The Department of Health in Northern Ireland has said that 923 new cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the past 24 hours.

4,674 new Covid-19 cases have been identified in the region in the last seven days. 1,062 of the new cases in the past week have been detected in the Derry City and Strabane region.

One further death was also reported by the department today, bringing the death toll to 587.

Tighter restrictions are expected to be introduced in parts of Northern Ireland soon, as the region now has a higher seven-day rolling average of new cases per million people than countries such as the United States, Spain, and France. The executive is due to discuss the timing of extra restrictions when it meets today.

Almost €60,000 in funding has been granted for the protection of three of Donegal’s best-loved monuments.

Donegal County Council will receive  €42,000 to be used on Rathmullan Abbey, €2,360 for St. Mura’s Cross Slab in Fahan and €15,000 for works at Killydonnell Friary and graveyard near Ramelton.

The Community Monuments Funding for Donegal was welcomed by Fianna Fáil Minister Charlie McConalogue today, who said: “This funding will do two things. Maintain and protect our rich history here in Donegal but also go some way to providing income for skilled tradespeople involved in the upkeep of such monuments.  

“As more of us stay in our counties during the pandemic we have a greater appreciation of our history and surroundings. It is important we preserve these monuments and I am delighted to work with my colleagues in Government to secure this funding for Donegal,” concluded Minister McConalogue.

Job Vacancy: Divers Hyundai at Canal Road Letterkenny are seeking a Service Advisor to join their team.

The Role:
At Divers Hyundai, our service advisors provide the link between our highly trained workshop technicians and our customers during a service visit and act as our retail centre’s frontline in delivering customer focused service in a fast paced environment. They perform the key role of knowledgeable advisor to our customers in respect of the care of their vehicles and in explaining the value of maintaining their vehicles in accordance with Hyundai specifications. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Act as the first point of contact with customers either in person or by telephone/email, seeking to convert customer enquiries, when appropriate, to service bookings.
• Meet and greet all service customers promptly in a professional and courteous manner when they visit the service department.
• Inspect customers’ vehicles and refer to service history to accurately identify and verify all customers’ service needs and in particular to ensure that all customers concerns are correctly captured on the job card.
• Record customers details accurately, clarify payment options at the time of booking and confirm time for pickup.
• Promote the sales of appropriate services, parts, and accessories by thoroughly understanding the vehicle and associated service requirements.
• Identify and communicate with the sales department prospective new/used car sales prospects.
• Check on progress of services to vehicles throughout the day and contact customer to communicate and receive approval and authorisation regarding any changes in the cost-estimate, promised time of delivery or recommended services.
• Administer new and used vehicle warranty repairs in accordance with Hyundai warranty guidelines.
• To deliver customer satisfaction scores in line with Hyundai standards. 

Requirements:

• Excellent customer service skills, professional appearance and work ethic.
• Experience as a service advisor in the motor industry would be an advantage.
• Ability to work well in a process driven environment.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Full clean drivers licence.
• Knowledge of dealer management system is an advantage as is a good technical understanding of vehicles.

Rewards:

Competitive salary combined with a commitment to training and career development. 

Skills:

Customer Service, Communication, Contact customers, Aftersales

Applications: 

Please email your application including your CV to info@diversgarage.ie

The ‘Dying with Dignity Bill’ has been passed to the committee stage following a Dáil vote.

TDs voted by 81 votes to 71 last night to progress the draft law to legalise assisted dying.

The government sought to delay the bill by up to a year so it could be examined by a special Oireachtas committee, but this referral was voted down.

The bill was then subject to a rare ‘free vote’, where no TDs were subject to a party whip.

Donegals TDs voted as follows: 

Tá/Yes: Pearse Doherty TD (Sinn Féin), Padraig Mac Lochlainn TD (Sinn Féin), Thomas Pringle TD (Independent)

Níl/No: Minister Charlie McConalogue (Fianna Fáil), Joe McHugh TD (Fine Gael)

The purpose of the Dying with Dignity Bill is ‘to make provision for assistance in achieving a dignified and peaceful end of life to qualifying persons’. If this Bill is enacted this would give a medical practitioner the legal right to provide assistance to a qualifying person to end his or her own life in accordance with the terms set out in the Act.

