East Coast FM Wicklow News

Penneys has launched a clothes take back system across it's 36 Irish stores.

41 per cent more mortgages were drawn down in the third quarter of this year, compared to the same period last year.

International football matches are not covered by ticket-touting legislation yet, according to the Minister for Trade Promotion.

The chief medical officer says it's vital to protect the most vulnerable from Covid-19, as the situation worsens.

A yellow rain warning's in place in 10 counties today - and flooding is expected.

477 patients are waiting on hospital trolleys this morning according to the INMO.

Irish Rail is planning a series of works on the Dublin to Rosslare line over ten years to protect the tracks from climate change.

Parents are gifting their children an estimated 1 billion euro a year to purchase homes

Talks between Government officials and groups representing nightclubs and late-night venues will take place this morning.

An expert government committee has released a programme to cut Ireland's greenhouse emissions in half inside a decade.

The forestry sector in Ireland could lose as many as 12 thousand jobs due to the backlog in granting afforestation and felling licences.

The scheme provides funding for the development, promotion and maintenance of outdoor amenities in rural communities across the country.

2,466 people have tested positive, bringing the five-day moving average to 2,123.

The sod has been turned on a new €20 million hub to connect bus services across south and west Dublin.

A 39-year-old man who stabbed his wife the day after she told him she wanted to continue with divorce proceedings, has been handed a life sentence for her murder.

A boil water notice has been put in place in Wexford town affecting around 21,000 residents.

Bank of Ireland is to buy most of KBC Bank Ireland's loans as part of a 5 billion euro deal.

The 14-day incidence rate of Covid-19 has increased by 35 per cent this month.

Late night entertainment returns today, with venues allowed operate at full capacity when they reopen tonight.

A woman's died and a man's been injured after Alec Baldwin discharged a prop firearm on a movie set.

Up to 1,500 people will be allowed to stand at indoor gig venues under new government guidelines.

It will apply between 8am and 9pm everyday, while 24 hour access will be given in distressing circumstances or if delivery is expected.

Wicklow T.D. John Brady says the government has is to address a situation in Wicklow and around the country, where property owners in flood affected areas are being treated in a blatantly unfair manner.

Wicklow and Wexford are among thirteen counties nationwide that will benefit in a share of almost €5 million in funding under the Healthy Community Programme.

A €35 million housing development in Ashford has been granted permission by An Bord Pleanala, despite local opposition and a recommendation from Wicklow County Council that the scheme should not be allowed to proceed.

A member of NPHET says we're facing a difficult period over the next month and more Covid restrictions could be on the cards.

New operational guidelines for bars, nightclubs and live venues are expected to be published today.

A former FBI agent says he believes a serial killer may have murdered several women in Ireland in the 1990s.

Wicklow County Council are taking extra safety precautions to prevent people using the closed-off section of the cliff walk between Bray and Greystones.

National Slow Down Day is underway this morning and will run until 7 o'clock tomorrow morning.

The Dáil will today consider a proposal for the early release of the 1926 census - which was the first in the history of the state.

The Taoiseach Micheál Martin will join other EU leaders in Brussels today for the start of a two-day summit.

63 deaths related to Covid-19 have been reported to the Department of Health over the past week.

Parents in Wicklow and around the country are once again being warned to be vigilant about cannabis jellies in the run up to Halloween.

Gardai searching for fireworks as part of Operation Tombola have seized counterfeit clothes worth over €4,000, and a sum of cash.

Gardaí are appealing for information on a crash on the M9 this morning.

The countdown is under in Wicklow town for the introduction of a new one-way system on the Main Street which will come in to force on the 31st of October.

The Higher Education Minister says every stage of the reopening of society has thrown up tricky scenarios.

A primary school in County Wicklow will remain closed for in-person teaching today, after reporting an outbreak of Covid 19.

Failte Ireland's expected to publish its updated guidelines for the hospitality sector today.

About 26 children and young people have been contacting Childline every week about suicide over the past year.

A charity supporting survivors of sexual abuse had to suspend its waiting list when it reached a two year delay during lockdown.

Only 60,000 premises will be connected under the National Broadband Plan this year - compared to the original target of 115,000.

