Author name: highlandnews

Deputy Cannon calls out Sinn Fein front bench members during motion of no confidence debate

There was a heated moment in the Dáil earlier when the Sinn Fein leader said the Government’s emergency response to the school stabbing in Dublin wasn’t adequate. Mary Lou McDonald’s remarks prompted Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to call on her to withdraw her comments and not be mis-leading the Dáil. Fine Gael’s Josepha Madigan accused Deputy

Deputy Cannon calls out Sinn Fein front bench members during motion of no confidence debate Read More »

Industrial Action to be staged outside LUH tomorrow

Fórsa trade union’s clerical and administrative members in Letterkenny University Hospital will protest outside the hospital tomorrow as part of a nation-wide industrial action in response to the recruitment freeze.   It will begin at 12:45pm and last one hour.   The demonstration is one of fourteen to be staged tomorrow, a further seven will

Industrial Action to be staged outside LUH tomorrow Read More »

Donegal gardai stress the importance of the “Ask for Angela” campaign

Gardai in Donegal are stressing the importance of the Ask for Angela campaign as the Christmas party season starts to kick in. The campaign provides people who believe they may be in an unsafe situation the opportunity to seek help in a subtle way. Sergeant Charlene Anderson says it’s an important campaign, and during the

Donegal gardai stress the importance of the “Ask for Angela” campaign Read More »

Referendums on constitutional references to family and care to be held next year

Referendums on constitutional references to family and care will be held on March 8th, 2024. The Cabinet signed off on the final wording this morning. These referendums were initially believed to have been held last month, but there were delays in the proposed wording. But the Cabinet met this morning at Government Buildings and finalised

Referendums on constitutional references to family and care to be held next year Read More »

Fire fighters delayed by clogged hydrant in vicinity of Letterkenny house fire

A woman whose home in Letterkenny was badly damaged in a fire on Sunday night last has praised the fire service personnel who tackled the blaze, but says they were hampered because a fire hydrant close to the house was clogged with mud and couldn’t be accessed. Karen told Greg Hughes on today’s Nine til

Fire fighters delayed by clogged hydrant in vicinity of Letterkenny house fire Read More »

South Donegal Deputy believes no confidence motion in Justice Minister is justified

The Justice Minister is confident she will survive a motion of no confidence in her. Politicians will debate the Sinn Fein motion in the Dail this evening following the riots in Dublin. The Government is expected to comfortably defeat the motion. Helen McEntee has described it as a distraction but South Donegal Deputy Martin Kenny

South Donegal Deputy believes no confidence motion in Justice Minister is justified Read More »

Garda appeal after woman interrupts intruder at her home in Letterkenny

Gardaí are investigating a burglary at Knocknamona Park, Letterkenny on Tuesday last, during which a woman interrupted an intruder in her home. He subsequently fled the scene. Urging people to upgrade their home security, Sergeant Charlene Anderson made this appeal for information on today’s Nine til Noon Show………   Garda appeal in full – Gardaí

Garda appeal after woman interrupts intruder at her home in Letterkenny Read More »

Gardai not ruling out Killybegs house fire was started deliberately

Gardaí have not ruled out that a fire at a vacant house on Friday last in Killybegs may have been started deliberately. The blaze which broke out at around 10pm destroyed the property on the Donegal Road. There are no reports of any injuries. Garda Sergeant Charlene Anderson is appealing to anyone who may have

Gardai not ruling out Killybegs house fire was started deliberately Read More »

Tanaiste raises case of Michael Leonard with NI Secretary of State

The Tanaiste has again raised the killing of Donegal man Michael Leonard with the Northern Ireland Secretary of State. The 24 year old was shot dead in 1973 by the RUC near the Donegal-Fermanagh border. In response to a parliamentary question from Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty, it was confirmed that Micheal Martin has raised the

Tanaiste raises case of Michael Leonard with NI Secretary of State Read More »

Traveller organisations say hate speech legislation is needed now

Traveller organisations say the swift introduction of hate speech legislation is needed now to protect them from online and in person abuse. The Irish Traveller Movement and Pavee Point are holding a special briefing this morning to outline how attacks on their communities have increased in recent years. They are supporting the Incitement to Hatred

Traveller organisations say hate speech legislation is needed now Read More »

Prison service admits mistake in calculating Tom and Molly Martens sentences

Jason Corbett’s killers will not be released from a US prison until next summer. Prison authorities in North Carolina have admitted a mistake was made when calculating the sentences of Tom and Molly Martens, after saying yesterday the pair would be freed next week. Both were convicted last month of killing the Limerick man at

Prison service admits mistake in calculating Tom and Molly Martens sentences Read More »

Public consultation on Draft Climate Action Plan ends in four days time

This Friday, December 8th, is the closing date for public consultation on Donegal County Council’s draft Climate Action Plan. People are being invited to have their say on the plan, and also to comment on two environmental reports which have been published with it. The Draft Donegal County Council Climate Action sets out how the

Public consultation on Draft Climate Action Plan ends in four days time Read More »

Sweeney says DCC should act now to impose 30kph limits outside Donegal schools

Donegal County Council is looking at implementing a 30 kilometre per hour speed limit outside all schools in the county, with a number of exceptions. The issues has been raised by Cllr Barry Sweeney at a plenary meeting of council, and also at the Donegal Joint Policing Committee. Officials said a national review finished in

Sweeney says DCC should act now to impose 30kph limits outside Donegal schools Read More »

Blaney says plan to ban cars from motorway lay-bys flies in the face of road safety advice

