highlandnews

Donegal mother describes LUH crisis as ‘unsustainable’

  A Donegal mother has described the situation in Letterkenny University Hospital as unsustainable following a weekend visit to the facility. Kathleen’s daughter was instructed to attend the ED on Friday night and after a number of hours there, staff told her that it could be a further 14 hour wait because her health complaint …

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Questions asked over no Mica meeting between Taoiseach & Council

  Questions are being asked over why a Mica meeting wasn’t facilitated between the Taoiseach and Donegal County Council. Michael Martin was visiting Donegal last weekend and met with a number of affected homeowners and the Mica Action Group. However, it’s thought the Taoiseach should have met with the Council too, to discuss issues relating …

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Survey finds fish weighing debacle affecting local economy

A survey has revealed that the fish weighing debacle is adversely affecting the South West Donegal economy.  The figures, compiled by the Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Association shows that hundreds of homes and workers are being impacted by the ongoing issue. The association says that 239 households are directly affected by the turning away …

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Further meetings over Killybegs fish weighing debacle

  Further meetings are to be held in Killybegs today, to discuss solutions to the ongoing fish weighing crisis at Killybegs Harbour. It’s understood that another large Norwegian fishing trawler turned away from Killybegs Harbour on Saturday morning over the issue. That again led to the ship going to Derry to get its catch weighed, …

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Report into Tony Holohan’s Trinity appointment to be published tomorrow – Taoiseach

The Taoiseach says a “comprehensive” report into Tony Holohan’s move to Trinity College is due tomorrow. Yesterday Dr Tony Holohan announced he was pulling out of the Trinity College appointment, and that he would step down as CMO in July to avoid further controversy. It follows political backlash over the arrangement, which involved an indefinite …

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Emergency powers may be used to house Ukrainian refugees – Housing minister

The Minister for Housing says he thinks emergency powers on planning will be needed to help provide accommodation for Ukrainian refugees. Darragh O’Brien will meet with construction and property representatives tomorrow to discuss ways to increase supply. The Business Post reports the construction sector’s expected to dismiss proposals to build ‘prefab villages’ to house those …

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Secondment questions continue as Holohan steps down as CMO

Opposition parties are questioning whether Health Minister Stephen Donnelly is in control of his department. It follows Dr Tony Holohan’s decision not to take up a secondment at Trinity College Dublin – a job where the Independent reported the Government would pay his entire salary as a university professor – a salary believed to be …

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Road closures, diversions in place in Ballybofey ahead of Finn Harps game

Gardaí say that a number of road closures and diversions will be in place in Ballybofey today, as the big North-West derby between Finn Harps and Derry City takes place. Gardaí will be closing Chestnut Lane from the entrance to Finn Park (beside Aldi), as well as the Navenny Grill, Doghouse Bar junction from 4.30 …

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Claims that another fishing boat turned away from Killybegs harbour today

There have been claims that yet another fishing boat has been prevented landing at Killybegs today. The Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Association say a Norwegian vessel had to relocate from Killybegs to Derry to weigh the fish it had onboard for the second time in a week – with no alternative options given to the …

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Tony Holohan to chair NPHET replacement group

Ten members of the old NPHET are on the new Covid Advisory Group. Chief medical officer, Tony Holohan, will chair the body of 20 people. It also includes well-known professors Luke O’Neill, Paddy Mallon and Mary Horgan. NPHET held its last meeting in February, and has been replaced with a smaller group.

Health Dept head to appear at Public Accounts Committee over Holohan controversy

The head of the Department of Health is to appear before the Public Accounts Committee over Tony Holohan’s secondment. The chief medical officer’s due to become a professor at Trinity College – but the government has paused the appointment. Ministers are concerned about the recruitment process, and how the state will continue to pay his …

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New 24-hour recycling facility opened in Carndonagh

It’s been confirmed that an additional 24 hour bring bank recycling location has been established in Carndonagh. Operational from yesterday, the facility is located on the grounds of the Inishowen livestock mart and follows a long campaign locally. Local Cllr Albert Doherty says the area had been without adequate facilities for quite some time, and …

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Derry City and Strabane Council hosting Irish language starter course

Derry City and Strabane District Council is running a one-hour Irish-Language Taster Course via Zoom. It’s getting underway on Monday April 25th at 7pm and is part of the Lifelong Learning Festival that will run from 25 – 29 April. This festival seeks to raise awareness of Derry and Strabane as a learning city. The …

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Public meeting in Killybegs today over fish weighing controversy

People are being reminded of a public meeting later today over the fish weighing controversy in Killybegs. The meeting is getting underway in at the Tara Hotel at 4pm Friday with all members of the public, fishermen, processors, factory workers, shop & catering staff and political representative invited to attend. The meeting was called by …

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Council begins preparation of County Development Plan

