Author name: highlandnews

It’s claimed no lessons have been learnt – after it emerged a security hut at the Department of Finance cost €1.4 million to build. The detail emerged at the Oireachtas Finance Committee while members were discussing the controversial Leinster House bike shelter. Asked who was responsible for the bike shelter, OPW chair John Conlon said […]

The Garda Commissioner says the DPP’s file into the Creeslough explosion is almost complete. Ten people, died in the tragedy almost two years ago. Yesterday eight of the families who lost loved ones in the tragedy called for a public inquiry into what happened. Garda Commissioner Drew Harris says the DPP will decide if there

The Green Party Leader Roderic O’Gorman has told the Dail he understands why the families’ of eight of those killed in the Creeslough tragedy are seeking a public inquiry, and said the issue is being very carefully considered by the government. He was speaking within the past hour in response to a question Donegal TD

Not one single room in the new National Children’s Hospital is fully finished. The Oireachtas Health Committee heard 94 per cent of the building is now complete but there are snagging issues in the 3 thousand rooms. A new completion date of June 2025 has now been set but even that’s in doubt as the

The Education Minister is defending schools after the Taoiseach said they needed to “step up” and provide for additional needs students. Simon Harris last week criticised some secondary school principals for being reluctant to set up autism classes. Parents across the country have been pleading with the Government to do more, with a number of

A Donegal Deputy has renewed his call for the abolition of the Special Criminal Court. Deputy Thomas Pringle claims the court undermines Ireland’s justice system and suggests other courts are inadequate. Speaking on the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2024, Deputy Pringle pointed out to Justice Minister Helen McEntee how the government can bring forward legislation

A €50 million wastewater project to benefit Ramelton, Milford, and Rathmullan is nearing completion. The project aims to put an end to raw sewage discharges into the Leannan Estuary, Lough Swilly, and Maggie’s Burn. The construction team has completed much of the new sewer pipelines, underground wastewater storage tanks, and associated pump houses. Significant progress

A member of the HSE’s Regional Health Forum says he remains convinced that the much heralded lifting of the Recruitment Embargo was a PR stunt. Cllr Declan Meehan was speaking after he quizzed officials on the waiting lists for physiotherapy and home help services in Donegal. He was told that there are 597 people awaiting

The Tanaiste says he wants to see investigations into the Creeslough disaster completed before deciding the next steps. His intervention follows yesterday’s statement on behalf of the families of seven of those who lost their lives calling for a public inquiry. They say the cause of the explosion is still not known to them, despite

Aontu’s Mary T Sweeney has announced that she is to contest the upcoming general election. The Letterkenny woman says the party is looking to hold the government to account on behalf of the people, something she says she will deliver if elected. She will launch her election campaign this Saturday at The Vestry, Letterkenny Town

The latest delays to the National Children’s Hospital will be scrutinised today. The Oireachtas Health Committee will hear claims the main contractor on the project – BAM Construction – has show complete disregard for sick children, young people and their families. The Chief Executive of the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board will outline how BAM

Donegal County Council is facing calls for more litter bins to be installed in Ballybofey. Councillor Dakota Nic Mheanman says the lack of bins on Navenny Street in particular is highlighted when local football matches are being hosted in the town. She says while the increased footfall is to be welcomed, it’s important that the

The Taoiseach says the families of the Creeslough victims “deserve an absolute hearing” into the tragedy. 10 people were killed in an explosion at a petrol station in the village in October 2022. A lawyer representing the families of seven of the ten victims has written to Justice Minister Helen McEntee seeking a public inquiry

A group of defective block homeowners who have had their engineer’s remediation recommendation downgraded are protesting outside Engineers Ireland today. They are representing over 100 scheme applicants in a stand against what they say is the ‘unethical and unscientific’ approach being adopted by engineers employed by the Housing Agency. Affected homeowners are calling on the

The Ryan McBride Bradywell Stadium in Derry has implemented a live audio description service for those attending matches who are blind or visually impaired via a headset. It will be available for the remaining three games of the season, aiming to make the experience of attending a match more accessible. Rory McCartney from the Royal

An investigation is underway following the theft of a Grant oil burner from a house in Doochary. The burner was stolen from a property in the Radharc an Seipeal area between 3 p.m. on Friday, 13 September, and 9 a.m. on the following Monday. Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity

Gardaí have renewed an appeal for information after a man aged in his 80s was fatally injured in Clonmany when he was struck by a vehicle. It happened at around 6:20pm on Wednesday last. Garda Niall Maguire spoke to Greg Hughes on this morning’s Nine ’til Noon Show:

Widespread controlled water outages have been implemented in the Glenties Municipal District due to low reservoir levels. To protect pipes from damage during the warm weather, the pumping station in the area has been turned off. Cllr Michael McClafferty has expressed concern following a meeting with the utility, stating that he understands Uisce Éireann prefers

A burst water main in the Riverside area of Buncrana has left many residents without water. It remains unclear when the supply will be restored, causing significant inconvenience to those affected. Locals have taken to social media to express their frustration with the recurring issue, which has become a common problem in the area. Cathaoirleach

Yet another deadline for the resumption of respite services at Riverwalk House in Carndonagh has been missed. The HSE previously said the services would be reinstated in March. That was then pushed back until September. Now, the HSE says due to ongoing staffing issues it is working towards a recommencement date in the last quarter

Elected public representatives in Donegal have been told that there is a dual opportunity through Budget 2025 and in the next general election to continue prosperity through key strategic investments in the North West. Ibec hosted a meeting this week during which it emphasised the importance of leveraging Ireland’s economic success while avoiding complacency. Businesses

The Real Estate Alliance says housing supply is simply not meeting demand. House prices are on the rise again with the average price of a three-bed semi-detached home now costing over €320,000. Dublin is the most expensive with an average of €532,000 while the cheapest is in Donegal with the average price at €170,000. Michael

Farmers must be properly paid through the EU into the future, according to Minister Charlie McConalogue. He was speaking in Bussels, where EU agriculture ministers are meeting today to discuss how the current Common Agricultural Policy which runs until 2027 is to be replaced. Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, has promised a ‘vision for

The Sinn Fein President is calling on the British Government to “make clear its intention to trigger a referendum” on Irish unity. Mary Lou McDonald made the comments in a speech at the UK Labour party conference yesterday. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has previously said the issue of a united Ireland is not on