Author name: highlandnews

‘Where we are now is a pretty dark place’ – defective block homeowner

Hundreds of homeowners packed into The Inishowen Gateway last night. All with one desire, to get redress to remediate their defective concrete block properties. ‘The People’s Document’ was circulated to all public representatives in the county following a meeting gathering the views of affected homeowners on March 4th. Gar McDonnell lives in Ramelton. His house […]

‘Where we are now is a pretty dark place’ – defective block homeowner Read More »

Leo Varadkar attending what is likely to be his last Cabinet meeting

Leo Varadkar is attending what is probably his last Cabinet meeting ever. The outgoing Taoiseach says he’s confident the country is in ‘good hands’ as he prepares to pass the baton on to Simon Harris. Leo Varadkar says he estimates this morning is his 650th Cabinet meeting. And he has repeated his reasons for stepping

Leo Varadkar attending what is likely to be his last Cabinet meeting Read More »

The message at The People’s Document meeting was clear – ‘change is needed’

The message was clear at last night’s public meeting on ‘The People’s Document’, a joint initiative of defective block campaign groups in Donegal, that change is needed. Politicians had the opportunity in front of over 1,000 people to outline their response to the document which sets out four principles the groups believe will deliver 100%

The message at The People’s Document meeting was clear – ‘change is needed’ Read More »

58% of teachers experience physical aggression from students

58% of teachers say they have experienced physical aggression from their students in the past year. The shocking finding is part of an INTO survey, with the union now calling for more support to deal with violent students. It believes rising levels of aggression in the classroom are directly linked to the current shortfalls in

58% of teachers experience physical aggression from students Read More »

IFA urging farmers to seek support if livelihood is affected by weather

The IFA is asking farmers to come forward and seek support if the weather is seriously affecting their livelihoods. Its warning some farmers can’t access their grass or plant crops because of the near constant wet conditions. The IFA wants the Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue to produce a co-ordinated support plan for farmers at

IFA urging farmers to seek support if livelihood is affected by weather Read More »

Huge turnout for politicians response to The People’s Document

There was a huge turnout at a public meeting this evening to hear elected representatives views on The People’s Document. The document has been devised by campaign groups and includes recommendations from defective block homeowners put forward at a meeting on March 4th. While outlining the details of the document, campaigner Michael Doherty said homeowners

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Donegal companies on EPA’s national priority site list

Odour and noise issues accounted for 90% of all complaints made to the Environmental Protection Agency last year. The number of complaints received by the EPA is down by more than a third since 2021. Its Waste Licence Enforcement Summary for 2023 also revealed its first successful District Court Prosecution for the extraction of peat

Donegal companies on EPA’s national priority site list Read More »

Donegal County Council celebrates 125 years of modern local government

Celebrations are underway to mark 125 years since the establishment of modern local government. The Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage, with Local Government Archivists and Records Managers, have produced a national exhibition highlighting what has been achieved in this time. The 1898 Local Government Ireland Act democratised local government and created modern local

Donegal County Council celebrates 125 years of modern local government Read More »

Donegal County Council to write to Minister over ‘serial’ planning permission objectors

Cathaoirleach of Glenties Municipal District has called for the planning permission objection fee be increased to a maximum of €500 to quash what he has called ‘serial objectors’. Cllr Michael McClafferty told a plenary meeting of Donegal County Council that those living outside of Donegal, including in Northern Ireland should not have the right to

Donegal County Council to write to Minister over ‘serial’ planning permission objectors Read More »

Pilot scheme to facilitate transfer of patients from LUH to Galway to commence

A pilot scheme to facilitate the transfer of patients from Letterkenny University Hospital required to attend appointments in Galway is to commence in the coming weeks. The region’s Chief Ambulance Officer, JJ McGowan has confirmed that the Friends of Letterkenny University Hospital group’s bus will be used to facilitate the attendance of outpatient appointments in

Pilot scheme to facilitate transfer of patients from LUH to Galway to commence Read More »

Man arrested in Co Derry on foot of extradition warrant for human trafficking offences

A 23-year-old man has been arrested in Co Derry on foot of an extradition warrant issued by Lithuania for human trafficking offences. The man was arrested today in Magherafelt, with assistance from the International Policing Unit. He is expected appear before an extradition court in Belfast later today.

