highlandnews

Organised crime and drug trafficking on Fianna Fáil priority list ahead of General Election

Fianna Fáil says it will further crack down on organised crime and drug trafficking if re-elected to government. Launching the party’s Urban Communities plan today, Junior Minister for the Department of Justice James Browne promised increased punishments for those involved with the supply of drugs. Introducing legislation to require online communication platforms to supply Gardaí …

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Taoiseach seeks EU-US summit to discuss impact of US Presidential Election

The Taoiseach says he wants to see an EU-US summit to discuss the impact on jobs and the economies following the US Presidential Election. President elect Donald Trump says he wants to impose tariffs on non-US goods being imported to the country, which could have an effect on Irish companies. He also said he would …

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Historian claims Ireland could experience flash floods if environment is not prioritised

A university lecturer is warning Ireland could experience weather events such as the recent flash floods in Valencia, if the environment is not prioritised. Tomás Finn, lecturer in History at the University of Galway, has co-edited a book entitled ‘Inside Rural Ireland’, which looks at power and change since independence. He says while life in …

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First Minister Michelle O’Neill first senior member of Sinn Féin to participate in Belfast Rememberance Sunday ceremony

The North’s First Minister has laid a wreath in Belfast to mark Remembrance Sunday. Michelle O’Neill is the first senior member of Sinn Féin to participate in the official ceremony. The move has prompted outrage from the families of some Troubles victims, who’ve accused her of populism. But Ms. O’Neill says it’s in line with …

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Restaurant Association welcomes FG’s proposed VAT rate cut for hospitality sector

The Restaurants Association is welcoming Fine Gael’s plan for am 11 per cent VAT rate for parts of the hospitality sector. Taoiseach Simon Harris has made the promise for food-led businesses, excluding hotels, if his party returns to government. Meanwhile, the Social Democrats have put forward their own proposal to cut the VAT rate to …

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Irish man arrested in Hungary on suspicion of murder of American tourist

An Irish man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering an American tourist in Hungary. Police launched a search operation after 31 year old Mackenzie Michalski disappeared from a nightclub in Budapest last Tuesday, November 5th. A 37 year old Irish man was arrested two days later after CCTV showed them leaving the nightclub together …

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Traffic disruptions in Derry and Strabane due to parades

Motorists in Derry and Strabane are being advised that Rememberance Day services and parades will be taking place today. These services and events will take place at different times, in different areas, including in the city centre, Newbuildings, Magheramason, Newtownstewart, Strabane and Castlederg. Police are warning of possible traffic disruption. Between 8.45 and 9.15am, a …

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Fine Gael announces plans to permanently cut VAT rate for hospitality businesses

Fine Gael has committed to a permanent cut in the VAT rate for hospitality businesses. At its campaign launch the party said it would cut the rate from 13.5 to 11 per cent within 100 days of returning to Government. It also plans to introduce a PRSI rebate for small businesses with less than 50 …

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Protest held in Derry after spike in attacks on women in the city

Around 1,000 people attended a rally last night in Derry, protesting violence against women. The Rally for Women’s Safety at The Guildhall was organised after a number of serious attacks on women occurred in the city in recent weeks. Two women had been assaulted by a man armed with a knife in separate attacks in …

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Concerns raised about tomorrow’s deadline for postal and special ballots

There is concerns that some people have missed the deadline to apply for a special or postal ballot. Standard procedure is that the deadline to apply for such votes is two days after an election is called. However, as the election was called yesterday, the deadline is tomorrow, Sunday. According to the Gov.ie website, local …

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Highland Radio, Donegal, Letterkenny, Hospital, Trolleys

Inpatient waiting lists up and outpatient lists down at LUH

National Treatment Purchase Fund figures have been released for October, showing a slight increase in the numbers on the inpatient waiting list at Letterkenny University Hospital, but a fall in the numbers waiting for outpatient appointments. There were 1,319 people awaiting inpatient appointments, up just over 8%, and 15,315 awaiting outpatients appointments, down almost 7%. …

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PSNI investigate early morning fire at licensed premises in Derry

A fire at a licensed premises on the Creggan Road in Derry early this morning is being treated as arson. Police believe that shorty before 5am, a large amount of debris was stacked against the door of the premises and set alight, causing extensive damage to the front of the building. Detectives say their enquiries …

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Michael McMonagle jailed for nine months for child sex offences

Former Sinn Fein press officer Michael McMonagle has today been jailed for child sex offences. The 42 year old with an address at Limewood Street, Derry has been sentenced to nine months in prison for attempting to communicate sexually with children online. Mr McMonagle, has been sentenced to nine months in prison and nine on …

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FF leader says his party will be campaigning for a better future for Ireland

