Category: Old Donegal

West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan has denied that a motion to recall the assembly today to discuss School safety in light of Covid 19 was politically motivated because Education Minister Michelle McIlveen is a DUP representative.

Mr McCrossan, the SDLP’s Education Spokesperson, was speaking in the Assembly this afternoon.

He told the assembly he wrote to Minister McIlveen before the end of term suggesting measures to allow schools to reopen safely and has consistently highlighted the concerns of parents and school staff.

He said today’s motion was moved solely to ensure that those issues are fully explored…….

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A woman who’d been missing from the Ballybofey area has been located.

Gardai and the family of Edel had expressed concern for her welfare, but that search has now been stood down.

DUP threats to withdraw ministers from Stormont have been paused.

The party is to meet with Britain’s Foreign Secretary Liz Truss – who’s now fronting negotiations for the UK following the resignation of David Frost.

She’s threatened to Trigger Article 16 if a deal can’t be reached on the Northern Ireland protocol.

But First Minister Paul Givan hopes it won’t come to that………..

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Almost 1,100 staff at An Post are absent due to Covid.

The company says it has been a challenging time since Christmas and the situation is continuing this week.

Head of Corporate Communication at An Post, Anna Mc Hugh, says despite the challenges just four post offices across the country are closed as a result:

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A Donegal Deputy has hit out at Government for what he claims is the failure to protect businesses and allowing taxpayers to subsidise the insurance industry.

Last year, Minister of State at the Department of Finance Sean Fleming warned that insurance companies who deducted state supports paid to businesses from valid claims under their policy would not be let off the hook.

Deputy Pearse Doherty says the Minister has now rowed back on his promise.

He says the intention of pandemic supports was not to line the pockets of the insurance industry:

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Letterkenny University Hospital is the joint second most overcrowded hospital in the country today.

The hospital has been among the top most overcrowded in the country for the past number of weeks.

According to the INMO’s latest Trolley Watch report, 44 people are waiting on a bed at the hospital today.

10 patients are on a trolley in the hospital’s Emergency Department while a further 34 are waiting on wards elsewhere.

411 people are waiting on a bed at hospitals across the country today.

It’s emerged that the Red Cross has been deployed to assist the National Ambulance Service in Donegal.

The additional support has been drafted in in response to challenges caused by the ongoing Covid-19 surge, to assist in patient transportation and transfers.

The organisation is also providing ambulance assistance in Dublin, Cork, Naas, Tipperary, Cavan and Limerick and is coordinating with the Order of Malta and St John Ambulance.

The Red Cross say they expect the service to be extended to other counties in the coming weeks.

Gardai are appealing for information regarding the whereabouts of a woman missing from the Ballybofey area.

Gardai and the family of 25 year-old Edel McGirr say they are concerned for her welfare.

She was last seen in Ballybofey yesterday and is described as 5’ 1” in height, of a medium build, with greenish blue eyes and copper coloured hair.

Gardai say she may be traveling in an 07D registration Grey Toyota Corolla.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Letterkenny Garda Station 074 916 7100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.

Concerns have been raised yet again over sheep worrying.

Annually during lambing season, farmers fear for the safety of their flock.

Councillor Michael McClafferty says there’s heightened alarm however, over dogs straying from owners while out walking.

He is appealing to dog owners to be responsible:

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Planning permission has been submitted for a major new innovation and business centre in Letterkenny.

The proposed development would see the construction of a new multi-storey building on the Pearse Road at the site of the former ESB premises.

Plans have been submitted by Donegal County Council in partnership with the Donegal 2040 Strategic Development Designated Activity Company for the construction of the Alpha Innovation Centre & the Beta Business Centre.

The council has already secured funding of €3.7m to establish the Alpha Innovation Centre – a low carbon enterprise campus in Letterkenny’s Enterprise Quarter.

It’s proposed to demolish the former ESB retail & office premises on its site between the Pearse Road and Ramelton Road to make way for the major development.

Once complete, the buildings will provide office and research and development accomodation facilities, public realm and parking.

Plans are available for viewing until Monday January 24th, Submissions and observations can be made in writing to the Co Secretariat, Donegal County Council, Lifford before 5pm on Tuesday February 8th.

More information is available here