Gardaí in Donegal are calling a person who attacked a house in St. Johnston to come forward. 

CCTV footage has been obtained of a criminal damage incident on Friday 2nd October at Treansallagh St Johnston, where a man threw a glass bottle at the front window of a house at around 2.10am. The bottle smashed the window, causing damage to the property.

Gardaí have confirmed that they have CCTV footage under review and are urging the male to come forward.

A witness appeal is underway and anyone with any information in relation to the incident is being asked to contact Letterkenny Garda Station on 074 916 7100.

One more person has died in Northern Ireland having contracted Covid-19, according to the Department of Health.

669 new cases of virus have been confirmed in the region in the past 24 hours.

158 new cases are in Derry/Strabane Council area, where a local lockdown has begun this week.

In total, 4,005 new cases have been diagnosed in the past week in Northern Ireland.

The total number of fatalities now stands at 585.

The government has today announced a 10 cent increase on the national minimum wage from 1st January 2021.

The new rate will go up to €10.20 per hour, with over 122,000 workers in Ireland set to benefit.

Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys T.D. said regulations will come into effect to ensure that the increase in the minimum wage does not result in employers having to pay a higher level of PRSI charge. The Minister is set to make new regulations that will increase the employer PRSI threshold from €395 currently to €398 from 1^st January 2021.

Minister Humphreys added: “The Low Pay Commission plays an important role in improving data collection on low paid and minimum wage workers and developing a strong research base on issues surrounding the minimum wage. I would like to thank the membership of the Commission for their work this year, as well as the work it has carried out since its foundation.”

An established Letterkenny Architectural Practice is looking to expand and grow their existing team.

These new positions will allow the ideal candidate to work at all stages from feasibility to construction in the Public, Commercial and Residential sectors.

The following is the criteria for applicants:

• Project experience should include a range of projects with a minimum of 5 years’ experience in an Architectural Practice
• The candidate must be suitably qualified with a degree or diploma in Architecture / Architectural Technology or a similar course
• The candidate will have the ability to work under their own initiative and/or be part of a team
• Thorough working knowledge of procurement, building and planning regulations, and experience in the production of planning, tender and construction stage drawings
• An experience in Fire Safety Certification, Disability Access Applications essential.
• Site experience is an advantage
• Experience with Building Energy Assessment (BER) an advantage but not essential
• High level of proficiency in AutoCAD / BIM Revit required as well as excellent presentation skills, strong written and verbal communication skills
• Full driving licence, flexible working hours and willingness to travel on projects out of the County.

Salary is competitive commensurate with experience.

For a confidential discussion about this role forward youre C.V. in strict confidence to donegaldailyjobs@gmail.com and ensure to include the words ‘Letterkenny Architect’ in the email title.

More high-visibility checkpoints are on the way tomorrow as gardaí strengthen operations to ensure Covid-19 restriction compliance.

As Level 3 restrictions come into effect nationwide tonight, gardaí are planning a major policing operation with extra patrols on the roads across the country.

Motorists may encounter delays due to the132 large-scale checkpoints planned every day on main arterial routes around the country. Thousands of mobile checkpoints are scheduled for secondary routes in towns and villages each week.

Operation Fanacht Checkpoint in Bridgend Donegal, September 2020. Photo: @GardaTraffic

The focus of this activity is to continue encouraging people to adhere to national public health measures, Commissioner Drew Harris said: “An Garda Síochána is encouraging people not to travel out of their county unless it is for essential purposes.

“We want to advise people that will be conducting major checkpoints on main routes and travelling by road from tomorrow will be different from travelling today. People using the roads are likely to face delays.

“Since the start of the pandemic, An Garda Síochána has adopted a graduated policing approach based on its tradition of consent. We have seen compliance by the vast majority of the public with this approach. Independent surveys have also found significant public support for it. We will continue to police in this way.

“We have also had a strong focus on the protecting and supporting the vulnerable. That will continue as well. If you need our help, please contact your local Garda station.

“As an organisation rooted in the community, An Garda Síochána understands the difficulties these measures place on everybody. More than ever, we all need to work together and adhere to public health guidelines and regulations to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and save lives.”

Gardaí say their Covid-19 community response efforts will also continue to support the vulnerable and the elderly, while Operation Faoiseamh will continue to assist victims of domestic violence.

Deputy Commissioner John Twomey, Policing and Security said: “Your local Gardaí are here to help whether that is delivering medical prescriptions, collecting your pension or other supports you may need.

