The number of people on the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment has dropped further in Donegal after the commencement of Phase 3 of the reopening roadmap.

Last week saw the highest number of people returning to work in single week since the crisis began.

In Donegal, 2,700 people closed their payment claims from 7th July and 900 closed their accounts from 30th June.

14,700 Donegal workers will receive the payment this week.  At its height, there were a total of 22,700 people in the county receiving the Pandemic Unemployment payment.

The two-tiered payment structure for people receiving the Pandemic Unemployment Payment takes effect from Tuesday. A quarter of all payments will be reduced under the system.

Employees whose average weekly earnings in 2019 or January and February 2020 (whichever is the higher) were less than €200 gross will receive a weekly Pandemic Unemployment Payment of €203 a week.

Employees with average earnings of €200 or more a week will continue to receive €350 Pandemic Unemployment Payment.  3 in 4 recipients (75%) will continue to receive €350 per week.

In the past week, some 63,000 people nationwide closed their claim for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment of which 54,300 reported that they were returning to work.

The top three sectors in which employees are returning to work this week are Accommodation and Food Services, Other Sectors e.g. hairdressers, barbers and Wholesale and Retail Trade.

1,200 people in Donegal remain on the Enhanced Illness Benefit.

A DONEGAL man has been jailed following an incident in which a fire engine was stolen.

Alan Thompson (34) was jailed for a total of 18 months after appearing at Letterkenny District Court on charges relating to two separate incidents.

A fire engine containing €35,000 of life-saving equipment, was stolen from Stranorlar Fire Station on April 3, 2017.

The fire engine was recovered in a forest at Meenagolan, Ballybofey, but was missing some of its equipment. During a follow-up search of Thompson’s home at 533 The Curragh, Killygordon, €800 worth of equipment was recovered.

Thompson has been in custody at the Midlands Prison for the last seven weeks and tendered a plea.

“It could have had catastrophic consequences has the service been required and the equipment not been available,” Judge Paul Kelly said.

“This equipment could have been vital in a life-threatening situation and this is a man who fled the jurisdiction in order to avoid being accountable for his actions.”

Judge Kelly sentenced Thompson to six months imprisonment, back-dating the sentence to June 29.

In a separate incident, on November 1, 2019, Thompson was charged with dangerous driving after evading a checkpoint at Cloghfin

Sergeant Jim Collins told the court that Gardaí were setting up a checkpoint when a jeep passed onto a nearby bridge. Spotting a PSNI checkpoint on the other side, the jeep began to reverse, mounting a kerb to avoid a Garda patrol car and an unmarked Garda car.

Officers present identified Thompson as the driver of the jeep. Thompson took off at speed, passing through various town lands, crossing the white line on a number of occasions. Gardaí pursued Thompson, who was travelling at speeds in excess of 120km/h on secondary roads governed by 80km/h limits.

Sensing that the chase was becoming unsafe, Gardaí pulled back from the pursuit before Thompson crossed the border into Northern Ireland at Alt Upper, some 16km later.

Thompson has a number of previous convictions and in 2010 was given a 20-year driving ban. following a hit-and-run incident.

Solicitor for Thompson, Mr Patsy Gallagher said his client was a 34-year-old father of a three-month old child.

“He realised that he shouldn’t have been driving at all and he fully accepts the difficulty he is in,” Mr Gallagher said. “He wishes to put an end and draw a line in the sand. He is anxious for this to be dealt with as delicately as possible as he wishes to get back to his family to get on with his life.

“He will not be driving for a very long time and he has made peace with that.”

Judge Kelly said Thompson had driven in a ‘shocking manner’.

“The reason he was so determined was because of his previous record,” Judge Kelly said. “He was driving while serving a lengthy disqualification.”

Judge Kelly imposed a six-month sentence on two counts of dangerous driving during the pursuit. These sentences are to run concurrently and are back-dated to May 16 and disqualified Thompson for five years.

Job Vacancy: Due to expansion, Donegal Waste & Recycling are looking to recruit Collection Crew Operatives.

The long-established waste collection company is located near Donegal Town.  

This role will involve working on refuse collection trucks collecting household domestic and commercial waste and recycling.

