Author name: highlandnews

The European Parliament Petitions committee has published its draft report on the fact finding fieldtrip to Donegal which took place in October. The findings will be discussed at the petitions committee in Brussels on Tuesday. The draft report contains six recommendation to local, regional and national authorities of Ireland and to the European Commission, one

Buncrana Community Leisure Centre was broken into and vandalised yesterday afternoon. CCTV footage revealed three individuals in the centre switching on electrical appliances before gathering rubbish and setting it alight. It’s understood Gardaí are at the scene conducting investigations. Chair of the Leisure Centre, Rosina McLaughlin is appealing to the community to stay away from

A Carndonagh councillor says that uncertainty still hangs over the heads of the residents at Radharc na Sleibhte about the facility’s future. In December, the closure of the mental health residential and respite centre was proposed as part of the planned reconfiguration of the Donegal Mental Health Service. Cllr. Albert Doherty says while a letter

A mass public sector strike in Northern Ireland ended at midnight – but it looks like more industrial action could be on the cards. Teachers, health workers, and bus and train drivers were among those involved in yesterday’s walk out. Unions representing public transport workers are meeting today to decide their next steps. Meanwhile NIPSA’s

The Dail has been told that it is totally inappropriate for child maintenance to be assessed as means in social welfare tests. Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle says a review of child maintenance being counted as income is long overdue. He says, particularly for one parent families, this is deeply unfair with recent findings by Growing

Donegal County Council is being urged to install speed ramps at Colton Court at the top of the Bridgend, Ramelton in order to enhance safety measures and make the road safer. Cllr John O’Donnell was told here are no plans to install ramps in the area at the moment, but funding is being sought to

The Mayor of Letterkenny Municipal District says businesses on Pearse Road in the town are struggling, and it’s imperative that Donegal County Council make changes to the road lay-out there in order to make the area more approachable. In particular, Cllr Bradley wants the traffic island beside McDonalds on the junction of Pearse Road and

The Agriculture Minister says China’s resumption of beef imports is a positive development for the beef sector in Donegal. The resumption of exports was confirmed following a meeting between Minister Charlie McConalogue and Chinese Premier Li Qiang yesterday. The market was closed to Ireland after a case of atypical BSE – or mad cow disease

A formal complaint is to be lodged this week to the EU on behalf of defective block homeowners in a bid to increase pressure on the EU Commission to take action against the Irish State on the defective concrete crisis. The publishing of a report from EU Parliament following a mission to Donegal in November

It’s been confirmed that the HSE is to hold a meeting to discuss the future of the Letterkenny counselling service currently operating from the Raphoe Diocesan Centre. If money to fund a full-time director is not made available then the service will cease to operate from March. There are currently 120 people availing of the

Donegal County Council have announced the cancellation of a public information session tonight in the Dungloe Public Service Centre. Due to adverse weather conditions, the information event for on the Community Climate Action Fund will not take place. Information on the Community Climate Action Programme Funding can be found HERE.

A new yellow weather warning for snow and ice has been issued for Donegal, taking immediate effect. Met Eireann say snow showers will lead to some accumulations leading to difficult travelling conditions and some travel and service disruption. It will stay in place until 6 o’clock tomorrow morning.

There has been an update for 14 out of the 19 families facing eviction in Letterkenny. In a meeting of Ballymacool Residents Association, it was revealed these families may be able to get help form the Tenant-In Situ and Cost Rental Tenant-In Situ schemes. One of the other families have since moved, and the remaining

A Fire Service representative told Letterkenny Milford Municipal District this week that Uisce Eireann have been briefed on the urgent need to clear a blocked hydrant at Long Lane outside the site of a house fire in December. However, he could not state whether that work has been done. Cllrs Gerry McMonagle and Jimmy Kavanagh

Up to 170,000 workers are set to go on strike in Northern Ireland today, in a dispute over public sector pay. Significant disruption is expected as members of the civil service, education, health and transport sectors down tools, with rallies also planned in Derry, Omagh & Belfast. Workers voted to strike after the Secretary of

Fears are growing in coastal communities following significant declines in the Irish fishing sector. The Bord Bia Report “2023 – 2024 Future Focused” shows a drop in exports, fish volumes and the value of fish. Exports in the pelagic sector, which would affect Killybegs, fell by 31%. Brendan Byrne is the CEO of the Irish

Deputy Thomas Pringle has called on the Government to reverse a funding decision that’s leaving Donegal’s only child and adolescent counselling service to close. He’s says the news has shocked the county and the many families it has helped. Deputy Pringle questioned the Minister of State for Health, Mary Butler, on who’s decision it was to not fund

Significant funding has been awarded to AWAKE Tourism to see the formation of an Arts Centre in Ardara. Chairman Stephen McCahill says he’s thankful to the council who assisted the group in the application for the BAM programe. The money will be see two derelict buildings renovated, aiding the ongoing rejuvenation of the town. Mr.

A Donegal Deputy says there is a worry that Ireland will become the go-to place for international fraudsters if Government doesn’t enact protection systems for citizens. The Compliance Institute has found that hacking, phishing, online scams and fraud were the top financial crime threats in Ireland. Deputy Pearse Doherty says he raised the issue at

Another effort to establish an executive in the North has failed. MLAs gathered at Stormont today, but were not able to elect a speaker for the Northern Ireland Assembly. The focus now switches to the Northern Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris, who is legally required to call an election if no executive is formed by Thursday. However,

Tourism bodies are being urged to capitalise on a major golf tournament bound for Donegal this summer. Ballyliffin Golf Club will host the R&A Amateur Championships in June with coverage of the event set to be broadcast to 500 million viewers worldwide. Councillor Martin McDermott says the opportunity must be seized by tourism groups in

The country’s biggest electricity supplier and gas supplier have now both announced price reductions. Bord Gáis Energy has cut prices today for the second time in four months, and follows cuts from Electric Ireland on Monday. Customers will also see reduced standing charges, which were increased by all suppliers during the global energy crisis. Darragh

Calls to St. Vincent De Paul for assistance in paying energy bills increased by over two thirds in the space of two years. The charity appeared before the Oireachtas Social Protection Committee, which is discussing challenges faced as a result of energy poverty. SVP says recent price cuts by energy companies are welcome, but more