“Any person with these concerns for themselves or for a neighbour please contact your local Garda station.

“If you are a victim of domestic abuse or you know of a family member or friend who is a victim and may not be in a position to help themselves, I ask that you make contact with An Garda Síochána. If you require urgent assistance or support, please call 999 or 112. We are here to listen, to help and to protect.”

Doherty Transit Parts in Buncrana require a full-time parts advisor.

Duties to include but not limited to:

• Serving customers in store
• Answering calls
• Preparing orders for dispatch
• Previous motor factor or main dealer experience a real advantage

Please email C.V to dohertytransitparts@hotmail.com

An Mhachaire le Cheile Community group seek to appoint a part- time Project Coordinator to coordinate the plans and actions of the Maghery Coastal Adventures Programme.

The position, which is supported by Donegal Sports Partnership through a Sport Ireland / Dormant Accounts funding programme as part of the national sports hubs initiative, will be based in the Maghery Community Centre, Dungloe.

It will focus on the provision of a programme of recreational sports including water sports, walking and cycling to groups and individuals in the general catchment area of the Rosses.

Key activities

• • Planning and coordination of a programme of key activities in line with an agreed action plan in order to increase participation in outdoor adventure sports within the community.
  •  Overall responsibility for managing the day-to-day operations of Maghery Coastal Adventures (i.e bookings, communications, marketing & promotions)
  •  Continue to enhance the capacity of people within the community to further sustain the programme, with a dedicated programme of training & education opportunities.
  •  To support the project working group and produce bi-monthly programme updates on the development and growth of Maghery Coastal Adventures.
  •  To develop and maintain an efficient administration system including databases and information technology system – web page, online bookings, social media, etc.

Person Specification

• • •  A third level qualification in a sports related field or a minimum of 2 years’ experience in the sports sector or project management field.
    •  Excellent planning, organisational, administrative and IT skills.
    •  A full clean driving licence.
    •  Ability to work anti-social hours – evenings and weekends (7days per week)

Location Job Specifics

Coordinator-Maghery Coastal Adventures, Ionad an Mhachaire, Maghery, Dungloe, Co. Donegal
* 12 month contract, 10hours per week
*  Excellent interpersonal skills including an ability to engage and build confidence with marginalised and disadvantaged groups and individuals.
*  Ability to work as part of a team motivating others and support an existing team of instructors.
*  Passionate about promoting outdoor adventure sport and physical activity.
 * A good knowledge of outdoor adventure sports and relevant National Governing
Bodies of Sport (NGB) protocols and guidelines.
* A  good knowledge and understanding of the local community and surrounding sports
club network.

Remuneration will be based around an hourly rate of €18 per hour, agreed set costs will be linked to the position such as office equipment and phone. Candidates will be shortlisted based on the information they provide in their application. Interviews will be scheduled for the week of the 26th-30th October 2020.

Further information on the Project Coordinator position can be obtained from the Manager, An Mhachaire le Cheile, via email ionadmaghery@gmail.com or Tel: 07495-22724

Applications must be received by 5:00pm on Friday 16th October 2020 either by email ionadmaghery@gmail.com or in the post to:
The Manager,
An Mhachaire le Cheile, Maghery, Dungloe, Letterkenny PO,
Co Donegal.

NOTE: Candidates who send their application by post should use the correct value of postage stamps and allow sufficient time to ensure delivery not later than 5:00pm on Friday 16th October 2020 the latest time of acceptance, where applicable. Claims that any application form has been lost or delayed in the post or through email will not be considered, unless applicants have a Post Office certificate of posting or an email delivery report in support of such claims.

Donegal County Council has issued a warning about road delays in and out of Creeslough village.

Road resurfacing works on the N56 will start tomorrow (Wed) and will continue for two weeks until October, 21st.

Traffic management will be in place and motorists are asked to allow extra time for their journeys.

Fifty-one new cases of Covid-19 have been detected in Donegal so far this week, the Department of Health reports.

There are 432 new cases nationwide and one further death.

The 51 new cases were detected in Donegal up to midnight Monday 5th October.

Donegal has recorded 467 additional cases of Covid-19 in the past two weeks from Monday 21st September.

Donegal continues to have the highest 14-day incidence rate per 100,000 in the country, with a figure of 273.3. The Health Protection Surveillance Centre today reported that Ireland’s national incidence rate is now 114.3.

A young Donegal artist is building her own alternative jewellery brand after taking an alternative route in education.

Jasmine Bride, aged 18, is the founder of Ophiuchus Creations, a handmade jewellery brand of wire wrapped crystals and stones.