Requirements: 

• Must be an excellent timekeeper as punctuality is a must
• No previous experience needed as full training will be provided
• Manual Handling Cert required however, manual handling training can be provided
• Safe Pass required
• Good level of English
• Good customer service and manner in dealing with our customers

Responsibilities:

• Collecting and emptying refuse bins in a safe manner
• Assist the driver in carrying out their role
• Ensure that customer bins and property are treated with respect
• Be compliant with health, safety wear is worn at all times
• Maintain written and electronic records where required e.g. service dockets, worksheets, timesheets, etc.
• Any other miscellaneous duties that may be requested of you by management from time to time

To Apply:

Please email CV today to  info@donegalwaste.com.

A young skipper from Arranmore Island has become the first RNLI volunteer to be commemorated on a new memorial lifeboat.

Lee Early was 26 years old when he lost his life in a pier tragedy on Arranmore Island in November 2019.

The popular skipper was given the posthumous honour of being the first name to be added to a new all-weather RNLI lifeboat, which will proudly carry the names of up to 10,000 people who have passed away. The lifeboat is the first of its kind to be based in Ireland.

Lee Early was the Deputy Coxswain at Arranmore RNLI and a Skipper of the local ferry, who loved the sea and the charity that saved lives at sea.

In a tribute to him, the charity will put his name as the first one on the new lifeboat, contained in the letters RNLI, alongside others whose loved ones want to commemorate them.

The RNLI’s ‘Launch a Memory’ fundraising campaign invites members of the public and supporters of the charity to commemorate a loved one by making a donation online and submitting that person’s name to be featured within the lifeboat’s letters (RNLI) and numbers. Once built, the Shannon class will be permanently based at Clifden in Connemara.

Lee’s father Jimmy Early, Arranmore RNLI lifeboat Coxswain said, “I am so proud that my son’s name will be on the Clifden lifeboat that will be stationed off the west coast of Ireland. We live on an island off a larger island and so the sea is in our blood. I am very proud to be a lifeboat Coxswain, and I was so proud of Lee when he followed in my footsteps. He is with us always. Every time we launch the lifeboat, we think of him, and this is a very meaningful way to commemorate him.”

Mr Early continued: “I know his name will be joined by thousands of others whose loved ones want them remembered in such a special way. That lifeboat will launch many times in its lifetime and bring many people to safety. I couldn’t think of a better way for someone to be remembered.”

Daniel Curran, RNLI Engagement Lead, said: “We are so pleased to be able to bring ‘Launch A Memory’ to Ireland, with a lifeboat that will save lives off our coast for generations. Everyone who supports the campaign will receive email updates about the lifeboat, keeping them informed of all major developments on its journey to going on service and saving lives at sea in Clifden.

“RNLI lifeboat crews are busier than ever. The ‘Launch a Memory’ campaign, while a fundraiser for the charity, is also a way for us to say thank you to those people who support the lifeboat service and our volunteer lifeboat crew.”

There are three ways people can get the name of a loved one on the Launch a Memory lifeboat.

Donations can be made online at rnli.org/launchamemory by phone on 01-895 1800 (Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm) or alternatively by post to RNLI, Airside, Swords, County Dublin K67 WA24.

There is a suggested donation of €30 with space to commemorate up to 10,000 names on the lifeboat.

Donegal ETB has appointed two new Deputy Principals to its Carrick and Donegal Town schools.

Mr Gareth Doherty has been appointed Deputy Principal to Coláiste na Carraige (Carrick) for the 2020/21 school year, while Ms Caroline Mohan has been appointed Deputy Principal to the Abbey Vocational School in Donegal Town.

Donegal ETB is the largest education and training provider in the county and manages fifteen out of the county’s twenty-seven post-primary schools.

The Abbey Vocational School is the largest of Donegal ETB’s fifteen post-primary schools with over 900 students attending the school.

Coláiste na Carraige provides second level education to the communities of Carrick, Kilcar and Gleann Cholm Cille and is currently participating in the Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme with 220 students attending.

Gareth Doherty, Deputy Principal Coláiste na Carraige

Originally from Stranorlar, Gareth has been working in Coláiste na Carraige since 2009 and previously in Finn Valley College in Stranorlar, where he taught from 2005 until 2009.

Gareth said of his appointment, “I am looking forward to my new role in the school. I know it will be a positive experience and I’m looking forward to working with the whole school community.”

Caroline Mohan, Abbey VS

Caroline, a former pupil of the Abbey Vocational School, returned to the AVS after completing her degree in mathematics and economics and has been teaching mathematics for the past 24 years.

