Author name: oisinkelly

  The annual public switch on of the Christmas lights in Letterkenny has been cancelled. The popular event which normally attracts hundreds of people to Letterkennys Main Street was meant to be held this Friday. However, due to the rising number of Covid cases, the decision was made to pull the event. CEO of the

A Donegal doctor says he has reservations about whether the new Covid restrictions will have the desired effect. A curfew for the hospitality sector is being introduced along with changes to self isolation rules for households. Ministers have been given a stark warning about the impact of Covid on hospitals and ICU admissions over the

  A Fine Gael Councillor and local publican says from now until Christmas is a crucial time for the hospitality sector. Businesses rely heavily on revenue brought in over the next few weeks which will see them through into the New Year. There are fears that the new restrictions will result in closures and job

The Health Minister says a “huge increase” in emergency calls since February has contributed to delays in ambulance response times to 999 calls. As part of a Sinn Fein motion on the National Ambulance Service, the Dail heard last night of the case that a patient was brought to Letterkenny University Hospital in a Garda

  This year’s “Be Winter Ready” campaign will focus on farm safety. The campaign, which will be launched later today by Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney, encourages households to prepare for severe weather events. Head of forecasting at Met Eireann, Evelyn Cusack, outlines some of the tasks homeowners can do ahead of possible cold snaps:

  Health officials in Northern Ireland are warning “more severe restrictions” may have to be considered next month, to stop hospitals becoming overwhelmed. It comes as the Stormont Executive prepares to meet later – to discuss covid passports for entry to pubs, restaurants, and other venues. The Health Minister’s recommending they’re made mandatory from mid-December.

  Further Covid restrictions could be brought in before Christmas. The Taoiseach says it’s not clear if new measures will be enough to reduce the Covid rates – and refused to rule out going further. A curfew for the hospitality sector takes effect tomorrow while everyone will be asked to work from home from this

  Letterkenny Institute of Technology will host Ireland’s first ever Alcohol Hangover Research Seminar, this Friday. The seminar will include talks from a host of international experts and is set to explore the behavioral and psychological effects arising from an alcohol related hangover. In addition, a series of engagements regarding future research collaborations between LYIT

  A primary teachers unions says it’s members are “terrified” about the rapid increase in Covid-19 cases in school children. The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation says cases have increased from 3,000 to 8,000 in the space of five weeks. It comes as the Department considers plans to introduce antigen testing for close contacts in schools.

  A Donegal Deputy has pressed the Government to online plans to mitigate against the current difficulties being experienced in the car industry. Deputy Thomas Pringle told the Dail that a scheme needs to be implemented to project jobs within the industry which is struggling with the fallout of Brexit and the shortage of microchips.

Barriers accessing Higher Education are the cause of mental health issues for some people in Direct Provision. New research points to numerous obstacles for refugees and those seeking asylum who’re considered highly educated and qualified with many saying they feel as if they’re in limbo. Dr Sarah Meaney Sartori, Research Manager of College Connect says

  The Taoiseach has said he can’t rule out further Covid restrictions in the coming weeks. Last night a new 12 midnight curfew for the hospitality sector was announced along with changes to self isolation rules for households. Ministers were given a stark warning about the impact of Covid on hospitals and ICU admissions over

  The need for banks to contribute to a 100% Mica Redress Scheme has been highlighted once again. Donegal Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn called on the Finance Minister in Finance Committee to request that the banking, constructions and insurance sector make a contribution to the scheme. He called for a number of measures to be included

  Survivors of mother and baby homes have described as ‘totally inadequate’ the redress scheme announced by government. The 800 million euro scheme, announced yesterday, will benefit around 34,000 former residents. Minister for Children, Roderic O’Gorman, says it’s the largest of its kind in the state’s history. But Breda Murphy, PRO of the Tuam Mother

The Taoiseach has said everyone should now work from home unless it’s absolutely necessary. Micheál Martin has confirmed premises, including bars, restaurants and nightclubs, will have a new closing time of midnight from Thursday. All household close contacts will have to restrict their movements for five days and do antigen testing under new rules announced

Pubs, restaurants and nightclubs will have earlier closing hours from Thursday after Cabinet approved more measures aimed at reducing the spread of Covid. Hospitality businesses will have to close at midnight in a row back from Government. While people will be asked to work from home where possible from Friday. A booster vaccine campaign for

  Issues with respite services in North Inishowen have yet to be resolved. Three centres on the peninsula had been closed for long periods of time with a Covid outbreak to blame for one of the closures. This resulted in staff being redistributed and now recruiting the necessary personnel is said to be a major

  A woman who was due to have a cancerous lump removed in Galway today has hit out at Letterkenny University Hospital over an alleged miscommunication in her positive Covid test. Carmel was diagnosed with breast cancer three weeks ago and has received both Covid-19 vaccines and a booster jab. Carmel travelled to Galway on

  The Health Minister says the latest covid projections are very stark and efforts must be made to prevent them. New NPHET modelling has warned up to 500 people could need critical care by next month, in a worst-case scenario. NIAC has approved extending the booster programme to those over the age of 50 and

  Two demonstrations are taking place along the Donegal border this weekend to oppose the threat by the British Government to trigger Article 16. Border Communities Against Brexit believe that recent statements from the UK Government pose a direct threat to the Peace Process and are raising the prospect of a hard border in Ireland.

  A new report on motor insurance shows the average cost of a premium fell by seven percent last year. The data published by the Central Bank for 2020 also shows a 26 percent drop in the number of claims by drivers. Insurers also issued premium rebates amounting to 42.5 million euro due to Covid