Author name: highlandnews

Council urged to concentrate efforts on East Donegal

The Economic Development section of Donegal County Council is being urged to concentrate additional efforts on East Donegal. Councillor Patrick McGowan says currently, there is too much emphasis on the larger population centres in the county at the expense of other areas. He’s raised concerns that there appears to be no plan or strategy to

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OPW accused of being anti-tourism over access to Grianan of Aileach

An Inishowen Councillor has accused the OPW of being anti-tourism. Access to Grianan of Aileach has been blocked by the Office of Public Works. Councillor Jack Murray says the body appears to be working against the local community rather than with them to promote the amenity as a tourist attraction. He says visitors to the

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Third level members of TUI vote for industrial action

Third level members of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland have voted overwhelmingly for industrial action. 92% of TUI’s members backed action against the regional variations of pay in the technological university sector. The union says the Department of Education is failing to deliver the collective agreement of pay parity agreed in 2017. President of the

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Delayed discharges putting pressure on LUH

The HSE yesterday advised patients to stay away from emergency departments if possible, as a number around the country are under “significant” pressure this week, among those being Letterkenny University Hospital. Commenting on the matter, Donegal GP Dr. Ciaran O’Fearraigh said January typically brings challenges with surges in illnesses such as the flu, COVID, and

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Meeting to take place tomorrow to support families of homes struck by lightening

A meeting has been organised in Trinity Court tomorrow evening in a bid to support three families in Newtowncunningham who has their homes struck by lightning earlier this week. Cllr. Paul Canning hopes a committee and fund will be established, telling of how one family essentially left with only the clothes on their backs. It

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‘Bog Body’ found in County Derry was over 2,000 years old

Police in County Derry have discovered what they describe as a ‘bog body’ dated over 2 thousand years. The Archaeological Unit within the PSNI body recovery team made the discovery during excavations in Bellaghy. They were alerted to human bones on the surface of peatland in October last year, and say a full investigation was

‘Bog Body’ found in County Derry was over 2,000 years old Read More »

McConalogue confirms almost €9 million for marine infrastructure projects in Donegal

Marine Minister Charlie McConalogue has confirmed €12.7m for 15 marine infrastructure projects that will address the impacts of Brexit on Irish coastal communities. The bulk of the money has been allocated to six projects in Donegal. The projects were previously put forward by coastal county councils under the Brexit Adjustment Local Authority Marine Infrastructure (BALAMI)

McConalogue confirms almost €9 million for marine infrastructure projects in Donegal Read More »

Electoral Commission launches information campaign ahead of March 8th referendums

An independent information campaign is being launched this morning on the upcoming referendums in March. Voters will be asked their views on the definition of a family and a woman’s place in the home. Voters will be asked two questions in these referendums. One would provide for a wider concept of what a family is

Electoral Commission launches information campaign ahead of March 8th referendums Read More »

Plans to progress for social housing at old Stranorlar Fire Station site

A plan to demolish the old fire station in Stranorlar and replace it with eight social housing units for older people will come before Donegal County Council for part 8 planning permission on Monday. Cllr Patrick McGowan says with 18 special social housing units for older people expected to be completed and ready to let

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New deadline for return of Stormont institutions in February 8th

The new legal deadline to restore the Assembly and Executive at Stormont will be February 8th after an extension was fast-tracked through the British Parliament. DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson revealed during the debate he has been the victim of threats as negotiations continue over the return of power-sharing. SDLP leader Colum Eastwood condemned those responsible

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Police trying to trace van as man is charged in connection with Dungiven incident

In County Derry, a 30 year old man has been charged by detectives investigating reports that a number of masked and armed men entered licensed premises in Dungiven on Friday evening last. He is charged with professing membership of a proscribed organisation, possession of a firearm or imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of

Police trying to trace van as man is charged in connection with Dungiven incident Read More »

Community groups urged to apply for Local Enhancement Programme funding

Local community and voluntary groups are being invited to submit applications to DLDC under the Local Enhancement Programme 2024. A national fund of €6 million is being made available. The Local Enhancement Programme, funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development is designed to ensure local priorities are identified and met, so as to

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Banks let off the hook in EU Parliament’s report on defective concrete blocks – MEP Markey

Banks have been let off the hook in the European Parliament’s report on defective concrete blocks. That’s according to Midlands North West MEP Colm Markey who says the report must be amended to ensure that financial institutions take a more proactive role in supporting affected homeowners. The results of a fact-finding mission to Donegal by

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Milk collection haulier operating in Donegal handed suspended sentence as “life has punished him enough”

A milk collection haulier who failed to declare over €160,000 in VAT to the Irish Revenue Commissioners a decade ago has been given a suspended sentence on the basis that “life has punished him enough”. 75 year old James Wauchope was a self-employed milk collection haulier working for  Donegal Creameries at the time of the

Milk collection haulier operating in Donegal handed suspended sentence as “life has punished him enough” Read More »

Disability centre resident charged over €4,000 for 5 day Donegal holiday

It cost a resident of a Dublin facility supporting adults with physical disabilities and neurological impairments €4,000 to holiday in Donegal. In a HIQA report published today, it was revealed that the provider, had a policy in place setting out that residents were responsible for the majority of staff costs if required, in addition to