The festive feeling of Christmas is already building in Donegal Town following a much-welcomed funding announcement. 

The Donegal Town Community Chamber CLG is celebrating two funding boosts to make the town’s Christmas light shine extra bright in 2020.

The Chamber said it was reluctant to ask local businesses for donations for the display during this difficult year, but they have secured two large contributions instead.

The news has been greeted as an early gift for traders and shoppers in Donegal Town.

Ernan Mc Gettigan Chairperson Donegal Town Christmas Lights Committee said: “We owe a huge debt of gratitude to our Elected Members ; Donegal County Council, Roads Engineer Mark Sweeney who have agreed to increase their yearly contribution of €6000.00 to €12000.00 which is allocated from parking reserves revenue collected in Donegal Town.

“We were also thrilled and appreciative of the Board of Directors of Donegal Bay Waterbus who approached Donegal Town Community Chamber CLG and offered to contribute the balance of €8000.00 in order to alleviate any monetary pressure on local Business and Community Groups guaranteeing that Donegal Town would continue to be one of the most CHRISTMASSY TOWNS in the North West.”

Ireland’s travel Green List will have no counties from Monday 12th October.

Rising Covid-19 rates across Europe have led the government to decide that no countries are safe for travel without restricted movement.

Cyprus, Finland, Latvia and Liechtenstein are the only four countries on the list at present and will be removed from midnight Monday.

The Department of Foreign Affairs is working with EU partners to finalise negotiations on a new EU traffic lights system. The system would see different countries or regions designated red, orange or green, depending on the incidence of Covid-19.

There will be no countries on the Green List with effect from Monday 12 Oct. Ireland continues to work with EU partners to finalise negotiations on coordinating travel within the Union (“EU traffic lights system”). pic.twitter.com/7YT6AT1Pg9

— Irish Foreign Ministry (@dfatirl) October 8, 2020

Job Vacancy: Buildcost Chartered Quantity Surveyors Ltd. is inviting applications for the role of Virtual Office Administrator (full-time or part-time).

THE COMPANY: Formed in 2012, Buildcost Chartered Quantity Surveyors Ltd. is seeking a Virtual Office Administrator to become part of its dynamic, fast growing family.  This professional practice is committed to the highest level of service, which is ingrained in everything they do in their day to day operations, where their commitment to their colleagues and clients stands, for excellence and a positive attitude.

THE OPPORTUNITY: This role is a fantastic opportunity to work in a progressive and innovative environment.  As well as being a highly visible role, this role is best suited to someone very organised with clear communication skills.

If you are extremely passionate and professional about what you do, as well as having the ability to successfully deliver solutions and results, then we would love to hear from you.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Delivering effective and efficient office administration across all areas of the Practice. 
• Providing direct practical help, support and guidance to team members and clients. 
• Administration of accounts payable and receivable.  
• Supporting and managing aspects of the IT, human resources and marketing functions.

THE PERSON:

• Previous office administration experience essential.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. 
• Highly proficient in MS Office products, in particular Excel.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• A background in professional services would be an advantage but not essential.
• Capable of working as part of a dynamic team in an innovative and progressive company.

THE TERMS:

We are open to discussing either a full-time, part-time or flexible working arrangement, for a minimum 20 hour week. 

APPLICATIONS:

Application by way of cover letter and CV quoting subject reference: BC209 by email to careers@buildcost.ie.  Closing date for applications is 5pm on Friday, 23 October 2020.

Buildcost is an equal opportunities employer.

www.buildcost.ie

A LETTERKENNY man has appeared in court charged with dangerous driving causing the death of a motorcyclist in Donegal.

56-year-old Eddie McIntyre was killed when his motorcycle was involved in a collision with a car on the R238 Burnfoot-Buncrana Road on July 4, 2018.

Bryan Harkin (75) of Loughnagin, Letterkenny, appeared at Buncrana District Court charged with dangerous driving causing the death of Mr McIntyre.

Sergeant Jim Collins gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution in the matter.

Sergeant Collins said that the DPP has directed prosecution on indictment in the circuit court.

