Author name: highlandnews

It’s projected it will take 8 years to deliver the TEN-T project which includes the much sought-after Bonagee Link. The project which is currently at the statutory process stage, is set to come before Cabinet in the new year. Councillor Donal Coyle believes the Bonagee Link will alleviate much of the traffic congestion in and […]

The number of homes eligible for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant is being doubled. Cabinet ministers agreed to the move today, which will raise the target to 4 thousand homes to be delivered by 2025. In addition, the Local Government Home Loan Scheme has been extended to include derelict buildings. Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien says

It’s emerged 14 people have been arrested in Donegal over the course of the last week for driving under the influence. 8 motorists were arrests for drink driving and 6 for drug driving offences. Garda Claire Rafferty is continuing to appeal to drivers to never get behind the wheel of a vehicle while under the

With the Christmas shopping season underway, Gardai are urging retailers to adopt and promote shoplifting crime prevention measures. Crime Prevention Officer, Sergeanet Paul Wallace is available for business owners to provide assistance. Garda Claire Rafferty meanwhile, has this advice for shoppers:

Clean ups are continuing in West Donegal which bore the brunt of Storm Debi as it hit the county yesterday. Flash floods in Annagry saw cars destroyed while people were left trapped in their homes in Falcarragh. Many roads have been washed away in parts also. Councillor Micheal Choilm MacGiolla Easbuig says money needs to

The Irish Nurses’ and Midwives’ Organisation plans to engage with their members shortly about the potential for industrial action. The nursing union say the HSE’s wider recruitment freeze has “blindsided” them, and is warning it could lead to more nurses and midwives leaving their jobs and the country. HSE chief executive Bernard Gloster told senior

Sinn Fein has reiterated its commitment to seek and deliver 100% redress for defective concrete block homeowners. A motion was brought before the party’s Ard Fheis by the Buncrana cumann calling for Sinn Fein to deliver full redress for affected homeowners if in Government. Donegal Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn says the Enhanced Defective Concrete Block Grant

Local councils are being urged to carry out spot checks of peoples bins, and prosecute those who aren’t properly separating their waste. The Environmental Protection Agency says local authorities aren’t doing enough to improve air or water quality, or make people properly segregate their household waste. A lack of enforcement on fixing failed septic tanks

RTE will be significantly slimmed down following the news the broadcaster is to shed 400 jobs over the next two years. Its expected to cost RTE in the region of 40 Million Euro. The news comes as staff get the opportunity to examine the broadcasters new strategic plan today. In a separate development The Public

It’s reported that text alert schemes in Donegal are to be co-ordinated from a central base in Galway, a change which one local councillor says has been introduced without any consultation with local groups. Cllr Patrick McGowan says there need to be a meeting of all the local groups to discuss the potential impact of

A Letterkenny based councillor says the adoption this week of the Draft Letterkenny Plan and Local Transport Plan sends a very clear message to potential investors that the town and its environs are very much open for businesses. Cllr Ciaran Brogan says the adoption marks the end of a process of compromise and creativity, during

Donegal County Council planners are preparing to implement the draft Letterkenny Plan and Local Transport Plan, both of which were adopted at a special meeting today. Today’s meeting was chaired by Leas Cathaoirleach Cllr Gerry McMonagle a representative of the Letterkenny Milford MD. He says it’s been a long and sometimes difficult process, but today’s

A number of residents in a housing estate in Dunfanaghy are effectively trapped in their homes this afternoon as a result of flooding, Cllr  Michael Mc Clafferty is Cathaoirleach of the Glenties Municipal District. He says the issues in Dunfanaghy and elsewhere in Donegal show the need for a concerted look at flood prevention policies

Donegal County Council has approved the draft Letterkenny Plan and Local Transport Plan, with the provisions of the two documents set to govern development in Letterkenny and its environs over the next six to ten years. One area covered under the plan has been identified as being potentially at risk of flooding. However, in light

A public meeting to discuss the need to address regional imbalance and reverse rural decline is taking place in Glenties this evening. Midlands North West MEP Chris MacManus, who is hosting the event along with Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty says it is clear from many reports through the years that the region is in need

Enforcement is an issue as people continue to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs in Donegal. That’s according to the Chair of Donegal’s Joint Policing Committee who has been speaking out after four motorists were caught drink or drug driving in the county in one night alone over the weekend. Councillor Gerry McMonagle

Donegal is being hit by the tail end of Storm Debi this morning. There’s reports of flooding in Buncrana and in the Dunlewy area of West Donegal while other parts of the county are experiencing high levels of surface water on the roads. Gardai in Donegal are urging motorists to slow down and allow extra

There’s calls for Donegal County Council to ensure all Tidy Town s groups in the county are evenly supported. Following the success of Donegal in this year’s competition, Councillor Patrick McGowan says a fair share of assistance needs to be delivered to all small towns also. He says it is not only financial assistance that

New laws come into force today around convicted sex offenders. It will better manage and monitor offenders, with Gardaí in certain circumstances allowed to disclose information about them if there is a serious risk to the public. It will also mean they can be prevented from working with children. The DRCC’s Shirley Scott says it’s

Rents are rising faster outside of Dublin. Donegal is one of the cheapest places to rent in the country with the average rent €1,122. However, that’s jumped a huge 20% when compared to the third quarter of 2022. According to the latest Daft.ie report, in the third quarter of this year rents rose by an

Drivers are urged to take care on the roads this morning as Storm Debi tracks the country. There’s widespread disruption to travel and public transport services with a red wind warning expanded to include Dublin, Kildare, Wicklow, Louth, Meath, Laois, Offaly and Westmeath which remains in place until 9am. A status yellow wind and rain

Cathoirleach of Glenties Municipal District says the sea wall on Tory Island must be completed as a matter of urgency. Cllr. Michael McClafferty says the wall was not completed at the time of construction, resulting in those housed at the coastline living in fear of losing their homes. Cllr. McClafferty described the erosion of the

There are calls to extend the hours of service for a Fanad to Letterkenny bus service. The Local Link 300 route has proved to be popular by people in the area as a primary mode of transport. The route covers from Fanad to Letterkenny and passes through Ballylare, Portsalon, Kerrykeel, Rathmullan and Ramelton. This extension

More than one in four hospital consultants have signed up to the new public-only Sláintecare contract. The contract – launched in March – doubles the hours that consultants can be rostered, in an effort to extend the amount of time senior clinical decision-makers are on duty across the health service. 1,056 consultants have now signed