Author name: highlandnews

Ireland should take Austrain-inspired approach to housing crisis – MEP Mullooly

Ireland must take an Austrian-inspired approach to the housing crisis. That’s according to Midlands-North-West MEP Ciaran Mullooly. He says the model would combine high-quality social housing with mixed-income communities, encouraging integration while keeping rents affordable. MEP says Government plans to deliver 300,000 new homes before 2030 won’t be done unless the new housing Minister adapts

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Fianna Fáil polling to conclude this evening on upcoming programme for Government

Polling of Fianna Fail members is expected to conclude in the next hour on the upcoming programme for Government. A special Ard Fheis is being held in Dublin by the party, which has seen protestors outside calling for the Occupied Territories Bill to be enacted. Meanwhile, the issue of speaking time for Independent TDs supporting

Fianna Fáil polling to conclude this evening on upcoming programme for Government Read More »

Tanaiste says nearly every line of Occupied Territories Bill must be amended before passed

The Tanaiste says almost every single line of the Occupied Territories Bill will have to be amended before it can be passed. The Fianna Fail leader is at his party’s Ard Fheis in Dublin today for members to vote on the new programme for Government. Outside, protestors have accused the party of supporting genocide. But

Tanaiste says nearly every line of Occupied Territories Bill must be amended before passed Read More »

Calls for EU to increase funding to counter animal disease outbreaks

There are calls on the EU to increase funding to counter animal disease outbreaks across member states Since 2023, Ireland has seen a rise of almost 6 per cent in bovine TB nationwide. Three cases of avian influenza were also detected in wild birds in Northern Ireland yesterday. Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh says “ambitious”

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Applications invited for latest strand of the Town Centre Heritage First Revival Scheme

  The second call for applications under Strand 2 of THRIVE, the Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme, has been launched. €85 Million in funding is being made available in funding for the restoration of vacant or derelict heritage buildings in public ownership, with €25 million of that set aside for the Northern and Western

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Donegal Libraries offering height adjustable tables at five centres across the county

Donegal County Library Service has purchased five height adjustable tables, which are being located at the libraries in Letterkenny, Buncrana, the Twin Towns, Milford and Gweedore. The tables can be used by wheelchair users, people with hidden disabilities and by parents and caregivers who have young infants in prams. They can be used for group

Donegal Libraries offering height adjustable tables at five centres across the county Read More »

Man (20s) arrested in connection with large drugs seizure at Rosslare Europort

A man in his 20s remains in Garda custody this morning in connection with a large drugs seizure at Rosslare Europort. €268,000 worth of suspected herbal cannabis was discovered when a freight unit came off a ferry from Dunkirk in France. The arrested man is being questioned at a Garda Station in Wexford in connection

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Regional Indepenents technical group allowed to ask questions from opposition benches

Independent TDs – who have agreed to support the incoming government, but do not hold a ministerial position – will be allowed to ask questions from the opposition benches. The issue attracted criticism after it emerged some Regional Independents wanted to form a technical group in the Dáil in order to get more speaking time.

Regional Indepenents technical group allowed to ask questions from opposition benches Read More »

Ulster Human Rights watch urges ICRIR to carry out review of Teebane massacre

Ulster Human Rights watch has asked the ICRIR to carry out a review of the Teebane (tee-ban) massacre, an incident which saw eight men killed in a van and others seriously injured. Today marks the 33rd anniversary of the bombing which is to have been orchestrated by the Provisional Irish Republican Army. The men were

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Bird flu prevention zone to be introduced in Northern Ireland after two cases confirmed

A bird flu prevention zone is to be introduced in Northern Ireland, after confirmation of two more cases there. It was detected in a buzzard found near Moira and a swan in Portballintrae. It comes into force from noon and means all bird keepers must legally follow strict biosecurity measures- to try and contain the

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Trial begins in case of man whose body was found in waters off Sliabh Liag in 2023

A man and woman have gone on trial accused of murdering Robert Wilkin, whose remains were found in waters off Sliabh Liag in Co Donegal in 2023. Alan Vial, of Drumanoo Head in Killybegs; and Nikita Burns, of Carrick in Co Donegal, deny his murder. It is the prosecution’s case that Robert Wilkin was beaten

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Lifford Stranorlar councillors visit new social housing scheme in Ballybofey

  Elected Members in the Lifford-Stranorlar Municipal District have visited the new Council Housing Estate at Trusk Road in Ballybofey. Cúirt an Troisc is a 19 unit development which includes accommodation specifically designed to meet the needs of older people. It is designed around a courtyard, with lifts to the first floor. Cllr Patrick McGowan

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Letterkenny rape victim rejected counselling for fear notes would be used against her

A woman who was raped by her former partner said she did not receive any counselling because she thought the notes from the sessions would be used against her. Reading a victim impact to the Central Criminal Court, Susan Lynch said she regretted not receiving any counselling following rapes perpetrated on her by Paul Arthur, causing

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Former Derry PBP councillor says privatisation is at the root of the NHS crisis

A former People before Profit Councillor in Derry says only radical change can save the health and social care service, and transform health outcomes in the North. Maeve O’Neill says the key issue is public investment, and until there is a commitment to rowing back on privatisation and funding services properly, the NHS will be

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Chief Superintendent welcomes launch of ‘Building Safer Communities’ initiative in Letterkenny

A ‘Building Safer Communities’ initiative has been launched in Letterkenny this morning in a bid to reduce and prevent alcohol harm. Letterkenny has become the first town in Europe to launch the model, which has been devised by the World Health Organisation. 11 other initiatives are to be launched in Ireland over the coming weeks.

