Author name: highlandnews

Bradley seeking masterplan to ensure restoration of bathing water designation at Lady’s Bay

An Inishowen Councillor is calling for a masterplan to be drawn up to facilitate the improvement of wastewater treatment in the vicinity of Lady’s Bay at Lisfannon, one of only two beaches in the country which had a ‘poor’ rating in the latest EPA assessment. Cllr Fionnan Bradley says the problems, which led to the […]

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Dail told cross border cooperation in the North West could be a template for unity

The Dail has been told that the North West provides a model of how Irish unity can work in a way that benefits all, and protects everyone’s identity and culture. Donegal Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn told a debate on Irish Unity this week that cooperation in the areas of health, education and business show what can

Dail told cross border cooperation in the North West could be a template for unity Read More »

MacLochlainn backs Pat the Cope’s call for a diplomatic offensive to protect fishing sector

There’s cross party support for Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher’s call for a diplomatic offensive to protect the fishing sector and avoid threatened quota cuts,. Time had been set aside for statements on fisheries at the request of Sinn Fein’s Marine Spokesperson, Donegal TD Padraig MacLochlainn. He echoed Deputy Gallagher’s sentiments, saying the government must

MacLochlainn backs Pat the Cope’s call for a diplomatic offensive to protect fishing sector Read More »

Solicitor says Soldier F verdict will have implications for other legacy cases

A former paratrooper known as Soldier F has been found not guilty at Belfast Crown Court of committing two murders and five attempted murders on Bloody Sunday in Derry. The charges relate to the shootings in 1972, when 13 people were shot dead during a civil rights demonstration in January 1972. Kieran Shields is a

Solicitor says Soldier F verdict will have implications for other legacy cases Read More »

Electoral Commission urges people to vote in tomorrow’s Presidential Election

  Thousands of new voters will be casting their ballots in tomorrow’s presidential election, as up to 60 thousand young people have turned 18 since the last general election. This year’s contest sees Heather Humphreys and Catherine Connolly vying to become the next president. The Electoral Commission is reminding everyone their voice counts at the

Electoral Commission urges people to vote in tomorrow’s Presidential Election Read More »

Brother of William McKinney says Bloody Sunday families leave Belfast Crown Court with a sense of pride

Following the acquittal of Soldier F on five murder and two attempted murder charges, the brother of Bloody Sunday victim William McKinney says the families and wounded, and their supporters leave Belfast Crown Court with an incredible sense of pride in their achievements. Mickey McKinney said unlike his victims, there has been no declaration of

Brother of William McKinney says Bloody Sunday families leave Belfast Crown Court with a sense of pride Read More »

Further and Higher Education Minister says investment in education in Donegal continues

The Minister for Further and Higher Education says investment in education in Donegal continues. Minister James Lawless is in the county today to turn the sod of the Atlantic Technological University’s new campus building in Letterkenny, which will include a new library and ICT centre. He told today’s Nine ’til Noon Show that there is

Further and Higher Education Minister says investment in education in Donegal continues Read More »

Defective Concrete researchers present to Oireachtas members

A group of Defective Concrete researchers from Ulster University presented Oireachtas members with their research in Leinster House yesterday at the invitation of Donegal 100% Redress TD Charles Ward. Professor Paul Dunlop, Professor Eileen Doherty, and Professor Karen Kirby met with around 40 TDs and senators, briefing them on the changing science of what is

Defective Concrete researchers present to Oireachtas members Read More »

Donegal one of lowest-performing Councils in enforcing environmental regulations

Donegal County Council is one of the lowest-performing local authorities in enforcing environmental regulations. The EPA’s latest report highlights the need for improvements in 7 of 19 National Enforcement Priorities in Donegal last year. The Council did not meet the required standard over the past three years in Agriculture and Environmental Noise Directive enforcement priorities.

