to workers who are resident in the North

The validity of drivers’ licences and NCT certs will be extended after testing facilities were closed. Existing documents will remain valid for those who cannot get their tests done in the coming weeks. Assistant Secretary at the Department of the Taoiseach Liz Canavan says they’re finalising details for those who have had tests cancelled……….

A Donegal TD says it’s vital that the Dail continues to sit throughout Covid-19 crisis, including this week, and over the Easter period. Deputy Pearse Doherty says at a time when everything is being asked of frontline health staff and other workers in essential roles, it is incomprehensible that political accountability and scrutiny would take

The number of ICU beds at Letterkenny University Hospital has been increased from 5 to 14, with four more coming on stream. On today’s Nine til Noon Show, Hospital Manager Sean Murphy confirmed that six ICU beds were in use this morning. He also urged any businesses which have closed and may have hand sanitiser

There were more than 6,000 assaults on staff in the Irish health service last year, with the North West recording one of the highest figures. They include 46 sexual attacks against HSE workers. These new figures have been released under the Freedom of Information Act. They show that, in 2019, there were 6,057 reports of

  A Fermanagh man whose wife was buried at the weekend without her family present says he himself is now self-isolating in the hope of halting the spread of Covid-19. 72-year-old Anne Best from Derrylin passed away last week and was the first person in the county to die from the disease. Her husband Tom

The death toll from COVID-19 in the Republic has risen to 46, with 10 more deaths reported last evening. Three of those were in the North West. 200 new cases were confirmed, bringing the national total to 2,615, 24 of them in Donegal. 45 per cent of business leaders are fearful of the lasting impact

A 19 year old man has appeared in court in Cork after spitting in the face of a garda, telling him he has coronavirus. Adam Olden of Leamlara Close, Togher is charged with assault and two public order offences. Fiona Corcoran reports:

The first in a series of flights carrying personal protective equipment for healthcare staff has landed at Dublin Airport. An Aer Lingus plane made the 50-hour round trip to Beijing – leaving Ireland yesterday morning. Health Minister Simon Harris said yesterday there will be 10 more similar flights due before April 1st. Air Traffic Control

Gardai are setting up checkpoints today to make sure people aren’t making non-essential journeys. It follows new restrictions imposed by government, ordering people to stay at home. The exceptions are to buy food, attend medical appointments, exercise within 2 kilometres of your home or for vital family reasons. Travel for essential work is allowed but

The Health Minister has confirmed construction workers are NOT considered essential and should stay at home. The government’s imposed strict new measures, asking people not to leave their homes for the next two weeks. The exceptions are to buy food or household goods, attend medical appointments, exercise within 2 kilometres of your home or for

There is shock and sadness in the county at news of the death of well known disability advocate Frank Larkin. He made a huge contributions to advocating for better conditions for people with disabilities all over Donegal and he volunteered with Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Ireland both locally and nationally. Through his work with Donegal Centre

Letterkenny University Hospital is continuing to prepare for an expected increase in COVID-19 patients presenting to the hospital. The bed capacity at the hospital is being increased by 40. Visiting restrictions remain in place across the hospital. Michaela Clarke has more:

Donegal County Council is suspending its over the counter motor tax service as of close of business this evening. The Council’s COVID-19 Crisis Management Team has decided that the motor tax service will not be available across the counters at each of the Council’s Public Service Centres and Lifford as part of measures to slow

Tánaiste Simon Coveney has appealed to other political parties to join Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil in a coalition government. He said a “strong and stable” government will be needed to respond to the Coronavirus and the economic and health challenges it’s bringing. Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are negotiating a programme for government, but

Daniel O’Donnell is urging people to make a donation to the Irish Cancer Society on Daffodil Day. The society was forced to cancel its street collections and fundraising events due to be held today because of the coronavirus. Instead, people can make a donation online or through their phone to support the charity, which would

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has tested positive for coronavirus. He says over the last 24 hours, he developed mild symptoms. The PM says he is now self-isolating, but will continue to lead the government’s response to Covid-19 via video-conference: