Author name: highlandnews

Over 11 and a half thousand Gardaí will be balloted on a vote of no confidence in the Garda Commissioner. Drew Harris’s leadership is being called into question over the recruitment and retention of officers during his tenure. The Garda Representative Association has decided it will ballot members following the announcement of a return to […]

A Donegal woman who was raped and sexually assaulted by her father told this morning’s Nine til Noon Show that she’s hopeful her decision to waive her anonymity will help others in the same situation realise it was not their fault. 22 year old Karen Harkin’s father, 55 year old Michael Carter, of Ballymagan, Buncrana,

An Irish MEP has proposed the establishment of an EU ‘one-stop shop’ in Belfast, together with the appointment of an EU Economic Envoy to Northern Ireland. Sean Kelly says that under the Windsor Framework, Northern Ireland enjoys access to both the EU and UK internal markets. That, he says, puts the North in a unique

Some homeowners are about to face even higher monthly mortgage repayments. The European Central Bank is expected to hike interest rates by another quarter of one per cent today. It’ll be the ninth rate rise in just over a year. However its thought it could be the last in the current campaign to dampen inflation.

Rank and file gardai say they should be armed with tasers on the frontline. Recent incidents have raised questions about the resources available to Gardai to deal with violent crime. Donegal based President of the Garda Representative Association Brendan O ‘ Connor says they are effectively used in other countries………

Donegal County Council is to write to the Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris in support of the retention of Donegal as a stand alone Garda Division. Commissioner Harris is currently carrying out a review of the proposed new Garda Policing model, which would see Donegal amalgamated with Sligo and Leitrim to create one “North West Garda

Concerns have been raised regarding the state of crash barriers in Donegal Speaking at a meeting of Donegal County Council, Councillor Noel Jordan said it must be a priority as it is a matter of safety. He added that one particular barrier in Mountcharles which was erected following two fatalities has been badly eroded by

Sinead O’Connor has died at the age of 56. The cause of the singer-songwriter’s death is not yet known. Seán O’Regan has this special report………

A Donegal rape victim hopes her decision to waive her anonymity will help others speak out. 22 year old Karen Harkin’s father, 55 year old Michael Carter of Ballymagan, Buncrana, was jailed for 10 and a half years yesterday for raping and sexually assaulting her over a four year period. The abuse started when she

The Inspector of Mental Health Services in Ireland says she cannot assure all parents that their children have access to a safe, effective and evidence-based mental health service. An independent review of Ireland’s Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services has found that it is severely understaffed. The report found the vast majority of teams across

Construction works are finally underway to deliver a new extension for Moville Community College. The long-awaited works will see the capacity of the school increased drastically with the addition of specialist teaching rooms and more classrooms including special needs classrooms. Andy McGovern, Director of Organisation Support and Development with the Donegal ETB says its anticipated

There’s calls for a co-ordinated plan to be put in place to develop the Finn and Foyle rivers into a Blueway. Donegal County Council says arrangements will be made to contact relevant agencies. Councillor Patrick McGowan believes it would be an ideal Shared Island project between Council’s on both sides of the border. He however,

Donegal County Council is being urged to monitor lakes and ponds for the presence of Blue-Green Algae. A warning was issued along the North coast in Northern Ireland after the potentially toxic algae was detected at Portstewart and Castlerock beaches. While the Council says a weekly sampling and monitoring programme to assess the quality of

The cost of a home in Donegal is almost 50% less than the national average. Meanwhile, the county had the second highest concentration of derelict properties in the country at 11.8%. According to GeoDirectory, the average price of a residential property in Donegal was €192,600 in the 12 months to May. 795 residential buildings were

The average home cost just over €366,000 in the 12 months to May. According to GeoDirectory, Dublin had the highest prices at just over €538,000, while Longford had the lowest at just over €174,000. Donegal, Leitrim and Roscommon were the only other counties with an average price below €200,000. Dara Keogh – Chief Executive of

A body has been recovered from a lake in Fanad during searches for a missing Galway man. Greg King was last seen in the area at around midnight on Sunday. Gardai have confirmed that they recovered a body of a man from Kinnaloch at around 11pm last night. A file is being prepared for the

A pathway must be found for growing anxieties experienced by farmers and their families in relation the Residential Zoned Land Tax. It’s been found that requests to have land de-zoned may be denied if it falls in a central area. Cllr. Albert Doherty raised concerns shared by farmers in the Churchland Quarters of Carndonagh. Cllr.

A Donegal Deputy has welcomed yesterday’s publication of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, however he says evidence of it’s actuality is needed. Sinn Fein’s Padraig MacLochlainn says timeframes need to be released in order to prove to the people of the North-West that they will no longer be neglected. The North-West region ranked 113th out

A consultation has been launched following the publication today of the All island Strategic Rail Review. One of the proposals is the extension of rail from Portadown to Dungannon, Omagh, Strabane and Derry, and then going on into Letterkenny. The government says at today’s prices, full implementation of the proposals would cost in the region

The Environment Minister says the Government needs to be better prepared for freak weather incidents. Minister Eamon Ryan was speaking in the wake of flash flooding in East Donegal on Sunday, with a number of homes and businesses damaged. 84 millimeters of rain fell within the space of a few hours. Minister Ryan says funding

Gardai in Letterkenny are again warning over the theft of what they have described as ‘vulnerable’ vehicles. They say the theft of Japanese imported vehicles has become a weekly occurrence. A white Toyota Corolla was stolen from a business premises on the Pearse Road over the weekend and later found on fire a number of

Investigations are ongoing into the discovery of €4 million worth of cocaine along the North Donegal coast last week. On Wednesday morning last, two packages, weighing a combined total of 60kg were found on Tramore and Ballyheirnan beach. Searches were carried out along the North Donegal/ Fanad Coastline by Gardai, including the force’s Air Support

The Transport Minister says he would like to see a rail network return to the Northwest. The first All-Island Strategic Rail Review, which makes 30 recommendations, is being discussd by cabinet at the moment. The review outlines the need for faster speeds, improved frequency, and new rail routes for people and freight, particularly across the

Cabinet is expected to sign off on financial assistance for businesses in Raphoe and Castlefinn today affected by the flash floods on Saturday. Proposals are coming before Cabinet this morning to reopen the Business Enterprise Fund. Support is available for homeowners through the Department of Social Protection’s assistance Fund. Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue says he

Searches are being carried out in Fanad after a Galway man went missing. Greg King was last seen at midnight on Sunday. People are being asked to check their land and any outbuildings. In a social media post, a friend of Greg’s says they are all very worried as it is out of character for

The government is facing renewed calls to wake up to the climate crisis. The Climate Change Advisory Council’s review for 2023 has found Ireland will not meet the targets set in the first and second carbon budget periods unless immediate action is taken and emissions begin to fall much more rapidly. Among the body’s recommendations