Donegal one of lowest-performing Councils in enforcing environmental regulations Read More »

Housing Agency warns DCB homeowners’ details may have been accessed during cyber incident

The Housing Agency has warned that some information belonging to defective block homeowners may have been accessed during a recent cyber incident. The body says it has been notified of a cyber incident involving one of the engineering consultant companies that works with the Agency on the DCB Grant Scheme. Chartered engineers, Jennings O’Donovan, experienced

Housing Agency warns DCB homeowners’ details may have been accessed during cyber incident Read More »

23 people arrested following another night of violence at Citywest

23 people have been arrested following a second night of violent clashes at Citywest in Dublin. 2 Gardaí were injured as bottles, bricks and fireworks were hurled at police lines. Over 300 Gardaí, including the public order and mounted units, were involved as trouble flared during a second night of unrest outside the IPAS centre

23 people arrested following another night of violence at Citywest Read More »

Donegal Deputy believes Irish fishing sector thrown under bus to secure Brexit deal

Donegal Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher has told the Dail that he believes the Irish fishing sector was thrown under the bus in order to secure a Brexit deal, and that’s why the industry is now facing potential Armageddon. He said the reason punitive quota cuts are being suggested now is as a result of

Donegal Deputy believes Irish fishing sector thrown under bus to secure Brexit deal Read More »

NI Assembly told Community and Voluntary Sector must be supported

The Northern Ireland Executive has been urged to invest more in the Community and Voluntary Sector. Foyle MLA Ciara Ferguson told the Assembly this week that such funding enables people make decisions in their own communities and shape their own future. The loss of community funding she said does not just lead to the loss

NI Assembly told Community and Voluntary Sector must be supported Read More »

ATU students walk out of classes as part of national protest

Students going to Technological Universities say they’re being treated unfairly compared to those in other universities. They staged a walkout from lectures today, to highlight a number of issues affecting the sector. Conor Southby (pron: Soth-bee), Vice President for Welfare at ATU Students’ Union, says students want to have their voices heard………….

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Crime Prevention meeting taking place this evening in Letterkenny

As the busy festive season approaches, Letterkenny Chamber is urging local businesses to take steps to protect themselves against theft, fraud and other security risks. In partnership with An Garda Síochána, the Chamber is hosting a Crime Prevention Seminar this evening at 6.00pm at Dillon’s Hotel in Letterkenny, offering practical advice on keeping businesses safe

Crime Prevention meeting taking place this evening in Letterkenny Read More »

EU Commissioner to visit Ireland as pressure mounts on EU to tackle the Defective Concrete crisis

The EU Commissioner with responsibility for EU industrial strategy, construction product standards will visit Ireland early next year to see at first-hand the devastation caused by the defective concrete blocks scandal in several locations and to advance the EU’s infringement proceedings. It follows discussions with Midlands North West MEP Ciaran Mullooly. Mr Mullooly says the

EU Commissioner to visit Ireland as pressure mounts on EU to tackle the Defective Concrete crisis Read More »

Only six CPOs begun by DCC under the Housing Act in the past two years

Almost 800 properties in Donegal entered the Compulsory Purchase Order Activation Programme over the past two years, but the process of purchasing or acquiring sites was begun by Donegal County Council in only six cases. 353 properties entered the programme in 2023, with proceedings begun in six cases, Four of those were completed. In 2024,

Only six CPOs begun by DCC under the Housing Act in the past two years Read More »

Assembly passes motion calling on UK government to honour post Brexit funding pledge

The Northern Ireland Assembly has passed a motion calling on the UK government to fully replace lost EU funding. The Sinn Fein motion, which received cross-party support, also calls on the British government to provide urgent clarity on the Local Growth Fund, which is expected to be introduced next year. Closing the debate, Foyle MLA

Assembly passes motion calling on UK government to honour post Brexit funding pledge Read More »

Inishowen councillors back proposal for a major conference venue in the peninsula

A meeting of Inishowen Municipal District has backed a proposal for the development of an Events and Conference Centre on the peninsula. At a meeting this week, John Farren of Ballyliffin Golf Club presented the outline of a feasibility study into the project, which it’s estimated would cost in the region of €20 million. Mr

Inishowen councillors back proposal for a major conference venue in the peninsula Read More »

