Court sittings are facing disruptions due to Covid19 resulting in judges, witnesses, and court staff being unable to attend.
The court service says business may have to be cancelled at short notice, and in this case any adjournment will be for the minimum period.
Criminal trials due to begin in the Central and Circuit Courts will not start before 24th January.
Colleges will reopen on Monday as planned.
It follows a meeting between Higher Education Minister Simon Harris and student, staff and management representatives today.
The re-opening will be staggered with five colleges returning on Monday and another five the following week.
There are also plans to bring back pop-up Covid vaccination clinics on campus so students can get their booster.
A new operator has been confirmed for the PSO Donegal-Dublin service.
The Government funded route will be operated by Ireland’s newest airline, Emerald Airlines.
Emerald Airlines have been awarded a three year contract to operate flights on the Donegal-Dublin route for a three year period from February 26th with the option of a one year extension.
The company takes over from Amapola which temporarily operated the PSO service following the collapse of Stobart Air on June 12th 2021.
The award of the new contract to Emerald Airlines follows an EU public tendering process and will see twice daily flights under the Aer Lingus Regional brand.
Transport Minister Eamon Ryan says the service will provide vital connectivity for Donegal and the North-West region to Dublin and has acknowledged that the route provides important reassurance for those who need to attend medical or other important appointments as well as supporting business and tourism in the region.
Just like the footballers, The Donegal Hurlers swing back into action on Saturday with a Conor McGurk Cup clash against Antrim in Dunsilly.
Donegal will also play UUJ in Belfast next week but missed out on a home tie in the competition due to Derry pulling out.
Mickey McCann is building towards safety in Division 2B of the league and success in the championship this summer.
He will give run outs to a few new players in the squad in the start of the season competition.
The Donegal Manager has been speaking with Oisin Kelly:
https://www.highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/SC-MICKEY.mp3
The HSE’s Chief Clinical Officer says the current positivity rates are ‘mind boggling’.
A quarter of all Covid-19 cases confirmed in 2021 occurred between Christmas and the New Year.
Last evening, NPHET decided not to implement new restrictions despite record case numbers, as Omicron cases are causing fewer hospitalizations than previous variants.
However, Dr Colm Henry says there’s no guarantee ICU numbers won’t surge in the coming weeks……
https://www.highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/henry10-2.mp3
Meanwhile, a former Assistant General Manager at Letterkenny University Hospital says the hospital, like many others, is currently running at close to 100% capacity, and was doing so before the effects of the pandemic took hold.
Paddy Rooney told Greg Hughes on today’s Nine til Noon Show this effectively means the hospital cannot cope with surges in demand.
He said it’s a particular problem when it comes to the numbers presenting in the Emergency Department……….
https://www.highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/paddyntn1pm.mp3
Students of Letterkenny Institute of Technology are calling for remote exams to be introduced.
Last week, the college announced that all semester 1 in-person exams were being postponed until a later date due to rising cases of Covid-19.
Two options have since been proposed, one is that students sit semester 1 exams in May along with other scheduled exams or on January 17th.
A number of other institutions across the country have introduced remote examinations.
Anna, a student at LYIT told Greg Hughes that she has serious reservations about sitting examinations next week:
https://www.highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/lyitstudents1pm.mp3
LYIT President Paul Hannigan says there are ongoing meetings with the Students Union and says it wouldn’t be right to comment until such discussions conclude.
Derry begin the year on Friday night with their opening game in the Dr McKenna Cup against Monaghan at Owenbeg.
Lachlan Murray and Matthew Downey, two of Derry’s All-Ireland winning minor team are set to make their senior debuts in the tie.
Desertmartin’s Murray will wear number 15 jersey, while All-Ireland minor-winning captain Matthew Downey will start at left half forward.
Monaghan meanwhile will give senior debuts to Shane Hanratty, Darragh Mc Elearney and Gary Mohan.
Donegal start the new year with their opening game in the Dr McKenna Cup this evening in Ballybofey.
Declan Bonner’s side will face Down at MacCumhaill Park.
There will be full match commentary ONLINE with Oisin Kelly and Martin McHugh from the 7.30pm throw in – on highlandradio.com.
This is Donegal’s first game since the Ulster chanmpionship defeat by Tyrone back in July.
Down have a new manager in place for the campaign, with James McCartan back for a second stint in charge of the Mourne men.
Not surprisingly Bonner will the use the occasion to field a largely experimental side with some new faces.
The Donegal boss has been speaking with Oisin Kelly:
https://www.highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/SC-BONNER.mp3
There’s been a slight fall in the number of admitted patients awaiting beds at Letterkenny University Hospital, with 30 people waiting this morning, down nine from yesterday. Four of them were on Emergency Department trolleys.
Latest INMO figures show Letterkenny had the third highest number of people awaiting admission this morning.
Meanwhile, Sligo University Hospital had 19 people awaiting beds, 14 in the ED.
An Post says deliveries in some rural areas are being impacted by staffing shortages.
The company says a spike in Covid-related absences has placed a “temporary strain” on its resources.
It says the worst impact’s being felt across its mails and parcels network, and at some Post Offices, with some having to temporarily shut.
It says social welfare benefit payments will be transferred to a neighbouring office for those affected.
