A series of new Covid-19 restrictions are on the way for Derry City and Strabane Council area.

The restrictions are expected to limit indoor and outdoor gatherings, restaurants and pubs will be takeaway/outdoor dining only. People are expected to be told to avoid unnecessary travel and to work from home where possible. Schools will remain open.

Ministers, MLAs and MPs held an emergency meeting this afternoon to discuss the spike in Covid-19 cases in the region. Derry and Strabane has one of the highest Covid-19 rates in the UK.

A full announcement on restrictions is expected later this evening. It is anticipated the measures will come into force next week and will be in place for two weeks and kept under review.

A suspected drug driver has been arrested after being caught at a Covid-19 checkpoint on the Donegal border.

Gardaí were carrying out ‘Operation Fanacht’ surveillance in the Carrigans area last night when a driver was stopped and tested.

The driver tested positive for driving under the influence of cannabis and a small quantity of cannabis was found. A passenger was also reported in the car at the time.

A probe is underway, and the driver and the passenger may face a court appearance pending the submission of an investigation file.

Twenty-eight new cases of Covid-19 have been detected in Donegal, health officials have confirmed. 

Four more Covid-19 related deaths have been reported in Ireland. A further 442 cases of Covid-19 were confirmed across the country as of midnight Wednesday.

The majority of new cases are in Dublin (170) followed by Cork (47) and Donegal (28).

The total number of cases detected in Donegal since the outbreak began is now 977.

Ho-Ho-Help! Letterkenny locals are being asked to support a fundraiser to bring much-needed festive cheer to the town this Christmas.

Letterkenny Chamber is calling on the community to lend a helping hand with their Christmas lights shopping list.

They’ve made the list and are checking it twice… but a little extra help is needed to put up and maintain displays this year.

A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to raise funds to boost the €35,000 cost of the spectacles.

Everone having a ball at the switching on off the Letterkenny Christmas lights, hosted but the Letterkenny Chamber in 2019. Photo Clive Wasson

The appeal says: “The Chamber gets support from Donegal County Council and local businesses and it costs us over €35k to get the lights up and down, to replace any faults.

“So for the first time ever we are asking for your financial help.

“If you can make a donation, no matter how little, we promise to put it to good use.

“Over the last 5 years we have invested to add new features like the star on the Polestar Roundabout, the canopy at Market Square and lights for lower Main Street and Port Road features.

“With your help we look forward to lighting up Letterkenny for Christmas 2020.”

Visit the GoFundMe page here: https://gf.me/u/y3a7zg

Ireland’s hotel sector is pleading for urgent help from the government ahead of a bleak autumn and winter season.

Hotel occupancy rates in Ireland are at their lowest point in history, according to Savills Ireland.

Room bookings plummeted this month since the Government laid out plans for restrictions.

Level Three lockdowns in Dublin and Donegal have led to high cancellation rates and the industry looks set to struggle through October and November with just a fraction of their regular occupancy numbers.

Hotels in the border region (Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan) are facing occupancy rates of 31% in October 2020 and 14% in November.  This is compared with national rates of 81 % last October and 82% last November.

The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) said an estimated 100,000 of tourism jobs of these have been lost so far this year and a further 100,000 are at immediate risk without substantial sector specific supports being put in place.

IHF President Elaina Fitzgerald Kane said: “It is now ‘make or break’ time. Urgent and unprecedented intervention from the Government is required to support tourism businesses and safeguard thousands of jobs throughout the sector. This must form a central plank of the Budget due to be announced next month.”

Ms Fitzgerald Kane said that the stark room occupancy figures highlight the requirement for additional sectoral specific measures for tourism.

“This situation is nothing short of disastrous for our sector with serious implications for the tourism industry and wider economy. We are calling on the Government to implement sector specific measures as a matter of urgency. These should include enhanced employment subsidies, a reduction in tourism VAT, extended waiver of local authority rates and greater access to banking finance.”

