Author name: highlandnews

Retained firefighters suspend their industrial action following Labour Court intervention

Industrial action by retained firefighters has been suspended. It’s after the Labour Court intervened and invited both sides to the dispute to talks. Exploratory discussions will take place on Monday. The strike action will be suspended for 24 hours to facilitate the talks. The dispute centres on pay and conditions.

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Garda motorcyclist injured in collision outside Donegal Town

A Garda motorcyclist was injured in a collision outside Donegal Town this afternoon. Gardai say they attended the scene of a two vehicle collision between Tullyearl roundabout and Laghey Village on the N15 at approximately 15.35 this afternoon. One man in his early 40s, a Garda Motorcyclist, was injured during the collision and was removed

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Uisce Eireann responding to Carndonagh mains burst

Uisce Eireann is responding to a burst water main which may cause supply disruptions to Carndonagh, Ballyloskey and surrounding areas in Co. Donegal. A traffic management plan is in place, with crews working to have supply restored as soon as possible. Meanwhile, water conservation measure are being introduced on Sunday night at Edrim Glebe, Altadoo,

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OPW to meet with Donegal County Council regarding Grianan of Aileach

The benefits currently reaped of Grianan of Aileach is only the tip of the iceberg. That’s according to Cllr. Jack Murray. He is welcoming long awaited confirmation of a meeting between the OPW and Donegal County Council regarding the potential of the historic site. He says the 4 year wait was frustrating, but the achievements

OPW to meet with Donegal County Council regarding Grianan of Aileach Read More »

National leakage reduction programme works to take place in Clonmany

Works are set to commence in mid-July in Clonmany under Uisce Éireann’s leakage reduction programme. It will see over 790m of ageing water mains in Straid and Gaddyduff  get replaced to put a stop to bursts, outages and leakages. Short-term water interruptions may be caused as a result of the project, however customers will be given

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Gardaí appeal for information on fatal train collision in Sligo

Gardaí are appealing for information as three investigations continue into a train accident in Sligo. Jessica McLoughlin, who was in her 40s, was killed while on the tracks near Ballisodore on Wednesday. She was with her niece, who suffered broken bones. Gardaí are asking for anyone who was on the Dublin to Sligo train on

Gardaí appeal for information on fatal train collision in Sligo Read More »

Council stops short of promising space for support groups in new innovation centres

Donegal County Council says it is committed to working with all Council services, and in particular the Regeneration Team, to progress the delivery of Letterkenny 2040 that will see opportunities to support groups such as the Autism Family Support group realised. However, officials stopped short of making a commitment that space would be provided for such

Council stops short of promising space for support groups in new innovation centres Read More »

HSE, Saolta and NIAS promise full cover for Rally Weekend and Sea Sessions

The HSE, Saolta, and the Ambulance Service are promising extra resources in Donegal this weekend, with what they’re describing as two ‘significant crowd events’ taking place in the county. The Donegal International Rally is talking place with a huge amount of visitors in Letterkenny and surrounding areas, while in Bundoran, the Sea Sessions Festival gets

HSE, Saolta and NIAS promise full cover for Rally Weekend and Sea Sessions Read More »

Pearse Doherty challenges Minister O’Brien in heated exchange in Dáil

The Dáil was almost suspended this afternoon after a row over pay for retained firefighters. During the debate, Sinn Féin TD John Brady crossed the floor of the Dáil and put an on-call pager in front of Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien while sharing some heated words. SIPTU has warned of mass resignations from next week

Pearse Doherty challenges Minister O’Brien in heated exchange in Dáil Read More »

Donegal ETB and Donegal County Council attends first regional dialogue meeting

Donegal ETB and Donegal County Council are in attendance of the first of six regional dialogue meetings between senior Department officials and institutional leaders. The goal is to drive a stronger regional collaboration on some of the major challenges facing the country. Minister for Education Simon Harris welcomed the series ahead of today’s meeting for

Donegal ETB and Donegal County Council attends first regional dialogue meeting Read More »

Crews work to resolve burst water main in Galdonagh and surrounding areas

Repairs to a burst water main may cause supply disruptions to Galdonagh, Doorabble, Ballyholey, Slievebuck and surrounding areas. Crews are working to restore supply as soon as possible. It is recommended that an allowance of 2-3 hours after the estimated restoration time is made for supplies to fully return.

Crews work to resolve burst water main in Galdonagh and surrounding areas Read More »

Deputy Doherty again calls on Government support for families struggling with mortgages repayments

A Donegal Deputy is calling on the Government to introduce temporary and targeted interest relief for families struggling to pay their mortgages. Deputy Pearse Doherty says recent interest rate hikes have pushed certain households to a point where they are struggling to meet their monthly payments. The call comes as the European Central Bank prepares

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Council must rebuild relations with residents associations – McMonagle

A Letterkenny councillor has claimed the spirit of cooperation between the council and residents associations has been lost in the 10 years since the town council was abolished. Cllr Gerry McMonagle was speaking after being told that the council did not have the wherewithal to support residents and the local Tidy Towns committee in replacing

Council must rebuild relations with residents associations – McMonagle Read More »

7 Donegal organisations receive €155,000 RTÉ Toy Show Appeal

€155,000 has been awarded across seven Donegal based organisations from the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal. Recipients include Cancer Fund for Children, Spraoi agus Spórt and the Donegal Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre. It’s from a national total €4 million euro which is set to benefit 1.2 million children across the island.

