Author name: oisinkelly

  A teacher from Derry who endures the continuous sound of church bells tolling for the dead in northern Italy is urging people here to stay indoors. Fionnuala Crabtree is in lockdown near Milan. The area has been hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. She says there’s devastation in the area.

  It’s emerged that Gardai had to be called out to patrol a number of beaches in Inishowen over the weekend because some people weren’t maintaining social distancing rules. It’s reported that beaches saw huge crowds right across the peninsula yesterday due to the good weather. But some beachgoers were said to be congregating despite

  There’s a call for workers in the hospitality sector to be given 75 per cent take home pay to see them through the coronavirus crisis. PwC says around 100,000 people may have already lost their jobs in the sector, with more indirectly affected. Its Insight report shows there’s an emergency in the industry, which

  A Donegal County councillor believes that the government needs to consider a lockdown. Councillor Michael Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig says it is important people stay at home during an emergency like this, as health care staff are risking their lives so we can live. He highlighted those travelling is adding to people’s anxieties and

  A Donegal TD is urging people to stay in their local area during the Coronavirus pandemic. It follows a number of concerns raised at the weekend over the large number of people travelling to holiday homes, caravan parks and the beaches from outside areas. Deputy Padraig Mac Lochlainn is appealing to people to listen

A Donegal councillor has raised concerns about groups of young people ignoring social distancing guidelines in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic. Councillor Jack Murray has appealed for those who have gathered in large groups to think of the worst case scenario. It’s comes as a number of calls were received from worried locals in

The HSE is working to clear a backlog of more than 40,000 people waiting to be tested for Covid-19. 32 testing centres are open, with more to be added in the coming days including drive-in facilities at GAA grounds. 785 people have tested positive for coronavirus in the Republic so far – including 147 healthcare

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance Pearse Doherty has announced proposals for an Income Support Scheme to bailout workers and families. Sinn Féin is proposing the immediate introduction of the scheme to pay all workers who are laid off as a result of the Covid-19 crisis their income up to €525 per week for 20 weeks.

The Health Minister’s encouraging us to stay in touch with friends and relatives this weekend – but keep our physical distance. Another 126 people tested positive for coronavirus in the Republic yesterday, bringing the total to 683. As of Wednesday, half of the cases are in Dublin – while Monaghan is the only county that

The British Prime Minister’s told people “not be tempted to go out” as he ordered the closure of bars, pubs and restaurants across the UK. The measure follows the closures of schools yesterday and is aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus. In the north, 86 cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed, with one

Senior management of Derry City and Strabane District Council and elected members continue to monitor the evolving COVID-19 situation daily with contingency measures in place to ensure vital services are provided. The Council is also continuing to liaise with other key stakeholders to assess and prepare the emergency response to the situation. Michaela Clarke has

The British Prime Minister’s telling cafes, pubs and restaurants to close tonight to contain Covid-19. He’s also telling nightclubs, cinemas, theatres, leisure centres and gyms to shut. Earlier it was revealed the number of people who’ve died after contracting coronavirus across the UK has risen to 177. In England it’s risen by 39 – the

The Health Minister has said regular people can save far more lives during the Coronavirus outbreak than doctors will. The Dáil and Seanad has passed emergency legislation giving the government the power to detail people with the Coronavirus who refuse to self-isolate. Further legislation will be brought forward next week to ban evictions and give

The Tánaiste has warned people who are not observing social distancing will look back and wish they’d done more to stop the spread of the Coronavirus. Simon Coveney says people have to put pressure on their own families to follow medical advice and not have parties or gatherings. The Seanad is debating legislation to restrict

Irish Water’s asking the public to conserve water in order to ensure continuity of supply as demand increases. The company’s encouraging people to turn off the tap after they apply soap to their hands when they are following the hand washing advice in relation to the coronavirus. Yvonne Harris, head of customer service at Irish

The CEO of the Saolta Hospital Group says he does not believe Letterkenny University Hospital will be used for overflow patients from other areas. Speaking to Greg Hughes on today’s Nine til Noon Show, Tony Canavan said the hospital has the capacity to deal with what is coming down the tracks, but will find it

  Concern has been raised once again over a large area of Letterkenny not being serviced by the local Town Bus. It’s understood that areas from Oldtown up to the Lismonnaghan are currently not catered to with Donegal County Council urged to do what it can to remedy the situation. Cllr Donal Coyle says people

  In the UK, the Chancellor will later announce a package of measures to support workers, after firms began to cut pay, put staff on unpaid leave or reduced positions. Iconic sportswear firm O’Neill’s yesterday suspended operations in Strabane, until May, with the temporary lay-off of 750 staff. It follows major job cuts in hospitality

  319 new members of the gardaí will be sworn into the force in Tipperary later. Many of the recruits will be required to go back to Templemore after the Covid-19 emergency is over to complete their training. However, this cohort will have full powers of other members of the force and will be deployed

  There are further calls on Donegal County Council to explore funding avenues to carry out upgrade works on the Oldtown Pitch in Letterkenny. The pitch which is widely used by young people in the area has fallen into a state of disrepair in recent years. Local Cllr Gerry McMonagle says it wouldn’t take a

  A Donegal County Councillor is calling on the Government to scrap property tax in a bid to ease pressures during the current crisis. Cllr Micheál Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig says so many families and individuals are facing so much uncertainty and the government could reduce some of the financial burden by scrap the property

  The Education Minister says schools will likely remain closed beyond the 29th of March. Today it was announced that this year’s Leaving Cert orals have been cancelled, with students to be awarded full marks for this portion of the exam. The decision was taken in light of the closure of schools as a result

  The government has signed off on a ban on evictions and rent increases while the country deals with the Coronavirus. The Dáil will approve the legislation in another special sitting next week. This evening a reduced number of TDs are debating laws to give the government the power to detail people with the virus.

  Around 750 people are being temporarily laid off at O’Neills Sportswear – the largest employer in Strabane. The news was announced within the last hour with the facility due to close its doors at 6pm this evening until May 5th. Many employees are affected both sides of the border. West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan

  A former mayor of Letterkenny is calling on landlords to stop charging rents for businesses due to on-going coronavirus concerns. It comes as many shops and businesses in the town have been forced to shut their doors as a temporary measure not knowing when they will reopen again. Due to the uncertainty, Cllr Gerry

  A Donegal Hotelier is warning that 25% of hospitality businesses will not be able to get back trading without a rescue package from government. It comes as its envisaged that a further 200,000 people will lose their jobs in Ireland in the coming days because of coronavirus. Brian McDermott says no one has the