Author name: oisinkelly

The chief medical officer is urging people to be cautious over the bank holiday weekend, as the virus situation continues to worsen. It’s after 2,466 new Covid-19 cases were confirmed here yesterday – the highest figure in nine months. The five-day moving average has risen to 2,123 – that’s compared to 1,685 just a week […]

The Taoiseach has said the alternative to new restrictions on the late night entertainment industry was to pause the re-opening of it altogether. Speaking this morning Micheál Martin said the only way to allow the nightclub sector re-open safely was to introduce mandatory ticketing, from next weekend. The proposal has been slammed widely by many

Over 7,000 people have signed up for a Covid-19 vaccine in the past four days. The HSE says it’s a big increase on recent weeks, when there was an average of 800 to 1,000 new vaccinations carried out per day. Nearly 40 walk-in clinics are operating throughout the country over the bank holiday weekend, including

People who are involved in a road incident in another EU country should enjoy better protection following the endorsement of new motor insurance rules. The European Parliament has approved an updated Motor insurance directive which will give drivers better insurance protection and fairer competitive practices across the EU. The legislation when implemented, will protect victims

The HSE has confirmed a Covid 19 outbreak is impacting on Day Services at James Connolly Memorial Hospital in Carndonagh. As a result, day services including services at Cashel Na Cor have ceased this afternoon as staff have been redeployed to deal with the Covid outbreak. No date has been given as to when services

Saolta is urging eligible people who haven’t yet been vaccinated in Donegal to avail of walk-in Covid 19 vaccination clinics in Letterkenny this weekend. The clinics, which are offering first and second Pfizer doses, will run on tomorrow, Sunday and Monday. Saolta Vaccination Manager Frank Harburn is hoping people will avail of the opportunity……. ***************************

  There are further calls on the Health Minister to visit Letterkenny University Hospital to see first hand the serious issues facing both management and staff. It comes as the hospital is yet again the most overcrowded in Ireland today with 49 people awaiting admission there this morning. Cllr Gerry McMonagle says there are genuine

The head of the HSE says he’s quite nervous about how hospitals will cope in the coming months. Latest figures show 457 people are in hospital with covid and 88 in ICU. It comes as covid restrictions ease further today with the reopening of the nightlife sector and full capacity is now allowed at weddings

  There’s been a mixed reaction to the reopening plans. Nightclubs can reopen tonight at 100 per cent capacity and pubs and restaurants no longer have to close at half 11. However, customers still won’t be able to drink at the bar – they can order a drink at the counter, but will have to

  The head of the HSE says he’s anxious to see healthcare workers receive a Covid-19 booster vaccine soon. Around 1,800 healthcare staff are out of work at present with covid related issues. The National Immunisation Advisory Committee has recommended over 60s receive a booster jab but not healthcare workers yet. Paul Reid admits this

  The Vice President of the Garda Representative Association says the drop in Garda numbers in Donegal comes as no surprise. Latest figures show that there are 13 less Gardai stationed in the county this year compared with 2020. However, when compared with the fleet in 2008, there are almost 40 fewer serving in the

  Those involved in the nightlife industry say it’s a huge relief to finally have a reopening plan. Nightclubs can reopen tonight at 100 per cent capacity and pubs and restaurants no longer have to close at half 11. Up to 1,500 people can stand at indoor gigs and people can get a drink at

  Carbon emissions reduced less last year than in 2019 – despite Covid lockdowns. The Environmental Protection Agency says they dropped by 3.6 per cent – compared to 4 per cent the previous year. Transport emissions fell by 15.7 per cent last year, due to strict restrictions. But Mary Frances Rochford, from the EPA, says

  Nearly one in every three 12 to 15 year olds haven’t been registered for a Covid vaccine. New figures show 69 per cent of this age-group are signed up. It’s much lower than all other age categories – which range from 80 per cent to 99 per cent. Dr Lucy Jessop, from the HSE’s

A Donegal Deputy is calling on the Government to invest more in County Donegal’s BreastCheck services. Independent Donegal TD Thomas Pringle says that he wants to see the temporary BreastCheck centre in Donegal Town be made permanent – and that Government should stay true to a promise of a new centre being established in Buncrana.

  The leader of the SDLP has said a centenary event in Armagh earlier today was in no way a celebration of partition. Political and church leaders from across the island gathered to mark 100 years since the foundation of Northern Ireland. President Michael D Higgins refused to attend saying the event was political in

The INMO is warning poor ventilation is hospitals will increase the spread of Covid this Winter. Their warning comes as today’s INMO trolley watch report showed that Letterkenny University Hospital was the most overcrowded hospital in the country today, with 46 people waiting for admission to a hospital bed. 448 people are currently in hospitals

The DUP leader has said President Michael D Higgins and other political leaders missed an opportunity by not attending a service marking 100 years since the partition of Ireland. Church and political leaders gathered in Armagh this morning for the centenary event. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson went in the absence of Queen Elizabeth II

  A Donegal Minister has defended the Taoiseach over not meeting with children at yesterday’s Mica protest in the Capital. Over 50 children from Donegal spent much of the afternoon protesting at the gates of Leinster House. Some Government Ministers and TDs came out to speak to them and collected the letters the children penned

  The PRO of the Mica Action Group has stated that comments made by senior civil servants in relation to Mica homeowner’s demands are in ‘poor taste’. It’s after requests for redress by homeowners were described as “off the scale” and giving rise to “very serious concerns” by senior civil servants last month in internal

  The number of Gardai assigned to the Donegal Garda Division has dropped in the last year. Figures revealed in the Dail today show that as of September 2021, there were 449 Gardai stationed in Donegal compared with 462 in 2020 – a decrease of 13. There’s serious concern that the likes of County Longford

  The CEO of the Saolta Hospital Group says that they are monitoring Letterkenny University Hospital closely amid ongoing bed pressure at the facility. It comes as the hospital is the most overcrowded in Ireland today with 46 people awaiting admission there this morning. Tony Canavan says they will seeking further clarity as to why

  Gardai in Donegal are targeting roads where an 80 kilometre per hour speed limit applies as part of National Slow Down Day. There is a focus on so-called ‘rural roads’ as almost four out of five road fatalities so far this year have occurred on these routes. The joint campaign by Gardai and the

  1,000 new jobs are to come on stream over the next three years at Grant Thornton. The company will take on the new hires at it’s seven officers across the country. It’s seeking both experienced workers, and new graduates in areas like accounting, finance and technology. Managing Partner Mick McAteer says its training of

  One of the Organisers behind the Children’s Mica Protest has hit out at the Taoiseach over not meeting with them yesterday. Over 50 children from Donegal spent much of the afternoon protesting at the gates of Leinster House. Some Government Ministers and TDs came out to speak to them and collected the letters the