Author name: highlandnews

O’Broin and McConalogue clash in Dail over rent increases

Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue has been accused of gaslighting renters while taking Leaders Questions in the Dail today. The claim came from Sinn Fein’s Eoin O’Broin, who said Fianna Fail is propping up Fine Gael while repeatedly following policies that are simply not working. Deputy O’Broin told the Dail that one of the highest rises

O’Broin and McConalogue clash in Dail over rent increases Read More »

Overturning of decision to not prosecute soldier for 15 year old boy’s killing in Derry welcomed

The overturning of a decision not to prosecute a solider who shot dead a 15 year old boy in Derry in 1972 has been welcomed. The Court of Appeal has today quashed the decision of the Public Prosecution Service to drop the case. Foyle MP Colum Eastwood has commended the Hegarty family for their refusal

Overturning of decision to not prosecute soldier for 15 year old boy’s killing in Derry welcomed Read More »

Letterkenny largest town in Donegal according to Census 2022

Manorcunningham is the youngest town in Donegal while Derrybeg is the oldest. The Central Statistics Office has today published some of its findings from Census 2022. Letterkenny has been revealed as the largest town in Donegal with a population of 22,549. Of the towns with a population of at least 500 people, Manorcunningham was the

Letterkenny largest town in Donegal according to Census 2022 Read More »

ATU to receive share of €9m to improve higher education access for students with an intellectual disability

The Atlantic Technological University is to receive a share of a €9 million fund for higher education institutions to improve access to higher education for students with an intellectual disability. Higher Education Institutions are being asked for three-year proposals on how they can improve access and enhance course provision. Minister for Further and Higher Education

ATU to receive share of €9m to improve higher education access for students with an intellectual disability Read More »

Works to commence in Donegal forests to enhance biodiversity

Works are due to commence shortly at forests in East Donegal to enhance biodiversity. Coillte plans to adopt a close-to-nature approach for the management of a number of its forests in the Ballybofey and the Crossroads areas, including Drumboe, Creggan and Monellan forests. The Continuous Cover Forestry initiative aims to restructure the forests to enhance

Works to commence in Donegal forests to enhance biodiversity Read More »

‘Level of policing proposed for West Donegal is nowhere near enough’ – Senator Blaney

The level of policing proposed for West Donegal is nowhere near enough, that’s according to Donegal Senator Niall Blaney. Concerns have continued to be raised since new plans were put forward which would see the Donegal Garda division amalgamate with Sligo and Leitrim to form a new division. Senator Blaney fears Garda resources across the

‘Level of policing proposed for West Donegal is nowhere near enough’ – Senator Blaney Read More »

Amber Barrett says inclusion in Ireland squad is career highlight to date

Amber Barrett says being included in the Ireland team for the World Cup is the highlight of her career to date. Donegal native, Amber Barrett and Ciara Grant were this week named in the squad for Ireland’s first appearance at the World Cup by Republic of Ireland manager Vera Pauw. It was Barrett’s goal against

Amber Barrett says inclusion in Ireland squad is career highlight to date Read More »

Gardai trying to track down family of missing man as Sliabh League investigation continues

As Sliabh Liag remains closed off for a fourth day, it’s understood Gardai are trying to track down the family of a man who has been missing since the weekend. It’s believed the man may have been the victim of a serious assault. Searches have been ongoing since Monday for the man who is believed

Gardai trying to track down family of missing man as Sliabh League investigation continues Read More »

Deputy Pringle accuses hotels of ‘price-gouging’ on Taylor Swift concert dates

A Donegal Deputy has accused hotels of ‘price-gouging’ by charging high prices on the dates of Taylor Swift’s gigs in Dublin next year. Deputy Thomas Pringle has told the Dail that you cannot secure a hotel room for less than €350 on the weekend of the concerts next June. He says people are being denied

Deputy Pringle accuses hotels of ‘price-gouging’ on Taylor Swift concert dates Read More »