She is also looking forward to starting in her new position: “I’m looking forward to working with the entire school community to continue the great work that is happening in the AVS. As a former pupil, I’m delighted to have spent my entire teaching career in this wonderful school and I’m looking forward to the new challenge that this role will bring in the years ahead.”

In congratulating Gareth and Caroline on their appointments, Donegal ETB’s Director of Schools Dr Martin Gormley said, “I very much look forward to supporting Gareth and Caroline in their new roles over the coming year and I’m delighted they have joined the senior ranks of our post-primary management team.”

In the previous academic year 2019-2020, over 5,000 students attended Donegal ETB post-primary schools.

Chief Executive Anne McHugh said, “I very much welcome these appointments to our Carrick and Donegal Town schools. The contribution of our Deputy Principals to the management of our post-primary provision is central to our delivery of a quality, learner-centred education and training service across the county and its islands.”

Gareth and Caroline officially take up their appointments on 01 September.

There is positive news from Northern Ireland today as the Department of Health announces that no new coronavirus deaths have been reported over the weekend.

554 patients with Covid-19 have died in hospitals in Northern Ireland.

The latest figures show that nine new cases of Covid-19 were diagnosed since Friday.

There have now been 5,756 cases in the region since the outbreak began.

THE DRAWS for the 2020 Donegal club championships will be made on Thursday evening.

In view of Covid-19 restrictions the draw – which gets underway at 7pm – will be conducted with no club delegates present.

There will be a minimum attendance of County Board officers while Raidio na Gaeltachta are the only media permitted to be present.

The draw will be broadcast by Radio na Gaeltachta and hosted by Damien Ó Dónaill. The draw will also be shown live on the Donegal GAA Facebook page.

Details of how each draw will is conducted will be posted on the Donegal GAA website within the next 24 hours.

This year’s senior football championship will see all 16 teams compete in a single league to begin with.

In a novel format, each team will play only four games – two at home and two away – in the group phase.

The top eight teams will qualify for the quarter-finals with the bottom four entering the relegation play-offs.

The top four teams will have home advantage in the quarter-finals.

In the Intermediate Championship, all 12 teams will be in the one group with the top eight going to the quarter-finals.

The Junior Championship will see two groups of five teams.

The club season will get underway on Saturday, July 17, with a new regional league.

All fixtures, including the Regional League fixtures, will be posted on Friday July 10th.

GARDAÍ in Donegal today seized a van that was out of tax for the last four years.

Gardaí from Raphoe were on patrol when they encountered the vehicle.

It had not been taxed since 2016 and Gardaí subsequently seized the vehicle.

Gardaí warned: “Please ensure that your vehicle is taxed and has all other relevant documentation before undertaking any journey on a public road.”

The Government has extended its travel warning to advise against all non-essential travel to foreign countries until 20th July.

An Taoiseach Michael Martin announced that all international travel should be avoided.

The measures are in response to concerns surrounding a “second surge” driven by foreign travel. At present, 17% of all new cases of coronavirus in Ireland are related to international travel.

”We are adopting a cautious approach to foreign travel. We have to make sure that the number of cases remains low. We need to keep the virus suppressed,” An Taoiseach said.

The government is set to publish a ‘green list’ of countries considered safe to visit after 20th July. The list will be based around countries with the same disease status as Ireland.

“Those travelling from counties on the Green List will not be asked to self-quarantine or restrict their movements but for all other counties, they will,” said Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney.

Speaking following a Cabinet meeting today, the Taoiseach said airlines advertising holiday flights are undermining public health advice.

“It is the government’s ultimate responsibility to protect the people of the county,” Mr Martin said.

He added that the government wants to cooperate with airlines to develop protocols for safe travel, including replacing the passenger locator form with an electronic version.

The McDonald’s branch in Letterkenny has reopened its doors for takeaways today – three months after closing due to Covid-19.

The fast food restaurant relaunched its drive-thru service at the start of June, but today marks the first day that customers can visit for walk-in orders again.

Those who do not have access to a car will be happy to know that they can visit again during takeaway service hours from 11 am – 10:00 pm.

It will be a different experience as the seating area remains closed for now. Customers are being asked to follow all new measures in the interest of health and safety, while self-order screens will be sanitised regularly.

And there’s more good news, as some favourites are on the way back to the menu.

