Author name: oisinkelly

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

  The Department of Education has spent 4 million euro on carbon dioxide monitors for schools, as part of the fight against Covid. Primary schools are receiving up to 20 each, and second level schools are getting up to 35. A total of 35,000 are being rolled out across the country, and deliveries started in

  The Chairperson of Donegal ETB has written to the Children’s Minister outlining the effect the issue of Mica is having on students and staff alike. Councillor Albert Doherty penned the letter seeking support for students and learners as well as school communities that continue to live with Mica. The correspondence details the increased stress

  National Slow Down Day returns from 7 o’clock this morning until the same time tomorrow morning. The annual campaign from the Road Safety Authority and Gardai calls on motorists to reduce their speed. 113 people have died on Irish roads this year. Garda Superintendent Thomas Murphy says more checkpoints will be out, but the

  The Dail has been told that Ireland is the laughing stock of Europe with the fishing industry allowed to catch just 15% of fish in Irish waters. Donegal Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn has lobbied Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne to fight for Ireland’s fair share of fish. He challenged Minister Byrne to

Thirteen counties are to benefit in a share of almost €5 million in funding under the Healthy Community Programme. The funding will be used to deliver increased health and wellbeing services in 19 different communities. They include the Gaeltacht and Inishowen areas in Donegal. Minister for Public Health and Wellbeing Frank Feighan says the funding

In the Dail a short moment ago, Donegal Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn challenged Taoiseach Michael Martin to meet with the children from Mica affected homes who are protesting today outside Leinster House. He also called on Micheal Martin to correct the record after he claimed he was not invited by organisers to meet with the children