In the midst of restrictions, hotels have suffered a dramatic reduction in business, resulting in operators offering significant discounts in order to boost business. The average daily rate for a stay in a five star Dublin hotel is now €250, compared to €400 last September/October.

Tom Barrett, Director of Hotels & Leisure at Savills Ireland commented:

“Hotel occupancy rates are at their lowest point in history, so it’s no surprise that there are amazing deals to be had. However, in the long-run, operating at this level is not commercially viable, therefore – assuming 2021 brings some level of normality back to the tourism and hospitality sector – prices will recover, but it could take a few years to return to pre-Covid room rates.”

The family and friends of missing Falcarragh man Cian Langelaan are increasing their search efforts after possible sightings in north Donegal. 

27-year-old Cian Langelann has been missing from the Falcarragh area for a week. The last sighting of Cian was at Upper Main Street, Letterkenny around lunchtime on Thursday the 24th of September.

There are growing hopes that Cian is in the north Donegal area after his bag was found near Dunfanaghy pier today. Authorities focused their searches around Horn Head earlier this week, while friends have searched through towns, forestry and scenic areas.

A possible sighting of Cian was reported in Carrigart on Tuesday and in Creeslough on Wednesday.

A family friend has told Donegal Daily that the man thought to be Cian was travelling on a bike when seen yesterday.

Cian’s family are extremely concerned for his wellbeing.

Cian speaks with an English accent and is described as 5 ft 8 inches tall and of medium build. He has sandy hair that was recently cut. Below is a more recent photo of Cian, but he was last seen shaven:

Cian Langelaan

He was wearing blue jeans, a white t-shirt and black boots on one of the last occasions that he was observed.

Anyone has any information in relation to the whereabouts of Cian is asked to contact Milford Gardaí on 074-9153060.

It’s a scene that would terrify the living daylights out of most of us.

But diver Michael Early and his friends are used to amazing sights of the deep.

Luckily for Michael the sharks in question are docile Basking Sharks which live most on plankton and do not harm people.

The Burtonport man was diving off Arranmore Island with friend Patrick McElroy earlier today while Oscar Duffy did coxswain for the lads.

“It was an amazing sight. Patrick was filming and he lost count at 25 but estimated there were 30 or so of them,” said Michael.

We really don’t know what swim beneath the ocean a few hundred yards away.

A Donegal county councillor has called for a booze ban on off-licenses and supermarkets to stop the spread of Covid.

Cllr Michael Naughton said such restrictions should be considered if clusters of Covid-19 are being traced back to house parties and gatherings.

The Letterkenny hotelier said restrictions or a temporary nationwide ban from such premises should be considered if the country has to enter another lockdown.

He added “If house parties and street parties are reasons for the spread of Covid-19 cases you have to go to the root of the problem.

“You have to ask what is fuelling the parties? And what is fuelling these parties is the sale of cheap alcohol from off-licences and supermarkets.”

Cllr Michael Naughton

Cllr Naughton said he is calling on the relevant agencies and bodies to come together to address this, to have a discussion about how we can implement some form of temporary regulation, either in reducing opening times and closing the off-licences earlier or have a limit in the amount of alcohol sold per person.

He added “We have heard all week in the media about young people gathering for parties and anti-social behaviour but I have not heard anyone address the elephant in the room, which is the off-licences.

“It’s very easy to blame young people but remember these are the same young people who helped in their clubs and communities providing meals to our elderly during lockdown, these young people are our future generation and are the backbone of our clubs and communities.”

He added that hotels, restaurants and pubs should have remained open and that these businesses have adjusted to the Covid-19 guidelines making their premises a safe environment to consume alcohol.

He said pubs and hotels are one of the most highly regulated sectors in the country and bar staff are all trained the “safe serving of alcohol” and licensed premises are answerable to the Gardai and it’s a much more controlled environment.

US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania have tested positive for Covid-19.

Trump said the couple will begin the process of quarantine and recovery “immediately”.