McDonald’s operating a limited menu to have less staff in the kitchen, but from 11am on Wednesday, July 8, they will reintroduce Shakes, Mayo Chicken, Bacon Mayo Chicken, Hot Chocolate and the Bacon Double Cheeseburger. Happy Meal Irish Low Fat Milk bottles will also return to the menu from Wednesday.

SEVEN best friends from Belfast who reunited in Rathmullan for an end-of-college-year ‘blast’ had their party pooped by a drugs bust on Friday.

At 6.10pm on Friday, July 3, Gardaí carried out a search of a property at Lehardan, Rathmullan under the misuse of drugs act.

The suspicion of Gardaí had been roused earlier in the day when they ‘saw something’. A search warrant was obtained and Gardaí visited the property, a holiday home belonging to the parents of one of the party.

Cocaine to a total value of €330 and €75 worth of cannabis was found.

The group of seven, described by Judge Paul Kelly as ‘privileged students’ who had been at ‘expensive universities’ were not present at Letterkenny District Court when the case was heard.

Callum McConville (22) of 16 Demesene Road, Hollywood, Belfast, was found in possession of €60 worth of cocaine and €25 worth of cannabis herb.

Toby McCullagh (22) of Seafront Road, Hollywood, Belfast, was found in possession of cocaine to the value of €60.

Ben Graham (22) of 64 Kensington Road, Belfast, was found in possession of €60 worth of cocaine.

Patrick Stewart (22) of Anchor Lodge, 20 The Esplanade, Belfast, was found in possession of €50 worth of cocaine.

Nathan Braniff (22), with an address at 73 Robinson Road, Colliers Wood, London, was found in possession of cocaine to the value of €30 and €25 worth of cannabis herb.

Ross McKnight (23) of 8 Garrand Manor, Belfast, was found in possession of €30 worth of cocaine and cannabis herb worth €25.

Jonathan Betts (22) of 5 Strathleven Park, Belfast, was founding possession of €40 worth of cocaine.

All seven made full admissions and were fully co-operative with Gardaí when questioned.  Pleas were tendered in respect of all of the charges.

Solicitor Mr Patsy Gallagher represented all seven who, the court heard, had just finished degrees varying from business management, engineering and quantity surveying at colleges in Edinbugh, Cambridge and London.

“They were very stupid young men,” Mr Gallagher said. “They came here for a blast at the end of the college year. They are in difficulty – and they know it.

“They all come from the one area and they are best friends from Belfast. This was the first time the seven of them had been together since they went to university. They played football, basketball etc and made off for college but kept in contact.

“The parents were absolutely devastated. This is not something they expected from their sons. Through the years, they were exemplary at college and are all intent on moving on.”

“They do know better and that partly explained why they were here,” Judge Kelly said.

“They decided to come here and get up to the criminal activity and not there, where they would get detected easier. They came to a Donegal village to indulge in these unacceptable activities.

“I am sure their parents are horrified. They did a good job in giving them a privileged upbringing and this is how they are repaid. The parents are now on trial here.”

Mr Gallagher asked Judge Kelly for his position regarding legal aid for the accused. “They don’t need it,” Judge Kelly replied.

Judge Kelly ordered each of the defendants to pay €250 towards the Letterkenny Youth and Community Club. He adjourned the matter until September 17 in order to be furnished with the receipts.

No new Covid-19 deaths have been reported in Ireland today. 

This is the first time that there have been no deaths in two consecutive days since March.

The total death toll remains at 1,741.

Four new cases of the virus have been confirmed in the Republic, bringing the total number of cases to 25,531.

The HSE is working to identify any contacts the patients may have had to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread.

Over the past 14 days, the total number of confirmed cases notified to the HPSC is 141. 15% of these cases were travel related.

Dr. Ronan Glynn, Acting Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said he was very concerned by reports of crowds not observing social distancing outside Dublin pubs over the weekend.

He is calling on people to take up offers of tests: “If an environment does not feel safe, or it means you are unable to follow public health advice, do not risk it and go elsewhere.

“Between mid-May to the end of June, 35% of those identified as a close contact of a confirmed case did not take up the offer of a test. Every case has the potential to turn into a cluster, which in turn has the potential to spread through a community. If you are identified as a close contact, please take up the offer of a test without delay.”

Post-primary students with Down Syndrome will be offered equal access to summer provision this year – a decision that has been warmly welcomed by local parents. 

