Category: Old Donegal

It’s emerged that the collection of plastic packaging from shops has suddenly stopped in the Twin Towns.

The issue is said to be causing a significant build up in various business premises which is in turn taking up valuable space in storage areas.

A collection service had operated until recently, but businesses say that seems to have ceased.

Local Cllr Patrick McGowan says its a vital service…….

https://www.highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/pmgplastic5pm.mp3

Foyle MP and SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood says he has has pressed the British government on the need for the North to retain the economic benefits provided by the Protocol.

Mr Eastwood was speaking after an SDLP delegation held a virtual meeting with Brexcit Minister Lord David Frost earlier today.

Earlier, Lord Frost warned triggering Article 16 of Northern Ireland protocol remains “a very real option”.

However, speaking to BBC Radio Ulster, he said while gaps remain, a deal can be done……….

https://www.highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/frost1pm.mp3

Donegal GAA have said a set of Allianz National League fixtures circulating across social media are not accurate and don’t reflect the provisional fixture schedule which Croke Park will be issuing to County Boards in the coming days.

They added that no county has yet received the provisional list.

Full release from Donegal GAA below:

“A provisional set of Allianz National League fixtures were circulating across social media this morning. CLG Dhún na nGall stress that this schedule of fixtures is not accurate and will not even reflect the provisional fixture schedule which Croke Park will be issuing to County Boards within the next week.

The process whereby fixtures are finally agreed includes the compilation of a provisional schedule by the CCCC in Croke Park. These are then submitted to County Boards. In the case of Donegal this would include the eight counties who play in Division 1 of the National League. Each county has the opportunity to comment on the provisional schedule and a final list of fixtures is drawn up as a result of an iterative process involving the 8 county boards and Croke Park.

No county has yet received a provisional list. Nevertheless, there are anomalies in the list currently circulating that indicate when it arrives with Donegal County Secretary the provisional list will be different to that currently on social media.”

The annual public switch on of the Christmas lights in Letterkenny has been cancelled.

The popular event which normally attracts hundreds of people to Letterkennys Main Street was meant to be held this Friday.

However, due to the rising number of Covid cases, the decision was made to pull the event.

CEO of the Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce Toni Forrester says they are deeply disappointed but they had to err on the side of caution:

https://www.highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/toni1pm-2.mp3

On this week’s Business Matters, Ciaran O’Donnell speaks to the CEO and founder of FitPink in Donegal Town, Jenni Timony.

Ciaran is also joined by the Mayor of the Letterkenny and Milford District, Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh, to discuss the Letterkenny 2040 Draft Masterplan which is currently open for public consultation.

Listen back here:

https://www.highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Business-Matters-Sun-22nd-Nov.mp3

A Fine Gael Councillor and local publican says from now until Christmas is a crucial time for the hospitality sector.

Businesses rely heavily on revenue brought in over the next few weeks which will see them through into the New Year.

There are fears that the new restrictions will result in closures and job losses.

Treasurer of the Donegal Branch of the Vintners Federation of Ireland, Councillor Martin Harley has also acknowledged that the Government had a difficult decision to make but equally the sector is set to suffer as a result:

https://www.highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/harley1pm.mp3

It’s estimated that up to 4,614 young people in Donegal may not be on the electoral register.

The National Youth Council of Ireland is urging young people to make sure they have registered to vote before the deadline on Thursday November 25th.

The Youth Council is advising young people not to wait until an election or referendum is called before they register

Over 126,344 young people have become eligible to vote in last 2 years since the 2020 General Election.

There are 61 patients awaiting admission to Letterkenny University Hospital this morning.

24 people were on trolleys in its Emergency Department while a further 37 were waiting on wards.

It’s the second most overcrowded hospital in Ireland today.

Nationally there were 428 admitted patients are waiting for beds this morning, according to today’s INMO Trolley Watch. 333 patients are waiting in the emergency department, while 95 are in wards elsewhere in the hospital.

A Donegal doctor says he has reservations about whether the new Covid restrictions will have the desired effect.

A curfew for the hospitality sector is being introduced along with changes to self isolation rules for households.

Ministers have been given a stark warning about the impact of Covid on hospitals and ICU admissions over the coming weeks.

Local GP Ciaran O’Fearraigh says the booster programme needs to be rolled out quickly to reduce pressure on the hospital system:

https://www.highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/ciarnofearraigh.mp3

The Health Minister says a “huge increase” in emergency calls since February has contributed to delays in ambulance response times to 999 calls.

As part of a Sinn Fein motion on the National Ambulance Service, the Dail heard last night of the case that a patient was brought to Letterkenny University Hospital in a Garda car last month because no ambulance was available.

It’s understood that the Donegal ambulance was tasked to Tipperary and another tasked to Belmullet in Mayo and therefore none were available locally for dispatch.

Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle says there are serious issues with the service in the county with fears also escalating about the future of the base in Lifford:

https://www.highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/pringleambulances.mp3