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Gardai applaud Simon Harris for condemning tri-colour on Pearse McAuley’s coffin

Simon Harris has been applauded by Gardaí for condemning the placement of the tri-colour over Garda killer Pearse McAuley’s coffin. The funeral of the former-IRA member, who was convicted of killing Detective Garda Jerry McCabe in Limerick in 1996, took place last week. During the ceremony in his hometown of Strabane, McAuley’s coffin was draped

Gardai applaud Simon Harris for condemning tri-colour on Pearse McAuley’s coffin Read More »

Hundreds of nappies illegally dumped in West Donegal

Hundreds of nappies have been found dumped in West Donegal. This incident of illegal dumping in Meenaleck is the latest after nappies were found strewn across roadsides in Annagry and Gweedore. Councillor Micheal Choilm MacGiolla Easbuig is again calling on Donegal County Council to do more to tackle illegal dumping. He believes additional recycling centres

Hundreds of nappies illegally dumped in West Donegal Read More »

ASTI calls for more to be done to see teachers living abroad come home

A union representing secondary school teachers says more needs to be done to encourage registered teachers to take up vacant posts. The ASTI says there are 122,000 registered teachers, but only 70,000 are employed in teaching jobs here. The union is calling for the policy of offering part-time hours to new entrants to be scrapped,

ASTI calls for more to be done to see teachers living abroad come home Read More »

Donegal gardai seeking information about drug trade in the county

Gardai in Donegal are urging anyone with information about the drugs trade in Donegal to come forward. It’s after two people appeared in court yesterday in connection with the discovery of over €26,000 worth of drugs at the weekend in Letterkenny and Ramelton. During the Community Garda Information slot on today’s Nine til Noon Show,

Donegal gardai seeking information about drug trade in the county Read More »

Ours to Protect – Climate Ambassador, Eddie Bradley 26/03/24

Highland Radio are delighted to partner with Coimisiún na Meán in launching a new series dealing with various topics on sustainability. Donna-Marie Doherty of Highland Radio will have a weekly feature on Tuesdays at 12:30 covering a real mix of different topics and interviews with businesses and experts who have a common interest on expertise

Ours to Protect – Climate Ambassador, Eddie Bradley 26/03/24 Read More »

Appeal after criminal damage incident at business premises in Muff

Gardaí are investigating a criminal damage incident at a business premises in the Springfield Industrial Estate in Muff between 4 o’clock on Friday afternoon last and 1 o’clock on Sunday morning.  A number of windows were cracked at the premises and a lot of stones were found scattered outside the building. No entry was gained

Appeal after criminal damage incident at business premises in Muff Read More »

Search for missing Strabane man stood down after body recovered from Foyle

The search for Jordan Gallagher from Strabane, which had been ongoing since March 2nd has been stood down following the recovery of a body from the River Mourne last night. The Community Rescue Service says its volunteers were deployed on a daily basis since then, along with colleagues from Foyle Search and Rescue and Search

Search for missing Strabane man stood down after body recovered from Foyle Read More »

McConalogue welcomes imminent review of Brexit’s impact on the CFP

The EU Fisheries Commissioner has promised a full evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy in the context of Brexit. Welcoming the announcement at a fisheries ministers’ meeting in Belgium, Minister Charlie McConalogue said Brexit has been the most significant and ongoing, challenge for the fisheries sector, and he has been calling for a comprehensive analysis

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Escalating costs mean more money must be sought for Burtonport development

It’s emerged escalating costs on a major development project in Burtonport mean Donegal County have had to apply for more money to complete the work. Responding to a Dail question from Deputy Thomas Pringle, Rural and Community Development Minister Heather Humphries says just over €2,065,000 was approved for Phase Two of the Burtonport project from

Escalating costs mean more money must be sought for Burtonport development Read More »

Leak detection works taking place this morning in Kilcar and Ranmelton, burst main being repaired in Raphoe

Uisce Eireann say leak detection works may cause supply disruptions in Kilcar and surrounding areas today, with works scheduled to take place from 8am until 3pm. It may take two to three hours after the estimated restoration time for supplies to fully return. Leak detection works in Ramelton today are expected to last until 5pm.

