Author name: oisinkelly

  The National Transport Authority will outline a plan to increase public transport connectivity for rural areas later today. The Transport Minister Eamon Ryan will attend the event to launch its new rural mobility plan ‘Connecting Ireland’. It aims to improve public transport for people living outside major cities and towns across the country. CEO […]

  A consultant has been appointed to draw up a design plan for the Western Link in Ballybofey. As part of the wider plans for a bypass around the town, it is planned to construct a link road which would service cross border traffic while also counteract any impact to trade within the town centre.

  Close-contacts of Covid-19 cases will start to receive rapid antigen tests today. The HSE yesterday began posting packs of five to vaccinated people who don’t have symptoms. They’ll be asked to use three of them, and book a PCR test if any turn up positive. Professor Kingston Mills, from the state’s Covid Rapid Testing

New ticketing rules for nightclubs and late bars begin today – only hours after they were published. All customers must buy a ticket at least an hour before, and keep a social-distance of one-metre while queuing for a drink. Venues who don’t comply could face closure, a fine of up to 5,000 euro, and one

    It’s been claimed that some hedges in rural parts of east Donegal are becoming serious safety hazards. In particular, the route which houses Drumkeen National School is a big worry locally, with children walking to and from school however the hedges are said to be impacting motorist’s ability to see in good time.

  Over 60s will start being given booster vaccines from next week. People who were given AstraZeneca will get a Pfizer dose. Over 60s will be given their shots in mass vaccination centres while over 70s will be done in GPs. Health Minister Stephen Donnelly says the campaign is starting next week:

  The government has been warned a shortage of truck drivers could hit Ireland’s supply lines. Hauliers say they need 3,000 new drivers a year to fill gaps. While a new permit system will allow more recruitment of foreign workers, the industry says this isn’t enough. Former President of the Irish Road Hauliers Association Verona

  Third level students in Donegal are set to have a broader range of educational options at their doorstep, following confirmation of a new Technological University for the West and North West. It follows an application from Galway-Mayo, Sligo and Letterkenny institutes of technology. This new technological university is the 4th of its kind across

  The Taoiseach says Government’s been given no specific advice from NPHET on children limiting their activities. Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn asked parents to consider cutting down on what their children are doing for the rest of the midterm. It comes amid fears over the rising number of new Covid cases and

Higher Education Minister Simon Harris has confirmed a new Technological University for the West and North West. It follows an application from the Connaught Ulster Alliance, including the Letterkenny, Sligo and Galway-Mayo Institutes of Technology. It will encompass eight locations in Letterkenny, Killybegs, Castlebar, Galway City, Letterfrack, Mountbellew and Sligo. Donegal Deputy Joe McHugh, a

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties says what appears to have been longstanding abuse at Ard Gréine Court and the Sean O’Hare Unit complex could and should have been prevented by a properly empowered independent inspection system. The ICCL says Ireland signed the UN’s anti-torture treaty 15 years ago, but still has not implemented its

Parents are being advised to reduce their children’s activities over the remainder of the Halloween midterm. The Deputy Chief Medical Officer says precautions should be taken to the recent rise in Covid-19 cases, particularly among children aged 5-12. Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation says Ireland may need local lockdowns if Covid cases continue to increase

Inishowen Municipal District’s Budget meeting has ratified a proposal that monies will be set aside for a number projects that were being pursued by the late Councillor Bernard McGuinness. Cllr McGuinness passed away in August at the age of 77, and was serving as Cathoirleach of the Municipal District at the time of his passing.

A Donegal TD has once again called on the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly to visit Letterkenny University Hospital, in order to see first-hand the issues it faces. In recent weeks LUH has been one of the most overcrowded hospitals in the country, with at times upwards of 50 people waiting to be admitted to

Footpaths in the Twin Towns are said to be in a serious state of disrepair. There are claims that a number of pedestrians have fallen while disabled people are said to be finding it increasingly difficult getting around the town. Local Cllr Patrick McGowan is calling on Donegal County Council to carry out an urgent

Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan says that there are no plans to reimpose restrictions. However, NPHET says they are worried about the recent surge in covid cases and hospitalisations. 1,631 new virus cases were reported today, while 503 Covid patients are currently in hospitals. The 7-day average of new cases has almost doubled in three

The Health Minister says the Government has gone ‘quite far’ in the measures it’s taken to reopen hospitality and the night time economy. People going to nightclubs and late night events will need to book a ticket at least an hour in advance under new covid regulations set to come into effect later this week.

  The oncology clinic at Letterkenny University Hospital has been cancelled for two weeks in a row. It’s understood that nursing shortages may be the root of the problem. Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty has contacted management at the hospital, requesting urgent clarification. Deputy Doherty, who has been contacted by those affected, says both patients and

  A Donegal Senator is encouraging people to get involved in the All-Island Strategic Rail Review. Public consultations are getting underway this year and people will get the opportunity to voice their concerns over a lack of rail services in the North West. Senator Niall Blaney says the review is real progress towards rail connectivity

  It’s emerged that St. Conals Day Services in Letterkenny has been closed since March of last year due to a lack of resources. At the beginning of the pandemic the service shut its doors with clients being given some home support. Despite an easing of restrictions, the service has yet to resume and it’s

  Families affected by a lack of provision of day services in North Inishowen say they feel deeply let down by both the HSE and the Government. A number of services have been compromised in the area due to a range of issues including a Covid outbreak and the redeployment of staff. There are currently

  The Transport Minister says he doesn’t believe further restrictions will be introduced this Christmas. It follows a stark warning to the Cabinet Sub Committee on Covid last night. Senior ministers were told the peak of the wave could see between 4 and 5000 cases a day and up to 200 ICU admissions. Eamon Ryan

  The chief medical officer says the health service is under ‘significant pressure’, due to the worsening Covid situation. Latest figures show that there were 13 infectious Covid cases in Letterkenny University Hospital. Dr Tony Holohan says he’s ‘increasingly worried’ about the rise in cases across the country. The five-day moving average now stands at

  A Sinn Féin TD says a gun threat to his office shows how ‘careful’ politicians need to be about their security. Someone called South Donegal Deputy Martin Kenny’s office in Leinster House yesterday, and made threats against gardai and TDs. It comes two years after an arson attack on his car in Co Leitrim

  There has been a call for the government to rethink its policy on new rules for the reopening of nightclubs. One of the rules will see those wanting to attend a club having to purchase their tickets online at least one hour in advance of turning up at the door. Nightclub owner Ian Redmond