Category: Old Donegal

The Department of Health has this evening reported 4,407 new cases of Covid-19.

614 people are in hospital with the virus, of whom 114 are being treated in ICU.

Almost 55,000 infections have been confirmed in the past two weeks, an amount which hasn’t been recorded in a 14-day period since January.

The Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Holohan, says when case numbers are as high as this, people must act as though they are close contacts and are at risk of transmitting the virus to others.

Pubs, restaurants and nightclubs will have earlier closing hours from Thursday after Cabinet approved more measures aimed at reducing the spread of Covid.

Hospitality businesses will have to close at midnight in a row back from Government.

While people will be asked to work from home where possible from Friday.

A booster vaccine campaign for over 50s was also approved this morning.

While changes to close contact rules for households will see everyone in a home have to restrict movements for five days if there’s a positive case in the home.

The Treasurer of the Donegal Branch of the Vintners Federation of Ireland, Councillor Martin Harley says while it will be a difficult time for all in the industry, nightclubs will be hit particularly hard:

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Over 50s, and those with underlying conditions aged between 16 and 59, will be added to the list of those eligible for a Covid-19 booster vaccine.

It follows advice from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee to Government – which has been approved by Ministers and the Chief Medical Officer.

Residents of long-term care facilities are being included in the roll-out regardless of age.

Everyone eligible to receive a booster will be given a dose of a mRNA jab.

1,698 new Covid cases have been recorded in the North in the past 24 hours.

There have been five additional Covid-related deaths.

429 patients are being treated for the disease in hospitals in Northern Ireland, with 35 in ICU.

The Stormont Executive is meeting tomorrow to decide how to respond to the latest Covid surge.

The government has approved an €800 million redress scheme for survivors of mother and baby homes.

34,000 former residents will be eligible and applications open late next year once the necessary legislation is passed.

All mothers who spent time in one of the institutions will qualify for the scheme with payments based on their length of stay.

An enhanced medical card will be made available to anyone who was a resident for more than six months.

The government’s also committed to creating a National Memorial and Records Centre.

The Mountain Top Roundabout in Letterkenny has been officially renamed the ‘George Boal Roundabout’.

New signage for the roundabout was unveiled yesterday by George Boal and the Cathaoirleach of the Letterkenny Milford Municipal District, Councillor Jimmy Kavanagh.

It comes following the passing of a motion put forward by Councillor Ciaran Brogan to rename the roundabout.

Mr Boal has been praised for his role in the development of the area and the amount of employment he has generated.

Two drivers have been fined after being caught speeding last night by the Donegal Town Roads Policing Unit.

One driver who was transporting a number of passengers home was detected travelling at 135KPH in a 100 KPH speed zone in the Mountcharles area.

A short time later another driver who was also dropping a passenger home was stopped after they were caught speeding at 145KPH at the same location.

Both drivers were fined €80 and 3 penalty points.

Gardai are urging motorists to slow down and remain aware of the speed at which you are travelling at all times.

People are asked also to consider their own safety, the safety of any passengers and the safety of other road users.

Gardai are urging passengers travelling in a car which is not being driven in a safe manner, to not be afraid to ask them to stop and let you out of the car.

 

 

Nightclubs, pubs and restaurants will have new closing hours of 12 midnight from this Thursday under plans agreed by Cabinet.

Ministers have also approved new advice for people to work from home where they can from Friday.

In the face of very stark warnings from NPHET Ministers have moved to ease the spread of the virus.

Less than a month after lifting the closing time restrictions on the hospitality sector they’re being reimposed from this Thursday.

Pubs, restaurants AND nightclubs will have to close their doors at midnight.

There will be different arrangements for hotel bars.

It’s already led to the Restaurants Association of Ireland calling for business supports to be reintroduced due to the lack of trade they’ll suffer.

A new work from home order will be issued from Friday – but the language will say it has to happen ‘where practicable’ – accepting some businesses won’t be able to accommodate that.

A booster vaccine campaign for over 50s has been agreed – with the Taoiseach telling the meeting there will be capacity for 230,000 jabs a week.

There’s also to be changes to rules around close contacts – meaning once there is a confirmed Covid case in a household everyone in that home will have to stay at home for five days, and will be sent antigen tests.

Digital Covid Certs WON’T be required for access to gyms, barbers and hairdressers

They will now be needed for cinemas and theatres – though many were doing this anyway to ensure 100% capacity

 

A window has been smashed during a weekend incident in Muff.

It happened at a business premises on Main Street between Friday the 12th of November at 9.45pm and Saturday the 13th of November at 8.30am.

The front window of the premises had been smashed overnight.

Anyone who witnessed the incident take place or if they have any information in relation to it are being asked to contact Gardai in Buncrana.

 

A tip off from a witness to a burglary may have deterred those responsible from carrying out the crime in full.

Gardaí received a call on Saturday shortly after 9pm in relation to a burglary that was in progress at a house in An Gleann Rua, Letterkenny.

When Gardaí arrived at the location there was nobody present but it was evident that an attempt had been made to gain entry to a house there.

Damage had been caused to the window frame of the house and the internal glass of the window had shattered.

Entry was not gained to the house.

Garda ask anybody who may have seen or heard anything suspicious in the area on the date in question to contact Gardaí in Letterkenny on 074-9167100.

Gardai are also urging anybody who was in that area around that time and who had a dash cam to make the footage available to Gardaí.

They are also stressing the importance of calling Gardai when you observe any sort of suspicious activity in your area.