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Donegal developer says social housing opportunities are being lost in the county

Social housing opportunities are being lost according to a Donegal developer, who says he plans to concentrate his efforts on Northern Ireland after his experience with a proposed social housing development which he built in Milford. PJ Doherty began work on the 17 home Lough Fern development in 2019 on the understanding that Donegal County

Donegal developer says social housing opportunities are being lost in the county Read More »

Uisce Eireann completes repairs on Lough Mourne trunk but there may still be issues

Uisce Éireann says it is working to restore normal water supply to a number of customers on the Lough Mourne Public Water Supply Scheme following a burst to a trunk water main yesterday. They say repairs to the burst main have been successfully completed, however customers may continue to experience outages and low pressure as

Uisce Eireann completes repairs on Lough Mourne trunk but there may still be issues Read More »

Council urged to ensure resources are in place to facilitate access to planning documents for defective block homeowners

The Chair of Donegal County Council’s Defective Concrete Block Grant Committee is calling for resources to be put in place to ensure homeowners have timely access to documents needed to progress applications under the enhanced scheme. In order to access the scheme, homeowners are required to submit planning permission approval documentation. The issue for some

Council urged to ensure resources are in place to facilitate access to planning documents for defective block homeowners Read More »

DCC to consider Part 8 planning application for Buncrana Leisure Centre

An Inishowen Councillor says it’s possible that work could start on the new Buncrana Leisure Centre during 2024. Cllr Jack Murray was speaking after Donegal County Council confirmed an application for Part 8 Planning will go before the council on Monday. He’s hoping it will be unanimously approved, and then the development can go ahead

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DCC Agriculture Committee given Deer management presentation

Donegal County Council Agriculture Committee were today given a presentation from the Irish Deer Management Strategy Group, by Chairperson Mr. Teddy Cashman. The group firstly reflected on past work complete by the former Deer Management Forum as well as a pilot program undertaken by Wicklow County Council. They then held a public consultation on the

DCC Agriculture Committee given Deer management presentation Read More »

50 patients without beds at LUH as INMO calls for national government action

The INMO says the HSE and the Government are solely to blame for dangerous and record levels of overcrowding in hospitals. 654 were waiting for beds nationwide this morning, with 50 at Letterkenny University Hospital, 24 of them in the Emergency Department. It was the fourth highest figure in the country after Limerick with 110,

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No non-compliances in HIQA inspection at Rehab Group’s Lifford accomodation

HIQA has published a report following an unannounced inspection at The Rehab Group’s Lifford accommodation, with no non-compliances reported. There were six residents in the centre at the time. The October visit was a follow up to an inspection that took place the previous May, during which five non-compliances were found. Today’s report says the

No non-compliances in HIQA inspection at Rehab Group’s Lifford accomodation Read More »

Power and water outages remain in Donegal following Storms Jocelyn and Isha

29,000 homes and businesses are without power this morning, due to the combined effects of Storms Jocelyn and Isha, thousands of those based in Donegal. ESB Networks says it’s repair crews worked late into the night, and will mobilise again at first light. Power is due to be restored over today and tomorrow in Donegal,

Power and water outages remain in Donegal following Storms Jocelyn and Isha Read More »

Yesterdays flooding in Castlefinn is déjà vu – Cllr. Gary Doherty

Castlefinn has once again fallen victim to the elements as the main road flooded with the arrival of Storm Jocelyn. McGlynn’s Restaurant called on Donegal County Council to take action in a social media post, saying it’s far too often that they are living in fear of losing their business. Residential premises which have experienced

Yesterdays flooding in Castlefinn is déjà vu – Cllr. Gary Doherty Read More »

HSE urges patients to avoid emergency departments if possible

The HSE is warning patients to stay away from emergency departments if possible, as a number around the country are under “significant” pressure this week, with a high number of covid-19 and flu cases Yesterday, 483 patients were left waiting on trolleys, 46 of those in Letterkenny University Hospital. Patients are asked to assess all

HSE urges patients to avoid emergency departments if possible Read More »

Major sheep conference taking place in Letterkenny this week

A major conference that will be of considerable interest to many Donegal farmers will be held in Letterkenny tomorrow. The National Lowland Sheep Conference will feature a number of speakers who will discuss a variety of topics in relation to the sector. The event is free and no registration is required. It gets underway at

Major sheep conference taking place in Letterkenny this week Read More »

Delays in opening of Ballyshannon Community Hospital result of INMO and HSE dispute

Delays in the opening of Ballyshannon Community Hospital is the result of an ongoing dispute between staff and the HSE. That’s according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation who say inadequate provisions and planning around staffing and clinical governance poses a risk to staff and patients. Talks held last Friday between the HSE and

Delays in opening of Ballyshannon Community Hospital result of INMO and HSE dispute Read More »

Donegal Deputy warns of serious crisis in Irish fishing sector

A Donegal Deputy has warned of the serious crisis of the Irish fishing sector. Marine Minister Charlie McConalogue has been asked to clarity the refusal of an offer by Denmark to resolve a dispute over mackerel which would be worth almost €10 million to the sector and access for Iceland into Irish waters. Sinn Fein’s

Donegal Deputy warns of serious crisis in Irish fishing sector Read More »