Dail told excluding apartments from DCB scheme s discriminatory

The Taoiseach has said he believes legislation to provide for the remediation of apartments affected by defective clocks and concrete will come before the Dail. He was responding to Doneqal Deputy Charles Ward, who criticised the government for excluding apartments from the current scheme, even though apartments and multi-unit developments were expressly eligible in the

Dail told excluding apartments from DCB scheme s discriminatory Read More »

Delayed recruitment is compounding ED overcrowding problems – INMO

The Irish Nurses’ and Midwives’ Organisation says there isn’t enough staff to meet the demand placed on hospitals nationwide. The union says the recruitment process for nurses working in the HSE needs to be accelerated in order to fulfil pledges made to open more wards and tackle overcrowding. Cork University and Tipperary University Hospitals are

Delayed recruitment is compounding ED overcrowding problems – INMO Read More »

Naomh Comcille GAA club appeals to culprits after weekend break-in

The local GAA club in Newtowncunningham is asking those responsible for breaking into their clubhouse over the weekend to come forward. A spokesperson of Naomh Comcille says that the storeroom had been forced open and damage was done to the roller door. They say they will not tolerate the behaviour anymore, citing it was not

Naomh Comcille GAA club appeals to culprits after weekend break-in Read More »

Letterkenny Councillor continues to call for Council-owned roads to be kept to a road worthy standard

A Letterkenny Councillor says he feels like a broken record in his call for Council-owned roads to be maintained to a road worthy standard. Councillor Michael McBride says many of the less travelled rural roads are in a state of disrepair. Donegal County Council, upon request of Councillor McBride reviewed a number of routes but

Letterkenny Councillor continues to call for Council-owned roads to be kept to a road worthy standard Read More »

Minister Charlie McConalogue confirms support for Humphreys in Presidential Election

Donegal Minister of State for Sport and Postal Policy, Charlie McConalogue, has confirmed he will be supporting Heather Humphreys in the Presidential Election this Friday. In a statement, Minister McConalogue says he knows the Fine Gael candidate to be a person of “high callibre and good judgement” and someone who “understands the needs of rural

Minister Charlie McConalogue confirms support for Humphreys in Presidential Election Read More »

Boil water notice on Glenties-Ardara Public Water Supply lifted with immediate effect

The Boil Water Notice on the Glenties-Ardara Public Water Supply Scheme has been lifted with immediate effect. Uisce Éireann can confirm that, following consultation with the Health Service Executive, customers on this supply can now resume normal use of their water supply. The Boil Water Notice was issued on Friday, 15th September, to protect the

Boil water notice on Glenties-Ardara Public Water Supply lifted with immediate effect Read More »

Over €17 million in refurbishment grants returns 312 vacant and derelict homes to active use in Donegal

Over €17 million in refurbishment grants has returned 312 vacant and derelict homes to active use in Donegal. In total, since the Vacant Refurbishment Grant was launched in July 2022 up to the end of September this year, there have been 1,377 applications from Donegal homeowners with 1,011 approvals. Nationally, over €200 million has been

Over €17 million in refurbishment grants returns 312 vacant and derelict homes to active use in Donegal Read More »

Bundoran RNLI assist in rescue of kayakers after capsizing off Sligo coast

Bundoran RNLI assisted in the rescue of two kayakers after their boat capsized off Inishmurray, County Sligo, yesterday afternoon. The volunteer crew were requested to launch their inshore lifeboat at 12.45pm by Malin Head Coast Guard, who had picked up a faint VHF Mayday, initially thought to be off Fintra Bay. The Irish Coast Guard

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Food price inflation putting household under immense pressure – Deputy Doherty

A Donegal Deputy says workers and families “abandoned” in this year’s Budget are being hit hard by unsustainable hikes in the prices of groceries. It’s as new research found the rate of grocery inflation is at its fastest level in almost two years, standing at 6.5 per cent in the 12 months to October. Sinn

Food price inflation putting household under immense pressure – Deputy Doherty Read More »