Author name: highlandnews

Cloughaneely Junior Marching Band to receive €2,000 from department of Education

Cloughaneely Junior Marching Band in Falcaragh is one of 25 organisations in Ireland who will receive a grant under the Education department’s Non-Mainstream Music Education Bursary Scheme 2024. The group will receive €2,000 from a national pot of €100,000. The junior band has five tutors and 42 members who are under 18 years and perform […]

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Utilities Regulator sees sharp rise in complaints last year

The Utilities Regulator saw a huge increase in complex complaint investigations opened last year. It has released its annual report for 2023 today. The Commission for the Regulation of Utilities received over 31,500 contacts from water and energy customers last year. It opened 617 complex complaint investigations, that’s a 71% increase on the previous year.

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Donegal Deputy brands Housing for All policy a failure

A Donegal Deputy has called the Government’s Housing for All policy a failure. Deputy Thomas Pringle says drastic change and significant investment is needed to address the housing crisis. He told the Dáil this week that there are many in Donegal facing difficult situations, some of which are worsened with the defective concrete block crisis.

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Gardaí seek out witnesses to dangerous driving in Letterkenny today

Gardaí in Letterkenny are appealing for witnesses to multiple incidents of dangerous driving that occurred in the Circular Road, Ballyraine and Woodlands areas of Letterkenny today. These incidents involved a grey 520 BMW between 2.20pm and 2.40pm. The car has blacked out windows, blacked out registration plates and it has been lowered. It also has

Gardaí seek out witnesses to dangerous driving in Letterkenny today Read More »

Ghaoth Dobhair students scoop top award at Donegal SciFest Regional Finals

Three students from Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair have taken home the prestigious EirGrid Cleaner Climate Award following their win at the SciFest@College 2024 regional competition at ATU Donegal. Fourth year students Kerry Magner, Muireann Haicéid and Áine Ní Fhearraigh impressed judges with their project that focused on demonstrating how much electricity a simple waterwheel can generate,

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Donegal students reach final Foróige Entrepreneur of the Year Finals

Four groups from Donegal competed in the finals of the Foróige Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship Programme (NFTE) ‘Youth Entrepreneur of the Year’ competition. Slans by Sasha Kolesnyk from St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar, reached the Social Enterprise final. In the Innovation final were Cozy Quills by Kira McLaughlin from Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana and R.R.R. by Rihanna

Donegal students reach final Foróige Entrepreneur of the Year Finals Read More »

HSE recruitment embargo is preventing emigrants from returning – Doherty

The Dáil has heard claims of Irish people abroad looking to come home to work in the health service – but can’t because of the HSE’s recruitment embargo. It’s as an INMO survey of its members yesterday claimed around two-thirds of nurses and midwives have considered leaving the profession in the past month due to

HSE recruitment embargo is preventing emigrants from returning – Doherty Read More »

Older People’s Councils Convention seeks to bridge technology gap

Up to 200 older people from across Ireland have gathered in Kilkenny for the Age Friendly Ireland National Older People’s Councils Convention. Top of the agenda is discussions surrounding the ‘technology gap’ experienced by older people, particularly in relation to online banking, a cashless society and automated customer service helplines. Donegal native Mairead Cranley is

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Doherty seeking intervention to break impasse over Carndonagh housing estate

An Inishowen Councillor is calling for a high level meeting to discusss what he’s describing as an impasse over the Cluain Darach housing estate in Carndonagh that was to have been acquired by Donegal County Council as social housing. However, we understand while a sum of money was agreed in 2021, a request for more

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Government funding announced for 45 Donegal sports clubs

45 Donegal clubs are set to receive over €1.32 million in equipment-only grants under Sports Capital. The funding was announced by the Minister for Sport, Thomas Byrne. Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue welcomed the announcement, saying the government funding will be a massive help to the clubs concerned.  He also thanked

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Two premises in Letterkenny included on FSAI’s latest closure order list

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland says 21 Closure Orders were served on food businesses in April, the highest level of closure orders so far this year. Two orders were issued in Letterkenny, both have since been lifted. On April 17th, a closure order was served on Payless Grocery and Meat at 46 Port Road,

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Donegal Railway Museum secures cross border funding for heritage project

Donegal Railway Museum has been awarded funding for two cross-border conferences in Donegal Town and Derry and the production of a booklet.  The museum was one of 35 cross-border projects to benefit from the Shared Island Civic Society Fund, which was awarded by Tanáiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin. The project aims to

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CFP flies in the face of what the European project is supposed to be – MacLochlainn

The Dail has been told that the case of teenager Muireann Kavanagh, who cannot fish on Arranmore Island typifies everything that is wrong with the Common Fisheries Policy, and should be at the heart of an Irish government effort to have the policy changed. Her case was highlighted once again in the Dail during statements

CFP flies in the face of what the European project is supposed to be – MacLochlainn Read More »

How to access the video recordings of yesterday’s Oireachtas Committee hearing on Defective Blocks

Here’s how to access the full recordings of yesterday’s joint Oireachtas Committee meeting at which government officials and Central Bank representatives were questioned. Click on the following link –  https://www.oireachtas.ie/hourly/     Click on Committee 3, and then click on Wednesday May 8th 2024 Click on the line which indicates ‘last modified’ at 12:50, click

How to access the video recordings of yesterday’s Oireachtas Committee hearing on Defective Blocks Read More »