“We will get through this together,” Mr Trump said in a tweet as he announced the test result.

The news was later confirmed in a letter from the President’s doctor.

The White House physician confirmed President Trump will carry out his duties “without disruption” during quarantine which will take place “within the White House”.

They are “both well,” doctor Sean Conley said. “I expect the president to continue carrying out his duties without disruption while recovering”.

Fresh doubt has been cast on whether Donegal will be able to come out of Phase 3 Covid restrictions as planned on October 19th.

It comes as the latest recorded figures show that incidence rates in some parts of the county have continued to soar.

In recent days the Lifford-Stranorlar region has continued to shoot upwards with serious concerns now being expressed for the border region.

The rate of Covid has now almost doubled its figures from 336.1 to 602.6 per 100,000 for the Lifford area.

Other areas are still high including Letterkenny which had a rate of 198 per 100,000 last night.

Some areas including Milford on 72.6 cases per 100,000 remain behind other parts of Donegal but are still rising.

The Glenties area is getting higher with 142 cases per 100,000 people and Donegal Town with 64 cases per 100,000.

Fishing groups across the country have slammed Minister Charlie McCoanlogue for his part ion the penalty points debacle for their industry.

As the Irish fishing industry teeters on the brink facing its biggest ever crisis in the form of Brexit, the say the Government has incredulously decided to heap further misery on fishermen by rejecting an annulment of highly controversial penalty points legislation.

The four Irish fish producer organisations were reacting following the defeat of a Sinn Féin motion in Dáil Éireann on Wednesday last (September 30th).

“The response of both Minister Charlie McConalogue and the Taoiseach who actually signed the Statutory Instrument (SI), has been at best dismissive, at worst contemptuous and glib.

“At a time when our industry, which is worth more than €1.2billion per annum to our economy, stands on the precipice facing its biggest threat since the foundation of the state with Brexit, it is simply appalling that our own Government would distract us from working to represent our members in the face of cavalier British attitude.

“Minister McConalogue, given his time as opposition shadow and constituency base on the shores of Lough Foyle, ‘gets’ this issue both personally and politically. In fact, he successfully voted against it just over two years ago.

“While we have received a huge level of political support for our plight, including from many Government backbenchers which was heartening, ultimately they voted against rescinding the dastardly legislation thus rendering useless, their verbal commitment. We have always said that we are in favour of a penalty points system it must be a system which is fair and in accordance with our own legal system.

“The turgid history of this legislation make grim reading, it has been repealed in the Supreme Court in 2017, tabled by the last Government in May 2018, stridently opposed by then opposition spokesperson, Charlie McConalogue as well as his Fianna Fáil colleagues and now out of the blue, foisted on us by Fianna Fáil more than two years later with no communication nor consultation,” said the joint statement issued by the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation (KFO), Irish Fish Producers Organisation (IFPO), Irish South and East Fish Producers Organisation (ISEFPO) and the Irish South and West Fish Producers Organisation (ISWFPO)

The four organisations declared that their industry is simply apoplectic and won’t give up the fight stating that it’s still not too late for the SI to be amended as a matter of urgency.

They said they are more than willing to immediately sit down with the Minister to address the four key offending parts.

“These offending parts must be removed or changed such as the burden of proof to be changed to beyond reasonable doubt; no right of appeal to High Court except on a point of law; incredibly, even if the fisherman is successful in the High Court, the penalty points would still remain on the licence and the removal of multiple points being applied when the capacity of the vessel is split,” concluded the statement.

THE date for the 2020 Donegal SFC final has been changed again.

At a meeting of the Donegal Competitions Controls Committee (CCC) last night, it was agreed to move the game to Sunday, October 11.

The final was pencilled in for Wednesday, October 4 after originally being set for September 27.

After a player from the Kilcar squad tested positive for Covid-19, the game was pencilled in for Wednesday night next.

However, the CCC last night took the decision to push the game back until Sunday-week.

The final has been fixed for Sean Mac Cumhaill Park with a 3pm throw-in time.