Jasmine launched her brand in March, and despite the challenges of the pandemic, she is continuously working on sales, marketing and expansion. She also has a passion for learning, which has been spurred in recent years by a practical education programme for young people called Youthreach, provided through Donegal ETB’s Further Education and Training (FET) Service. 

The Youthreach programme suited Jasmine much more than the traditional Leaving Cert school education. She had been living in England before her family moved to Donegal in 2017. The school year had already started, but a friend recommended Youthreach in Ballyshannon – one of six centres across Donegal.

Youthreach is a free education, training and work experience programme for young people aged 16-20 years who have left school early. It provides people with the qualifications and life skills to progress to employment or other further and higher education, with a focus on project or portfolio work rather than exams.

“Youthreach is a good alternative if you’re more of a practical worker,” Jasmine explained. “It’s for people who don’t get on well with the way of learning in schools.”

Jasmine studied general subjects such as maths, communications and IT while she particularly enjoyed the skill training in art and woodwork.

Jasmine Bride

OphiuchusCreations by Jasmine Bride

For Jasmine, the teaching style was much more motivating than mainstream schooling. “The tutors do not act like teachers, the classes are more like a conversation instead of them telling us ‘This is what you need to learn’. They talked to us as adults, and they were always there if you needed help,” she said.

Jasmine first enrolled with Youthreach to get her qualifications. As she progressed on the two-year programme, her creative and entrepreneurial spirit grew. 

“As I went on, I started to get better in a lot of different ways, socially and in business. I really liked woodwork and I decided to start my own business just before lockdown,” she said.

“I learned a lot about business from my parents and from YouTube over the years, but I’ve had a lot of encouragement and advice from Youthreach on what course to take.”

Work experience is an important part of the Youthreach programme and Jasmine used her placement to learn about the world of catering. This part of the programme can also help students get their foot in the door of a workplace.

“I learned a lot about cheffing. A few people I know who were in Youthreach got an apprenticeship or had opportunities given to them from the work experience,” Jasmine said.

Now that the programme is complete, Jasmine is busy creating and selling wire-wrapped jewellery using crystals and pieces she finds at her local beach in Bundoran, such as sea glass and sea pottery. She is also branching into wall hangings, while working on online sales and securing local stockists. Check out Jasmine’s Etsy store here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/OphiuchusCreations

“I hope to broaden as much as I can. I want to work continuously on always getting better, producing better quality products so that I can branch out into other aspects of jewellery as well. I’m also working on digital illustration,” she said.

Looking back on her own experience of Youthreach, Jasmine is eager to recommend the route to other young people who did not have a good experience in school.

“I’d encourage people to ask about Youthreach, especially if they didn’t get on well with the normal way of learning at school.  It broadens your perspective, with getting to know people a bit better and having a small circle. The tutors are really nice and you build a relationship with them as non-authority people.

“If you’re thinking about doing it, I’d say go ahead. If you’re nervous, I’m sure there’s someone around you who has done Youthreach that you can talk to. Don’t be afraid to speak to the coordinators, they are there to help.”

Donegal’s six Youthreach centres are now enrolling. If you, or someone you know, is thinking about joining the programme, you can find more information at this link: http://www.donegaletb.ie/schools-youth-services/youthreach/ or check out their information brochure: https://www.donegaletb.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/YR-Brochure-@-June-20.pdf.

For any enquiries, fill out the online web form and the team will get back to you: https://www.donegaletb.ie/donegal-youthreach-enquiry-form/

You can also call the Youthreach Centres on the following numbers:

• Ballyshannon (Paula) – 071 98 51286
• Buncrana/Glengad (Jayne) – 074 93 62626
• Gortahork (Caitriona) – 074 91 35218
• Letterkenny (Gillian) – 074 91 22585
• Lifford (Aidan) – 074 91 42114

You can also follow Youthreach on social media:

Facebook: DonegalYouthreach

Twitter @DonegalYR

YouTube: Donegal Youthreach Programme

Youthreach is co-funded by the Government of Ireland, the European Social Fund and the Youth Employment Initiative as part of the ESF Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning (PEIL) 2014-2020.

THE Owen McDaid (Roe) Taxi and Mini Bus Hire Winter League got under last weekend at Buncrana Golf Club.

The majority of the Saturday players got the opportunity to play. There was some great golf played on Saturday but unfortunately as Sunday had to be cancelled due to high winds and heavy rain.