Senior RTÉ executives to appear before Public Accounts Committee today

Senior RTE executives will spend a second day being questioned on who knew what about undisclosed payments to Ryan Tubridy. 16 people, including former and current members of RTÉ’s executive and board, have been invited before the Public Accounts Committee today. Minister Catherine Martin said yesterday’s appearance by executives at the Oireachtas Media Committee ‘revealed

Senior RTÉ executives to appear before Public Accounts Committee today Read More »

Leader match funding requirement must be reduced for small groups – McDermott

Minister Heather Humphries is being urged to reduce the burden on smaller community applying for Leader projects. Inishowen Municipal District has been told that up to €12 million will be invested in projects in Donegal when the new scheme kicks in next year. However, Cllr Martin McDermott says smaller groups in rural areas may have

Leader match funding requirement must be reduced for small groups – McDermott Read More »

Harkin stresses need for more neurological rehab supports in NW

The Government is being urged to provide funding for a fully staffed community neurorehabilitation team for the Community Health Organisation that includes Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal, Cavan and Monaghan. At present, a south Donegal TD says provision for the whole region is based in Donegal, and it is wholly inadequate. Deputy Marian Harkin says there is

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Cllr Terry Crossan elected Chair of Inishowen Municipal District

Cllr Terry Crossan has been elected Cathaoirleach of the Inishowen Municipal District, succeeding Cllr Paul Canning. Cllr Crossan is a Sinn Fein representative, with his party colleague Cllr Jack Murray elected as Leas Cathaoirleach. Cllr Crossan says there’s always been a strong sense of cross party cooperation in Inishowen, and he intends to ensure that

Cllr Terry Crossan elected Chair of Inishowen Municipal District Read More »

Varadkar says people in Derry have been “rightly demanding” university expansion

The Taoiseach says the people of Derry have been rightly demanding an expansion of higher education in the city and the region. Leo Varadkar was speaking in the Dail this afternoon as he briefed TDs says on last week’s cabinet decision to invest €44.5 million at Ulster University’s Magee campus under the Shared Island Scheme……

Varadkar says people in Derry have been “rightly demanding” university expansion Read More »

169 Donegal women underwent abortion in 2022

169 Donegal women underwent an abortion last year. According to Department of Health statistics, there has been a 127% increase in the number of abortions carried out in Ireland since the abortion referendum. 8,156 abortions were carried out across the country in 2022. Eilis Mulroy, Pro Life Campaign Spokesperson believes Government needs to establish the

169 Donegal women underwent abortion in 2022 Read More »

RTÉ still in covering mode – Deputy Pearse Doherty

RTÉ is still in covering mode, according to Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty. He says nobody is satisfied with the statement issued by the state broadcaster yesterday, which said the former director general Dee Forbes was the only member of the Executive Board, who had all the information to know Ryan Tubridy’s earnings. This afternoon TDs

RTÉ still in covering mode – Deputy Pearse Doherty Read More »

Cllr McMonagle seeks more clarity on future of NoWDOC

The Chief Officer for the Community Healthcare Organisation covering Donegal says they are fully committed to supporting staff working at the NoWDOC service in Letterkenny however, there has been no update on the future of the service. Serious concerns were raised earlier this year over plans to relocate the service to Carlow as part of

Cllr McMonagle seeks more clarity on future of NoWDOC Read More »

Gardai reportedly treating Slieve League incident as possible murder

Reports are emerging that Gardai are treating a suspected assault at Slieve League as possible murder. Two people were arrested but have since been released without charge. Gardai are reportedly treating the incident at Slieve League which sparked a major multi-agency operation on Monday involving Gardai, the Irish Coast Guard and the Donegal Mountain Rescue

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RTÉ representatives to appear before Oireachtas Committee today

Representatives of RTÉ will appear before the Oireachtas Media Committee this afternoon following a damaging week for the broadcaster. TDs and Senators have serious questions about secret payments made to presenter Ryan Tubridy. Yesterday evening RTÉ released a statement laying much of the blame for the controversy at the door of former Director General Dee

RTÉ representatives to appear before Oireachtas Committee today Read More »