The big game will now be played just a week before Donegal face Tyrone in the 2020 Allianz League.

Eight members of Declan Bonner’s Donegal squad are involved in the county final.

Ryan McHugh, Patrick McBrearty, Eoin McHugh and Andrew McClean are part of the Kilcar set-up and Naomh Conaill’s Ciaran Thompson, Ethan O’Donnell, Eoghan McGettigan and Jeaic Mac Ceallbhuí are also involved in the county squad.

KILMACRENNAN Celtic have been finally confirmed as the 2019/20 Donegal League Premier Division champions.

A boardroom wrangle has had a cloud over the destination of the title over the last month, but yesterday the Donegal League announced that the matter had drawn to a close.

A statement from the Donegal League said: “On September 10th we reported that Kikmacrennan Celtic were this season’s Premier Division Champions following a UFA Disciplinary decision.

“A subsequent appeal to the FAI meant that we had to put the presentation of the Cup on hold.

“The whole appeal process has now been exhausted and on the basis of notification received from the FAI we can now confirm that Kilmacrennan Celtic are indeed this season’s champions.

“The Cup will be presented in due course.”

Initially, Kilmacrennan Celtic were docked points from the 3-2 win over Cranford FC on August 9 by the Donegal League’s disciplinary committee – a decision that would’ve had Cappry Rovers crowned as champions.

A protest was lodged alleging that Kilmacrennan played a player who should have been serving a suspension, following a red card in a game the previous Sunday in a 1-1 draw with Kildrum Tigers.

A 3-0 win was awarded to Cranford by the League’s disciplinary body, but Kilmacrennan – who have been steadfast in their belief that they had acted correctly all through the unfortunate saga – lodged an appeal to the provincial body.

After the Ulster FA upheld the Kilmacrennan Celtic appeal, a subsequent attempt was made to challenge that ruling to the Football Association of Ireland, but the process has now ended and the Lurgy men are the champions.

MARTIN Harley returned to winning ways yesterday afternoon.

The Trentagh man took victory at Salisburg

Harley won the Weatherbys TBA Conditions Stakes.

On the 9/4 shot Apollo one, Harley won by a margin of three-quarters of a length from the even money favourite Dark Shift, with Kieran Shoemark in the saddle.

Harley closed well over the final furlong to gallop to victory – his 26th win of 2020.

DONEGAL cyclist Mitchell McLaughlin won the Under-23 bronze medal in the time trial at the National Road Race Championships yesterday.

The Drumkeen man, who rides with the Italian-based Zappi Racing Team, came third in the event held at Knockaderry in Limerick.

The U23 race was won by Ben Healy, who set the day’s fastest time in all the categories.

Healy, representing Trinity Racing, won in a blistering fast 25:55, with Mcaughlin third in 27:29. Kevin McCambridge (Wiggle Weldtite Pro Cycling) was second in 26:23.

Conn McDunphy – based in France with CC Nogent Oise – won the elite race, beating Nicolas Roche to the title.

McLaughlin spent a brief period in Italy at the end of the summer.

He finished 30th in a time trial and 50th in a race in his first event post-Lockdown, held at the F1 track in Imola, the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari

Prior to returning home, McLaughlin came second and 13th in an Extrgiro event in Faenza.

McLaughlin’s mind now turns to Saturday’s road race in Limerick.

A Lifford company requires a senior book-keeper.

MPF, based in Lifford, forms part of a group of companies owned by a local family which has grown from its sole trader origins in 1986 to become a market leader in the ‘Fire Suppression Industry’.

It supplies bespoke refabricated pipework for fire sprinkler and mechanical systems along with stainless steel pipework fabrication and pump houses/plant rooms.

Main Duties:

* Processing purchase invoices & liaising with suppliers on invoice queries
* Credit control reporting and collection support
* Payroll Processing (ROI)
* VAT & PAYE returns (ROI)
* Bank & Control Accounts Reconciliations
* MI & KPI Reporting

The ideal candidate will be:

The ideal candidate will have relevant finance and commercial experience gained in a busy accounts department.

