East Coast FM Wicklow News

The number of people who have died with the virus hasn't been published in recent weeks due to the recent cyber attack.

16 year-old Randaor Gatwech disappeared from Roundwood and was last seen in Bray Dart Station yesterday afternoon getting the Dart to Dublin.

Gardai in Dublin are appealing for witnesses to a hit and run in Tallaght, in which a cyclist was seriously injured.

There are calls for full transparency surrounding a planning application by Kilsaran Concrete Ltd, to develop what would be the largest landfill facility in the country, here in Wicklow.

Northern Ireland is facing instability following the resignation of Edwin Poots as DUP leader last night.

The deputy Chief Medical Officer is defending a demonstration showing how antigen tests could be manipulated.

The Green Party wants schools to become solar-powered.

Ireland will get the largest share of the EU's Brexit fund, with the money to help sectors impacted most by the UK leaving the European Union.

There are calls for new safeguards on 24 hour "dial-a-drink" services.

A new safety drive by the Coastguard aims to reduce the response time to emergencies along North Dublin's coast.

The vaccine portal for those aged 35-39 will open on Sunday.

A new government funding allocation worth €99,000 will see a number of historic buildings and structures in Wicklow benefit from conservation and maintenance works.

A campaign group is calling on members of the public in West Wicklow to tell them why having a swimming pool would be important to them.

A number of projects in Wicklow are to benefit from government funding worth €759,000 to help improve outdoor amenities and walking trails around the county.

People who don't follow news coverage of Covid-19 are more likely to be vaccine hesitant.

A convicted rapist from South County Dublin has gone on trial accused of making death threats against the legal team who prosecuted his case.

Agreement has been reached between the main parties in Northern Ireland to continue the Stormont Executive, following the resignation of Arlene Foster.

Sinn Féin has a four point lead on its nearest rivals Fine Gael in the latest opinion poll.

The Dáil last night passed the Climate Action Bill following a 4 hour debate.

Delays in delivering 42 new social houses in Kilbride Court in Bray have been resolved and it’s expected that tenants will receive their keys in the coming weeks.

An investigation's underway after a teenager was killed in a workplace accident in Co. Waterford.

The inquiry into the Manchester Arena terror attack is publishing its first report later, into the security operation at the Ariana Grande concert in 2017.

Earlier this year, an inquest found the teenager likely got lost in the jungle, after leaving her family's cottage on her own.

There's an appeal for information about a man missing from Wexford since yesterday.

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.

New legislation is to be drafted to tackle the issue at black spots around the country.

Late Late Toy Show star Adam King is set to star in his own kids TV show.

The Tánaiste says a United Ireland can happen within his lifetime.

A small firms group is calling for a more rapid tapering off of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment.

The Chief Medical Officer's stance on the use of antigen testing's expected to come under scrutiny when he appears before an Oireachtas Committee later.

Almost 9 thousand people died from heart disease in Ireland last year, according to the Irish Heart Foundation, which says it killed more woman in 2020 than breast, cervical and ovarian cancer combined.

There won't be a voting pact between the government parties in the upcoming Dublin Bay South by-election.

Almost a quarter of 9 year old's were found to be overweight or obese, according to a new report.

Traffic restrictions are expected to be in place at a number of locations throughout Wicklow from today weather permitting

More than 3 billion euro has been wiped off Coca-Cola's share price.

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

The Harbour Bar in Bray and the Whale Theatre in Greystones are among a number of venues nationwide that will share in government funding worth €25 million to help gigs and concerts happen this year.

A sister of a fisherman who was stabbed to death in a row over a stash of drugs has spoken of her anger that he was left on the floor to "die like a dog."

It's expected the by-election in Dublin Bay South will be held on the 8th of July.

Work is underway this week to replace an old watermain on Glen Road in Delgany, which Irish Water says will safeguard the water supply and increase water pressure to homes and businesses in the area.

An inquiry into the misuse of Covid-19 vaccines at the Beacon Hospital in Dublin has yet to be filed.

Gardai in Wicklow say they will now adopt a zero tolerance approach to people who park their vehicles illegally at scenic and beach locations in the county.

A 42 acre site in North Dublin is to be rezoned, which could pave the way for 2,200 new homes to be built in the area.

The Labour Party's proposing the price of land be capped to make housing more affordable.

A full return to college campuses is on course for the autumn.

The head of Tusla will offer an apology to adopted people for the hurt caused when dealing with the agency.

Cabinet will consider extra restrictions on people travelling into Ireland from Britain this morning, after a surge in cases of the Delta variant in England, with the strain fast becoming dominant there.

Travel between EU states over the summer has moved a step closer.

Wicklow County Council says the works will commence at 7 o’clock each evening.

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

Despite warnings from Gardai, there was more parking chaos caused by visitors to Wicklow over the weekend.

It’s believed a Wicklow school is one of three primary schools around the country that have decided not to use a new relationships and sexuality education syllabus, devised by the Irish Bishops Conference.

The village of Enniskerry is closed this week, as filming on the Disney movie “Disenchanted” continues.

Gardai are to be given additional powers under new legislation being proposed by government.

Social Justice Ireland says school closures could reverse a lot of the progress made in tackling educational disadvantage.

A four week delay is expected to be announced in the easing of England's Covid-19 restrictions.

People over 50 will be able to get a Covid-19 vaccine from their local pharmacist from today.

The Government will continue to consider possible travel restrictions with Britain amid fears surrounding the Delta variant.

The number of people with Covid-19 in ICU is at its lowest level this year.

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

Members of the Mother and Baby Homes Commission have refused to appear before an Oireachtas committee for a third time.

