Author name: highlandnews

A West Donegal Councillor believes not enough is being done to control the spread of Japanese knotweed. A pilot scheme to treat the invasive species was previously rolled out in parts of the county. Councillor Micheal McClafferty believes the approach to treating Japanese Knotweed needs to be reviewed:

Downgraded defective concrete block homeowners are to lodge a formal complaint with the Housing Agency. Over 100 families in Donegal have been left outraged after they had their remediation option downgraded. Homeowners are now demanding a thorough investigation into the decision to go against original recommendations made to demolish and rebuild properties. The move has

Donegal County Council is to liaise with Transport Infrastructure Ireland with a view towards installing a climbing lane at the Blue Banks on the N56. The issue was raised by Cllr Michael McBride, who told members he believes such a development is necessary. Senior officials replied that a Climbing Lane was considered during the design

The Dáil has heard the need for coastal protection works at Inver. Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle raised the issue with Minister Paschal O’Donoghue. Private and public land is being eroded by the sea in the coastal area, and three houses are in particular danger. The Donegal Deputy says Donegal County Council doesn’t have the means

A 100% Redress Party councillor says there should be representatives from a number of departments in attendance at special meetings of Donegal County Council. Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Children and Enterprise are some of a few who should be presents. Cllr Ali Farren says the issue isn’t confined houses and that message needs to

Eye experts warn cosmetic lenses may look spooky, but can have even scarier long term effects. The public is being strongly advised by optometrists to not use novelty lenses to complete their Halloween costumes as complications from unregulated materials can lead to blindness. Accidently sleeping in contacts or not washing your hands properly before touching

There are calls for the Government to follow through with permanent social welfare increases for the most vulnerable in society. In the coming weeks pensioners, carers and people with disabilities will be among 1.4 million people who’ll start to receive temporary double payments in their benefits. Nessan Vaughan, Chair of the Saint Vincent de Paul

There are calls for more Gardaí to be trained in using blue lights. Around 10 thousand Gardaí aren’t trained in emergency response driving. The Garda Representative Association says it’s putting both members and the public at risk. GRA President Mark O’Meara, says they also need a pursuit policy developed.

Nearly 1800 deportation orders have been signed so far this year. New data will be presented by the Justice Minister Helen McEntee to government this week, which shows the number of signed orders is up 140 percent year-on-year. Among the figures will be how fast-tracking asylum applications from some countries, such as Nigeria and Jordan,

A Donegal driver was caught driving in excess of a 60km/hr speed limit, as part of an Garda Síochána’s Bank Holiday Roads Policing Operation. The detection was made, when the driver clocked in 95km/hr on the N13, Carrowreagh, Bridge End, Donegal. Since 7am on Thursday provisional figures highlight that over 1200 drivers in Ireland have

The UN secretary general Antonio Guterres has called for a de-escalation between Israel and Iran. It’s after the Israeli military launched an airstrike on Iranian military targets which it says was in retaliation to missiles fired by Tehran earlier this month. Iran claims four soldiers have been killed in the attack. Dr Eyal Pinko’s a

Over 30 percent of people who voted for Sinn Féin in 2020 now say they are unfit for government. The latest Business Post/Red C Poll shows the party is down 1 point to 17 percent, with over 50 percent of the 1003 people surveyed saying they shouldn’t govern the country. Fine Gael continues to lead

A status yellow weather warning has been issued for Donegal. The advisory for rain will come into effect at 2pm and lasts until 10pm. Met Eireann says localised flooding is possible. Cathal Nolan from Ireland’s Weather Channel says surrounding counties will feel the impact also:

Two Donegal drivers were caught driving in excess of 100km/hr speed limits yesterday. One driver was clocked in driving at 157km/h in a 100km/h zone on the R238, Tromaty, Quigleys Point, while another was detected at 122km/h in a 100km/h zone on the N13, Maghera Beg, Manorcunningham. Since 7am yesterday morning, Gardaí are out detecting

Officials in Iran are condemning an Israeli airstrike on military targets last night. They say Tehran is “entitled and obligated”‘ to defend itself. Israel says its attack is in retaliation for a barrage of Iranian missiles that hit its territory earlier this month. Security analyst Declan Power thinks Israel’s strikes on Iran are distracting from

People are being warned to check conditions before swimming this weekend. The RNLI along with the Coast Guard and Water Safety Ireland say cold water can lead to shock as temperatures drop and the evenings get darker. They’re advising swimmers of rip currents and unknown depths due to recent localised flooding. People are being asked

An Inishowen councillor is advocating for ramps or raised tables to address the persistent speeding problem outside St. Mura’s National School, Tooban. Cllr Paul Canning expressed concern that signs have been ineffective in deterring motorists from driving dangerously near the school, posing a serious safety risk to students. He highlighted that numerous councillors have raised

An inspection of the proposed site for a new school building for Scoil Mhuire, Milford, is to take place within the next three weeks. Minister Charlie McConalogue received confirmation from Education Minister Norma Foley this evening. Yesterday, the cramped conditions endured by staff and pupils were highlighted, including teaching taking place in corridors and storage

The government has issued its homelessness report for August, with very little change in the local figures. In the North West, 147 adults accessed services, down 16 on the August figure, with 51 of them doing so in Donegal, down one on the previous month. There were 18 families registered as homeless in the region

Tensions at a Donegal County Council meeting yesterday were ‘palpable’ as the Enhanced Defective Concrete Block committee heard that legislation for a scheme to remediate social housing affected by the crisis, will not be signed off on until next year due to the upcoming general election. Cllr Gerry McMonagle told the chamber that it’s time

An Irish MEP says the biannual clock change is “no longer fit for today’s world,” in a bid to scrap the practice. The European Parliament had supported legislation to abolish moving the clocks in 2019 – however, EU governments couldn’t agree on beginning the change in summertime or wintertime hours. Brexit also caused concern, possibly

A Fianna Fail councillor in Donegal has said the decision by party HQ to add Claudia Kennedy to the general election ticket in Donegal was made to increase the number of female candidates being fielded by the party nationally. On today’s Nine til Noon Show, Cllr Lima Blaney questioned whether a third candidate was necessary,

  A community campaigner in Donegal says he hopes young people in Donegal will come out to vote in the forthcoming general election. On today’s Nine til Noon Show, Liam Whyte said he believes the housing crisis will be one of the defining issue of the forthcoming general election, with the defective blocks crisis set