The government announced a turnaround on the special education scheme today to ensure all students with Down Syndrome would be eligible.

This is the first year that students with Down Syndrome have been offered places on the scheme. The traditional July Provision catered for children with a severe/profound intellectual disability or autism. This year it has been expanded to include 5,000 more children of different needs, to prepare them for the reopening of schools in the autumn.

There was huge disappointment when it first emerged that students with Down Syndrome at post-primary level were not eligible.

Yesterday’s government announcement is expected to benefit an additional 670 children.

Gina Grant, spokesperson for Donegal Down Syndrome said: “We welcome this news. We hope teachers are willing to work with students eligible and are rushing to avail of the educational program. We are asking them to reach out now and let us know their availability.

“We would assume the application process is the same and principals need to sign a paper to prove eligibility into the program.

“The program means all students with Down Syndrome in primary and post primary are treated equally in receiving 10 teaching hours a week for 4 weeks.”

The expanded programme for Summer Provision 2020 is made up of a school-based strand and a home-based strand. It is being offered to approximately 15,000 children and 4,000 children will be participating in the programme across more than 240 primary schools.

Donegal Sinn Féin TD, Pearse Doherty has invited the state’s new Ministers to visit the proposed site of the new Finn Harps stadium in Stranorlar to ensure that investment is followed through.

The TD is this week calling on the new Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht, Catherine Martin TD; as well as Minister for State for Sport, Dara Calleary, to see the task of building the new stadium through to completion and not to let the investment to date go to waste.

Deputy Doherty said he is hopeful that the new Ministers will heed the local campaign: “Following engagement I have had with the previous Minister, Shane Ross, on behalf of the stadium committee; and following the recent disappointment experienced when the stadium was passed up in the last round of funding announced, I am now hoping that Minister Martin and Minister Calleary will recognise the importance of completing this project for the local community in the area, and indeed for supporters of Finn Harps across the county.”

Doherty commended the committee for their tireless work to date and said: “I have been told by the Department last week that in view of the fact that the proposed development had received previous grants from the Department, it was agreed that the application should also be subject to the due diligence process and the question of funding could then be further considered. The Department has been advancing that process in consultation with the FAI. The Department wrote to the FAI to confirm that it was satisfied that the multi-criteria analysis was compliant with the Public Spending Code.”

An invitation has been issued to the new Ministers inviting them to visit the proposed site.

“The new Ministers need to keep up this engagement, to provide the funding needed and to ensure that the new stadium is built. There is no doubt that the stadium will be a fantastic resource for the community in Donegal,” Deputy Doherty concluded.

THERE was penalty shoot-out heartbreak for Ronan Curtis and Portsmouth in yesterday evening’s League One play-off semi-final.

Portsmouth lost 5-4 on penalties against Oxford United after a 1-1 draw at the Kassam Stadium.

Marcus Harness’ goal had Pompey ahead only for Ellis Harrison’s own goal to draw the game.

A Curtis goal – his 14th of the season – had given Portsmouth the edge in Friday’s first leg at Fratton Park, but Marcus Browne secured a precious 1-1 draw for Oxford.

The St Johnston man did not take a penalty in the shoot-out.

Cameron McGeehan was the unfortunate man to fail from the spot and Portsmoith must now prepare for another season in League One.

“It’s incredibly frustrating, but our congratulations must go to Oxford and we wish them well at Wembley,” manager Kenny Jackett said.

“We’ve been in the play-offs for two seasons running and just not quite been able to get over that hurdle.

“Cameron’s inconsolable because it’s one penalty out of 10 when the others were all successful, but football is about how you get over that.

“He’s been a good player for us and has performed well over these two games. He’s given everything he’s got for the cause.”

A MAN charged in connection with a knife attack and burglary in Letterkenny has been remanded in custody.

Gabor Zsebi (41) appeared at Letterkenny District Court via video link from Castlerea Prison.

Zsebi’s solicitor, Mr Frank Dorrian, advised his client, via an interpreter, that ‘it is not wise’ to make a bail application on his behalf as he does not have an address at which he can reside.

Mr Dorrian advised Zsebi of the process involved in the DPP determining which court he would be tried before.

He added: “Unless you can furnish an address where you can live then you are kind of stuck for the moment where you are.”

Mr Dorrian had been unable to make contact with two persons whose names had been provided to him by Zsebi over the weekend.

