Author name: highlandnews

Today’s Dail committee meeting on Arranmore Island has been told that securing more accommodation on Ireland’s offshore islands is vital, with many islanders wishing to return, but unable to find housing. Noreen Ui Mhaolhdomhnaigh of Arranmore Co-op told the meeting that many people returned to the islands during Covid, and now there is a shortage

An East Donegal Councillor fears a car will go off the road and land in the playground of Murlough School unless road safety measures are put in place. Councillor Gerry Crawford said traffic calming measures are urgently needed in a bid to slow motorists down on the road in Murlough. He says it is way

A meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development is underway on Arranmore Island, the first time an official Oireachtas meeting is being broadcast from outside Dublin. The meeting got underway at Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmuida in Leabgarrow at 10 o’clock this morning. The operation of national and local policies as

Frustrations remain over the delivery of the Tus Nua project in Carndonagh. Regeneration plans have been in motion for quite a number of years now with €9.6m allocated to deliver a new multi-use hub. It’s been confirmed that the project is currently with the Council’s Capital Projects Delivery Unit. Liam Ward, the Council’s Director of

Daniel O’Donnell has issued a warning as a fake page has been set up purporting to be the singer. Those responsible have been commenting underneath Daniel’s post announcing the passing of his mother in law, Marion earlier this week. He took to social media to warn followers not to engage with the fraudster:  

Today’s industrial action at local authorities has been called off. The action, which would have led to a 24 hour email ban since midnight, has been deferred by the Fórsa trade union, due to talks at the WRC. Both sides will meet at the Workplace Relations Commission on Monday to try to resolve their row

Irish householders and businesses are still putting most of their waste into the wrong bin. The Environmental Protection Agency says over two thirds of waste in black bins could have been put in the recycling or brown bins. Its National Municipal Waste Characterisation report shows food waste is the most common in commercial waste bins

State funded IVF will be introduced for the first time next Monday. The €10 million scheme will cover about 3,000 couples a year. There will be eligibility criteria, including around weight. Health Minister Stephen Donnelly says it’s a milestone moment:

The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development meets this morning on Arranmore Island, the first time an Oireachtas meeting which will be broadcast takes outside Dublin. The meeting will take place at Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmuida in Leabgarrow at 10 o’clock this morning. The meeting will discuss the operation of national and

The need for safety works on the Windyhall Road in Letterkenny has again been raised with Donegal County Council, with members asking if the road design office is on the same page as the municipal district. Officials confirmed that funding has been applied for under two national schemes, but pointed out that in parallel to this, works are

Letterkenny Milford Municipal District has been told that the provision of water refill facilities would make a major contribution to the campaign to cut down on the amount of single use plastic bottles in circulation. Officials confirmed a discussion has already taken place at Oireachtas, and the council is discussing the provision of water refill facilities with Uisce

A West Tyone MLA has called for new premises for the Education Other than at School programme in Strabane. The Education Authority has told EOTAS they must vacate their premises at Knockavoe School in a manner that was described as on very short notice, without consultation or any alternative plans or solution. SDLP MLA Daniel

The Quality and Patient Safety Manager at Letterkenny University Hospital is urging patients and their families to participate in a new initiative to help patients become more active in their own healthcare. The “Engaging Patients for Patient Safety” initiative is urging patients to offer feedback on their care, and also giving them the chance to

A parent of Dunkineely National School has said the traffic problems in the area is an accident waiting to happen. Declan Murphy and his child were one of a few involved in a near miss incident at the pedestrian crossing outside the school while making their way back to the car from the school gates.

Normal business resumed this afternoon for Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty on day two of the new Dail term. The Ceann Comhairle intervened during Leader’s Questions telling Deputy Doherty that he was out of order. Tensions grew in the Dail as he told the Housing Minister that his housing plans are a ‘shambles.’ Minister O’Brien in

Three of the largest banks have made a proposal to provide working capital for defective block homeowners who are facing huge rebuilding costs before they can draw down funds from the government’s enhanced redress scheme. The Banking and Payments Federation of Ireland briefed local Oireachtas members on the proposal this morning. Details of the proposal

It’s proposed a pedestrian footbridge be erected adjacent to Castlefinn Bridge in a bid to alleviate serious safety concerns. There’s fears someone could be seriously injured walking on the bridge due to the speed at which cars are travelling on the route. Councillor Gary Doherty says in its current form, the bridge is unsafe. He’s

A Donegal Deputy says the Local Government Bill is a missed opportunity to give local authorities the overhaul and review they urgently need. Deputy Thomas Pringle says the legislation should have been the chance to foster true local empowerment, not just a symbolic gesture. Speaking in the Dail, Deputy Pringle says it appears Councillors are

The Garda Representative Association is due to meet with the Garda Commissioner today. Currently, Drew Harris intends on reverting to the pre-COVID roster in November, which will see some members taken off of temporary units and a fifth unit being created. However, rank and file gardaí want to remain on the current structure of 12

The Taoiseach has said the security at Leinster House may need to be reviewed after aggressive protests yesterday. Demonstrators brought a gallows with pictures of several politicians on it and heckled TDs as they came and went from the building. Leo Varadkar says the right to protest must be balanced with the security concerns of

It’s been suggested that the former Reynolds Music Shop close to the Local Link bus stop in Letterkenny could be acquired for use as a temporary bus station, pending the development of the town’s Transport Hub off the Pearse Road. The issue was raised by Cllr Gerry McMonagle, who told meeting of Letterkenny Milord Municipal District that

Donegal County Council is to liaise with gardai about the number of road collisions and incidents in the vicinity of the Golf Course Road and Kiltoy Junctions on the Ramelton Road outside Letterkenny. Councillors Donal Coyle and Jimmy Kavanagh both had motions before the monthly meeting of Letterkenny Municipal District calling for works to be done. The

A county Tyrone man convicted of killing of Pat Ward has been sentenced to 20 years in prison. Mr. Ward was found dead in an alleyway in Clogher, County Tyrone in 2019. Reporter James Gould was at Dungannon Crown Court:

  A Donegal TD says he expects banks will, in the coming days, announce measures to help homeowners affected by defective blocks. However, Deputy Pearse Doherty, the Sinn Fein Finance Spokesperson told Greg Hughes on today’s Nine til Noon Show that he doesn’t believe the measures will go far enough. He says ultimately, there needs