Author name: oisinkelly

Bars, restaurants and live events venues must close at 8pm from today as part of new restrictions to tackle the Omicron variant. Cinemas and theatres must also shut at that time, while many indoor and outdoor events have to be capped at 50 percent capacity. The measures are to remain in place until the end

The Taoiseach says the Government must provide supports now to the hospitality industry to help it come back. It’ll be hit with an 8pm curfew from tomorrow, which will affect pubs, restaurants, cinemas and theatres. There are also new caps on indoor and outdoor events, with indoor gatherings limited to 50 per cent capacity or

Irish Nurses and Midwives are facing a “nightmare before Christmas” as overcrowding issues loom with over 500 patients awaiting trolleys, according to the INMO. Earlier this week the INMO’s Trolley Watch recorded the highest number since the pandemic began, with 534 patients on trolleys. Letterkenny University Hospital was consistently one of the most overcrowded in

The Taoiseach says he understands hospitality sector staff are devastated by the most recent round of restrictions. Under the new rules bars and restaurants must close by 8pm each night, but that doesn’t include takeaways or delivery services. Indoor events cannot take place after 8pm and are limited to 50 percent capacity to a maximum

The announcement that pubs and restaurants will close at 8pm from Monday is a killer blow to the entertainment sector according to Donegal musician Matt McGranaghan. The Music and Entertainment Association of Ireland says banks are now repossessing homes owned by musicians due to a massive drop in income since March of last year. MEAI

  The Dail has heard calls for extra supports for hospitals in the North West. South Donegal Deputy Marian Harkin highlighted the high levels of overcrowding at Letterkenny and Sligo University Hospitals. According to figures from the INMO up to yesterday, a total of 247 people were on a trolley at Letterkenny University Hospital. Deputy

The Tánaiste has warned the number of new Covid cases in the coming weeks will break all records. A new 8pm curfew on hospitality comes into effect from Monday along with caps on attendance at indoor and outdoor activities. There will be an exemption for weddings which will be capped at 100 attendees; and further

A new 8pm closing time has been imposed on the hospitality sector in a bid to curb the spread of the Omicron variant. Taoiseach Micheál Martin has warned the number of new Covid cases and hospitalisations is likely to surpass anything seen before in the coming weeks. Indoor gatherings won’t be allowed after 8pm –

Many students across Donegal and further afield have been left facing uncertainty as it’s emerged the latest SUSI Grant payment due today has not been received by students. Earlier, in a social media post, SUSI confirmed that scheduled payments were to be issued to Higher Education and PLC students today. However, as a result of

€2.5 million has been allocated to Greenways across Donegal. The funding from Transport Infrastructure Ireland will assist in progressing a number of projects right across the county and will see an expansion of cross-border Greenways also. Included in the allocation is €50,000 for initial works on a greenway at Barnesmore Gap and €800,000 to continue

An enhanced accessible toilet and changing facility is to be developed in Letterkenny, after Donegal County Council secured a €75,000 allocation under the Disability Participation and Awareness Programme, with the bulk of the money going towards a ‘Changing Places’ unit. The unit will serve people with complex needs. Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh is Mayor of the

The Chair of Donegal County Council’s Irish Language Committee has criticised the Government’s recent move to remove fluency in Irish as a requirement for someone to become a member of An Garda Siochana. Glenties Councillor Michael Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig says that the decision has not come as a shock to the Irish language speaking

An Inishowen Councillor says that people are unable to get planning permission on the outskirts of Buncrana because the local Development Plan has not been updated. Cllr Rena Donaghey says the refusals are because of provisions in the old town plan, which expired in 2020. She says members want to change the plan, but cannot

The victims of sexual abuse at a Donegal care home could take legal action against the HSE, seeking substantial damages. That’s the view of a leading solicitor, after 18 residents with intellectual disabilities were abused over a 13-year period. A review has found staff and management had ‘full knowledge’ of the incidents, which were carried

NPHET has recommended pubs and restaurants close at 5pm as soon as possible, as the Omicron variant spreads here. They’ve also called for indoor and outdoor events to be capped at a maximum of 50 per cent capacity. But they haven’t recommended the early closure of schools for Christmas, or further limits on household visits.