Judge Paul Kelly expressed the Court’s condolences to members of Mr McIntyre’s family, who were present in court for the short hearing.

The case was adjourned for a book of evidence to be served on January 14 next.

Mr McIntyre was a native of Fahan and was driving in the Castleforward area at the time of the collision.

He was rushed to Altnagelvin Hospital but was pronounced dead a short time later.

Well-known Garda Goretti Sheridan has returned to Donegal to take up a post as Superintendent of the Buncrana District.

Supt Sheridan has been appointed to fill the vacancy left by Eugene McGovern, who retired from the force last month after 37 years of service.

Supt Sheridan, a native of Rathmullan, was promoted to the rank of Superintendent in 2019 and has served in Castlerea, Co. Roscommon and the Sligo District over the past year. She previously served as an Inspector in Letterkenny, where she had been stationed since 2013.

Superintendent Mary Gaynor will transfer to the Sligo Garda District to take up the responsibility in the region.

Supt Sheridan took up her new post in Buncrana today.

THERE have been 53 new cases of Covid-19 confirmed in Donegal today.

The latest figures released this evening show 506 new cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed nationwide.

Some 53 of those are in Donegal, where the 14-day incidence rate is the highest in the country at 312.2.

One more Covid-19 related death has also been notified to the Department of Health.

There have now been 508 Covid-19 infections in the past two weeks in Donegal and a total of 1,299 since March.

A DONEGAL man who was caught driving while serving a 20-year ban has had another three years added to the term and was given a suspended sentence.

Patrick Doherty (37) of Mulberry Avenue, Buncrana, appeared before Buncrana District Court.

On August 27, 2020, Gardaí observed Doherty driving a van at Ardraven, Buncrana. Gardaí made a lawful demand for Doherty to produce his driving licence and insurance documents.

The court heard that in 2006, at Letterkenny Circuit Court, Dohery was given a six-month prison sentence and disqualified for ten years for dangerous driving causing death.

In 2010, at Buncrana Circuit Court, Doherty was caught driving while disqualified and faced a number of charges. On that occasion, he was banned for 20 years and jailed for six months.

Solicitor for Doherty, Mr Frank Dorrian, said the incident in August 2020 was the first time in ten years that his client had driven.

“He was aware of the existence of a very length disqualification as a result of a fatal accident,” Mr Dorrian said.

“The vehicle he was driving belonged to a friend. He went out to get food for them family.”

Mr Dorrian said that Doherty had made enquiries about having his licence restored.

“This was a one-off aberration and it was a very short journey,” Mr Dorrian said. “In the ten years since the disqualification, he was busied himself. He urges me that this was a ‘mistake’ and he has put an absolute road block in the way of any application for restoration.

“He has otherwise behaved excellently since 2010.”

The court heard that Doherty is now in a relationship and is the father of two young children.

Judge Paul Kelly said: “It has been referred to as a mistake but this was a deliberate act for a man who knew that he was disqualified for a lengthy period.

“Even if he made a restoration application, he wouldn’t have been entitled to it.”

Judge Kelly sentenced Doherty to four months imprisonment, suspended for two years on Doherty’s own bond of €500 and on the condition that Doherty is not to drive a mechanically propelled vehicle.

For driving with no insurance, Judge Kelly fined Doherty €200.

Judge Kelly disqualified Doherty from driving for a further three years.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every aspect of our daily lives as we continue to try and adjust to what has been labelled as the ‘new normal’.

We’ve all been forced to adapt during these unprecedented times, and that certainly rings true for one Donegal man in his attempts to raise money for charity.

Davy Cowan’s efforts to raise money for two charities very close to his heart has been postponed several times due to the evolving nature of the current health crisis. However, he remained determined, focused and undeterred.

Finally, after months of planning, training and re-scheduling, Davy hit the road earlier this week for his mammoth 253km walk around West Donegal taking in some of the most scenic parts of the county along the Wild Atlantic Way as part of his charity campaign entitled ‘Walk For-Wards’.

The walk aims to raise money for the Neonatal and Oncology Wards at Letterkenny University Hospital.

