Tributes continue to pour in for Donegal radio legend Pio McCann who passed away yesterday.

During his many years behind the microphone, Pio helped launched the careers of many of Ireland’s music stars.

Irish country music star Nathan Carter took to Facebook to share a personal tribute.

He wrote: “Very sorry to hear of the passing of the great Pio McCann. Pio was a great promoter of country music in Donegal and further afield and i had the pleasure of being invited to appear on many Highland Radio concerts alongside him. I would like to extend my sincere sympathy to Pio’s family & friends. RIP”

‘Queen of Country’ Philomena Begley said: “Pio was a great friend and did so much good work for all of us Country Artistes.
Today, We have lost another great person and a great friend. Rest in peace Pio and Thank You for all the love and support you afforded me and Aidan over the years. Until we meet again x”

One of Pio’s closest friends, former Highland Radio presenter Shaun Doherty, said he owed so much to the late Mr McCann.

“I owe so much to him throughout my career on Highland Radio but much more for his love and kindness to me through our friendship of over 30 years. My love and prayers to his wife and best friend Rae and his adored children, Nicholas, Conor, Allison, Diane, Coleen and Aaron, Daughter in law Joanne, Sons in Law Ollie, Brendan and Conor and wider family circle, also to his many friends and of course his Highland Family and loyal listeners. May his gentle Soul Rest in Peace.”

Singer Lisa McHugh said Pio was the man who gave her a chance to become something.

She wrote “In life we all need just one person that’s willing to give you a chance and have faith in you and for me that person was Pio McCann. My very first performance in front of a large audience was at a Highland Radio show in Glasgow back in 2008 and from that performance, Highland Radio and especially Pio had my back.

Singer Lisa McHugh with the late Pio McCann

“He played my music before anyone knew who “Lisa McHugh” was. He supported me and gave me so many opportunities over the years and he was definitely a huge part of how I got to where I am today which I will always be immensely grateful for. My deepest sympathies go out to Pio’s wife Rae and all of the family and also all of his Highland Radio family. Rest in peace Pio.”

Jimmy Stafford, President of the Letterkenny Chamber and DJ posted: “Sad news this morning on the passing of #PioMcCann. A true professional & legend in the radio world , he gave me so many laughs on a Wed evening when he arrived to take over at 9pm on Highland Road. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.”

Letterkenny businessman and councillor Ciaran Brogan said: “We had the pleasure of having The Pio Mc Cann outside broadcast on so many great occasions and he brought so much energy and passion to local radio.

“He gave so many musicians the platform to express their great talent on the airwaves.

“Such a great individual that was larger than life in so many ways, his real warmth to everyone he met along the way,

“Thanks for all the great memories Pio and May you rest in peace.”

Motorists have been warned about a major oil spillage in West Donegal.

The spillage has been reported on the main road outside Falcarragh.

People are asked to slow down and to take care.

A further 902 new cases of coronavirus have been recorded in Northern Ireland during past 24 hours.

A total of 5,836 tests were carried out in that time, meaning just over 1 in 6 of those being tested is positive.

Deaths are not recorded at weekends so the official Department of Health toll remains at 587.

The number is 178 less than yesterday when a record number of people tested positive.

There are 134 confirmed Covid-19 patients in hospital, with 19 in intensive care units. Eleven of these patients are on ventilators.

Derry and Strabane, with an incidence rate of 872.1 per 100,000 people is now the highest in Northern Ireland and amongst the highest in the UK.

The 7 day rate of infection per 100,000 of population in Northern Ireland is 291.

The Irish Cancer Society are appealing for online donations after their Pink Ribbon sales in Donegal have been cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions.

The Irish Cancer Society are asking for online donations to help address the shortfall as a result of the cancellation.

Each year, the dedicated fundraisers look forward to doing their bit in the local community, bringing some colour to the streets in support of services and research for breast cancer services.

