Author name: highlandnews

There’s widespread shock following the announcement this lunchtime that Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is stepping down. Fellow Fine Gael party member, Donegal Deputy Joe McHugh has echoed that sentiment. Leo Varadkar has indicated his successor will be elected before the party’s Ard Fheis on April 16th. Deputy McHugh is not contesting the next general election but […]

Leo Varadkar has confirmed he’s stepping down as Taoiseach and leader of Fine Gael. He’s resigning as leader of his party with immediate effect, and will step down as Taoiseach when a successor is appointed. A new Taoiseach will be elected when the Dáil resumes after the Easter break, Mr Varadkar will continue as an

Monsignor Kevin Gillespie has been named as Diocesan Administrator in Raphoe after Bishop Alan McGuckian took up his new position in Down and Connor yesterday. He will run the diocese in a caretaker role until a new Bishop is appointed. A native of Gaoth Dobhair, Monsignor Gillespie is currently the Administrator of St. Eunan’s Cathedral,

The Raphoe Community Playgroup has confirmed it is moving to a temporary premises in June because its building has been condemned due to the presence of defective concrete. For some years, management have been aware of mica in the foundations and rising walls, and it was being regularly monitored, but now an engineer has confirmed

The head of the GRA says he’s confident members will back proposals to end the Garda roster dispute. The National Executive of the Garda Representative Association has accepted a new proposal, and a ballot of members will now take place. At the height of the dispute, rank and file Gardaí voted no confidence in Garda

The family of a young girl from Redcastle who became very got sick while on holiday in Benidorm say they are “blown away” by the support they have received from the public. Millie Wilson, who turns two next month, was hospitalised after becoming very ill, and was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis and sepsis. To help

A Lifford Stranorlar Councillor says there must be more focus on the need for improvements to the Corcam Bends on the N15 between Stranorlar and Killygordon. The 1.5 km stretch to the east of Stranorlar has been identified as sub-standard and in need of realignment. A public consultation ended in December, with Donegal County Council

There are claims ‘EU Militarisation’ will have serious implications for Ireland. A Dáil protest will take place today against any move towards a European Army. The EU has set out proposals for a European Defence Industrial Strategy. Independent TD Thomas Pringle believes there has been an intensification in efforts to militarise the bloc………..

Labour says the large number of young people still living with their parents is damaging to all involved. 68 per cent of Irish adults under the age of 36 are living in their family homes because they can’t afford to move out. Financial experts say it will now take a young person earning 50 thousand

Alcohol companies are being warned they could face legal action over the promotion of zero alcohol products. Alcohol Action Ireland says drink brands are “egregiously flouting” laws around advertising at sporting events. They are calling on the government to close the loopholes around alcohol marketing practices, as they could be “predatory” towards children. CEO of

Families in Donegal are struggling to put food on the table as they grapple with high mortgage rates and extortionate rents. Councillor Micheal Choilm MacGiolla Easbuig says for some children schools meals are the only bite of food they will receive all day as families simply can’t make ends meet. He says the Government must

Irish Grass Fed Beef has hit the shelves in Italy for the first time since it was awarded PGI status. Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue is in Milan for the occasion. He says it is an important milestone for producers and processors. Minister McConalogue says moving forward, the focus will shift to expanding into additional markets:

A Foyle MLA has urged the NI Assembly to do all it can to create jobs and opportunities to retain people. Mark Durkan was speaking during a debate on job creation targets. An SDLP amendment proposed the North’s economy to be regionally rebalanced. Mr Durkan says support for Universities right across the North is essential

It’s claimed a super trawler factory is hoovering up fish off the coast of Donegal. Sinn Fein’s Fisheries and Marine spokesperson, Donegal Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn has highlighted how Dutch corporation, PVP being permitted to fish in Donegal waters is in stark contrast to 14 year Muireann Kavanagh from Arranmore Island who recently wrote to Minister

A 40% increase in Ireland’s contribution to the UN World Food Programme has been announced. Agriculture, Food and Marine Minister Charlie McConalogue committed €105 million in funding to the programme over the next three years during his St Patrick’s Day expedition to the East African region. He met also with Mountcharles woman, Mary-Ellen McGroarty who

  Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to a three vehicle collision on Wednesday night last between Letterkenny and Kilmacrennan. The crash happened at approximately 10pm. Sergeant Charlene Anderson has been appealing for information……………

The government’s being urged to postpone a planned increase in excise duty on fuels which is scheduled for April 1st. In the UK Spring Budget earlier this month, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, announced that the UK will postpone any increases for the next 12 months. However, the lobby group Fuel for Ireland says an Irish move

Gardaí are investigating a fatal road traffic collision on the Ramelton Road outside Letterkenny just before 6 o’clock on last Friday morning. Ciaran Mc Art from The Glebe in Letterkenny, a pedestrian in his 30s lost his life in the tragedy. During the Community Garda Information Slot on today’s Nine til Noon Show, Sergeant Charlene

The EU Petitions Committee has unanimously voted to adopt a report on defective concrete blocks. Midlands North West MEP Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan says the report is vindication of the tireless campaigning of affected homeowners, validation of the unprecedented situation they find themselves and starkly sets out the severe failures at national level to address the

Convicted garda killer Pearse McAuley has been found dead his home in Strabane. It’s believed the 59 year old died from natural causes. He was part of the IRA gang that shot dead Detective Garda Jerry McCabe in Limerick in 1996, five years after escaping from Brixton Prison in London. He was released from jail

Parents of young teenagers with special educational needs are having serious difficulties in securing suitable secondary school placements. There’s a warning that the growing demand for specialised services is far outstripping the availability of places for those starting first year in the autumn. Ken Kilbride is CEO of ADHD Ireland………………….

Former Irish Grand National and Cheltenham winning jockey Nina Carberry has thrown her hat in the ring to become a member of the European parliament. The 39 year old is seeking a nomination to run as a Fine Gael candidate in the Midlands North West constituency. Ireland Editor for the Irish Independent Fionnan Sheahan believes

It’s emerged defective block homeowners in Donegal are living with rodents as a result of the damage threshold contained in the Enhanced Defective Concrete Block. The stipulation included in the revised scheme means homeowners must be able to show evidence of at least 1mm of cracks in their property and not have carried out any

The manager of Comharchumann Tory has warned that social houses need to be built on the island to retain younger generations. Planning permission for houses was previously refused on the basis that no drinkable water is available. It’s been almost 30 years since social homes were delivered for islanders. Marjorie Uí Chearbhall hopes ongoing works

Letterkenny Municipal District has been told another speed ramp needs to be installed on the Kiltoy Road, close to the Loughnagin and Golf Course Road Junction. The issue was raised by Cllr Donal ‘Mandy’ Kelly, who was told that the section of road is included in the 2024 Restoration Improvement Programme. The area’s Roads Engineer

The Taoiseach has used St Patrick’s Day celebrations at the White House to address a need for a ceasefire in Gaza. Sinn Fein’s Mary Lou McDonald is also in Washington – where she accused the US of getting its response to Israel’s war against Hamas, ‘dangerously, badly wrong.’ There’ve been pro-Palestine protests in Dublin and