Author name: oisinkelly

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:

Insurance providers are facing mounting pressure to be fair in their treatment of business customers who have infectious disease cover and have been forced to close due to the ongoing COVID-19 emergency. Many businesses have been left in limbo after adhering to the Government’s directive to close and are now being told they will not

A Midlands North West MEP believes the EU needs to step aside and allow Governments work to deal with the current crisis at a more localised level. Chris MacManus believes Ireland will not gain much from the EU COVID-19 fund. The country is expected to only get €3 million from the fund worth a possible

There’s further concern that some workplaces may not be safe because the nature of the work doesn’t allow for adequate social distancing. Pearse Doherty says there are many cases where one family member is continuing to work in a potentially exposed environment while the rest are at home. The Donegal TD says there must be

The number of Covid-19 related deaths here has more than doubled in 24 hours. Ten more people diagnosed with the virus have died, bringing the death toll to 19. There have also been a further 255 confirmed cases, meaning there are now 1,819 cases recorded. The National Public Health Emergency Team meets this morning, with

Last night the Dáil approved emergency legislation aimed at tackling the impact of the coronavirus. It goes to the Seanad for consideration today. Business Minister Heather Humphreys says it’s important companies continue to be supported during this time:

  The Irish Blood Transfusion Service is asking people to make an appointment to donate blood. It’s continuing its clinics however is implementing an appointment system during the coronavirus outbreak. There’s been a drop of 13 per cent in the number of people attending, however there has been a very slight drop in the supply

  Students at Letterkenny Institute of Technology have been told they will have no written exams at the end of this college year. The move comes after the government announced an extension of the closure of schools and colleges until April 19 in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The closure announcement means that the LYIT

  The co-owner of a family-run clothing business in Moville says their decision to start making scrubs for front-line workers was a no-brainer. Moville Clothing which usually specialises in clerical shirts and legal attire decided to turn their attentions towards helping the health service during the crisis following a meeting with their team last week.

The Donegal GRA Spokesperson says Gardai are putting their shoulder to the wheel in tackling the current crisis. It comes as the Policing Authority has today commended the extensive work being undertaken by An Garda Siochana throughout the country both in relation to the current emergency and to regular Garda responsibilities. Measures within the force

  Thousands of people in Northern Ireland may already have the coronavirus, according to the region’s chief medical officer. There are 209 confirmed cases in the North and seven deaths. Stormont’s Health Minister, Robin Swann, says lives can be saved by following official advice.

    The Cathaoirleach of the Inishowen MD is calling for COVID-19 test centres to be more localised. Changes announced last night means a person now needs to present with at least two symptoms of the virus including a fever, before being considered for testing. You also need to be either at risk, a healthcare