Money raised from the sale of Pink Ribbons helps to fund lifesaving cancer research and free support services locally for people affected by breast cancer.

Pink Ribbon volunteer Brendan Duffy from Buncrana said, “Every year, we come together to sell Pink Ribbons to support breast cancer patients. The support in is always amazing, everyone is so generous. We are so disappointed to not be out on the streets this year, but we want to encourage everyone to please show their support breast cancer patients by donating online at cancer.ie to get their digital pink ribbon this year.”

Rosemary Simmons, National Fundraising Lead at the Irish Cancer Society said, ‘unfortunately due to Covid-19 restrictions, we have had to cancel our street sales across Donegal this year. We are asking members of the public to show their support by donating to the Irish Cancer Society online at www.cancer.ie/donate or call 1850 60 60 60 to ensure we can continue to meet increased demand for support from people affected by breast cancer.  With your help we can be there to ensure no one has to face breast cancer alone. Your donation will directly help provide free care and support for breast cancer patients and their loved ones across Ireland.’

“It is such a small thing to do but it can help protect the people who rely on us to care for them.” – That was the simple message about the flu vaccine from Deborah Fitzgerald, who works in two community homes in rural Donegal.

Deborah is the flu champion for St Anne’s House and St Martin’s House in Falcarragh where 100% of staff opted to get the vaccine last season / during the 2019/2020 influenza season to protect themselves and others, earning them a national award.

“It is a small remote area and everyone knows everyone. Some of the staff have been working here for 15 or 16 years so the residents here in the unit are just like our family at this stage. We are doing this to protect them the same way we protect our families back at home,” Deborah said, ahead of the HSE winter flu campaign.

There are eight residents across the two houses, with St Anne’s opening just last December. Many have very complex health needs and their carers do everything they can to protect these vulnerable residents, including getting the vaccine each year.

Deborah said she put up posters about the flu vaccine around the houses and checked up with staff reminding them about but she said she was basically pushing an open door.

“The staff were just fantastic. It was their vigilance and excellence of care that got us a full uptake of the vaccine. Everyone knew what they had to do and the importance of doing it to protect our residents. Some would be very vulnerable to respiratory tract infections so it’s vital that we keep them safe and well,” she said.

Deborah said staff were determined to keep up the momentum.

“We will have a peer flu fighter on site permanently from now on as one of the staff nurses has completed the training. Everyone has a great, positive attitude towards the vaccine,” she said.

“It’s actually the first year that I have actually surveyed the staff about the vaccine but I would imagine that there was practically 100% uptake every year. Maybe we could have been winning the award every year!”

The LOFT have just released their autumn programme, and there really is something for everyone. There is a wide range of free programmes, groups and activities to suit different ages and interests. From music, to movie nights, fitness, accredited training, one to one support, retro gaming nights and much more. 

LOFT provides young people with an opportunity to make new friends, learn new skills and improve their confidence and self esteem. Young people who have never taken part in any programmes before are invited to get involved and try something new. The Covid-19 pandemic has had a big impact on young people’s lives, but Donegal Youth Service hope to give young people something to look forward to each week.

Gareth Gibson (Youth Information Manager at Donegal Youth Service) states: “We are committed to doing everything we can to provide a quality service to the young people and families in Donegal.  The Loft project, a partnership between Donegal Youth Service and Foroige would love to see more and more new faces joining in some of our very interesting programmes that are lined up for the Autumn, which I have no doubt will offer young people some much needed social interaction as well as opportunities to boost their confidence and resilience, and have some great fun along the way.”

Donegal Youth Service projects and programmes continue to operate throughout Level 3 in line with the schools and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs guidelines for youth work. We are following all public health guidelines and continue to operate our service in the safest possible way.