Leak detection works taking place this morning in Kilcar and Ranmelton, burst main being repaired in Raphoe Read More »

IFA warns farmers may soon be dumping wool rather than selling it if new markets aren’t found

The Chairperson of the IFA’s National Sheep Committee says farmers in Donegal will soon be dumping wool rather than selling it. It’s as a result of the price of wool, which currently sits at just 5 cent per kilo following a price collapse in 2016. Letterkenny native, Adrian Gallagher, says there are opportunities to utilise

IFA warns farmers may soon be dumping wool rather than selling it if new markets aren’t found Read More »

Housing policies must be re-evaluated – Gallagher

A Glenties area councillor says many rural areas of Donegal are losing out because national policy limits Donegal County Council from developing them. Calling for a re-evaluation of national and local policies and priorities, Cllr Marie Therese Gallagher pointed to an instance where after a 12 years of consideration. a site for 14 social houses

Housing policies must be re-evaluated – Gallagher Read More »

School principals say they need more support implementing fee school book scheme

  School principals say specialist admin help is needed with the free school books scheme. The Department of Education says it’s offering guidance and has made a grant available to hire help. However, as the scheme is due to cover Junior Cycle students from September, principals have asked for additional support. Director of the National

School principals say they need more support implementing fee school book scheme Read More »

IFA Regional Chair addresses plenary meeting of Donegal County Council

The IFA today made representations to a Plenary Meeting of Donegal County Council. Frank Brady, the Ulster Regional Chairman said that farmers are not respected and called for the farming community to stop being treated as second class citizens. He highlighted the importance of food production in Ireland as well as the quality of the

IFA Regional Chair addresses plenary meeting of Donegal County Council Read More »

Derry PSNI treating criminal damage in the Fountain and Irish Street as sectarian hate crimes

Police in Derry are investigating criminal damage caused at a number of locations in the Waterside and Cityside areas on Friday night. Graffiti was daubed on walls and murals at locations in the Irish Street and Fountain Estate areas. A number of murals have been damaged as well as a wall of a community centre

Derry PSNI treating criminal damage in the Fountain and Irish Street as sectarian hate crimes Read More »

Calls for public consultation revamp in light of active travel plan confusion

Public consultation should not be a ‘tick the box exercise’. That’s what Letterkenny Cllr Ciaran Brogan told the Lifford Chamber at a meeting of Donegal County Council as discussions around proposed active travel works on the Kilmacrennan Road from the Hospital Roundabout to Knocknamona got underway. Several objections were made by members from Letterkenny Municipal

Calls for public consultation revamp in light of active travel plan confusion Read More »

241% jump in blackmail and extortion offences in Donegal

The number of blackmail and extortion offences in Donegal has increased drastically. According to figures released today from the Central Statistics Office, there was a drop in the number of sexual offences and criminal damage incidents. CSO figures have revealed there were 41 incidents of blackmail and extortion offences in Donegal in 2023, representing a

241% jump in blackmail and extortion offences in Donegal Read More »

Public meeting to hear public representatives’ views on ‘The People’s Document’

Responses from political representatives to a new document on the defective concrete block crisis is the focus of a public meeting being held tomorrow. The People’s Document, compiled from the experiences of those impacted by the crisis, was circulated to all politicians following a meeting held on March 4th. It sets out what they believe

Public meeting to hear public representatives’ views on ‘The People’s Document’ Read More »

Two arrested and over €26,000 worth of drugs seized in Donegal

Over €26,000 worth of drugs has been seized in Letterkenny and Ramelton. A person was detained by the Donegal Divisional Drugs Unit in Letterkenny yesterday for the purpose of a search. A quantity of Cannabis was subsequently found. While a follow-up search in the Ramelton area saw €25,000 worth of Cannabis seized, €840 of MDMA,

Two arrested and over €26,000 worth of drugs seized in Donegal Read More »

Car found stripped of its parts in Donegal after being stolen in Strabane

A car stolen in Strabane has been found in Donegal stripped of its parts. It’s after what police have described as a well-planned and organised theft. The white Audi Q7 was stolen after a property in Bracken Gate was entered and the keys of the vehicle taken yesterday between 12:30am and 1am. Working with Gardai,

Car found stripped of its parts in Donegal after being stolen in Strabane Read More »