Nurses win right for paid half-days to attend festivals

NURSES have won the right to take two paid half-days to attend the Mary From Dungloe and Rory Gallagher festivals after taking their case to the Labour Court.

Nurses in Galway are also entitled to take a half-day’s paid leave to attend the annual Galway Races.

The right of up to 100 Donegal nurses to take leave for the two local festivals was copper-fastened in a Labour Court recommendation earlier this month. The practice of giving half-days first began 40 years ago when nurses couldn’t physically access patients as roads around the towns were blocked off because off the festival. After a two-year stoppage, it will restart this year.