Autumn Programme

• Girls/Boys Group: New personal development groups for young people ages 12-15years. Socialise and gain confidence through group activities, music, art, games. Meet new people and learn new skills!
• Fit 4 Life: Keep your fitness up with our weekly sports and games taking place at the Aura Leisure Centre. Ages 12-24years. 
• World Wide Voices: Is a group to meet other young people from different cultures and backgrounds. Ages 12-24years. 
• Young Carers: A group for young people aged 12-24 that might have extra caring responsibilities at home. Connect with others, feel understood, chill out and have fun!
• Tea & Tunes: The name says it all – Lots of tea and music by and for the young people. No music ability necessary. 12-18years. 
• Leadership Programme: Gain leadership skills and have the opportunity to gain a NUIGalway accreditation through our new online leadership group.
• Drop In Event Nights: We’re open late every Friday night, until 9pm. And we’ll be hosting a different event every week including pool competitions, movie nights, quizzes, retro gaming nights etc.
• Saturday Drop In: Open 2pm-6pm, The Loft is free for young people to come and hang out, meet up with their friends, meet new people, talk to a youth worker, play pool or listen to music and just chill.
• One to One Support: The Loft can also provide additional one to one support for young people, with a member of our youth work team.

For more information or to sign up you can contact LOFT on Instagram or Facebook, call 0749129630 or email a LOFT staff member directly: www.donegalyouthservice.ie/who-we-are/the-team The LOFT, Donegal Youth Service, 16-18 Port Road, Letterkenny.

The LOFT is funded by TUSLA and jointly managed by Donegal Youth Service and Foroige. 

The number of Covid cases notified to the Department of Health within the past 24 hours was 1,012.

A total of 33 of these cases were in Donegal.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan has expressed worry at the figure which also included three more deaths.

Today’s figures bring the cumulative number of cases here to 41,714 while the overall death toll is now 1,824.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said: “I am very worried about the numbers we are seeing and how quickly they are deteriorating.

“All of today’s 1,012 cases were notified to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre over a period of 24 hours up to midnight.

“The 14-day incidence rate has increased from 108 per 100,000 last Sunday to 150 per 100,000 today, which represents a 39% increase.

“All of the important indicators of the disease are deteriorating. For example, there has been a consistent increase in test positivity over the past week. The test positivity rate up to midnight Friday 9th October was 6.2%, which has more than doubled in less than a fortnight.

“Case numbers are growing across all age groups and throughout the country,” said Dr Holohan.

Of the cases notified today 511 are men and 496 are women, 71% are under 45 years of age. The median age is 30 years old.

The breakdown of the cases is: 241 in Dublin, 112 in Cork, 80 in Cavan, 72 in Meath, 66 in Galway, and the remaining 441 cases are spread across 21 other counties.

The highest number of Covid-19 cases reported on a single day was 1,068 on 15 April. The deaths that day were 38.

A TRIO of Donegal jockeys were celebrating wins today – with two big-priced winners among them.

Luke McAteer, Martin Harley and Dylan Browne-McMonagle continued a fine recent spell for Donegal’s horsemen.

McAteer had a 40/1 winner at Limerick with Harley taking a 20/1 win in York while Browne-McMonagle steered a 7/4 favourite to victory at Limerick.

McAteer sealed his 20th success of 2020 with a superb win on Royal Pippen in the LimerickRaces.ie Race.

On the 40/1 shot, McAteer was held up in the rear before making a move at the halfway mark. In the end, McAteer was one-and-a-half lengths clear of Comfort Line (8/1).

Harley took the David O’Meara-trained Gulliver to victory at York.

The Trentagh man had a superb win on the 20/1 chance and won the Coral Sprint Trophy Handicap by over two lengths.

The 9/2 favourite Tranchee was second.

Browne-McMonagle won the Patrickswell Maiden aboard Augustine Leahy’s 7/4 favourite Improving.

The Letterkenny teenager was a comfortable winner, with almost five lengths to spare to the 100/30 Roundel.

Improved travelled superbly under Browne-McMonagle’s guidance and he marched on over the final furlong.

This was Browne-McMonagle’s 25th win of the year.