Advanced Excel (incl. Vlookups & Pivots) essential along with knowledge of Sage products

To be considered for this role you should have:

* Advanced Excel (incl. Vlookups & Pivots)
* Ability to work on own initiative and as a team member;
* Ability to meet deadlines and commitments;
* A professional qualification is desirable;
* Minimum of 3 years’ experience in a similar role

To apply please email your CV to MPF Limited at accounts@mpfireland.com

Closing Date for Applications: on or before 16 October 2020

The Garda watchdog has received 16 complaints relating to Covid-19 and the policing of restrictions designed to curb the spread of the virus in Donegal.

Overall the body has received a total of 228 complaints across the country.

Since the Government first announced restrictions limiting people’s movement on March 27th, gardaí have had a large role in policing the measures.

New figures released under the Freedom of Information Act show that 228 complaints have now been made to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) with Covid-19 mentioned as a factor.

Jim Mulligan, the president of the Garda Representative Association, said the figures are not high considering their context.

“We’re into our sixth month, heading for our seventh month now of varying degrees of lockdown and I suppose the first couple of months of it was complete lockdown,” he said.

“For 228 complaints, it’s probably quite low considering the context of the policing operation that went on and is going on during it all. I mean, our interaction with the public has been hugely expanded as a result of this and with the checkpoints that have taken place.”

Almost 40% or 90 of the complaints made were in relation to roads policing.

A further 22 complaints related to public order, while 14 were made about arrests.

FOYLE Donegal, situated five minutes from Derry City, requires a Technical Assistant and Evening Cleaners to be based at their Carrigans, Co Donegal site.

TECHNICAL ASSISTANT

Reference No:  FD/TA/09/20

Foyle Donegal

This is an exciting opportunity to join a well-established food processing plant in Ireland. Working as part of the Technical Team the successful candidate will be responsible for conducting quality control checks on work in progress, chilled, finished, and products ready for despatching. Quality checks will include temperature and pH of beef carcasses, online inspections of products ensuring compliance in accordance with customer specifications. Can carry out ad-hoc audits and to assist with preparation of external audits when required. Be able to liaise with Management and ensure good housekeeping practices throughout the plant.

Essential Criteria:

• Degree /HND in a food related subject or 2/3 years relevant experience working within a food processing environment
• Ability to work in a physically demanding role
• Understanding of HACCP
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
• Proven ability in attention to detail, numeracy and literacy.
• Competent in record keeping.
• Ability to work on own initiative, solve problems analytically and instigate investigation where necessary.
• Proven computer literacy.

Desirable Criteria:

• Previous experience of working in the food industry.
• Food Hygiene Qualification.
• Understanding of BRC

Closing date for receipt of applications is 4.30pm on Friday 16^th October 2020

The above criteria may be extended to facilitate shortlisting.  If you think you have the necessary skills, drive and ambition please forward application in writing, enclosing C.V. and stating job reference Number to:

Foyle Donegal, Drumnashear, Carrigans,County Donegal, Ireland. F93 A310

T  +353 (0) 74 914 0228Email: barbarak@foylefoodgroup.com

All offers of employment are dependent on Candidates successfully passing the Company’s pre-employment medical which includes a drugs and alcohol test.

 FULL TIME & PART TIME EVENING CLEANERS

Reference No: FD/EC/08/20

Reporting to the Cleaning Supervisor / Manager the successful candidates will be required to carry out in-depth industrial cleaning of all departments within the factory using heavy industrial cleaning hoses. Working as part of a Team to ensure that all current hygiene and cleaning standards are adhered to. This is an exciting opportunity to join a well-established food processing plant in Ireland.