Davy’s friends Mark and Treasa McFadden had twins born 10 weeks premature, but thankfully due to the incredible diligence, nurture and care they received by those phenomenal nurses in the Neonatal ward the two little fighters are now in good health.

Sadly, we’ve all known someone that has been affected by cancer and the work done by those in the Oncology ward is truly amazing.

The fundraising had been in full swing since the start of this year with great help and support from his work colleagues Susan Flinter, Moira Doherty, Pauline Coll, Jimmy McCarthy David Carroll, Mark McFadden. Mark’s wife Treasa and Davy’s sister Margaret and wife Joan and children Cathy and Keith and Keith’s partner Edel, were also heavily involved in the fundraising.

Davy had initially planned to walk from Crumlin Children’s Hospital to Letterkenny, but then decided that walking from the Galway Oncology Clinic to Letterkenny would be a better route, but due to the current restrictions and guidelines in place, he’s off all over our beautiful county instead.

Davy is a well-known figure in Donegal having spent years working in Unifi and then Optum and was also a teak-tough defender for Letterkenny Rovers in the 80’s and early 90’s. Davy is also a past captain at Dunfanaghy Golf Club.

His son Keith, is currently playing for Glentoran FC, so if you see Davy wearing one of his Glens jerseys, don’t be angered that you think somebody from the North has avoided detection at the border, it’s just Davy out trotting to get the 253km done so give him plenty of support!

Davy set off from Letterkenny on Friday and is expected all going well to reach Creeslough this Sunday.

He is being accompanied on the journey by his long-time friend Jim Kelly, who is in charge of the support vehicle, Joan will also be with him for parts of the journey to ensure there is no slacking!

You can donate to Davy’s incredible charity challenge by clicking on the link below.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/galway-to-letterkenny-walk?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link-tip&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet

A West Donegal man has told how he had to move his family into a mobile home claiming their dream home was filled with fumes and toxic chemicals after foam insulation was out into it.

However, Patrick Duffy has agreed before the High Court that an air quality investigation months later found there was no problem with the house air quality.

Mr Duffy said the air quality six months afterwards at his home in Annagry was “fine” but he said he “was not going to take that risk again”.

Mr Duffy, his wife Anita and their young daughter moved to a relative’s holiday home after the insulation was installed in their home four years ago and then moved to a mobile home where they still live.

Cross-examined by counsel for the insulation contractor John Paul Shortt SC, Mr Duffy agreed he had used the air quality report when they had sold the house and contents last year for €235,000. He said they had used the report which deemed the house habitable to give the purchaser peace of mind.

Counsel asked him why he didn’t move back into the house when he received the air quality report in August 2016 six months after the insulation was installed and which concluded there was no problem with air quality.

Mr Duffy replied: “There was the fear, we were made so sick. I am not going to take that chance with me or my family.”

Counsel put to him that reaction was over the top. Mr Duffy said he didn’t think so.

It was the second day of the action by Patrick Duffy (aged 45) of Meenderryowen, Annagry.

He has sued Brendan McGee trading as McGee Insulation Services, Largenreach, Downings, who was responsible for the installation and the application of spray foam insulation at the family home on February 18, 2016.

He has also sued GMS Insulations Ltd, Legga, Moyne, Co Longford which imports and supplies spray foam insulation material.

The spray foam insulation, it is claimed, was imported from outside the EU by GMS Insulations who supplied it to McGee Insulation.

It is claimed that Mr McGee reassured Mr Duffy that it was safe to remain in his home during the course of the installation process and immediately afterwards.

It is further claimed Mr Duffy was informed the product was entirely safe and did not give off any fumes and he was allegedly exposed to toxic chemicals.

The claims are denied by both defendants. Mr McGee further claims there was alleged contributory negligence on the part of Mr Duffy and claims Mr Duffy was advised to stay away from the house during the installation.

GMS Insulations contends if Mr Duffy did suffer injuries it bears no liability in law.

When the case was opened this week the court was told it was Mr Duffy’s case “a very noxious chemical” linked to the Bhopal disaster was allegedly used in spray foam insulation.

Mr Duffy has claimed he suffered damage to the airway tract and now coughs constantly and all three in the family became incredibly sensitised since to certain products.

