Category: Old Donegal

 

New figures show that the region now has the eighth highest Covid incidence rate nationwide and the highest in Donegal.

The data which covers the 14 days up to last Monday November 1st shows both increases and decreases in other electoral areas in the county.

There’s been a significant jump in the rate in North Inishowen, now standing at 1167 and 198 new cases, compared with a previous rate of 849.

South Inishowen also recorded a rise, going from a rate of 398 to 527 and 118 new cases.

Milford saw an increase too with 81 new cases and a rate of 588 compared with 436 previously.

Letterkenny recorded a slight fall with 160 new cases and a rate of 537 compared with 567 previously.

A decrease was also recorded in Lifford/Stranorlar with 110 new cases and a rate of 425 compared with a previous rate of 545.

Glenties recorded a rise with 184 new cases and a rate of 769 compared with a previous rate of 732.

While Donegal recorded a fall with 188 cases and a rate of 710 compared with 883 previously.

 

Ireland continues to have the highest Covid vaccination rate in the European Union.

Over 92 per cent of adults are fully vaccinated, which is just ahead of Malta and Portugal.

Bulgaria has the lowest rate, at 26 per cent – while the EU average is less than 76 per cent.

Donegal GP Ciarán Ó Fearraigh (PRON: Farry) says Ireland’s rate is partly down to vaccine passports.

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Sinn Féin is the most popular party in Northern Ireland – but is less than 3 per cent ahead of the DUP.

23.5 per cent of voters will back Mary Lou McDonald’s party in the next Assembly election, which will be held before next May.

According to a University of Liverpool poll, 20.6 per cent will give their first preference to the DUP.

Professor of politics at the university, Jon Tonge (PRON: Tong), says the election will be very close.

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The Agriculture Minister says ‘significantly’ more jobs will be created in the farming sector in the next nine years – despite a dramatic fall in emissions.

The Climate Action Plan calls for agriculture to cut emissions by 22 to 30 per cent by 2030.

The agri-food sector employs over 164,000 people, which makes up 7 per cent of all jobs in Ireland.

Minister Charlie McConalogue says that will increase over the lifetime of the plan.

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There are renewed calls for the cliff rescue service at the Bunbeg Coast Guard Station to be restored as a matter of urgency.

While the Bunbeg Coast Guard had been providing the service it had been removed a number of years ago due to budget cutbacks.

Cllr Michael Cholm MacGiolla Easbuig says that due to the rise of so-called “adventure tourism” in West Donegal, it’s vital that Bunbeg has cliff rescue services at its disposal, instead of having to utilise a service from Coast Guard stations such as Killybegs:

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A Donegal Deputy is calling on the Government to expand the SUSI student grant scheme, to help more people attending college whose families earn some the lowest incomes in the country.

Deputy Thomas Pringle says that eligibility for a SUSI “top-up” grant should be expanded to all those attending third level education that currently earn less than €24,000 a year.

He believes that the current social welfare requirements to qualify for the top-up should be scrapped:

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An investigation is continuing into a weekend assault in Derry. 

The incident happened at the Blank Place area of the city in the early hours of Saturday 23rd October.

Sometime between 1am and 1:30am, it was reported that a 26 year old male was punched in the face as he left licenced premises in the area.

As the male walked along the Shipquay Street area following the assault, he was struck on the back of the head. The male was then taken to hospital, as he sustained a fractured jaw and bruising following the incident.

Enquiries are continuing to establish the circumstances and police would appeal to anyone who witnessed the incidents, to contact them on 101.

Naomh Conaill celebrate 2019 Donegal success

On this week’s extended Score programme, Oisin Kelly looks ahead to a huge weekend of sport.

We preview the Donegal Senior County Final as we hear from both the Naomh Conaill and St Eunan’s camps plus former Dr Maguire winners, John Gildea, Martin McHugh and Brendan Kilcoyne give us their pre-match expert views.

There’s also previews of Donegal Intermediate Final between Cloughaneely and Dungloe while Michael McMullan looks at the Derry Senior Football Championship Final.

Not forgetting the big derby, Former Finn Harps keeper Gavin Cullen and Kevin McLaughlin of the Derry Journal give us their input to Friday’s Finn Harps Derry City Premier Division clash.

Listen Here:
Part 1 – Martin McHugh, Brendan Kilcoyne & John Gildea:

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Part 2 – Martin Regan, Rory Kavanagh, Michael McMullan, Michael Lynch & Dessie Gallagher:

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Part 3 – Gavin Cullen & Kevin McLaughlin:

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Watch Here:

The main evening news, sport, farming news and obituary notices on Thursday, November 4th…

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Over 3,000 cases of Covid-19 have been reported today, for the third day in a row.

Today’s figure is 3,024, but it’s an estimate due to a technical issue.

458 Covid patients are in hospital, down two from yesterday, while the ICU figure is up four, to 90.

Waterford has the highest 14-day incidence rate in the country, followed by Carlow and Longford.

County Donegal’s 14-day incidence rate is very slightly above the national average – the 14-day rate of the virus in Donegal is now 677 cases per 100,000 people, compared to the national average of 676.