Author name: highlandnews

Bus driver left “traumatised” following shocking weekend vandalism

A Donegal bus company says one of their drivers was left terrified after a group of young men vandalised one of their vehicles on Saturday night. The windows of a McGettigan Travel bus were smashed and the group attempted to burn the driver with lit cigarette butts and set the bus on fire with them. […]

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Local businesses counting the cost following extreme flooding in Killybegs

Local businesses and residents have been left reeling following serious flooding in Killybegs over the weekend. Storm Bert hit the county, with heavy rain and thawed snow combining to contribute to the flood. Waters rose to around 1.2 metres, with a number of residents being displaced and accessing emergency accommodation. Grainne Cafferty owner of Donegal

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Motion to be submitted to Donegal County Council for an Independent Statutory Judicial Public Inquiry into Creeslough tragedy

A motion will come before Donegal County Council today, calling for the Government to establish an Independent Statutory Judicial Public Inquiry into the Creeslough explosion within its first 100 days. The motion is being put forward by Cllr Frank McBrearty who will be calling on all elected members to support the motion. He says an

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Claims of large financial holes in political parties’ election manifestos

It’s being claimed there are large financial holes in the manifestos of the three biggest political parties. It’s reported Fine Gael has a hole of 56 billion euro, Fianna Fail is short 55 billion euro and Sinn Fein’s would be 85 billion euro. The Business Post is reporting they’re too reliant on corporate tax receipts

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Sustained growth being reported by Irish League of Credit Unions

Comprehensive and sustained growth is being reported by the Irish League of Credit Unions. The financial institution says credit union loans now total nearly 6 billion euro up 11.2 per cent on last year. It says the increases are the highest in 15 years, with mortgage loans increasing by 51 per cent. David Malone, CEO

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Minister for Enterprise to seek urgent reopening of Emergency Humanitarian Flooding Scheme following Storm Bert flooding

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Peter Burke has confirmed that his Department will seek Government approval to reopen the Emergency Humanitarian Flooding Scheme as a matter of urgency, following serious flooding in Killybegs due to Storm Bert. The scheme has previously been opened to provide support for businesses who had been unable to

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Calls for Donegal County Council to employ more support staff in every municipal district

Donegal County Council should be employing more support staff in every municipal district, according to Cllr MIchael Cholm McGiolla Easbuig. The West Donegal representative says the local authority should have more social workers and tenant liaison officers, but most importantly, it should be employing its own occupational therapists. The council uses OTs from the HSE,

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Reservoir interruptions causing water supply disruptions in Old Town

Reservoir interruption may cause supply disruptions to Old Town and surrounding areas. Works are scheduled to take place until 1:25am tomorrow morning. Please take note of the following reference number and enter it into the search bar on the Uisce Eireann website should you wish to return for an update: DON00085677.

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Conor McGregor verdict sends “strong message to other survivors”

The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre says the verdict in the civil case against Conor McGregor sends a strong messages to other survivors. On Friday, McGregor was ordered to pay almost 250 thousand euro in damages to Nikita Hand, who accused him of allegedly raping her in a Dublin hotel six years ago. Rachel Morrogh, Chief

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Labour leader defends plans for potential left alliance

The Labour leader is defending plans for a left alliance after the election. Ivana Bacik says she’d like to explore the possibility of forming a pact with other left-leaning parties like the Social Democrats and the Greens. But Social Democrats’ co-founder Catherine Murphy responded yesterday by saying Labour has never suggested a merger or invited

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Ballyshannon Gardaí conduct checkpoints over the weekend

Ballyshannon Gardaí have conducted a number of checkpoints this weekend in the area, including the Donegal/Fermanagh Border. They are urging motorists to Slow down Never drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs Wear your seatbelt Do not use/hold your mobile phone while driving Ensure that your vehicle is in a roadworthy condition before

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Self Advocacy Conference taking place in Donegal next week

A Self Advocacy Conference is taking place in Donegal next week. The event aims to highlight the challenges faced by people with disabilities in the county while showcasing the impact of self advocacy. The conference gets underway on Tuesday Jackson’s Hotel, Ballybofey. Edel Quinn, Head of Disability Services for Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan and Sligo

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Concerns over speeding and parking at Gortlee Graveyard, Letterkenny raised again

The need for speeding and parking issues at Gortlee Graveyard in Letterkenny is back in the spotlight. An Active Travel scheme proposed for the route is currently at design stage. Councillor Ciaran Brogan says given the number of people attending the graveyard, efforts need to be made to protect their safety:

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Aontú say Operation Shamrock will bring Irish construction workers home

Aontú says if elected into Government, they will roll out Operation Shamrock to bring construction workers home to address the housing crisis. Donegal Candidate Mary T Sweeney says the move will bring thousands back to Donegal, with a €15,000 incentive. It includes €5,000 of vouchers to cover relocation costs and tax credits worth €10,000 over

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Local issues need to be considered in the election run up – Donaghy

Local issues need to be discussed in the run up to the General Election. That’s according to Author and Journalist Kathy Donaghy. Speaking to Greg Hughes on this morning’s Nine ’til Noon Show, Ms. Donaghy says economic disparity must be a key consideration for candidates. The Inishowen based writer added that simple local issues such

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Man arrested in relation to Creeslough explosion released without charge

The man who was arrested yesterday in relation to the Creeslough explosion has been released without charge. A file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions. The man, aged in his 60s, was arrested for alleged offences contrary to the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. Ten lives were lost in the tragedy

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Gardaí issue car safety advice for icy weather conditions

Gardaí in Donegal are appealing to the public to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy as weather conditions worsen. Motorists are urged to carry out safety checks before travelling, especially tyre conditions. The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm, however, it is recommended that tyres are changed when they fall below 3mm. Lights should be clean

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90,000 homeowners to receive compensation for overcharged mortgages

Around 90,000 homeowners are to be paid compensation after being overcharged on their mortgages. Those involved were originally home-loan customers of Ulster Bank and their mortgages were sold on to the likes of AIB and PTSB when the lender exited the Irish market. The Irish Independent says they were overcharged interest, although the amounts involved

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Two-tier health system fails cancer sufferers

Ireland’s two-tier health system is failing public cancer patients, who are not getting the same potentially lifesaving cancer treatments, as those being treated in private hospitals. According to the Irish Cancer Society, private patients have swift access to EMA approved anti-cancer drugs, but public patients must wait on average two years to find out whether

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Donegal County Council named Local Authority of the Year

Donegal County Council was named Local Authority of the Year at last night’s Chambers Ireland’s Excellence in Local Government Awards. It was a successful night for the local authority as they also scooped the Supporting Sustainable Communities category for the Burtonport & Arranmore – Harbour to Island Regeneration project and the Health and Wellbeing category

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Ongoing frustration over lack of dedicated litter warden for Lifford Stranorlar MD

There’s ongoing frustration over the lack of a dedicated litter warden for the Lifford Stranorlar Municipal District. Currently, the area shares a litter warden with the Inishowen MD. Cllr Patrick McGowan believes the allocation of resources is unfair, given that Inishowen already has a full-time warden. He says the geographical spread of the Lifford Stranorlar

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