GARDAÍ were forced to take avoidance measures after a County Derry man performed a burnout and sped away from a Covid-19 checkpoint while on his way to do shopping in Donegal.

Alan Armstrong (49) of Clana Rury, Claudy, was before Buncrana District Court charged with dangerous driving arising out of an incident on April 26, 2020.

Gardaí were operating a Covid-19 checkpoint at Bridgend when they stopped a Mercedes coming from Derry. Armstrong informed Gardai that he was traveling from Claudy in County Derry to Aldi in Buncrana for shopping.

Gardaí informed Armstrong that he was traveling 35km and were in the process of going through Covid-19 enforcements when Armstrong performed a burnout manoeuvre, spun the back wheels of his car and ‘swayed over and back’.

Sergeant Jim Collins told the court that Garda Oates had to take avoidance action as Armstrong took off at speed. A number of Garda vehicles pursued for around 4km before he was stopped.

Solicitor for Armstrong said ‘the red mist came down’ on his client.

“There is no explanation.” Mr Kelly said. “He drives 70 miles a day for work, he has worked all his life and by all accounts is a model citizen. This is an aberration and i would ask that the court treat it as such.

“He cannot provide a reason for what he did. He was on medication, had been furloughed from work and was suffering from depression.

“His wife was in the car with him and asked him to calm down.

“He apologised to the Gardaí when he calmed down. He has never done anything like this before and he assures me that it won’t happen again.”

Judge Paul Kelly said that Armstrong’s action were ‘an appalling way to treat Gardaí who were performing a very difficult function when the country was in lockdown’.

“He was misbehaving on a number of fronts, first of all drive 35k into the jurisdiction when the country was almost closed completely,” Judge Kelly said.

“Then he behaved how he did. He put Gardaí in danger and that is just unacceptable.”

With Armstrong having no previous convictions and given that he tendered  a plea, Judge Kelly said he would allow the defendant to keep his licence on this occasion.

Judge Paul Kelly reduced the charge to one of careless driving and fined Armstrong €500.

A LIFFORD man found with almost €900 worth of drugs, nearly £4,000stg cash and a ‘tick list’ claimed the drugs were for use at a wedding.

The case of Paul McCay, Beechwood Park, Lifford, was before Letterkenny District Court.

Gardaí executed a search warrant under the misuse of drugs act at McCay’s home.

In the property, officers found 7.361 grammes of cocaine to the value of €505. 3.419 grammes of cannabis herb worth €68 and 313 diazepam tablets with a value of €313.

Officers also found £3,980 cash, two weigh scales and five pieces of paper which Gardaí believed amounted to a ‘tick list’

McCay was charged with possession of the controlled drugs and with possession with intent to supply or sell.

Solicitor for McCay, Mr Donough Cleary, said his client and some friends were going to use the drugs at a wedding the following day.

He said the cash was the proceeds of an insurance claim. “He cashed the cheque and there was nothing more sinister,” Mr Cleary said.

The court heard that McCay is a 43-year-old father of three who has had an addiction to diazepam.

“He has rehabilitated himself,” Mr Cleary said. “He is free from drugs and has embarked on an exercise regime.”

Judge Paul Kelly adjourned the case to January 11 to allow for the preparation of probation and community service reports.

THIS DONEGAL pub, in a prime location on the Wild Atlantic Way, is set to be sold for a snip.

The Piper’s Rest – described as being ‘prime potential’ is situation on the Main Street in Kilcar.

The busy tourist town is just a few miles from the iconic Sliabh Liag cliffs.

The Piper’s Rest will be sold by public auction on October 28. The minimum asking price is only €32,500.

The property is an old thatched roof pub with a large area to the rear which backs on to the Glenaddragh River

While the property requires ‘extensive refurbishment’, the seller says the bar has ‘serious potential’.

The public auction will take place at Wilsons Auctions on Naas Road Dublin on October 28.