A Donegal Senator has hit out at proposals to ban private cars from using motorway lay-bys. A review of the 2014 regulations commissioned by Transport Infrastructure Ireland recommends limiting motorway lay-bys for use by HGV drivers only. However, Senator Niall Blaney says that flies in the face of road safety, particularly as motorways frequently display

Blaney says plan to ban cars from motorway lay-bys flies in the face of road safety advice Read More »

Part of East Inishowen may not be gritted tonight after lorry breaks down

With temperatures set to fall below zero tonight, and widespread ice and frost forecast, Donegal County Council has confirmed all routes on its winter maintenance programme will be gritted tonight. However, a gritting lorry has broken down on Route 5 in East Inishowen, which means part of that route may go ungritted tonight. It covers

Part of East Inishowen may not be gritted tonight after lorry breaks down Read More »

Donegal JPC member calls for more garda checkpoints in rural areasDonegal are loosing their efficacy questioned

Claims checkpoints are loosing their efficacy have been questioned. Donegal’s Chief Superintendent Aidrian Glackin says social media and motorists flashing lights has rendered a checkpoint effective for just 20 minutes. Over 1600 traffic checkpoints have been set up in Donegal so far this year, compared to 2000 during the same period last year. Donegal PPM

Donegal JPC member calls for more garda checkpoints in rural areasDonegal are loosing their efficacy questioned Read More »

Donegal businesses warned to protect against online organised crime gangs

Businesses in Donegal are being urged to protect themselves against the operation of organised crime gangs online ahead of the busy Christmas period. Donegal’s Crime Prevention Officer has warned businesses to protect their sales and revenues by identifying risks such as; knowing their product, knowing their customers, utilising a safe means of payment and using

Donegal businesses warned to protect against online organised crime gangs Read More »

Eamon Ryan will not travel to Ireland for no confidence motion

The leader of the Green Party will not travel back to Ireland for the no-confidence motion in Justice Minister Helen McEntee tomorrow. Environment Minister Eamon Ryan – who’s currently attending COP28 in Dubai – was planning to make a return trip to the UAE in order to continue climate talks after casting his Dáil vote.

Eamon Ryan will not travel to Ireland for no confidence motion Read More »

Ireland unlikely to reach renewable energy targets

Ireland is unlikely to reach its renewable energy targets, according to 95% of industry experts. It’s among the findings contained in a new KPMG report, commissioned by Wind Energy Ireland. The report says Ireland’s current target of 80% of renewable electricity by the year 2030 has become ‘virtually unachievable’. CEO of wind energy Ireland Noel

Ireland unlikely to reach renewable energy targets Read More »

British MPs believe power sharing rules in NI should be changed to bring back devolved government

A group of British MPs say power sharing rules in Northern Ireland should be urgently changed to bring back devolved government there. Civil servants are currently in charge of decision-making. The DUP brought down the executive when they pulled out in protest at post-Brexit trading. The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee claims by letting a speaker

British MPs believe power sharing rules in NI should be changed to bring back devolved government Read More »

Taoiseach defends Eamon Ryan’s decision to fly from Dubai for no confidence vote in Justice Minister

The Taoiseach is defending the Environment Minister’s decision to fly back from Dubai for Tuesday’s no confidence vote in the Minister for Justice. Eamon Ryan’s returning from COP28 to vote against the Sinn Fein motion in Minister Helen McEntee. Leo Varadkar has also confirmed there is going to be an increased garda presence in Dublin

Taoiseach defends Eamon Ryan’s decision to fly from Dubai for no confidence vote in Justice Minister Read More »

Fishermen rescued after vessel sinks on Lough Foyle

Four fishermen have been rescued after a fishing vessel overturned on Lough Foyle yesterday. The Maritime Rescue Sub Centre in Malin Head, Belfast Coastguard and Portrush Lifeboat were launched shortly after 1:40pm yesterday afternoon following reports of a Personal Locator Beacon being activated when the 30 foot vessel fishing herring overturned. The rescue services arrived

Fishermen rescued after vessel sinks on Lough Foyle Read More »

Concerns that shortage of Garda numbers in Donegal will mean insufficient resources for fraud investigations – Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty

A Donegal TD has expressed concern that a shortage of garda numbers in Donegal means there are not sufficient resources in place to properly investigate alleged fraud. A meeting of the Donegal Joint Policing Committee was told that there are currently 432 gardai of all ranks in Donegal, 46 more than in 2017, and with

Concerns that shortage of Garda numbers in Donegal will mean insufficient resources for fraud investigations – Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty Read More »

Minister Charlie McConalogue outlines progress of agriculture in meeting climate targets

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue has outlined the progress of agriculture in meeting climate targets. The Minister outlined how the agriculture, food and marine sectors are playing a leadership role in delivering on the ambitions target which culminate in a whole-of-economy 51% emissions reduction by 2030. To support farmers on

Minister Charlie McConalogue outlines progress of agriculture in meeting climate targets Read More »

No campaign planned by Paschal Donohoe to run for next managing director role

The Taoiseach has confirmed there is no campaign planned by the Public Expenditure Minister to run to become the next managing director of the International Monetary Fund. It follows a report from Bloomberg that Minister Paschal Donohoe was in the early stages of exploring a bid for the job. Minister Donohoe is currently the President

No campaign planned by Paschal Donohoe to run for next managing director role Read More »

Gardaí in Donegal issue Christmas Shopping Advice for 2023

Donegal Garda Crime Prevention Officer Sgt Paul Wallace has issued the following shopping advice for the incoming Christmas Shopping Period 2023. – Buy from trusted sources. – Understand risk and think twice before purchasing. – Check the seller’s reviews and ratings. – Ensure data transfer is secure. – Never send card details by email, text

Gardaí in Donegal issue Christmas Shopping Advice for 2023 Read More »