Call for budgetary funding to curb domestic violence

A call is being made for budgetary funding to help curb domestic violence. It’s a year since the Government published its Zero Tolerance Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence. The National Women’s Council says recent CSO figures showing 52 per cent of women have experienced sexual based violence, shows the country is experiencing

Call for budgetary funding to curb domestic violence Read More »

Garda

Investigations continuing today into Slieve League incident

Investigations are continuing today into an incident at Slieve League. Yesterday, Gardai said they were investigating an alleged assault at the cliffs that took place between Saturday and Sunday last. Two people were arrested but have since been released without charge. A major multi-agency operation was launched in the area on Monday with a house

Investigations continuing today into Slieve League incident Read More »

Government has ‘Poverty of Ambition’ for the people – Deputy MacLochlainn

A Donegal Deputy has accused the Government of having a ‘poverty of ambition’ which has lead to a multiple crises in the country. Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn was speaking yesterday on the impact of rising energy costs on families in the Dáil. He said that as the result of a ‘Thatcher-Right’ government, the Irish people are

Government has ‘Poverty of Ambition’ for the people – Deputy MacLochlainn Read More »

Progress for capital works at Ramelton community nursing unit

Confirmation that progress is being made on proposed works for the Community Nursing Unit in Ramelton has been welcomed by the new Vice Chair of the Regional Health Forum West. A strategy has been developed for the works which involves the replacement of existing single rooms with new ensuite rooms. Councillor Ciaran Brogan expects the

Progress for capital works at Ramelton community nursing unit Read More »

Loughs Agency appeals for vigilance for Pacific salmon in the Foyle catchment area

Loughs Agency appeals for vigilance to the potential presence of Pacific salmon in the Foyle catchment area. Anglers and members of the public are being urged to report any encounters with the species over the coming months. A small number of confirmed pink salmon were observed in the Foyle system in 2021. As the species

Loughs Agency appeals for vigilance for Pacific salmon in the Foyle catchment area Read More »

Defective Concrete Block Act 2022 to be signed on Friday

The Mica Action Group has been advised today that the revised Defective Concrete Block Act 2022 was adopted on Thursday of last week, effectively replacing the original scheme. It will become fully functional once the final order is signed. This is expected to take place this Friday, along with the publication of a ‘Your Questions

Defective Concrete Block Act 2022 to be signed on Friday Read More »

One non-compliance noted in HIQA report on Dungloe Community Hospital

HIQA has published a report into Dungloe Community Hospital, which had 33 residents at the time of the unannounced inspection in January. The report finds that the residents received good quality nursing care, staff were respectful towards their needs and the patients’ feedback was positive. However, one non-compliance was noted, with the inspectors saying residents

One non-compliance noted in HIQA report on Dungloe Community Hospital Read More »

Flanagan says decriminalisation of cannabis would not be enough

A Midlands North West MEP says legalising cannabis would take its sale out of the hands of the criminal underworld, and create a safe and taxable supply stream. Independent Luke Ming Flanagan told today’s Nine til Noon Show he believes the experience in Colorado, with a population similar to Ireland’s has been very positive, and

Flanagan says decriminalisation of cannabis would not be enough Read More »

Carrigans to reap benefits of funding for not taken-in-charge estates

Three not taken-in-charge estates in Carrigans are to benefit from almost €660,000 in funding. Minister Darragh O’Brien announced the allocation under the multi-annual capital investment programme for the progressive resolution of “developer provided water services infrastructure” in housing estates to enable the taking in charge of these estate. The money will see water services in

Carrigans to reap benefits of funding for not taken-in-charge estates Read More »

‘Major divisions remain’ following conclusion of Labour Court talks on retained firefighters

Labour Court talks on the retained firefighters dispute concluded yesterday with what were described as ‘major divisions remaining between both sides’. The talks lasted just under seven hours. Members of the retained fire service have suspended strike action, pending a recommendation from the Labour Court. Its expected the Labour Court recommendations on the dispute will

‘Major divisions remain’ following conclusion of Labour Court talks on retained firefighters Read More »