Nearly 58,000 people are on the waiting list for a driving test.

Legislation to allow for e-scooters and e-bikes on Irish roads could be in place by Christmas.

The highest number of Covid cases since January 22nd has been recorded today.

About 93,400 people will receive the Pandemic Unemployment Payment this week, a slight fall on last week. Over 2,700 of those payments are to recipients here in the garden county.

Hollywood National  did not open to pupils for in class teaching today with Principal Séamas Ó Briain declining to comment on the development.

Minister of State Patrick O’Donovan was in Wicklow earlier today to announce funding worth €5.45 for the conservation of Kilmacurragh House, located in the Kilmacurragh National Botanic Gardens just off the N11.

Wicklow Gardai have raided a grow house in Glenmalure discovering 55 cannabis plants.

The planned re-opening of nightclubs and other sectors can go ahead on Friday with Digital Covid Certs in place.

This year's Barn Dance Festival better known as The BD Festival due to take place this weekend in Glendalough, has been postponed.

The Health Minister Wicklow TD Stephen Donnelly says vaccinated close contacts are now going to be sent antigen tests to do themselves.

The current timeline for sitting the Leaving Cert in June and receiving results in August is not fit for purpose. 

The National Immunisation Advisory Committee has approved the use of booster Covid-19 vaccines for people over 60.

It's emerged nearly 100,000 euro of public funds was spent on a Covid vaccination centre in South Wicklow that was never put to use.

Cabinet Ministers will meet this morning to decide whether an easing of Covid restrictions will go ahead on Friday. NPHET briefed the Government yesterday.

The amount of Covid-19 testing has increased by up to 35 per cent in the space of a week.

There were over 1,000 cases of children going missing from state residential care between 2018 and 2020.

A motion making it much more difficult for developers to change the use of student accommodation blocks has been passed by Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.

Recent insurance renewal costs jumped on average by 15 percent, according to a new survey.

The iconic shelters along Clontarf promenade in Dublin are to become protected structures.

The Department of Health says the five-day moving average of cases has now fallen to 1,736.

The National Public Health Emergency Team is meeting today to discuss the final easing of restrictions on Friday.

A primary school at the centre of a large Covid-19 outbreak in Co. Wexford is to remain closed this week.

The government's first ever Carbon Budget will be launched in the coming days in order to meet climate targets.

Ireland could be in line for thousands of jobs at Facebook.

Portlaoise is the cleanest town in the country.

People are being asked for their views on the courts services, in particular the number and types of judges needed,

NPHET is to meet today to advise the Government on whether to ease restrictions further on Friday.

12 pop up clinics are being opened for students at colleges today so they can receive their second vaccine.

Tributes are being paid to poet and author Brendan Kennelly who has died, aged 85.

A man in his late teens is due in court today, after being arrested following a robbery and assault in Dublin city centre.

It's likely there'll be severe traffic restrictions during rush hour in Dublin this morning due to issues with a major water pipe supplying the city.

The Transport Minister has confirmed the Nitelink will return next week, subject to the economy re-opening.

The average personal injuries award has dropped by 10,000 euro since new guidelines were introduced.

The Criminal Assets Bureau has seized over 165 million euro worth of property since it was established this day 25 years ago.

Farmers, small businesses and the fishing industry can apply for low-cost loans to help them deal with the impact of Brexit.

Concerns have been raised at the costs incurred by the Department of Education in providing temporary accommodation, land, prefabs, and former educational buildings in County Wicklow.

The funeral of Chieftains founder Paddy Moloney is taking place in Co Wicklow today.

A row has erupted after it emerged that a number of public representatives were not invited to attend the opening of a new Primary Care Centre in Rathdrum earlier this week.

Prices continue to rise at a faster pace outside Dublin.

The airport says the money will be invested in a proposed solar farm, low emission vehicles, and extra electric car charging points.

The entire independent radio sector and RTÉ are coming together for the first time ever to grow investment in advertising on the radio.

The National Broadband Plan has revised downward its target to connect 115,000 homes this year, to 60,000.

The Higher Education Minister says college campuses need to work with town and city councils, to ensure a safer environment for students travelling home from nights out.

