Category: Old Donegal

An attack on an elderly grandmother and her granddaughter in Buncrana over the weekend has been described as cowardly, vicious and brutal.

A number of people entered the home of the 82 year old woman and her 18 year old granddaughter in the Illies area on Saturday morning between 4am and 6am, subjecting the women to a prolonged attack over an hour and a half, ransacking the property and issuing threats to kill.

Gardai have confirmed a number of items were taken during the breakin.

No arrests have been made at this time but investigations are ongoing.

Councillor Rena Donaghey says the pair have been left shaken and traumatised:

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Councillors in the Inishowen Municipal District have further refuted claims that they had prior knowledge to the purchasing of Mica affected properties by Donegal County Council in Buncrana.

It was confirmed earlier this year that five houses in Buncrana which were initially leased and were subsequently bought by the local authority do have mica.

Cathaoirleach Councillor Jack Murray says the emergence of the news was damaging to the families living there who feared their homes were going to be demolished.

All Councillors representing the Inishowen Municipal District have called for allegations that they had prior knowledge to the purchasing of the properties to be corrected.

They were speaking on a motion put forward by Councillor Terry Crossan who called on the Government to allow Donegal County Council to source and procure properties in what he says is becoming an increasingly serious emergency housing situation.

Over 200 properties are without power in Donegal.

77 homes and businesses are without power in Derrybeg while a further 188 are affected in Milford.

ESB expect power to be restored to all areas by 1:30pm.

Schools are being given €62 million to fund the purchase of HEPA filters and improve ventilation.

The Department of Education says the minor works grant can also be used for things like classroom furniture and IT equipment.

Primary and special schools will get €45 million, while secondary schools will receive 17 million.

€2.74 million is being made available for schools in Donegal.

Minister for Education Norma Foley says schools must decide what works are necessary:

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61 people are waiting on a trolley at Letterkenny University Hospital today.

It’s the second most overcrowded hospital in the country today with 11 people waiting on a bed in the Emergency Department and a further 50 waiting on wards.

534 patients are waiting on a bed at hospitals across the country today, the highest figure since the beginning of the pandemic.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation is calling as a result, for bespoke plans to tackle overcrowding in each hospital.

A man in his 50s arrested as part of the investigation into the murder of Councillor Eddie Fullerton in has been released without charge.

Eddie Fullerton was shot dead at his home in Buncrana on Saturday the 25th of May, 1991.

Gardai say a file will now be prepared for the DPP.

Donegal ETB is to receive over €300,000 in funding from the Mitigating against Educational Disadvantage Fund.

The funds provide funding to support educationally disadvantaged learners in accessing and participating in community education.

Welcoming the announcement, Agriculture Minister, Charlie McConalogue says the fund is specifically designed to tackle educational inequalities which continue to be highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and to support access to community education.

Donegal County Council is being urged to engage as a matter of urgency with the Government’s Shared Island Unit, with a view to accessing Brexit adjustment funding for Donegal and the North West region.

A motion is to be discussed at today’s reconvened monthly council meeting.

It’s being tabled by Cllr Ciaran Brogan, who says in the context of the North West Cross Border Group, there’s a lot of very important work being done, and it’s important that Donegal is seizing every opportunity that offers:

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Serious concern has been raised over what’s been described as a severe lack of security staff on the grounds of Letterkenny University Hospital.

It comes following an incident at the St Conal’s Campus earlier this month which resulted in an arrest and a member of staff being injured.

It’s understood that there is only one member of security staff on duty during daytime hours and they have to service Letterkenny University Hospital, St’ Conals Hospitals and respond to calls if needed at the outpatients department at Scally Practice.

This increases to two at night but there are worries around staff safety in the event of a major incident.

Cllr Gerry McMonagle says the hospital is already stretched and says an urgent review is needed:

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People over 40 are expected to be included in an updated booster programme to be announced this week.

The government’s looking to speed up the delivery of third shots due to concern over the Omicron variant.

It’s aiming to have 1.5 million third doses administered before Christmas.

Meanwhile, over 30s in Northern Ireland who’ve had a second dose of a Covid vaccine three months ago can get a third dose from today.

The booster rollout is being ramped up across the UK over fears of the Omicron variant, with the British Prime Minister warning being double-jabbed is “simply not enough” to stop it spreading.

People in the north must also show proof of a negative Covid test or vaccination to get into nightclubs, pubs or restaurants from today.

Northern Ireland First Minister, Paul Givan, is appealing for people to come forward for the vaccine:

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