7 Donegal organisations receive €155,000 RTÉ Toy Show Appeal Read More »

‘Perfect storm’ in Donegal – Mary Lou McDonald

Leader of Sinn Féin, Mary Lou McDonald has said the ‘perfect storm’ is in effect in Donegal. Speaking in the Dáil this afternoon, Deputy McDonald says challenges facing the region are the result of chronic political neglect. The Deputy was the keynote speaker of the Letterkenny Chamber President’s annual lunch in the Radisson Hotel on

‘Perfect storm’ in Donegal – Mary Lou McDonald Read More »

McConalogue confident Nature Restoration Law can be achieved

Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue says he believes a resolution can be found to the ongoing controversy over the Nature Restoration Law which is currently under discussion. The law envisages the restoration of at least 20% of the EU’s damaged land and sea areas by 2030, and all ecosystems by 2050 through strategies such as bog

McConalogue confident Nature Restoration Law can be achieved Read More »

Uisce Eireann repairing two burst mains in South Inishowen and one in Letterkenny

Uisce Eireann are tackling two burst water mains in South Inishowen this afternoon. Supplies are being affected at Burnfoot, Inch Level and surrounding areas with an estimated repair time of 3pm, while a burst affecting Muff and surrounding areas should be repaired by 2pm. Meanwhile, in Letterkenny, a burst is being dealt with at Ardiganny

Uisce Eireann repairing two burst mains in South Inishowen and one in Letterkenny Read More »

Seven men arrested during major garda operation in Galway and Mayo

Seven men have been arrested during a major operation targeting organised crime in Mayo and Galway. 85 gardaí were involved in the operation this morning – including the Armed Support and Air Support Units. A number of properties were searched in Ballinrobe in Mayo and in the Ballybane ((pron: bally-ban)) and Bohermore areas of Galway

Seven men arrested during major garda operation in Galway and Mayo Read More »

TII urged to paint yellow on two major roundabouts in Letterkenny

Transport Infrastructure Ireland is being urged to paint yellow boxes on two roundabouts in Letterkenny. The issue was raised at a Letterkenny Milford MD meeting this week by Cllr Donal Coyle, who says in the case of the Kiltoy Roundabout, traffic heading for the Ramelton Road is coming on the roundabout and getting stuck, and

TII urged to paint yellow on two major roundabouts in Letterkenny Read More »

People with disabilities are still being denied access to transport supports – Ombudsman

The Ombudsman says it’s “shameful” people with disabilities are continuing to be denied access to transport supports. Ger Deering says his office has been demanding reforms in the area for 12 years, but the situation remains unfair and unacceptable. The Ombudsman says there are inequities when it comes to funding for accessing transport for people

People with disabilities are still being denied access to transport supports – Ombudsman Read More »

MacLochlainn urges O’Brien to change his position on firefighter dispute

Retained firefighters walked out of the Dail’s public gallery last night during Minister Darragh O’Brien’s contribution to a debate on a private members motion moved by Sinn Fein seeking a resolution to their industrial dispute over pay and conditions. Minister O’Brien said a separate arrangements cannot be made outside the overall agreement on public sector

MacLochlainn urges O’Brien to change his position on firefighter dispute Read More »

Woman freed pending further enquiries as solicitor condemns drugs arrest

A 27-year-old woman arrested in Derry yesterday as part of a drugs investigation has been released on police bail to allow for further enquiries. The investigation is being headed up by the Paramilitary Crime Task Force and the PSNI’s Organised Crime Branch. In a statement, Ciarán Shiels of Madden & Finucane, the woman’s solicitor, condemned

Woman freed pending further enquiries as solicitor condemns drugs arrest Read More »

Doherty urges councils to seek Peace IV extension so Riverine project can succeed

Donegal and Derry City & Strabane District Councils are being urged to redouble their efforts to get the foreshore and marine licence for the Riverine project over the line. It was confirmed back in February that the development would not be completed within the initial timeframe, throwing the future of the project into doubt, as

Doherty urges councils to seek Peace IV extension so Riverine project can succeed Read More »

Wheel Chair,

Council to write to Housing Minister in bid to increase mobility grants

Donegal County Council is to write to the Housing Minister asking that adaptation and mobility grants be increased. Letterkenny Municipal District was told that the grants are not increasing at the same level as others, but in many cases, these are the grants targeted at those most in need. Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh says increasing these

Council to write to Housing Minister in bid to increase mobility grants Read More »

Deputy Pringle tells Dail pay disparity for Section 39 workers is driving recruitment crisis

Pay disparity between Section 39 workers and HSE is driving the recruitment crisis. That’s according to those on the ground in Donegal. Deputy Thomas Pringle raised the issue in the Dail and called on the Government to ensure it is addressed. In response, Minister Roderic O’Gorman says talks are continuing:

Deputy Pringle tells Dail pay disparity for Section 39 workers is driving recruitment crisis Read More »