DCC briefed on progress being made on flagship housing projects in Letterkenny

Donegal County Council has been told that preparatory work is continuing on two flagship housing projects in Letterkenny which are set to deliver a total of 340 houses. On of the sites is at Ballymacool, opposite O’Donnell Park, the other is on High Road, behind Letterkenny Fire Station. The first 130 houses should be complete

DCC briefed on progress being made on flagship housing projects in Letterkenny Read More »

Extension to Finn Valley College will further delay the opening of a long awaited path to Drumboe Woods

It’s emerged that the planned development of a pathway to Drumboe Woods beside Finn Valley College in Stranorlar will be deferred for at least twelve months, until a new extension to the college is constructed and opened. Cllr Patrick McGowan’s been told that while the lease of the land, from Donegal ETB to the council,

Extension to Finn Valley College will further delay the opening of a long awaited path to Drumboe Woods Read More »

Committee told BPFI proposal stalled because of demand for state guarantees

A Joint Oireachtas Committee has been told that a proposal from the Banking and Payments Federation of Ireland to provide up front loans to homeowners affected by Defective Concrete Blocks stalled because BPFI wanted state guarantees. Aileen Gleeson, a Principal Officer in the Department of Finance told the committee this raised questions as to the

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Uisce Eireann carrying out works in Bridgend and Ballybofey

Pump installation works may cause water supply disruptions around Bridgend this morning. Uisce Eireann say Dundrean, Drumadooey, Birdstown Demesne, Drumhaggart, Elaghbeg and surrounding areas may be affected between 9am and midday. Meanwhile, as part of the National Leakage Reduction Programme, mains repair works may cause supply disruption to Trusk Road, Ballybofey and surrounding areas from

Uisce Eireann carrying out works in Bridgend and Ballybofey Read More »

Council signs contract for acquisition of 21 apartments in Letterkenny

Donegal County Council and Mc Hugh Bros have signed a turnkey acquisition contract for the construction of 21 social homes at Windyhall, Letterkenny. This scheme comprises 12 1-bedroom apartments, 1 2-bedroom apartment and 8 3-bedroom apartments. It’s expected the development will be completed by the end of next year. Pictured at the signing of Contracts

Council signs contract for acquisition of 21 apartments in Letterkenny Read More »

42 year old man detained in relation to Caldwell shooting outside Omagh

A 42 year old man has been arrested by police investigating the attempted murder of Detective Inspector John Caldwell in County Tryone. He was shot several times at a sports complex in Omagh in February last year, and suffered ‘life changing’ injuries in the attack. The PSNI say the suspect presented himself to Musgrave Police

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New evidence on deleterious materials may not be fully assessed until early next year

An Oireachtas Committee has been told today that it will could be several months before the standards governing the Defective Block Redress Scheme are changed. Derek Rafferty of the Department of Housing told the Joint Finance Committee this afternoon that the department is aware of the recent evidence which questions the IS 465 standard, and

New evidence on deleterious materials may not be fully assessed until early next year Read More »

Monsignor Gillespie reissues apology following sentencing of former priest

Former Donegal priest, Eamonn Crossan, was sentenced today for crimes committed against a minor. Monsignor Kevin Gillespie has reiterated an apology on behalf of the Raphoe Diocese with a deep sense of shame. Msgr. Gillespie says it’s his hope that the sentence handed down today will bring the victim some consolation. He also encouraged those

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John Swinney sworn in as Scotland’s new First Minister

John Swinney has been sworn in as Scotland’s new First Minister. After winning the vote in parliament yesterday, he was granted his official title today – First Minister and Keeper of the Scottish Seal. He’s now expected to appoint his new cabinet. The SNP leader appeared before Scotland’s most senior judge at the Court of

John Swinney sworn in as Scotland’s new First Minister Read More »

Minister McConalogue announces decision to ban electric shock collars

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine says electronic shock collars should be banned. It comes as he moves to ban the hand-held remote control devices. Minister Charlie McConalogue says that the use of these is no longer an appropriate way to treat pets, but insisted that those that already use them may continue

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Three more independent candidates to run under IrishPeople.org umbrella in local elections

Three more independent candidates are to run for the local elections in June under the umbrella of IrishPeople.org. Kim McMenamin is to contest in the Buncrana local electoral area, while Dr Ann McCloskey will run in Letterkenny. Finally, Donal McKinney has confirmed he put his name in the ring in the Carndonagh LEA.

Three more independent candidates to run under IrishPeople.org umbrella in local elections Read More »

Oireachtas committee to quiz government officials on DCB mortgage issues

The chair of the Oireachtas committee investigating ‘defective concrete blocks’ in dwellings, says coverage needs to be extended to include the foundations of affected buildings. The joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach – is meeting again this afternoon, to continue discussions about the difficulties faced by homeowners in Donegal, Mayo and

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Proposed Active Travel Plan beside LUH to be voted on today

Donegal County Council meets in special session this morning to discuss a proposed Active Travel project on the KIlmacrennan Road, adjacent to Letterkenny University Hospital. It’s proposed that a new segregated cycling facility will be provided on the west side of the carriageway by removing the existing right turning lane. There was initial scepticism among

Proposed Active Travel Plan beside LUH to be voted on today Read More »

DCSDC consulting people on new Dual Language Street Naming policy

Derry City and Strabane District Council is seeking the views of the public in relation to a draft equality impact assessment report on the Council’s Dual Language Street Naming policy. It follows a decision three years ago to lower the threshold for the installation of dual language signage from 66.7% to 15%. Following the 2021

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