Author name: oisinkelly

The health watchdog HIQA is to carry out a risk-assessment to see which nursing homes need more help to deal with Covid-19. Health Minister Simon Harris says a number of measures are to be taken to deal the outbreaks in nursing homes…………….

Gardai paid a speed camera operator 26 million euro more than it got through its fines in the space of three years. Between 2017 and 2019, the gardai paid GoSafe 44 million euro. But the revenue generated in fines from its detections was 18.1 million euro. An Garda Siochana says the main purpose of these

After a nine year absence, former Donegal Deputy Niall Blaney is on his way back to Leinster House. He was elected to the Agriculture Panel of the Seanad last night on the 15th count. Outgoing Donegal Senator Brian O’Domhnaill last his seat, having been eliminated on the 13th count. Senator Blaney had placed ninth out

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

An agreement for greater cooperation to tackle the spread of Covid 19 across the island of Ireland has been reached. The Chief Medical Officers in the Republic and North are to sign a memo of understanding for a more joined up approach. It follows a conference call between the Tanaiste, Northern Secretary and First and

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

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

Gardaí have renewed their appeal for information about a burglary that occurred at a home in The Glebe, Rossgier, Lifford in the early hours of last Friday morning. A car was taken outside the house, and later burnt out. Sergeant Charlene Anderson says the incident happened shortly after midnight…………

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