The scores can’t be disclosed until the Sunday players get an opportunity to play their first round of qualifying.

Up Coming Competitions; Saturday 10 & Sunday 11 October – The Owen Mc Daid (Roe) Taxi & Mini-Bus Hire Winter League will continue this weekend 10 and 11 October 2020.

With last Sunday having to be cancelled due to the inclement weather another weekend will be set aside for these players to get the opportunity to return a score.

The format this weekend will be 2 ball scramble and players can still enter the Winter League and the cost to enter is €30.00 per player which covers the 6 weeks of qualifying and the match play knockout stages.

This will be the only competitive golf over the coming weeks and it’s a well recognised fact that anyone who plays in the Winter League sees the consistency remain in their game.

Members are also reminded that the timesheet on a Saturday and Sunday morning will be allocated to players in the Winter League first and no one can book a tee time without contacting the office first.

Christmas Hamper

The qualifying for the Christmas Hamper got underway last Saturday and will continue until December 4. Players from 0-6 handicap will have to return 20 points to qualify and players from 7 handicaps upwards will have to return 21 points.

The cost to enter is €4.00 with a €2.00 re-entry and cards can be taking during the week or at the weekend in conjunction with the Winter League.

Donegal League Inter-Club Match Play Final

As a result of the restrictions in Covid-19 Level 3, the much anticipated final between Buncrana and Cloughaneely has been postponed. This match will take place when the conditions improve and permit the final to be played. So Team Captain Fiáchra O’ Flaherty wants to impress upon his players to keep their game sharp and enter the Winter League if possible. It will be important that the players are sharp and playing well when the opportunity arrives for the final to be played.

Job Vacancy: The Donegal-based Alcohol Forum is recruiting for a full-time Financial Officer (Maternity Leave Cover).

The Alcohol Forum is a national charity that works for an Ireland where every child, family and community is free from the harmful effects of alcohol.

We are inviting applications from suitably qualified individuals for the post of:

Finance Officer 

• Letterkenny Office (The role is currently working from home and will be a mix of home-working and office-working)
• Maternity Leave Cover (12 months), full-time (35 hours per week)
• €33,000 Gross per annum

The post of Finance Officer is a critical role within the organisation and the post holder will be responsible for the day-to-day financial management and will be involved in maintaining the financial procedures and systems, producing budgets and management accounts for a variety of needs, and ensuring accurate and timely record keeping.

We are looking for a highly motivated and experienced individual who is capable of working independently and communicating effectively with the Board, senior managers, and funders. 

Requirements:

• Proven professional senior experience (4+ years) in a finance department as relevant to the requirements of the position;
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting or relevant field;
• Experience of sage accounts essential together with excellent Microsoft programmes, particularly excel;
• Have broad experience of financial management, accounting, reporting, and statutory requirements;
• Have strong interpersonal and communication skills;
• Ability to organise, lead and motivate other staff;
• Ability to plan and develop systems;
• Have experience of Charity finance

Closing deadline: 5pm on Tuesday 20th October 2020

Interview: Wednesday 28th October, 2020

Further information:

This post is covering maternity leave for a period of 12 months.

The Application form, job description and person spec can be downloaded from our website: www.alcoholforum.org

THE Club Players Association (CPA) has renewed calls for the GAA to permit county finals – including the Donegal SFC decider – to be allowed take place behind closed doors this weekend.

A number of county finals scheduled for this weekend were shelved after the GAA announced a nationwide cessation of club activity on Monday.

A request from the Donegal Competitions Controls Committee (CCC) to Croke Park yesterday, seeking a dispensation to play their senior championship final, was firmly rejected. 

Holders Naomh Conaill and Kilcar wee set to joust on Sunday in the Donegal final, but the completion date is now up in the air and depending on Donegal’s advancement in the inter-county championship.

The CPA said Monday’s decision was ‘unfair on players who through no fault of their own are being denied the chance to finish what has been a unique and challenging season.’

The postponement of club activity came after a weekend when there were Covid-19 breaches at games and at after-match celebrations highlighted.

Micheál Briody, the Chairman of the CPA said: “We have been contacted by a lot of clubs over the last 24/48 hours, distressed and disappointed that their season has been brought to an abrupt and unsatisfactory end.

“They all understand the need to tighten restrictions, but are appealing to have the chance to finish out their campaign.

“The GAA leadership centrally, at provincial level and in some counties have attracted unfair criticism. This criticism has been for situations where they have little control over an individual’s behaviour, and where Association guidelines have been ignored or flouted.

