Author name: oisinkelly

Almost 20,000 people are waiting for an inpatient or outpatient appointment at Letterkenny University Hospital. Figures released by the National Treatment Purchase fund show that 17,751 people are awaiting an outpatient appointment as of last month and 2,098 people are waiting on an inpatient appointment. Nationally, more than 625,200 people are awaiting an appointment, an

A Donegal County Councillor has hit out at those responsible for vandalising pedestrian crossing lights in the Glencar area of Letterkenny. The circular road is home to many businesses and a large number of homes with people having to take their chances crossing in recent weeks because the button allowing them to cross safely has

A Donegal Deputy has called for emergency measures to be put in place immediately to help businesses in Donegal survive the Coronavirus crisis. Deputy Charlie McConalogue says the current situation is unprecedented and additional supports for businesses are vital in the form of deferral of VAT and PRSI tax payments. He has welcomed some movement

Derry City and Strabane District Council today agreed to close all Council owned buildings to the public for an initial two weeks, starting from 6pm today. A number of events, including the City of Derry Jazz Festival and the Strabane Lifford Half Marathon are being cancelled. The decision taken following after members briefed this morning

The Deputy First Minister says schools in Northern Ireland should be closing in response to Coronavirus. Michelle O’Neill’s been speaking at Stormont this morning, despite saying last night the North wasn’t at that stage yet. She says the situation is unfolding so quickly, that action is needed:

All masses with congregations have been cancelled in the Diocese of Raphoe until the 29th of March. In a letter to the priests and people of the Diocese this morning, Bishop Alan Mc Guckian says cancellation order, which also includes Station Masses and House Masses, will be reviewed at the end of the month. Priests

  Donegal County Council has agreed to look further into safety concerns at a junction on the outskirts of Letterkenny. Residents near the junction at Lower Dromore which leads out onto the dual carriageway are said to be worried over an eight ft drop in the area and the potential consequences if a car went

  The Department of Health’s advising that grandparents don’t take on childminding responsibilities. It says people over the age of 65 are at a higher risk of getting Covid-19. Assistant Chief Medical Officer, Dr Ronan Glynn, says workers shouldn’t be looking to parents while schools and creches are closed:

  Schools, colleges and childcare facilities are closed from today, as government measures to stop the spread of coronavirus take effect. 70 people are now confirmed to have the illness, after 27 new cases were announced last night. One person has died. Meanwhile the government’s trying to find a way to provide childcare for health

  Donegal County Council is being warned to take a proactive approach over erosion on the Quay Road in Ramelton. Part of the wall along the Quay has fallen in in recent times and while some interim measures have been put in place, there are still safety concerns locally. The Council says that it is

  The Courts Service has confirmed that a survey of the needs of Carndonagh Courthouse has been completed, and a report from the surveyors is being assessed. Earlier this week, Judge Paul Kelly said he believes services should be returned to Carndonagh as quickly as possible. However, responding to queries from Cllr Albert Doherty, the

27 new cases of covid-19 have now been confirmed in Ireland, bringing the total here to 70. 22 were spread locally, 2 by community transmission, and a further three are associated with travel. The Government is reassuring people not to panic buy food or medicine, saying there is plenty of stock at the moment. Health

  The Leaving Certificate Oral exams will no longer go ahead as scheduled. The language tests were due to get underway on Monday March 23rd. Education Minister Joe McHugh says his department is working to reschedule the oral exams for as soon as students return to school:

  The Bishop Raphoe says their primary objective is to look out for the most vulnerable in society in response to the coronavirus but we must remain calm. Bishop Alan McGuckian says anyone who is elderly or in any way vulnerable has no obligation to attend mass. He says mass will continue to be celebrated

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has announced a series of measures to restrict the spread of Coronavirus, including the closure of childcare facilities, schools, and colleges. A number of other measures are also being implemented, including restrictions on public gatherings and workplace practices and etiquette. Mr Varadkar made the announcement in Washington a short time ago………….

A west Donegal Councillor is calling on the incoming Government to tackle on-going flooding issues in the area as a matter of urgency. Parts of Gweedore and Carrickfinn are flooded this morning, and while consultants are to meet with Donegal County Council to progress mitigation works, there’s concern that some vulnerable areas are not included.

  There are calls for a full overhaul in how rent money from social housing in Donegal is redistributed with concern that not enough funding is being allocated for the upkeep of Council housing stock. Cllr Gerry McMonagle says a number of tenants in the Letterkenny area are waiting a long time to get repair