DONEGAL could be moved to Level 4 of the Covid-19 restrictions later this week with the possibility of a ‘short, sharp’ full lockdown in Ireland looking more likely.

With cases in Donegal remaining high in spite of the county being at Level 3 since the end of September, the Government is closely considering increasing the restrictions.

The Cabinet is set to meet on Tuesday to discuss the country’s situation. While there are signs that the move to Level 3 is seeing the desire effect in Dublin, the high volume of cases in Donegal remains a concern.

There were 33 cases recorded in Donegal on Friday and Donegal’s 14-day incidence rate of Covid-19 cases remains the highest in the country.

There is now an increasingly likelihood that Ireland will go into another full lockdown inside the next two weeks.

Writing in today’s Sunday Independent, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said: “This would represent a short, hard lockdown to knock the virus on the head again, and reduce case numbers to a manageable level. Similar to a second lockdown – but not as long.

“It may well be needed at some point. No other country in Europe has tried this. It would be an experiment but it could work. In Israel is seems to be producing results.

“I know some say that a circuit break could save Christmas. I am not so sure. The problem is that when you’re in full lockdown it’s difficult to get out of it. As we’ve already learned, reopening is a lot harder than locking down.”

There are indications that, if current trends are followed, there will be 1,500 daily cases within 10 days.

Yesterday saw 1,012 new cases confirmed in Ireland and the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Holohan said that the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) was ‘very worried about the numbers and how quickly they are deteriorating’.

Varadkar outlined that the Government was aware of the implications of a full lockdown, for however short a timeframe.

“As we have already learned, reopening is a lot harder than locking down,” he wrote.

Varadkar said that supports would be in place for employees who lose their jobs and for businesses who have to close.

THE Republic of Ireland squad for today’s UEFA Nations League game against Wales has been hit with five players set to miss the tie over a positive Covid-19 test in the group.

A player tested positive for Covid-19 after returning from Thursday’s play-off in Slovakia.

That player and four others who were deemed as close contacts will also miss today’s game.

Players Aaron Connolly and Adam Idah missed the Slovakia game after being deemed as close contacts of an FAI staff member who tested positive. That diagnosis has now been revealed to have been a false positive.

An FAI statement today said:  “A player tested positive on Friday after a negative test on Monday but his case is not related in any way to that of the backroom team member who tested positive on Monday last.

Talks with the HSE late last night identified four other players as close contacts of this positive case and they have been stood down from the matchday squad for today’s game against Wales.

“In a separate development, the FAI can now reveal that the staff member who tested positive for Covid-19 in Bratislava on Wednesday, may have received a ‘false positive’ result.

“Two further tests carried out on the individual on Saturday have confirmed no trace of Covid-19. The HSE and UEFA have been informed of this result. The FAI will now discuss the issue with UEFA.”

RYAN McHugh says that a recent Covid-19 outbreak in the Donegal senior football squad served as a ‘wake-up call’.

Donegal return to action next Sunday for the first time March as they face Tyrone in the Allianz League at Sean Mac Cumhaill Park.

Two-time GAA All-Star McHugh was on Off The Ball on Saturday afternoon as part of a remote roadshow.

The Kilcar man told how Donegal had to halt training for two weeks recently after three players contracted Covid-19.

“In a strange way, we got the wake-up call we needed right on time,” McHugh said.

“Going back nearly three weeks, three of the squad actually tested positive.  We all had to isolate for 14 days then and action was stopped in the county.

“it’s different times. It’s just a matter of trying to adapt to these times and to focus and get the mentally around it that these things will happen and it’s about how you react to them when they do happen.”

McHugh should have been involved in the Donegal SFC final with Kilcar against Naomh Conaill today, but that game was shelved earlier in the week when the GAA decided to suspend club activity.

The game was originally postponed after a positive Covid-19 case and then moved from its next date, Wednesday last, October 7.

McHugh said: It’s extremely disappointing, but hopefully in the future we can get it played.”