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Donegal deputy says Regional Independents technical group proposal is a farce

Attempts by Independent TDs who are supporting the Government to secure opposition speaking time in the Dáil are being described as a farce by Sinn Féin. The Regional Independents who won’t be Ministers are seeking to create a technical group to ensure speaking slots from the opposition benches. New Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy will have

Donegal deputy says Regional Independents technical group proposal is a farce Read More »

Carers’ campaigner stresses need for clarity on means test removal plan

A carers’ campaigner in Donegal says the new government must provide clarity on a timeline for the abolition of the means test for carers. On today’s Nine til Noon Show, Emma Gohva said the scarcity of public services is such that many families are using money provided for respite to pay for private treatments instead.

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Concerns raised over number of Irish exemptions in secondary schools

Secondary schools are being warned for their high levels of Irish exemptions. The Department of Education has contacted such schools to say psychological exams are not enough to warrant an exemption, according to The Irish Times. Instead, it can only be given to those with significant and persistent literacy difficulties across all subjects, as well

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Daughter of Sean Brown says the family will fight for a public inquiry

The family of a murdered GAA official say they won’t give up until they secure a public inquiry into his death. 61-year-old Sean Brown was killed by loyalists in 1997 as he locked the gates of Bellaghy Wolfe Tones club in Derry. No one has ever been convicted of his killing though intelligence material has

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Inishowen councillor calls for implementation of local gritting personell

Donegal County Council is being urged to consider what role local communities can play during snow and ice weather events. Councillor Albert Doherty while paying tribute to the work carried out last week by the Council’s gritting team, proposed gritting personnel be put in place to assist in gritting roads during adverse weather conditions, particularly

Inishowen councillor calls for implementation of local gritting personell Read More »

National Broadband Plan ahead of schedule in Donegal

7,500 homes, farms and businesses in Donegal will receive access to fibre broadband ahead of schedule. National Broadband Ireland says 2,800 of these will be brought forward from 2026. Ballyshannon, Buncrana, Carndonagh and Ardara deployment areas are those due to be upgraded over the course of this year, seven months sooner than anticipated. As of

National Broadband Plan ahead of schedule in Donegal Read More »

Donegal County Council again hears calls for additional harbour masters

There’s renewed calls for additional harbour masters in Donegal. In Inishowen, there is currently only one harbour master in place, based at Greencastle pier. Councillor Martin McDermott believes more resources need to be put in place to monitor other busy piers in the peninsula such as; Bunagee, Glengad, Leenan, Uris and Malin Head. He says

Donegal County Council again hears calls for additional harbour masters Read More »

All traffic lights in Letterkenny should have sensors attached – Kelly

A Letterkenny Councillor is seeking a review of all traffic lights in the town. Cllr Donal Mandy Kelly will move a motion at the next meeting of Letterkenny Milford Municipal District seeking a comprehensive assessment in order to ensure that all lights are calibrated correctly, and all sensors are functioning properly. He says it appears

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Protest outside High Court as UK government appeals Sean Brown inquiry ruling

Victims campaigners have staged a protest outside Belfast High Court – which is today hearing an appeal over a ruling which ordered the British Government to hold a public inquiry into the murder of GAA official Sean Brown. He was abducted by loyalists in Derry and shot near Randalstown in May 1997. No one has

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O’Dowd acknowledges importance of connectivity in Derry and the North West

The North’s Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd has acknowledged the importance of connectivity in Derry and the North West. Speaking during a ‘fireside chat’ event organised by Derry Chamber of Commerce, Minister O’Dowd said his focus is on addressing regional imbalance and ensuring that infrastructure creates the foundations for better communities and better connections. He cited

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Former member says DCC must push for a Donegal seat at the cabinet table

A former member of Donegal County Council says there should be a concerted push from the county, and particularly from current council members, to have a Donegal TD appointed to the cabinet when incoming Taoiseach Michael Martin announces his new government. Following agreement this week, it’s expected that Mr Martin will be elected Taoiseach when

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NI’s first veterinary nursing degree to be rolled out in September

A veterinary nursing degree is to be rolled out this September at the Coleraine campus of Ulster University. It’s the first of its kind in Northern Ireland. The Veterinary Nursing and Advancing Animal Healthcare and Practice degrees have been designed in a bid to respond to the shortage of such trained workers in Northern Ireland.

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Tyrone Gold Mining hearings suspended for two months to facilitate consultation in Donegal

Planning hearings into the proposed expansion of gold mining operation in the Sperrins in County Tyrone have been stopped because of issues about consultation. It was contended the Irish government hadn’t been notified about the inquiry – and Donegal County Council hadn’t been given enough time to respond after a cross-border issue was identified. The

Tyrone Gold Mining hearings suspended for two months to facilitate consultation in Donegal Read More »