“We all understand the euphoria of championship success, but some of the behaviour has rightly attracted scrutiny in light of the pandemic we are all living through.

“We do not condone this at all.”

Ten Gaeltacht Capital Projects in Donegal are to benefit from new grant allocations announced today.

Over €132,051 has been allocated by the government to projects in local communities across the county.

Announcing the grants, Donegal Green Party chairman Michael White said: “Fáiltíonn muid go mór leis na deontais seo. Is cuid thábhachtach den saol na Gaeltachta iad na heagrais agus clubanna agus is croílár an phobail iad. Tá lúcháir mhór orainn go bhfuil na tacaíochta seo a chur ar fáil. Tá an rialtas seo ag déanamh infheistíochta láidir i nGaeltacht Dhún na nGall agus tréaslaíonn muid leis an Aire Catherine Martin”. 

Details of the individual grants being approved are as follows: 

• Áislann Chill Chartha – oibreacha breise feabhsúcháin ar an ionad –  €3,235
• Ghalfchumann Ghaoth Dobhair – trealamh – €16,524
• Coláiste Ghaoth Dobhair – trealamh ranga don Choláiste.  – €4,536
• Togra Óige Mhuire – trealamh d’ionad sealadach don óige i nGaoth Dobhair  – €13,025
• Comhar Chumann Forbartha agus Fostaíochta Árainn Mhóir – uasghrádú ar an ionad moladh Innealtóra ag – €3,260
• Coláiste Árainn Mhór – oibreacha áirithe feabhsúcháin  – €25,000
• Scoil Náisiúnta Taobhóige, An Clochán, – painéil acústacha ar shíleáil na scoile  – €3,683
• Comhlacht Forbartha An Fhál Carraigh – athchóiriú agus tarmacadam ar charrchlós an ionaid  – €47,354
• CLG Ghaoth Dobhair – córas fuaime  – €9,699
• Cumann Cheiltigh Ghaoth Dobhair – binsí foirne  – €5,735

The grants were published today by Ministers Catherine Martin TD and Jack Chambers TD, Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. 

Minister Martin said: “Ainneoin na ndúshlán faoi leith atá roimh pobal Dhún na nGall trí chéile ag an tráth seo de bharr na paindéime, is ábhar misnigh agus dóchais é go bhfuil coistí agus cumainn fud fad Ghaeltacht Dhún na nGall ag coinneáil orthu ag saothrú leo go deonach ar leas a bpobail faoi leith. Is údar áthais dom féin agus don Aire Stáit Chambers a bheith in ann tacú ar bhealach praiticiúil leis an obair sin. “

The grants are being approved under the Department’s Community and Language Supports Programme in order to support various Gaeltacht organisations in carrying out renovation works in addition to purchasing equipment.  

KILMACRENNAN’S Richard Kerr had brilliant 5th and 8th place finishes in in the Supersport races at Donington Park in very wet conditions.

Kerr is one of only three riders in the series to finish every race so far this year and score points in all  the races.

The race was held in treacherous conditions and  a few riders crashed out but Kerr managed to stay upright and came home In a superb 5th position.

Richard remains In seventh in the championship and has closed the gap to just 8 points to sixth place rider Lee Johnson with three races remaining.

Race two had Kerr running with the leaders for the first seven laps but brake issues forced him to eighth position at the chequered flag.

The final two races take place at Brands Hatch in two weeks’ time.

RONAN Curtis struck twice last night as Portsmouth defeated Southend to reach the EFL Trophy’s knockout stages.

Pompey scored a comfortable 3-0 win at Roots Hall, where a Curtis double followed John Marquis’ opener from a penalty.

Kenny Jackett, the Portsmouth manager, rang the changes and Curtis was restored to the starting XI.

Marquis drilled home midway through the first half after a foul on Haji Mnoga.

Late in the first half, Curtis’ 25-yard effort deceived the Southend goalkeeper to double the lead.

With 13 minutes to go, the St Johnston man sealed the win as he found the bottom corner with a fine long-range effort.

THE Donegal Junior League’s numbers have been swelled significantly with SEVEN new teams set to compete in the 2020/21 season.

Included in the roster are four new clubs, among them Ulster Senior League kingpins Fanad United, who have withdrawn from the USL and returned to junior football.

Picture: Triagh-A-Loch, the home of Fanad United, will see Donegal Junior League action in the 2020/21 season.

Fanad were among the founder members of the USL in the mid-1980s and won 14 League titles as well as two FAI Intermediate Cups during a golden era.

