Author name: oisinkelly

It’s emerged that ten new acute beds announced this week for Letterkenny University Hospital are temporary beds, and are due to be taken out of service by the end of March. Senator Padraig Mac Lochlainn says it’s an insult, particularly in light of the fact that previous commitments regarding the short stay ward at the

As the Beef Marketing Task Force meets today for what could be crucial talks, it’s emerged that the Beef Plan Movement is in turmoil. Last year, the group came to prominence when pickets were placed at several beef processing plants around the country, including the plant in Carrigans. The Irish Farmers’ Journal is reporting today

The Chief Executive of the HSE says progress is being made in reducing overcrowding in Irish hospitals, and future strategies could involve reducing the number of Emergency Departments. 621 people were left awaiting beds across the country yesterday, while on Monday there were 760 people left without a bed – the largest number on record.

Farmers will stage more tractor blockades in Dublin next week unless significant progress is made in talks today. Supermarket retailers will attend the Beef Market Taskforce, along with farming organisations and meat processors. The Individual Farmers of Ireland group says it will hold more protests in the capital next Wednesday if there’s no progress. Joe

Talks at Stormont continued into the early hours in the hope of finalising a deal to restore power-sharing in the North. Both the Irish and UK governments discussed details of a draft agreement, which, if accepted by the parties, would see the Stormont Assembly up and running by Monday. But sticking points remain between the

A Derry student has started a petition against his school’s clean-shaven policy. Carrick McClean says he was removed from his class at St Columb’s College for growing a beard and placed in a study room. The school says the matter is currently being discussed with the student council. The 17 year old says he would

The HSE has launched its latest QUIT Smoking campaign, encouraging people who smoke to quit for four weeks. This, they say, substantially increases the chance of quitting for good. Donegal Stop Smoking Advisor Fiona Boyle says last year saw 263 new clients to her service, with around 30% of them quit 12 months later. She

  School secretaries are set to strike again this Friday after a protest outside the Department of Education in Dublin at the weekend. The majority of secretaries are not recognised by the Department of Education as employees, meaning some are only earning €12,500 a year, with no holiday pay, sick leave or pension entitlements. The

  It’s hoped that Donegal County Council will follow in the footsteps of its counterparts across the border after Derry City and Strabane District Council agreed to adopt a menopause policy. The policy was agreed at a meeting of Derry City and Strabane District Council last evening and is the first of its kind in

  A Donegal Senator says the commemoration of the RIC needs to be cancelled and not deferred. Last evening, Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan announced the deferral of the proposed event later this month and says it was as a result of the disappointing response. He said he hopes to have an alternative commemoration in the

  A consultant claims the current trolley crisis could continue for another seven years. For the second day in a row, there were 760 people without a bed in Irish hospitals yesterday after a record was set on Monday. 47 people awaitied in patient beds at Letterkenny University hospital yesterday – the joint second highest

  More than 9,000 nurses in Northern Ireland are on strike today – causing major disruption in the health service. It’s the second of six days of industrial action by staff from the Royal College of Nursing. They’re looking for the same pay as their counterparts in other parts of the UK, and for 2,800

  The HSE’s National Screening Service has confirmed that plans to locate a potential site for a BreastCheck mobile unit in Buncrana are in place. The site which previously housed a mobile unit closed in 2013, resulting in women from Inishowen having to travel to Letterkenny for breast cancer screening. The body says discussions will

The Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council has declined to hold an emergency meeting to discuss the commemoration of members of the RIC next week. Councillor Micheal Cholm MacGiolla Easbuig yesterday publicly called for the meeting to take place and for the council to firmly oppose the planned event. Dublin City Council last night voted to

The former Chief Executive of Derry Chamber of Commerce has been announced as the SDLP’s latest MLA. Sinead Mc Laughlin will replace party leader Colum Eastwood, who was elected Foyle MP last month. Ms Mc Laughlin was elected to Derry City Council in the last local elections, and has pledged to work towards ensuring that

  Gardaí in Letterkenny have reissued an appeal for information over a single vehicle collision on Saturday night last just before 9pm. The driver was taken to Letterkenny University Hospital with serious injuries. Garda Sean Sweeney is urging any witnesses or anyone who may be able to assist with their investigation to contact them:

A senior minister says it’s not the government’s job to interpret history. Heather Humphreys was responding to the controversy surrounding an event to commemorate the Royal Irish Constabulary. Sinn Fein has called for the event to be cancelled, while Dublin City Council last night voted to boycott the event. In a tweet, the Taoiseach said

Tributes have been paid to Dr James Mehaffey, the former Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, who has died at the age of 88. Pat Hume, wife of former SDLP leader and Foyle MP John Hume, said this morning that Bishop Mehaffey worked closely with her husband, and never gave up on the quest for peace.

There were 47 people awaiting in-patient beds at Letterkenny University Hospital, 15 of them on Emergency Department trolleys. That’s a rise of 10 on yesterday’s figure, and comes after management at the hospital launched the Full Capacity Protocol last evening. It;s the joint third highest figure in the state this morning along with Cork, with