Zsebi was before the court on charges relating to an incident at a house in the Oldtown area of Letterkenny at 2am on Thursday morning last.

Zsebi was charged with aggravated burglary and assault in the course of a fight and producing a weapon, namely a knife, to intimidate another person. He is also charged with assaulting a woman, causing her harm and also burglary during which he had a weapon, namely a knife.

Zsebi is to be assessed by a psychiatrist while in custody this week.

Judge Paul Kelly remanded Zsebi in custody to appear, again via video link, on July 20.

DONEGAL County Council yesterday began repair work to the Boat Quay area of Bundoran.

A recent landslide caused damage to the facility, but the Council has been praised for its prompt action.

The important facility is used by the local lifeboat crew, surfers and fishermen.

“It is very positive news that we are getting this work done immediately,” said Bundoran-based Sinn Féin County Councillor Michael McMahon.

“I am very happy with the quick response and I also intend to bring a motion to the local municipal district regarding the Boat Quay.

“It is a place that is used extensively and I would ask that members of the public be more than careful until the world is completed.”

CONAL Kervick from Enniscorthy won the Gents Open Single Stableford at Dunfanaghy Golf Club on Saturday.

Kervick took the top prize with Gweedore’s Padraig Ó Dochartaigh in second.

Competition has recently returned to Donegal’s courses.

Gents Open Single Stableford –  Saturday 4th July 2020

1st   Conal Kervick (17) Enniscorthy 41 pts BOT

2nd Padraig O’Dochartaigh (4) Gweedore 41 pts BOT

Gross: James T Sweeney (6) 34 pts

3rd Oisin Treacy (19) 41 pts BOT

Front Nine: Michael Kervick (19) Enniscorthy 21 pts

Back Nine:  Ben Smith (11) 23 pts

Significant issues at a Donegal water supply are making it “vulnerable to failure” and poses a health risk to the public, the EPA has warned.

The Glenties-Ardara supply was the only supply in Donegal on the Remedial Action List at the end of 2019. Supplies are added to the list if EPA is concerned about it not having a treatment barrier or a treatment barrier is not performing adequately.

Concern surrounds the Glenties-Ardara site due to it not having any completion date for planned repairs.

The supply has been found to have inadequate treatment for Cryptosporidium and elevated levels of Trihalomethanes above the standard in the Drinking Water Regulations.

Cryptosporidium is a parasite found in human or animal waste and, if they are present in drinking water, can cause diarrhoea. If the parasite is present in a supply, then appropriate treatment processes (referred to as a ‘barrier’) must be put in place.

Trihalomethanes form when natural organic matter in the water source, such as rotting vegetation, reacts with chlorine used in the disinfection treatment process.

Irish Water has said that the action programme to address issues at Glenties-Ardara will depend on the outcome of the installation of a second aerator.

The EPA Drinking Water Quality in Public Supplies Report 2019, released today, shows that the quality of drinking water in public supplies remains high with 99.9% compliance with bacterial limits and 99.6% compliance with chemical limits.  The continued high levels of water quality being achieved are positive for consumers. 

“However, increasing uncertainty in Irish Water’s planning and delivery of critical improvements to water treatment plants is making supplies vulnerable to failure, posing a risk to the health of a large portion of the population,” said the EPA.

The EPA’s Remedial Action List contained 52 supplies nationwide with significant issues to be addressed by Irish Water at the end of 2019. While this figure is down from 63 supplies in 2018, the population affected by these supplies has doubled in the same period to over 1.1 million.

Donegal showed some of the best improvements regarding trihalomethanes (THM) standards last year. Donegal had two supplies affected  by THM failures in 2019 – down from 14 in 2017.

A new Covid Tracker app has gathered major public interest after going live this morning.

Over 100,000 people have already registered for the free mobile app ahead of its official launch today.

The app will alert a person if they have been in close contact with another app user who has tested positive for coronavirus. It can be used to track any symptoms of Covid-19. Contact tracing warnings will be delivered anonymously

All members of the public are being urged to download and use the app to make contact tracing more effective.

Paul Reid, CEO of the HSE said: “Today is another key day in our battle with COVID-19 as we launch the Covid Tracker. It is free, simple, quick and very informative. Please download and ask your network to do likewise. We have done much together, lets keep it going.”

The app can be downloaded on iOS and Android from https://covidtracker.gov.ie/