The Triagh-A-Loch outfit have endured a testing couple of seasons in the intermediate ranks and will be back in the Donegal League’s ranks for the new season. Fanad, it has been confirmed, will compete in the Temple Domestic Appliances Division One in 2020/’21.

Letterkenny Rovers will field a reserve team in the Donegal Physiotherapy & Performance Centre Division Two in 2020/’21.

Ramelton Mariners and Eany Celtic will make respective returns to action after a number of years of an absence. Those clubs will play in a newly-formed Saturday Division Three, which will comprise of five teams.

Swilly Rovers Reserves, Gweedore Celtic Reserves and St Catherine’s Reserves will join them in that division.

“It is the intention of the Executive to restructure the Saturday Divisions for 2021/’22 after assessing the success of the 2020/’21 season,” the Donegal Junior League said.

“As we continue to prepare for the start of the new League Season, our 50th, we are delighted to report that all teams who competed last term have once again applied to join the League for 2020/’21.”

A new date has yet to be confirmed by the Donegal League for a re-start date.

In a statement, they said: “The forthcoming season looks certain to be a challenging one for everyone as the unpredictability of the current Covid-19 pandemic means we can only plan as we see fit at the present time however changing circumstances along the way may force us to alter our  plans on an ongoing basis.

“Hopefully the alterations will be minimal and we can get through with little interruption once we get up and running.

“In the meantime we ask everyone to stay safe and do their best to help with the suppression of the virus. Everyone has a part to play in this.

“We look forward to the start of the new season. We welcome the new clubs and teams as well as our current clubs/teams. The registration portal is open so get your players signed in good time for the much anticipated kick-off.”

The HSE has confirmed that it is providing public health and infection control guidance and support to Brindley Manor Nursing Home in Convoy following an outbreak of Covid-19.

The privately-run nursing home has 30 cases of Covid-19, it was confirmed last night.

The majority of residents who have tested positive have no symptoms and a small number have mild symptoms, according to the HSE. The nursing home has also stated that residents who have tested positive for the virus are isolating in their rooms.

Brindley Manor, which is closed to non-essential visitors, has appointed a Family Liaison Officer to provide regular status updates on the health, welfare and care of residents to families. The well-established 43-bed residence remains fully operational at this time.

A spokesperson for the HSE said it is examining the infection control procedures and is working with the nursing home to manage the situation.

If there is an outbreak at any residential centre, the HSE Department of Public Health sets up an Outbreak Control Team and provides advice and guidance on issues such as:

· management of positive patients
· information on symptoms and actions to be taken if develop symptoms
· how and when to self-isolate
· cleaning
· Infection Prevention and Control advice
· symptom monitoring for close contacts
· The Department of Public Health will also advise what arrangements need to be in place for those who need to self-isolate.

Independent TD Thomas Pringle has compared Tánaiste Leo Varadkar’s reaction to NPHET advice to the behaviour of US President Donald Trump.

Deputy Pringle told the Dáil that the Tánaiste was playing politics following the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet)’s request to move the country to Level 5 restrictions. The recommendation was rejected by government ministers on Monday, who implemented Level 3 restrictions nationwide instead.

The Tánaiste came under fire on Monday when he said Nphet’s call for Level 5 lockdown “hadn’t been thought through”.

Thomas Pringle TD was backing a call for the  restoration of Pandemic Unemployment Payments today when he criticised the Tánaiste’s response to the issue and the way news from Nphet has been received by the government.

Deputy Pringle told the Dáil it was a “particularly Trump-like reaction of the Tánaiste, who rubbishes the news when he gets it first and then actually tells his party, knowing full well that it will be widely circulated, that it’s going to happen anyway.

“But in the meantime, the base is getting a great boost at how the hard man is taking on the freeloaders who are putting the people who work for a living to the sword because they won’t be affected anyway.”

Watch the statement here: 

Am I wrong?

The Tánaiste's Trumplike reaction to the news from NHPET, acting the hard man, while privately telling his party level 5 will happen anyway. pic.twitter.com/6sCmi8iX37

— Thomas Pringle T.D. (@ThomasPringleTD) October 7, 2020

828 individuals in Northern Ireland have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 24 hours.

The NI Department of Health also reports that another patient has died having contracted the virus. The death toll in the region is now 528.

Current records from Northern Ireland hospitals show that 91 patients with Covid-19 are receiving care and 14 are in intensive care.

4,417 cases of Covid-19 have been detected in Northern Ireland in the past week, with 43,684 individual tests carried out.