  Donegal County Council has started the preparation of a new County Donegal Development Plan. A Pre-Draft public consultation process has officially begun The new development plan will set out an overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of Donegal from 2024-2030. The plan will include a written statement, maps and associated Environmental …

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Cross-border programme submitted to European Commission

  A 1.1 billion euro cross-border programme has been submitted to the European Commission. The plan aims to support peace and prosperity across Northern Ireland and the border counties. Commission approval and adoption of the ‘Peace Plus’ programme is expected in the summer. It was approved by the Irish Government, Northern Ireland Executive and the …

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Further action to tackle cost of living to be considered

The Tanaiste says the coalition leaders will meet next week to discuss further action on the cost of living crisis. Charities are warning some people are close to losing their homes as they can’t afford to pay the bills. Tanaiste Leo Varadkar says they’ll offset the upcoming carbon tax increase – but there’s a limit …

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SFPA seeks to clarify situation regarding fish weighing protocols

The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority has confirmed it has submitted a new Control Plan for approval by the EU which would enable the derogation of weighing of fishery products. In a statement today, the SFPA seeks to clarify a number of issues with regard to recent control inspections in Killybegs. The authority repeats its assertion that …

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Naughton wants roads included in Shared Island Fund

The Chief Executive of Donegal County Council has confirmed officials are beginning the process of liaising with colleagues in Derry, Tyrone and Fermanagh, with a view towards preparing applications under the government’s Shared Island Fund. The latest scheme, announced this week, encourages Local Authorities to partner on a cross-border basis to bring new projects through …

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Strabane woman launches petition for clear sugar and fat warnings

A Strabane woman has launched a petition calling for clear sugar and fat warnings on food packaging. Sharron McCormick is lobbying the Government to make sugar and fat labeling mandatory to signal high levels in products. She says the amount of sugar consumed has increased dramatically in recent years which is having a direct impact …

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Taoiseach calls for secondment of Tony Holohan to be paused

The Taoiseach has called on the secondment of Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan to Trinity College to be paused pending a reassessment. The Government is due to receive a report on the process around the appointment next week. Speaking in Helsinki this morning Taoiseach Micheál Martin put a pause on Dr Tony Holohan’s appointment …

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‘Serious question mark’ over National Broadband Plan

An Independent TD says there’s a ‘serious question mark’ around the National Broadband Plan. It’s after it was revealed just over 40 thousand homes were passed by the end of March. New figures from National Broadband Ireland show the target for the end of the year, has been cut from 205,000 to 102,000 Independent Deputy …

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Three men due in court on charges relating to incidents in Tyrone, Derry and Armagh

Three men are due to appear in court today following a number of incidents in Tyrone, Derry and Armagh. The men aged 63, 23 and 20 have been charged with a number of offences including possession of firearm or imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, theft, criminal damage, handling stolen goods and …

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Concerns remain over Letterkenny Local Development Plan

Donegal County Council has been told that the Local Development Plan for Letterkenny is not ready to go to public consultation yet, as there are still some disagreements between members and officials. Speaking during a protracted debate at this week’s council meeting, Head of Planning Liam Ward said the Letterkenny 2040 Document and the local …

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Tributes paid on passing of former Cllr Dermot McLaughlin

Tributes have been paid to former Fianna Fail Councillor Dermot McLaughlin following his death. Mr McLaughlin served as a Councillor on the Buncrana Urban District Council, taking on the role as Chair on numerous occasions. Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council Councillor Jack Murray says he leaves behind an incredible legacy having represented the people of …

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Two Irish diplomats expelled from Russia

Two Irish diplomats have been expelled from Russia. The Minister for Foreign Affairs confirmed two diplomats from Ireland’s Embassy in Moscow have been asked to leave. Minister Simon Coveney says the Ambassador of Ireland to the Russian Federation, was informed of the decision, after he was summoned to the Foreign Ministry in Moscow yesterday afternoon. …

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Deputy Pringle believes faith in electoral system needs strengthened

A Donegal Deputy believes that the overall faith in the electoral system needs to be strengthened. Deputy Thomas Pringle was speaking in the Dail during statements on the Electoral Reform Bill. The Bill is set to bring about a major modernisation of the electoral system including making the voter registration process easier and to promote …

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Rescue operation in Downings

A woman has been rescued in Downings this evening. At around 7pm the Mulroy Coast Guard and Rescue 118 helicopter were tasked to the scene after the woman broke her ankle in an area off the beaten track. She was transferred to Letterkenny University Hospital for treatment to her injuries.

Just over 40,000 homes passed under Broadband plan

  Just over 40,000 homes were passed by the end of March, under the National Broadband plan. That’s according to Sinn Fein’s spokesperson on communications, who has received updated figures from National Broadband Ireland. It shows the target for the end of the year has been reduced to 102,000 from 205,000. The company’s issued a …

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