The Environmental Protection Agency says the public's health is being put at risk by the current drinking water arrangements.

The Taoiseach says a decision is expected in the coming days on the further rollout of booster Covid vaccines.

Five people were killed in bow and arrow attacks in Norway yesterday.

A member of NPHET has expressed concerns about plans to ease almost all restrictions on October 22nd.

There’s been a fall in the number of people claiming the Pandemic Unemployment Payment in Wicklow.

First issued in early February, the notice affects 213 residences from Barndarrig village to parts of Kilbride.

The Minister for Higher Education Wicklow TD Simon Harris has said progress in advancing a Technological University in Wexford is progressing at a significant pace.

Gardai have arrested a man in connection with alleged corrupt practices at the Kildare and Wicklow Education Training Board.

The following arrangements are in place for Wicklow County Council Offices and the Municipal District Offices for week commencing Monday, 7th June, 2021.

Last month, a jury found Ms Morley NOT guilty of murdering her three children in their home at Parson’s Court, Newcastle, Co Dublin, by reason of insanity.

An increase in tax revenue is behind a slight improvement in the exchequer deficit.

The Seanad is debating extending the quarantine rules until the 31st of July.

The numbers in Kildare are less than Wicklow and Meath combined.

The competition, which has been held annually for the past 60 years, was cancelled last summer due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Former Debenhams workers have accepted an offer of a three million euro training, upskilling and business start-up fund.

More than 13 weeks since it was first put in place, Irish Water says the Do Not Consume Notice for 213 customers supplied by Barndarrig Public Water Supply, remains in place.

Gardai have issued a warning that Covid-19 doesn’t take the weekend off for house parties or social gatherings.

Jonathan Dowdall, with an address on the Navan Road in Dublin, was brought before the Special Criminal Court this morning.

Plans are underway for an urban greenway between the Grand Canal and Lucan.

The RSA believes drug-driving detections will continue to rise for the foreseeable future as enforcement levels go up.

Over 11,500 people have attended the walk-in Covid testing centres open since last week.

The CEO of the VHI has stepped aside while the board of the company investigates how he received a Covid vaccine at the Beacon Hospital in Dublin.

The City Council says it is investigating a number of options.

The Wicklow parents of a young boy waiting two years for an urgent hip correction operation, say they feel they have been ignored by the health service.

Ireland's newest outdoor tourism attraction is being officially launched today.

The €25 million facility near the IFSC was given the go ahead in 2019.

Over 750 individual dumping sites have been removed from the Dublin and Wicklow uplands in the past year.

More than half of women in Ireland would not use public transport at night over safety concerns.

Members of the public are being asked to give their input on a Masterplan for Glendalough and the Wicklow Mountains National Park. 

Almost €2 Million in funding has been secured for the second phase of a tourism project involving local authorities in Wicklow, Wexford and Waterford, with their counterparts in Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion in Wales.

Wicklow Minister Simon Harris has welcomed the County Council move to carry out a social audit in Delgany after planning permission was granted for a housing development on the former lands of the Carmelite nuns.

Last year homophobic and racist graffiti, targeting the Minister for children Roderic O’Gorman and the Dublin Mayor Hazel Chu, appeared in various locations around Bray.

Local authorities received over 78 thousand environmental complaints in 2019, most of which related to waste issues.

Over 7,800 new social homes were delivered in 2020, including over 5,000 new builds, according to the Department of Housing.

The Department of Education has granted Woodbrook College funding for a substantial extension to their premises in North Wicklow.

€50 million in funding has been announced to support the live performance sector.

His comments come as an overhaul of the CAO system is planned.

The funding is being given to projects in areas including the north and south inner city, Dundrum, Balbriggan, and Adamstown.

The Garda Commissioner is to look again at the resourcing of public order units and push for the early vaccination of gardai against Covid 19.

A swimming pool for West Wicklow has been named as a priority project under the County Council’s Capital Plan with €50,000 being allocated for a feasibility study in 2021.

The current Covid-19 travel restrictions are being partly blamed for an increase in electrical items being dumped in waste bins in Wicklow in January of this year.

In a joint statement issued last night, the football associations here, Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland welcomed backing from the UK government for the bid, describing it as an "incredible opportunity".