He told the court his family “now live in a bubble” as they have become sensitised to other products and need to avoid other people.

The case before Mr Justice Kevin Cross continues today.

Drinking water supplies in 13 counties including Donegal have been found to have a high level of an environmental pollutant, trihalomethanes (THMs), which has been linked to cancer.

In fact, Donegal had numerous quality failures when tested by Irish Water.

THMs are usually formed as a result of adding chlorine to water and some studies suggest long-term exposure to high levels of the pollutant may be linked to cancer.

Irish Water tested 791 samples of drinking water this year to assess if they exceeded the allowed limit of the pollutant, with 59 samples failing the inspection across 13 different counties.

Many water supplies had multiple failures, with several in counties like Donegal, Clare and Louth.

Our view is that exposure to THMs should be minimised, and kept at an absolute minimum.

Dr Michelle Minihan, a senior inspector with the Environmental Protection Agency, said action would be taken to address the pollution levels.

“Our view is that exposure to THMs should be minimised, and kept at an absolute minimum,” she said.

“The way we’ve gone about addressing that is that where we identify supplies where the level of THMs in them is above the regulatory limit, and where that’s a persistent occurrence, we take action and add those to our remedial action list.

“That means that Irish Water has to identify an action programme to address the THM exceedances.”

Irish Water has said it has a programme in place to address all inadequacies in drinking water, including THMs.

Five more cases of Covid-19 were detected at Letterkenny University Hospital yesterday.

Records from the hospital last night show that there are now 12 patients with the virus receiving hospital care. Two of the patients are in intensive care.

The hospital reported a further five suspected cases of Covid-19.  A double-test approach is being taken at LUH during the pandemic.

Health officials have warned of an ‘exponential’ rise in Covid-19 case numbers and hospitalisations this week. Last night, the number of people in Irish hospitals rose to 171 and there were 26 new admissions yesterday. Twenty seven Covid-19 patients are in ICU.

Professor Philip Nolan, Chair of the NPHET Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group, said on Wednesday: “The Reproductive number is now estimated at 1.2. If we fail to reduce viral transmission nationwide immediately, we could see 1,100 – 1,500 cases per day and 300-450 people in hospital by November 7th.”

IRELAND’S four Archbishops have called for the Government to ease Covid-19 restrictions in order to enable people return to Mass.

Since the move to Level 3 restrictions, Church services are once again being shown online to parishioners.

Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop of Tuam Michael Neary and Archbishop of Cashel and Emly Kieran O’Reilly have sent a letter to An Taoiseach Micheál Martin seeking a meeting.

The Archbishops say they are concerned about the impact of the current restrictions are having on the Church.

In a joint letter they say: “These are not simply ‘gatherings’ of people, but profound expressions of who we are as a church.”

They have sought to meet with Martin and say that it is their wish to ‘engage constructively with the civil authorities’ to reach a position where Church services can welcome people back.

Lifford-Stranorlar continues to be Ireland’s worst affected area for Covid-19, new data reveals.

The area has a 14-day incidence of 602.6 cases per 100,000 people – which is more than five times the national average of 116.4 per 100,000.

156 cases of Covid-19 were detected in the Lifford-Stranorlar electoral area between 22nd September and 5th October.

Three other areas of Donegal also recorded high transmission rates in the past fortnight.

Carndonagh has the third highest incidence rate in the country with 347.8 cases per 100,000. There were 59 new cases between 22nd September and 5th October.

With 99 new cases, Letterkenny is fourth highest with a rate of 332.3 per 100,000.

Buncrana had 54 new cases in the two week period and has Ireland’s tenth highest incidence rate with 241.4 cases per 100,000.

The Glenties area recorded 29 new cases in two weeks up to 5th October. The incidence rate is 121.2 per 100,000.

The Donegal local area has had 51 new cases and records a 192.5 incidence rate.

The Milford LEA was the only region of Donegal to have an incidence rate lower than the national average. There have been 16 new cases in the area between 22nd September and 5th October and the incidence rate is now 116.2.

THERE is deep sadness across Donegal and the north west this morning following the sad death of popular radio DJ Pio McCann.

