Author name: oisinkelly

President to air special message on Highland radio at 12 noon

  President Michael D Higgins will address the public on Highland Radio and all independent radio stations this afternoon. The President will give a special uplifting address at midday today in light of Ireland’s current coronavirus crisis. The address will be broadcasted simultaneously on all 34 of the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland’s national, multicity, regional […]

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Donegal’s newest ‘Meals on Wheels’ service announced

  Donegal’s newest ‘Meals on Wheels’ service has just been announced as the spirit of community continues to thrive across Donegal. ‘Castlefinn Covid Meals on Wheels’ was born this week following an online get together of local volunteers from sporting and charity organisations. The scheme was established as a result of the on-going Covid-19 crisis

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‘Worst case’ prediction for virus in north makes grim reading

  Up to 3,000 people in Northern Ireland could die from coronavirus in the space of 20 weeks. That’s the warning issued by the North’s Department of Health. There are now 689 confirmed cases of the virus in the six counties, after 103 new cases and two deaths were recorded yesterday. First Minister Arlene Foster

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More money sanctioned to help community projects through crisis

  The Derry and Strabane Police and Community Safety Partnership has agreed advance funding of £16,000 to support community projects aimed at helping the most vulnerable through the Coronavirus pandemic. The PCSP funding is additional to the Resilience Support Programme agreed earlier in the week by Council, but will be allocated through the same mechanism

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Donegal to Dublin air service reduced to one flight a day

The air service linking Donegal and Dublin is being scaled back to one flight a day in each direction. An airport spokesperson confirmed this afternoon that following discussions with Stobart Air and the Department of Transport it was decided to continue flights, with the airport operating in compliance with HSE guidelines. The airport says as

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Bishop says several priests are cocooning in the Diocese of Raphoe

The Bishop of Raphoe says the availability of priests is being severely restricted by the Coronavirus pandemic. It follows confirmation that from now on, requiem masses in the diocese will be said in private, with no more than 10 family members then going to the graveyard. Bishop Alan Mc Guckian told Greg Hughes on today’s

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Creed urged to fast track Glas balancing payments

The Minister for Agriculture is being urged to bring forward the balancing payment for GLAS participants as a means of addressing cash flow difficulties farmers are experiencing. Donegal Deputy Charlie McConalogue, the Fianna Fail Agriculture Spokesperson, says the payment was to be issued to approximately 48,000 farmers in May. However, he says given the national

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Donegal County Council, County House, Lifford

Council CEO says Community Response Forum is a vital initiative

ALONE, the organisation that supports older people, received more than 1,100 calls to their COVID-19 helpline for older people on Saturday following the introduction of the cocooning measures, and is adding further staff members to answer phone calls to meet the increasing demand. The organisation has welcomed the introduction of practical support phone lines for

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Domestic Violence Service puts out call for emergency accommodation

The Donegal Domestic Violence Service is asking tourist accommodation providers to consider making vacant properties available to the service for emergency cases. Manager Dr Maria Hainsworth says the restrictions on movement implemented as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic are putting further pressure on people at risk, and in many instances, people who would seek

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Garda

Gardai urge business owners to secure vacant premises

Gardai in Donegal have joined with the Irish Security Industry Association to urge business premises owners across the county to secure any vacant retail premises. Owners and keyholders are being advised to ensure all entrance points are protected, that cash is removed or banked from the premises for businesses closing for extended periods of time

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Donegal has a “significant” amount of asbestos water pipes

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,

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Doctor questions cross border differences in isolation protocols

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.

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Covid-19 payment should be given to cross border workers – TD

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

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DCSDC announces new programme to support small businesses

Derry City and Strabane District Council has announced another initiative to help local businesses navigate the current economic difficulties. The 100 Day Consolidation Programme will help small companies with cashflow projections, and work on strategies to address their short-term cash requirements over this period. The council says this programme will be delivered remotely and safely,

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Six patients test positive for Covid-19 in Derry care home

The North’s Department of Health is pledging to prioritise Covid-19 testing for staff at a Derry care home where it has been confirmed that six residents have tested positive for Covid-19. Foyle MLA Martina Anderson ghas received confirmation from the Department of Health that priority access to the local Covid-19 testing centre will be afforded

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Validity of NCT tests and Driving Licenses will be extended

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……….

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Covid-19 Community Response Forum to be established in Donegal

A dedicated Covid-19 Community Response Forum is being established in Donegal. A community support helpline has also been set up to assist at risk members of the public in accessing non-emergency and non-medical supports and advice during the current pandemic. At the instigation of the Housing Minister, Donegal County Council has joined with local organisations

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