Ministers from across Ireland and the UK gathered for the British Irish Council in County Fermanagh earlier today.

Gemma Greene, from Bunratty Road, Coolock, Dublin, hasn't yet indicated how she intends to plead.

Temporary toilet facilities have been installed at South Beach car park in Greystones in an effort to support outdoor activities over the summer months.

Bray in north Wicklow is among a list of 30 towns that will be targeted in a nationwide Day of Action, being organised by the Irish farmers association today.  

Capel Street and Parliament Street in Dublin city centre will be made traffic free from today. The trial plan is being brought in this evening at weekends so people can eat outdoors.

So far over 3 million people have been given a dose of a Covid vaccine and by the end of today one million people will be fully vaccinated.

Dublin City Council is selling two houses in Smithfield for 35 thousand euro.

British Airways has furloughed thousands of its staff.

The National Public Health Emergency Team has been wary of the tests despite numerous experts endorsing them.

Consumer spending levels increased by 10 per cent in May, compared to April, as non-essential retail re-opened.

A Dublin man who took a High Court case against a Wicklow company after he lost the central vision in his left eye when he accidentally shot himself with a paintball gun, has lost his action for damages.

A serving Garda is due in court this morning after being charged with offences relating to coercive control.

The new Greystones Community National School is due to be handed over to the project management team this morning.

A state watchdog says many of the country's mental health units are outdated and not fit for purpose.

Over 1,600 older people are on the waiting list for home-support packages.

Pettitt’s SuperValu arrives in North Wicklow today as the supermarket chain opens the doors to its new store in Bray.  

It’s been a busy few days for Arklow RNLI.

New figures show Wicklow County Council issued almost 1,000 litter fines in the past year.

There's less than two hours to go until one of the best eclipse events in recent years takes place.

The Government says it’s too early to say if the social distancing rule will be reduced, to allow more people to return to the office.

All employees will be entitled to 10 sick days a year from 2025 under plans agreed by cabinet this morning.

The party told members to pretend to be from a made up polling organisation when carrying out research ahead of elections.

Rental protections have been extended until January next year.

The Digital Green Cert proposal has been passed by the European Parliament.

A mother who had 9 babies last month may have had her record beaten by a woman who claims she has just given birth to 10.

Leaving Cert Exams get underway for the class of 2021 today.

Cabinet Ministers will discuss new laws to ban landlords from charging large upfront payments to secure accommodation.

The European Commission Vice President and the UK's Brexit Minister will meet later in what's being seen as a key meeting on the Northern Ireland protocol.

Plans for a 698 bed student accommodation development in south Dublin have been given the green light by an Bord Pleanála.

A local pride group says the Pride Flags will fly again over Waterford city show that Waterford's LGBTQ+ community is not afraid.

More than 3,400 complaints were made to the Ombudsman about public services last year.

A leading immunologist says the rise of the Delta variant of Covid-19 on the island of Ireland is worrying.

It's being reported that the UK's Chancellor Rishi Sunak is willing to accept a four-week delay to England's so-called 'freedom day' because of a rise in cases.

A feasibility study has been commissioned to access the need of developing a Youth and Community Arts Centre in Wicklow Town.

Investigations are continuing after Gardai arrested a Lithuanian man in Wicklow recently,  which opened up an international investigation into suspected catalytic converter theft.

There are calls once again for tougher measures to be introduced at scenic spots and beaches in Wicklow during the summer months, after another weekend of chaos.

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.

The Mayor of Waterford says the death of a baby in a dog attack at the weekend is "too awful for words."

Irish Rail is to introduce on the spot fines on the DART service, in an effort to clamp down on antisocial behaviour.

The number of Covid-19 patients in Irish hospitals has fallen to its lowest point since mid-September last year.

In-person driver theory tests resume today at testing centres in Wicklow and around the country.

Tens of thousands of Leaving Cert students are spending their last day studying, ahead of the exams getting underway tomorrow.

Mental health issues, care of unaccompanied minors and domestic violence all feature in the latest reports from the Child Care Law Reporting project.

A new law to crackdown on puppy smuggling in the UK been described as a game changer for animal welfare.

A 20-year-old Canadian man has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one of attempted murder after driving his pickup truck into a Muslim family

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

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.

There’s good news for commuters in North Wicklow as Irish Rail resumes a full weekday timetable for the first time in four months this morning.

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.

The figures compare to a rise of 6.4% on the previous year.

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 Garden County will feature in a new television series on travel,  which will be broadcast throughout the US. 

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

A woman in her 20s has died in a two vehicle collision in County Wexford earlier today.

The CEO of Ryanair says it's unrealistic to expect the EU to have a Europe wide digital vaccine passport to facilitate travel this summer.

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.

The Education Minister says there's no plans to introduce mass testing for schools as part of this month's re-opening.

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.

Health Minister Wicklow TD Stephen Donnelly has come under criticism for saying a Zero Covid strategy is not possible in Ireland.

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.

New car registrations are up 6% compared to this time last year.

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.

Junior Cert 2021 has also been cancelled after a meeting of the cabinet sub-committee on education.

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.

While the government's also preparing significantly increased fines for people who try to go on holiday during the pandemic.

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.

Parts of the Sandymount Seafront in Dublin will be reduced to one way traffic from March 1st to allow for a new cycle route.

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.

The fixture list for the upcoming S-S-E Airtricity First Division season was released today, before a final decision on licensing has been agreed.

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 HSE is reviewing homeless deaths in Dublin last year.

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.

More than 1,500 people have died in nursing home settings since the start of the pandemic.

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.