An icon of local radio broadcasting, Pio, a native of Dromore, County Tyrone, passed away at his home in Omagh in the early hours of this morning.

Before moving into radio, Pio was the band leader with Brian Coll & the Buckaroos and with Frankie McBride & the Polka Dots.

Pio was known the world over and interviews all the top American country music stars. Everyone from Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Kris Kristofferson and Charlie Pride were featured on his programme.

One of Pio’s big claims to fame was giving Daniel O’Donnell his first radio interview, on Erinside Radio. He and Daniel retained a strong friendship over the years.

The late Pio McCann (right) with Charlie Collins and Myles Gallagher

When Highland Radio went live in 1990, Pio was among the early recruits and he became a part of the furniture on 103.3fm, presenting country music shows on Wednesdays and Saturdays as well as co-hosting Sunday Sport, usually with Myles Gallagher in the other hot seat.

His famous catchphrase – ‘if anyone can, Pio McCann can’ – was a regular in households across Donegal for 30 years.

“He was one of the men that made local radio what it is,” former Highland Radio station manager Charlie Collins said.

“All the big stars were on with Pio. He had great contacts in the music business and he always helped to get artists lined up for our concerts.

“He was a legend of broadcasting.”

Pio McCann is survived by his wife Ray, sons Nicholas, Conor and Aaron, and daughters Coleen, Allison and Diane.

The mid-term break for schools is expected to be extended as part of plans to curb Covid-19.

Schools are scheduled to close from Monday, October 26 to Friday, October 30 as part of the normal holiday Halloween break.

But independent.ie is reporting that the Government is now likely to add on an extra week to the break.

Senior Coalition sources say such a proposal has been discussed briefly but no firm decision has been made.

A decision on moving up from Level 3 of restrictions will only be made if the figures still very high.

The school closure could still be taken under any level.

“We want schools to be open but a lot of EU countries are looking at it to suppress virus – Northern Ireland included,” a source said.

A similar proposal is being considered in Northern Ireland and the two regions are trying to work more closely at aligning their responses to the pandemic.

It is among a number of measures that may be considered in response to the rise in new cases which will be discussed by a Cabinet Committee on Covid 19 today.

The group is also examining if new fines can be introduced to penalise people from breaking Covid rules such as leaving a country that is under lockdown.

The October 2020 mid-term break will see all schools close from Monday 26 October 2020 to Friday 30 October 2020 inclusive but that could now be longer.

Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle says the Government has failed to recognise the emergency that exists in Ireland’s Gaeltachts.

Addressing the Dáil, he said the Official Languages Act of 2003, “hasn’t been fit for purpose for a long time”.

He said: “And while I am happy to hear that the Government is introducing amendments – and indeed, we haven’t had sight of them – from what the minister says, they simply do not go far enough.”

Deputy Pringle said: “Once again, the Government is not listening to the people who are directly affected by this legislation.”

The deputy said the Government has also not listened to Coiste Gaeilge, who met with stakeholders in every Gaeltacht and with the Commissioner Teanga to produce a cross-party report in 2018 that contained 20 practical recommendations.

Deputy Pringle said: “In that report, the chair of the committee expressed serious concerns in relation to the lack of recognition of the emergency in the Gaeltacht and among the Irish-speaking community. This concern is not addressed at all in this bill.

Thomas Pringle (North West Newspix)

“The people on the ground relayed to the committee that, unless supported, the Irish-speaking population of the country will be wiped out. We know that the population of native Irish speakers is at a critical point.”

Deputy Pringle said Irish speakers still cannot interact with the state in Irish, despite constitutional recognition that Irish is the country’s first language. He also said the powers of the Commissioner Teanga were too limited.

He said: “The powers of the commissioner must enable the commissioner to examine other legislation. Similar to the way in which we poverty- or gender equality-proof legislation, the commissioner must have the power to ensure that legislation recognises the emergency that exists.”

After two false starts, this is the third attempt since 2011 to amend the Act. Deputy Pringle said he looked forward to further discussions on the bill in committee.

He said: “We must start with the recognition that there is an emergency. There must be a strong statement in the bill that we are in an emergency. An urgent action plan to address this emergency is now needed.”