Author name: oisinkelly

  The government’s emergency Covid powers will remain in place until February 9th. They were due to end next week, but TDs last night backed a three-month extension by 82 votes to 44. The legislation requires vaccine passports and face-masks to continue to be used in certain settings.

  Initial project approval has been confirmed for an extension to a national school outside Donegal Town. Scoil an Linbh Iosa in Killymard will get two new classrooms and three SET rooms under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme. Minister Charlie McConalogue says this is a significant progression of what is an important and extensive project

A Donegal skipper at the centre of a fishing row has been cleared to leave France after appearing in court earlier today. Jondy Ward from Burtonport and his crew had to restrict their movements since their vessel was seized in the French port of Le Harve over the weekend. Within the past hour, Mr Ward

The HSE is reporting over 3,174 new Covid 19 cases this afternoon. 56 new Covid related deaths have been notified in the week since last Wednesday, with a total of 5,492 Covid related deaths reported since the start of the pandemic. North of the border, 995 new coronavirus cases have been reported this afternoon, with

It’s been confirmed this afternoon that Noah’s Bed Push, which took place in August, has raised a total of €237,112 for nine beneficiaries. The four day initiative, inspired by six year old Noah Gooch, finished at Letterkenny University Hospital on Sunday August 22nd, with Noah’s Dad Lee saying the welcome they received is something he

  86 people with Covid-19 are in intensive care units nationally. It’s the lowest number since October 20th. Overall, there’s 460 Covid-positive patients in hospitals – a drop of eight percent on last Wednesday. As of 8 o’clock last night, there were 21 Covid patients at Letterkenny University Hospital, three of them in ICU.  

A Donegal skipper at the centre of a fishing row has appeared in court in France. Jondy Ward from Burtonport and his crew have had to restrict their movements since their vessel was seized in the French Harbour of Le Harve over the weekend. Mr Ward is currently awaiting a decision from the judge as

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following a fight in Co. Tyrone. The incident happened on Elm Avenue in Dungannon at around 6pm yesterday. The two, in their 20s and 30s, are among four men who were arrested. One man was injured and is being treated in hospital for facial injuries.

Letterkenny University Hospital continues to deal with high levels of overcrowding with 56 people waiting on a bed there today. According to the INMO the hospital is the second most overcrowded hospital in the country today. 13 admitted patients are waiting on a bed in the Emergency Department at the hospital while 43 are on

Irish Water in acknowledging the publishing of the EPA’s report today, says it is on track to end the discharge of raw sewage in Kerrykeel and Kilcar by 2023 while the construction of a new sewerage scheme at Burtonport is scheduled to commence in 2022. Plans are also progressing for a new sewerage scheme for

Around 10% of eligible people in eight counties remain unvaccinated against Covid-19. New HSE figures show Donegal has one of the lowest uptake rates with 81.3% of over 12s vaccinated. However, people availing of the vaccination programme in Northern Ireland may account for a portion of those who did not receive a vaccine in Donegal.

Údarás na Gaeltachta and Letterkenny Institute of Technology have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to support regional development with a particular emphasis on the Irish language. The agreement looks to examine opportunities for the sharing of resources to assist each of the partners to improve service provision and collaborate on the promotion and use of

The Environmental Protection Agency has warned that it could take two decades to bring the country’s wastewater infrastructure up to standard. A new report by the EPA shows that 8 towns and villages across Donegal have no treatment plants and continue to release untreated sewage into the environment. The earliest estimated date for treatment in

Worklink North West has changed its name to Ascain. The service provides training and support services for people in recovery from mental ill health issues, with an emphasis on promoting positive mental health and recovery. Management say the reason for the name change is that Worklink suggests they only deal with work, employment or occupation,

Some damage has been caused to a house in Letterkenny as a result of a firework. Gardaí received a report that a lit firework had been put through the letterbox of a house at Glencar Park on Wednesday last 27th of October at around 9.45pm. The firework went off and caused damage to the letterbox

  A woman was assaulted in an aggravated burglary at a house in the Ballynasilloe Park area of Derry this morning. There’s a power outage in the Milford area stretching as far as Rathmullan, with 278 homes and businesses affected/ Police say at approximately 11am, police received a report that a woman, aged in her

There’s a planned power outage in the Milford area stretching as far as Rathmullan, with 278 homes and businesses affected/ ESB Networks say essential improvement and maintenance works are being carried out, and they will restore power as quickly as possible. At present, there is no estimated restoration time. Earlier in South Inishowen, over 800

  The Leaving Cert does not prepare students for life beyond school, according to the Minister for Higher Education. Simon Harris will be discussing reforming the Leaving Cert at the Oireachtas Education Committee this morning. The Higher Education Minister will tell the Committee that the Leaving cert doesn’t teach students about financial literacy, digital skills,

  Some damage has been caused to a house in Letterkenny as a result of a firework. Gardaí received a report that a lit firework had been put through the letterbox of a house at Glencar Park on Wednesday last 27th of October at around 9.45pm. The firework went off and caused damage to the

  Letterkenny University Hospital is the second most overcrowded in Ireland today. As of this morning, there were 57 people awaiting admission with 15 on trolleys and a further 42 waiting on wards. The number waiting is down just one on yesterday’s figure of 58. Nationally, there were 523 admitted patients waiting for beds this

  A number of vehicles have been damaged on the outskirts of Letterkenny. Gardaí are investigating a number of criminal damage incidents that occurred at a garage at Ballyboe, Lisnenan over the Bank Holiday Weekend. A some stage between Saturday the 23rd of October at 4pm and Tuesday the 26th of October at 9.30am four

  An investigation is continuing into an alleged assault on Main Street, Letterkenny. The incident is believed to have happened on Sunday night at around 9pm. A man reported having been assaulted at that location – across from Church Lane on main Street. He reported that he received a punch to the head resulting in