The Tanaiste and Fianna Fáil Leader says his party will be campaigning for a better future for Ireland. Launching their campaign in the last few minutes, Micheal Martin says he’s looking forward to showcasing Fianna Fail’s policies in general election debates. He added he has “no worries at all” about coming head to head with …

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Two Donegal schools included in Safe Routes to School Programme

Two Donegal schools are to benefit from school zone improvement works. A total of 141 schools across the country have been included in the latest round of the Safe Routes to School Programme. The works will see signage and road markings installed in front of Kilbarron National School and Scoil Naomh Padraig, Drumfries. The initiative …

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Preferred route identified for Buncrana to Carndonagh Greenway

The third non-statutory public consultation for the Buncrana to Carndonagh Greenway Project is underway, with the preferred route option now identified. This follows a series of consultations last December, during which seven options were outlined. Public meetings will take place next week, in Buncrana on Wednesday and Carndonagh on Thursday. ***************************** Full details – PUBLIC …

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Inishowen Cllr warns housing will not be delivered until changes to planning system are made

An Inishowen Councillor has warned that housing will not be delivered until changes are made to the planning system. Councillor Paul Canning says planning applications are continually being stalled due to objections and a lack of infrastructure in areas. There’s been repeated calls for a review of An Bord Pleanála. Cllr Canning told the Nine …

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Driver caught speeding on National Slow Down Day in Donegal tests positive for drug driving

A driver was arrested in Donegal during National Slow Down Day after being caught speeding and drug driving. The Letterkenny Roads Policing Unit yesterday, detected the motorist travelling at 140kph in a 100kph zone. After being stopped, the driver then tested positive for cocaine. They were arrested and are due to appear in court. Gardai …

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Inishowen Football League receives €460,000 for redevelopment of Maginn Park

The Inishowen Football League has received €460,000 from the Community Sports Facilities Fund. The funding will go towards the redevelopment of Maginn Park in Buncrana. Following an appeal through the Department of Tourism and Sport of an initial allocation of €184,000, the grant was increased. Also under the appeals process, Aileach Youth Club was allocated …

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Donegal is Ireland’s most seismically active county

Donegal is Ireland’s most seismically active county. The Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, in collaboration with Geological Survey Ireland are seeking citizen volunteers to help monitor earthquakes in the county. A special workshop is being held next week for anyone interested. Laura Reilly, DIAS’ Community Seismology Programme Officer is urging people to get involved:   …

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Two councils pledge continued cooperation to maximise potential of Riverine project

Donegal County Council and Derry City and Strabane District Council are promising to work together to maximise the potential of the Riverine Project, which received over €16 million in PeacePlus funding this week. The councils say they will promote cross community and cross border activities through themed activities and initiatives. Donegal County Council’s Director of …

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Over €115,000 for animal welfare charities in Donegal

Over €115,000 has been awarded to animal welfare charities in Donegal. Animals in Need, Donegal Town has been allocated €55,200 while ISPCA Donegal Animal Rehabilitation Centre, Letterkenny is to receive €32,400 and €27,850 has been set aside for Twin Towns Lost & Found Dogs, Killygordan. Agriculture, Food and Marine Minister Charlie McConalogue says the funding …

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Demonstration calling for end of violence against women and girls taking place in Derry today

A demonstration is taking place in Derry this evening calling for an end to violence against women and girls. Violence against women has been on the rise right across the North West with four recent sexual assaults reported in Derry, two during which women were held at knifepoint. Foyle MP Colum Eastwood is urging people …

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Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities ratified at last – Pringle

A Donegal Deputy has welcomed the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Deputy Thomas Pringle says that he has been pressing for this, raising it in the Dáil eight times and having submitted seven parliamentary questions. The operation protocol will allow people with disabilities …

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33rd Dail finishes its business

The 33rd Dail has finished its business. Many TDs will leave Leinster House for the final time – with Taoiseach Simon Harris to ask President, Michael D Higgins, to dissolve the Dáil tomorrow. It paves the way for an election on November 29th – and the 34th Dail to reconvene in December.

Donegal Deputy calls for meaningful actions against genocide, not ‘weasel words’

The Tánaiste says he stands over the government’s record on the conflict in Gaza. The Social Democrats are using the last day of this Dáil to raise a motion on the alleged genocide in the region. The party is demanding the government take a firmer stance on the situation, following the decision not to pass …

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DCB homeowners advised to await completion of IS465 review before seeking review of remediation option

Defective concrete block homeowners are being advised to await the completion of a review of IS465 before requesting a review of their remediation option. The Government has announced that affected homeowners who have been given a remediation option other than demolition can now request a full technical review of their application by the Housing Agency. …

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