Category: Old Donegal

Photo: Geraldine Diver

Martin Regan has stepped down as Manager of Noamh Conaill.

Regan guided the club through their most successful period winning the senior championship title in 2015, 2019 and 2020.

During the last seven years the Glenties/Fintown side contested six of those finals however their Dr Maguire win from last year’s campaign is still under an appeal process that is expected to be dealt with in the coming weeks.

They also reached a first ever Ulster Club Final losing to Down side Kilcoo in 2019.

Tom Comack reports in this mornings Donegal Democrat that he informed Naomh Conaill club officials of his decision in recent days.

The Dáil will debate laws to bring back mandatory hotel quarantine this morning.

The measure was ended in September, but the government wants to bring the legislation back due to the Omicron variant of Covid.

The rules will be similar to last time – with people travelling into the Republic of Ireland through airports required to enter hotel quarantine, which they can leave with a negative PCR test after ten days.

The Government is under fire yet again over abandoning plans to subsidise antigen tests.

The decision was based on retailers reducing prices, resulting in the removal of the need for the government to intervene.

The issue was raised in the Dail by Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty; he claimed that the price for some antigen tests can still be up to eight euro.

Deputy Doherty says some of the tests are still unaffordable for families:

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Letterkenny University Hospital has issued new measures for visitors.

People will be asked to produce their EU Digital COVID Certificate or HSE COVID-19 Vaccination Record or other proof of immunity at the entrance.

Visitors may be asked to show some photo ID to prove that the proof of immunity is theirs.

There are separate arrangements in place for access to the maternity department for nominated support partners and for parents accessing the neonatal and paediatric departments.

There are exemptions from the requirement for the EU Digital COVID Certificate or HSE COVID-19 Vaccination Record or other proof of immunity, on compassionate grounds.

Anyone coming to the hospital must complete a COVID-19 screening checklist and follow the public health guidance, including wearing a face mask and performing good hand hygiene regularly.

In a statement Hospital manager Sean Murphy says they are trying to balance this need for people to visit with the need to reduce the footfall in the hospital due to the current high number of covid cases in the community.

Access to visitors is limited to one person per patient each day, by appointment.

Visits must be pre-arranged by family members or visitors, who should contact the relevant ward or unit before 3pm.

Children may not visit the hospital unless agreed in advance, on compassionate grounds, with the ward / unit manager.

NPHET’s meeting this morning to consider recommending more restrictions, due to high Covid case numbers and the worrying new variant.

The first Omicron case was confirmed in the Republic of Ireland yesterday, while the five-day moving average of coronavirus infections is nearly 4,500.

But Tánaiste Leo Varadkar told his parliamentary party last night he’s not convinced new restrictions are needed.

The government has already introduced some measures due to the new variant, including home quarantine for people entering the Republic of Ireland through airports or ports from seven southern African countries.

But Dr David Nabarro, from the World Health Organisation, says they won’t have much impact:

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It’s estimated 2,000 cancer cases went undiagnosed last year, due to the pandemic.

A report from the National Cancer Registry shows as many as 1 in 8 cancers that were predicted to be diagnosed in 2020, were not.

The Irish Cancer Society’s urging anyone with symptoms, they suspect may be cancer-related, to speak to their GP as soon as possible.

The charity’s CEO, Averil Power, says early detection is vital:

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The Department of Health has this evening reported 3,793 new cases of Covid-19.

578 people are currently in hospital with the virus, of whom 117 are being treated in intensive care.

The Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Holohan, is appealing to people to make a concerted effort to reduce their social contacts for at least the next two weeks, and in turn reduce the incidence of the virus.

He also renewed his appeal for people to isolate and arrange a PCR test, if they experience any symptoms of Covid-19.

Dr Holohan says the confirmation of a case of the Omicron variant should not change how we respond to the public health measures that are already in place.

 

 

 

Listen back to the main evening news, sport and obituaries for Wednesday December 1st here:

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City of Derry Airport welcomed Ryanair back to the North West today for the inaugural service to Manchester Airport.

In a statement Mr Steve Frazer, Managing Director at City of Derry Airport said that they are thrilled to have Ryanair back in the North West and providing such an important service for the local catchment area.

A Manchester flight has been in demand for some time and we are proud to now provide this vital connectivity for corporate passengers and students who commute regularly and reuniting family and friends.

Ryanair’s budget-friendly fares for services between City of Derry Airport and Manchester start from just £11.99pp one way and flights are available three days per week – Wednesday, Friday and Sunday – which is ideal for short weekend breaks and corporate travellers and students commuting for the week.

The route will also offer passengers here in the North of England a great opportunity to visit a different part of the North West.
For inbound passengers, as well as exploring what the North of England has to offer, the route will allow people easy access to our long-haul network out of Manchester.

Flights are available to book via the City of Derry Airport website: www.cityofderryairport.com.

For more information on the new Ryanair service from City of Derry Airport to Manchester, visit www.cityofderryairport.com.

 

 

Members of the North West Strategic Growth Partnership held a virtual meeting this week to discuss the cross border approach being taken by Councils to the overall Green Transformation of the North West City Region.

Reports outlining the achievements to date under the North West Development Fund, and the key shared priorities for the region, were also provided at the meeting.

The Partnership meeting is held twice yearly, and was attended by officials from both the Northern Ireland Executive and the Irish Government and civic leaders and officials from Donegal County Council and Derry City and Strabane District Council.

The North West Strategic Growth Partnership is a cross-border regional development structure, the only one of its type on the island of Ireland, and operates in conjunction with and supported by The Executive Office and The Irish Government.

It was first established in 2016 through the North South Ministerial Council, to drive the sustainable growth and development of the North West City Region in recognition of the need for a cross-border approach to the Region’s future as a net contributor to the economies of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Jointly led by Donegal County Council and Derry City and Strabane District Council, and chaired by the two Mayors, the meeting was supported by the International Centre for Local and Regional Development (ICLRD).

The main focus of the meeting was a joint presentation on the North West City Region’s strategic plans for Collaborative Opportunities for Green Transformation.

Delegates heard how COVID 19 has presented decision makers with an opportunity to deliver the change necessary to address climate and ecology emergencies and how the two Councils were working in close collaboration to achieve strong economic growth through circular zero waste and resource efficient initiatives.

Setting out details of the roadmap for the North West to become a carbon neutral region by 2045, members heard how a number of actions are required on a shared island basis in order to achieve this aim.

These include political support and alignment on policies, support through the education system, the sharing and harmonisation of data, and funding to facilitate a green future.

As part of the detailed presentation senior officers from both Councils spoke about the work they are doing through the NWRDG Green Transformation and Climate Action Working Group to deliver on the targets set out for the public sector in terms of energy efficiency and a reduction in carbon emissions.

Officials also outlined the development of a cross-border energy agency to drive not only energy efficiency measures but also to support the region in developing it capacity for clean energy production. The meeting heard that the key to reaching carbon emissions reduction targets is to embed climate action in every policy, decision and operation and through widespread engagement and consultation so that there is shared learning and understanding.

An Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr Jack Murray said the meeting was another example of positive cross border collaboration on important issues. He said it was imperative that the two Councils continue to drive forward their ambitions for a green transformation in the region.