The inter-county game will be back on the menu next weekend.  Donegal have League fixtures against Tyrone and Kerry before they welcome Tyrone to Ballybofey for an Ulster SFC clash on November 1.

McHugh believes the outbreak in the squad has reinforced the importance of continuing to follow the Covid-19 guidelines.

He said: “We missed no matches. Yeah we missed two weeks of training, which isn’t ideal, but we missed no matches over it. we actually got the wake-up call at the right time. You don’t want anyone to pick up Covid.

“We have talked about it the last couple of nights. We have to be that wee bit extra careful: Wear your mask everywhere you go, keep your distance, simple things like travel on your own in the car, if you’re going to work or training so you don’t put you or your team in jeopardy of missing out on a League of Championship match.

“The way we’re looking at it is if someone gets Covid, it’s just the same as getting a red card, you miss the match and could cost the game.”

PERMISSION has been granted for the construction of a housing development in the heart of Letterkenny.

An Bord Pleanála has granted permission for the development of 20 residential units at Glencar Scotch, Letterkenny.

It follows an appeal made by Hunters Wood Residents Association against a decision made in March by Donegal County Council to grant permission for the development.

Developer Gerard Kelly is to construct 20 units, comprising: eight semi-detached dwellings and 12 apartments configured in two separate blocks of six units, each containing four number two bedroom and two number one bedroom units.

The proposal included development of internal access roadway, pedestrian footpaths, internal communal play and open space areas, boundary treatments, connection to all main services and associated site development works including re-diverting existing foul sewer pipework which traverses the site.

An Bord Pleanála consider the appeal and granted the permission, subject to a number of conditions they have set out.

In its decision, An Bord Pleanála said: “It is considered that the proposed development, subject to compliance with the conditions set out below, would generally comply with national, regional and local policy objectives which seek to ensure compact growth, would not seriously injure the residential or visual amenities of the area, and would generally be acceptable in terms of traffic safety and convenience.

“The proposed development would, therefore, be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”

The conditions include specifications for the timing of constructions works, provisions regarding an open space development at the site and an estate name is to be agreed with Donegal County Council beforehand.

The site is to be landscaped and the developer is to lodge with the planning authority a cash deposit, a bond of an insurance company, or other security to secure the completion and maintenance of roads, footpaths, water mains, drains and open spaces until the site is taken in charge by the local authority.

SCHOOLS in Ireland will NOT have a longer mid-term break, the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, has confirmed.

There had been a suggestion that schools would be shut for a longer break at the end of this month.

Speaking on This Week on RTÉ, Donnelly stated categorically that this will not be the case.

“There isn’t going to be a longer mid-term break,” he said.

“It is based on some very good news out of schools. The teachers, principals and schools have done an incredible job.

“A lot of parents, teachers and schools heard the suggestion and quite rightly they are looking for clarity.

“I received a briefing this weekend. The evidence, I’m delighted to say, is that schools are not contributing to a rise in numbers. If we look at the number of school-age children who had the virus before the schools opened and afterwards, they are about the same.

“The reports I’m getting is that schools are safe and there is a low-level of transmission for adults.”

Donnelly said that the ‘educational cost’ of having the schools closed was ‘very profound’ and keeping schools opened remained high on the Government’s priorities.

In a statement, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin echoed the comments of the Minister for Health.

“The reopening of our schools has shown what can be done with collective effort and compliance with safety guidance and sensible measures,” Martin said.

“As a result, the mental, educational and physical well-being of our nation’s children has been protected and enhanced.

“Keeping our schools open remains a key priority of government – to ensure that the life chances of our young people will not be impaired.”

THERE are 14 patients in Letterkenny University Hospital being treated for Covid-19. 

As of 8pm last night, there was an increase of four patients receiving Covid-19 treatment at the hospital.

Three of the patients at LUH are in the intensive care unit, one of whom is a suspect coronavirus case.

Records from the hospital show that there were 23 general beds vacant at LUH

There are six suspect Covid-19 cases in LUH.