Plans to build a 13 storey apartment block just opposite the train Station overlooking Dun Laoghaire harbour, is facing strong opposition from locals.

Over €1.5 million in funding has been made available for home adaptation works for older people and those living with disabilities in Wicklow.

New laws on mandatory hotel quarantine have now passed all stages in the Oireachtas.

Irish Water expects construction work on the Arklow Wastewater Treatment Plant to begin in the second half of the year.

19 counties had an increase in vacant business premises in the final three months of last year.

A new online survey has been launched by the Minister for higher education Simon Harris on the provision of school places in Wicklow.

The Shoreline Leisure Centre is Greystones has replaced Charlesland Golf Club as a Covid 19 vaccination centre after it was deemed by the HSE to be too small for their needs.

The figures for 2020 show an increase of over €81 million on the numbers for 2019.

CervicalCheck is warning a lack of trust in screening programmes is causing women with cancer to risk their health and lives.

Wicklow County Council has rejected a claim that boxing coach Pete Taylor should be granted an injunction, preventing the council from terminating either his or Bray Boxing Club’s legal interest in a premises previously used by them at the harbour in Bray.

The Social Democrats have called for a free vote on their private members motion, which they say is vital to ensure that survivors and their families, who are angered by the commission’s findings, get the answers they are seeking.

Three people have appeared before the Special Criminal Court accused of laundering money allegedly made through criminal means.

It makes Ireland the world leader in share of the grid from onshore wind energy.

Dublin Airport is seeking contractors as part of expansion plans worth up to €50 million.

A former teacher at Terenure College in Dublin has been jailed for eight years for abusing 23 boys at the private school between 1973 and 1990.

An Bord Pleanála has granted permission for a 232 unit housing development on the former lands of the Carmelite nuns in Delgany.

Irish Water says plans to build a new reservoir in Saggart  will help to safeguard supplies to homes and businesses in the Greater Dublin Area. 

Gardai are to be given extra powers to stop scrambler bikes and quads being used in public parks, on waste ground and beaches.

Over €12.5 million in funding has been announced for the maintenance of regional and local roads in County Wicklow.

Wicklow Minister Simon Harris has called on the County Council to apply for funding from the OPW towards temporary ongoing remedial works at the Breaches in Kilcoole.

The National Transport Authority says the projects, which includes €1.2 million for the Strand road cycle route and €50,000 for the Arklow to Woodenbridge and Shillelagh route, will provide high quality facilities for cyclists and walkers.

A new €60 million COVID Business Aid Scheme is being made available by the government.

A man has been arrested after cocaine worth €150,000 was seized in Sallins in County Kildare.

The government today expanded the eligibility criteria, which will see cards available to all those who are terminally ill and have a prognosis of up to 24 months.

Local celebrity chef Catherine Fulvio has been nominated for 7 Taste awards in the United States for her television series A Taste of Ireland at Ballyknocken Cookery School.

Six people died on Irish roads last month despite a significant drop off in traffic volume.

A closure order has been issued for an outbuilding occupied by a food company in Wicklow, where mouse droppings were found.

A new Daft.ie report shows the average rent paid in Ireland is over €1,400.

A Wexford Fianna Fail senator has drafted legislation which he says will overcome a legal issue preventing local authorities in Wicklow and around the country, from using CCTV footage to prosecute people accused of illegal dumping.

The National Immunisation Advisory Committee's recommending that any currently authorised Covid 19 vaccine can be given to adults of all ages, including those aged 70 and older.

Gardai have confirmed the woman who has been in a serious condition since the attack near the IFSC was pronounced dead at the Mater Hospital today.

Construction is set to start in the next few months on almost 600 public housing units in South County Dublin.

Hauliers travelling from Ireland to France can now avail of free Covid-19 antigen testing at a new site at Holmestown jsut outside Wexford town.

The mother of a boy who was murdered in 2019 has called for changes to a law prohibiting the identification of child homicide victims to be fast-tracked.

A new traffic management layout is in place on the N11 southbound carriageway between Junctions 7, the Bray south exit at Hills Garage and junction 8, the Roundwood exit at Kilmacanogue.