Essential Criteria:

• Must be able to work in a physically demanding role
• Must be able to work with heavy industrial power hoses
• Ability to take instruction and learn quickly
• Good communication skills essential
• Awareness of Health & Safety
• Awareness of chemical usage
• Must be focused in relation to cleanliness and hygiene
• Be flexible and reliable in approach to meet demands of a busy Team working to a demanding cleaning schedule

Desired Criteria

• Previous experience in industrial cleaning in a food production environment
• Previous experience working with cleaning chemicals and a knowledge of COSHH

          Working Times: shift pattern Monday – Friday 16.30pm – 12.30am.

Must be flexible towards shift patterns and willing to work hours outside the shift pattern

(including Weekends and Bank Holidays).

A shift cleaning bonus will be paid following a successful daily pre-production / hygiene audit.

Closing date for receipt of applications is 4.30pm on Friday,

The above criteria may be enhanced to facilitate shortlisting.  If you think you have the necessary skills, drive and ambition please forward application in writing, enclosing C.V. and stating job reference Number to:

  Foyle Donegal, Drumnashear, Carrigans, Lifford, County Donegal. F93 A310

Tel  +353 (0) 74 914 0228            Email: barbarak@foylefoodgroup.com

All offers of employment are dependent on Candidates successfully passing the Company’s

pre-employment medical which includes a drug and alcohol test.

Wainfest, Donegal’s annual children’s arts and book festival is gearing up for a busy week ahead, but not as you know it!

This year’s theme Fun From Afar is very appropriate with Level 3 restrictions in place across Donegal. Some physical events have been cancelled but Donegal County Council’s Culture Division is proud to present an array of fun and entertaining online and socially-distanced events between October 3-11.

Speaking about the line-up, festival co-ordinator Sinéad McLaughlin, said: “While we’re disappointed at Level 3 restrictions coming into place during the festival, we understand it’s for the greater good and we still have a wide range of family entertainment available that will ensure Fun From Afar in line with public health advice.

“We have also sourced additional online events to replace some of the physical ones that were impacted by the restrictions.”

The show will go on with some physical events … and it begins on Saturday 3rd October with a self-guided Smart Phone Heritage Hunt in association with Donegal County Museum, and at Glenveagh National Park where they have A Week in the Wild planned for families. For anyone wishing to remain at home, check out the online science show provided by Spraoi agus Spórt and an online cookery demonstration with Inishowen Development Partnership.

Sunday 4th will see the incredibly talented team at Cahoots NI enrol families to their online Wainfest University of Wonder and Imagination. Expect magic, mystery and lots of fun.

Throughout the week the festival will host online events for children with poet Paul Cookson, author Rashmi Sirdesphande, entertainer and storyteller Mr Hullabaloo. And for toddlers there’s Bedtime Music and Movement with Coochie Coo and Parent and Toddler Music Fun with Spraoi agus Spórt.

New to the programme are two online performances from Cahoots NI. Theatrical productions of Penguins will be available on Saturday 3rd and Friday 9th, and Under the Hawthorn Tree will take place on Sunday 4th at 4pm.

Booking is essential for most events and you can do so by emailing wainfest@donegalcoco.ie. For more information about the festival including booking information and event times visit www.wainfest.ie or follow @DonegalCountyLibrary on Facebook and @DonegalLibrary on Twitter.

THE Road Safety Authority (RSA) say that driving test applicants will face an eight-month wait for an appointment

The RSA say that there are now 43,192 people waiting on an appointment and the figure is expected to significantly rise be2fore Christmas.

Testing services were suspended in March – when the average wait time was only six weeks.

A total of 15,111 people are scheduled to take a test over the next five weeks, but those people are not included in the 43,192 figure.

The RSA has introduced a number of measures:

* Increasing the number of tests, a driver tester can perform each day, from five to six from September 14th.

* Scheduling additional overtime tests, including testing on Saturdays to increase capacity.

* Re-hiring up to 19 driver testers who were previously employed on temporary contracts. This could bring the number of testers up from 118 to more than 130 testers

* The authority is examining the recruitment and training of new driver testers.