Category: Old Donegal

NPHET’s recommended an end to mandatory face mask wearing in all settings, except some healthcare settings.

The move would take effect from February 28th.

Health officials have recommenced those who feel they need to wear facemasks will be supported.

Testing and tracing will also be scaled back, with the details of such a move to be finalised.

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Dylan Brown McMonagle has departed Irish shores and is racing in Qatar this week.

The Apprentice Champion Jockey has already made a mark by winning his first race today.

He rode Caidok to victory in the Thoroughbred Maiden Cup, the opening race of the Al Zubara Trophy part of The Amir Sword Festival.

The Donegal man will have seven more rides in Qatar on Friday and Saturday.

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A large sperm whale has been spotted stranded along the coast of Donegal.

The whale was discovered stranded today at Malin Head. Marine Mammal Stranding Responders were on the scene.

The Ocean Research & Conservation Association say the species are sensitive to anthropogenic sounds and have questioned is the stranding is the result of acute noise pollution.

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9,441 new cases of Covid 19 have been confirmed this afternoon, 5,035 through PCR tests and 4,406 through positive antigen tests recorded yesterday on the HSE portal.

As of 8am today, 639 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of whom 58 are in ICU. Latest figures for Letterkenny University Hospital show 29 infected patients, one of them in ICU. That’s up four on yesterday, when Saolta confirmed four wards had been closed at the hospital as a result of outbreaks.

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Sinn Fein’s Finance Spokesperson and the Green Party leader have clashed in the Dail over cost of living measures announced last week.

Minister Eamon Ryan accused Sinn Fein of constantly changing their approach after Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty hit out at what he said was Minister Ryan’s determination to increase already soaring energy prices with a hike in carbon tax.

Deputy Doherty says people are being forced to cut the amount of food they buy or to turn on the heat

He told the Transport Minister that the Government does not understand where people are at here and now:

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Schools in Donegal are to close tomorrow as Storm Eunice arrives.

The Department of Education has confirmed that due to the extreme nature of Storm Eunice and the threat of multi-hazard weather events as confirmed by Met Éireann, it is advising that schools in counties where Status Red wind warnings and status Orange snow warnings are in place should not open tomorrow 18th February.

The Department says remote teaching and learning should commence where possible, in line with schools’ remote teaching and learning plans.

A Status Red Alert for severe wind has been issued for Cork and Kerry.

Meanwhile, status orange snow warnings are in place for Donegal, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon.

Head of the National Directorate for Emergency Management is Keith Leonard:

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Letterkenny Institute of Technology has introduced a new anonymous reporting tool called ‘Speak Out’ for staff and students.

This is part of a national initiative launched recently by the Higher Education Minister.

The online and anonymous reporting platform allows members of LYIT’s community to report in a safe and confidential manner any incidents of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, discrimination, hate crime, coercive behaviour/control, stalking, assault, sexual harassment, sexual assault and rape.

The 2019 Framework for Consent in Higher Education Institutions – ‘Safe, Respectful, Supportive and Positive – Ending Sexual Violence and Harassment in Irish Higher Education Institutions’ outlined the need for data to be collected on the incidence rates of sexual harassment and violence across the higher education sector.

The data collected will be used to inform policy and targeted educational initiatives and provide users with support services relevant to their experience.

The online tool was circulated to all staff and students in LYIT this week following the national launch by Minister Simon Harris.

The initiative is being rolled out across 18 higher education institutions throughout this academic year for students, staff and visitors.

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The laws enforcing masks in shops and on public transport are due to expire at the end of the month.

Minister Simon Harris says the rule is likely to be dropped if that’s what the public health advice is…….

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Letterkenny Hair stylist Patrick Gildea they will continue to wear face coverings in his premises after consulting staff and clients………….

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The Harry Blaney Bridge over Mulroy Bay has been reopened to all traffic.

It was closed yesterday due to forecasted strong winds.

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An upgraded Orange Storm warning is now in place for Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Mayo and Roscommon bringing heavy sleet and snow leading to blizzard-like conditions in parts with treacherous driving conditions. This warning will be in place from 3 o’clock tomorrow morning to 3 o’clock tomorrow afternoon.

Donegal County Council is once again urging members of the public to take extra care over the next few days on foot of this warning.

The council says its Severe Weather Assessment Team is keeping the approaching weather pattern under review and will continue to monitor all local conditions as Storm Eunice progresses.

Release in full –

BLIZZARD-LIKE CONDITIONS FORECAST FOR DONEGAL AHEAD OF STORM EUNICE

 

An upgraded Orange Storm warning is now in place for Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Mayo and Roscommon bringing heavy sleet and snow leading to blizzard-like conditions in parts with treacherous driving conditions.  This current Orange Warning is in place from 03:00 Friday 18/02/2022 to 15:00 Friday 18/02/2022

A Status Red Warning is in place for Cork and Kerry with Storm Eunice forecast to bring severe and damaging winds for a time. Southwest or cyclonic winds becoming northwest will reach mean speeds of 65 to 80 km/h with gusts up to 130 km/h. Some coastal flooding is likely especially at high tide.

Donegal County Council is once again urging members of the public to take extra care over the next few days on foot of this recent severe weather warning issued by Met Éireann.

With treacherous driving conditions forecast including heavy sleet and snow leading to blizzard-like conditions,  motorists are being asked to take extra care while driving and allow extra time for your journey.

Donegal County Council’s Severe Weather Assessment Team are keeping the approaching weather pattern under review and will continue to monitor all local conditions as  Storm Eunice progresses.   An updated advisory will issue this afternoon.  All Council services remain in a state of readiness as is the norm.

Donegal County Council can be contacted during normal business hours on 074 91 53900 and in the event of an out-of-hours emergency the Council’s Road Service can be contacted on 074 91 72288.  For emergencies requiring the assistance of the Fire Service call 999 or 112.

You can keep up to date on conditions by signing up for free alerts to your phone by registering at www.mapalerter.com/donegal or by following Donegal County Council on Facebook or on Twitter @DonegalCouncil.

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