The 1,012 new cases reported by health officials yesterday was the second highest daily total of cases. The highest, 1,068, was recorded in April.

THE Killybegs Fisherman’s Organisation (KFO) CEO, Seán O’Donoghue, has said that it would be ‘rank hypocrisy’ for the UK to expect to slam the door and keep the gains it enjoyed while part of the EU.

The complexity of moulding Britain’s future relationship with the EU is nowhere more evident than in fisheries, Mr O’Donogue said.

The KFO chief said the UK should not expect to retain the privileges of membership while blocking its erstwhile European colleagues from its waters and doubling its catch.

He is adamant that the UK should no longer benefit from the additional fishing opportunities it was granted after joining the EEC in 1973, particularly when the total allowable caches and quotas were decided in the early eighties.

After the UK joined the European Union, it was compensated for potential losses of fishing opportunities in third country waters due to the extension of Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) in 1976 to 200 miles.

This amounted to 26 per cent (volume) increase in fishing opportunities covering seven species, added to the UK historical catches in establishing its final percentage share out known as relative stability. These additional opportunities were duly taken out of the share of other member states.

Mr O’Donoghue said: “When you leave a club, you relinquish the privileges that were afforded to you when you were a member. It’s a simple as that. It is crystal clear, the 26 per cent increase in fishing opportunities which was granted by the EU to the UK should end with UK membership.

“With Britain now playing hardball on fisheries and fighting to doubling its catch, the EU negotiators must clearly spell out that the starting point in any fisheries negotiations has to exclude any additional catches it obtained, as part of the EU.  On top of this, the UK was also in receipt of another inducement in the shape of ‘Hague Preferences’ which amounts to an additional increase in volume in certain stocks.

“All four Irish producer organisations will be making that point to the Taoiseach, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine tomorrow (Monday) when we meet to discuss the potential impact of Brexit on our industry,” concluded Mr O’Donoghue.

The KFO position is fully supported by the European Fisheries Alliance (EUFA) which is roundly calling for the UK not to enjoy both independent coastal state status and the benefits of EU membership.

HEALTH officials in Northern Ireland region announced 1,066 cases and one further Covid-19 related death today.

The North’s death toll is now 588.

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus, 20,158 infections have been recoded in Northern Ireland – with 5,909 of those in the last week.

In the Derry City and Strabane Council area, there have been 1,426 new cases in the last seven days.

In the North’s hospitals, there are 137 Covid-19 patients, 19 of whom are in intensive care settings.

A DONEGAL woman was part of a team that has won a prestigious national healthcare award.

Nicola Perry from Lough Eske in Donegal Town and her colleagues in the diabetes antenatal team at Altnagelvin Hospital won the Quality Improvement and Innovation Award at the British Medical Journal Awards (BMJ), which were held virtually this week.

Nicola is pictured centre, right with other members of the team. Picture taken pre-Covid

The team won the award for their innovation in caring for women with gestational diabetes.

The Team, led by Dr Athinyaa Thiraviaraj, claimed the award in a highly-contested category with hundreds of applicants across the UK. They overcame competition from five other finalists from across the UK.

The Team offers joint antenatal and diabetes care for women with diabetes in pregnancy.

Gestational Diabetes increases the risk of complications in pregnancy for mother and baby. It is a growing public health concern that affects 8 to 14 percent of pregnancies annually in the Derry/Londonderry area.

The team is multi-disciplinary in nature and is made up of consultants in Obstetrics and Diabetes, midwives, diabetes specialist nurses, diabetes specialist dietitians, administrative staff, health care assistants and service managers.

The team was mobilised through the ‘Big Room’ concept, facilitated by the Flow Coaching methodology.  A Big Room meeting provided a space and platform for everyone involved in providing this service to meet regularly, including users of the service.

The team met weekly to continuously evaluate and improve the care experience of ladies with GDM, whilst removing inefficiencies in the process.