Author name: highlandnews

Road Safety campaigners focus on seatbelts after three weekend deaths

Anyone getting into a car is being reminded to always wear a seatbelt, regardless of the length of the drive. The advice comes on the back of a weekend where three people died on our roads, bringing this year’s number of deaths to 40. Three others, including two children, were hospitalised after crashes in Limerick, […]

Road Safety campaigners focus on seatbelts after three weekend deaths Read More »

Focus Ireland fears ending eviction ban will see unprecedented numbers lose their homes

Focus Ireland says it’s “deeply worried” about the Government’s decision to end the eviction ban. The homeless support charity says ending the ban on March 31st will see “unprecedented numbers” of people losing their homes. Opposition parties have called for it to be re-instated immediately to prevent thousands of people from becoming homeless. Mike Allen

Focus Ireland fears ending eviction ban will see unprecedented numbers lose their homes Read More »

Doherty urges road planners to cooperate with farmers on flood works

An Inishowen councillor is urging the road design and planning sections to ensure that farmers are consulted when road projects are being designed, particularly in cases where flooding is an issue. Cllr Albert Doherty told a meeting of Inishowen Municipal District that the Tulla Farmers’ Association has ideas to prevent flooding in their area, and

Doherty urges road planners to cooperate with farmers on flood works Read More »

Donegal Irish filmmaker inspired by An Cailín Ciúin and the possibilities of the future

Irish stars face an anxious wait to see how they fare at tonight’s Oscars. The Banshees of Inisherin is up for nine nominations, while An Cailín Ciúin has a nod for best international film. More locally we’ve had a word with Gaeilgeoir Racheal Sharkey who is starting out on her film making career…   In

Donegal Irish filmmaker inspired by An Cailín Ciúin and the possibilities of the future Read More »

Killybegs Day Hospital and Donegal Hospital Day Centre to reopen April 3rd.

Deputy Thomas Pringle is welcoming the reopening of day services in Killybegs, Donegal town. Confirmation has been made that Killybegs Day Hospital and the Donegal Hospital Day Centre will reopen on April 3rd. He says the service is important to many users in the area, and while alternative centres were offered in other locations it

Killybegs Day Hospital and Donegal Hospital Day Centre to reopen April 3rd. Read More »

People can’t afford rent in West-Donegal – Cllr Mac Giollaeasbuig

A west Donegal Councillor is calling on the Government to provide more homes in west Donegal. Councillor Micheal Choilm Mac Giollaeasbuig says local people are having to move to other communities as they can’t find affordable housing in their area. He says holiday homes are putting pressure on housing demand and more houses need to

People can’t afford rent in West-Donegal – Cllr Mac Giollaeasbuig Read More »

Over 4700 eviction notices issued in third quarter of 2022

More than 4,700 eviction notices were issued in the third quarter of last year, according to figures from the Residential Tenancies Board. The evictions will impact around 10,000 people, with six in ten of those landlords saying they are selling the property. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar says they made a tough decision in ending the ban

Over 4700 eviction notices issued in third quarter of 2022 Read More »

Gritting for all Donegal Winter Maintenance designated routes to commence this evening

Donegal county council have issued a gritting notice for all Donegal Winter Maintenance designated gritting routes. Gritting will begin at 7PM this evening. Drivers are urged to assume no road is ice free.   Donegal gritting route index is as follows: 01: National Primary North 02: National Primary Central 03: National Primary South 04: Inishowen

Gritting for all Donegal Winter Maintenance designated routes to commence this evening Read More »

Bus Eireann opens School Transport portal for 2023/2024 academic year

The portal for Bus Éireann’s School Transport opens today for the 2023/2024 academic year. It’s been claimed some students were impacted last year by the waiver of fees, as those who didn’t necessarily need a ticket, availed of one for convenience. That resulted in other students without a place on the school bus. This year

Bus Eireann opens School Transport portal for 2023/2024 academic year Read More »

731 new housing units granted planning permission in Donegal in 2022

731 new housing units were granted planning permission in Donegal last year. Figures published today by the CSO show in the final quarter of last year, 146 new dwellings were granted permission along with 11 apartments. 90 other new construction projects were given the go ahead as well as 82 extensions and 28 conversions granted

731 new housing units granted planning permission in Donegal in 2022 Read More »

Adverse weather continuing to cause travel disruption in Donegal

The adverse weather continues to cause travel disruption in Donegal. A status yellow ice warning remains in place until midday. While snowfall was not as bad as forecast, ice has resulted in hazardous driving conditions. The Rahan road between Letterkenny and Drumkeen is currently blocked. A car has gone off the road and Gardaí are

Adverse weather continuing to cause travel disruption in Donegal Read More »

A lot of apprehension still over defective block homeowners rebuilding on existing foundations

There appears to still be a lot of apprehension in Donegal among defective block homeowners over rebuilding on existing foundations. The Government’s stance is that in the case of a demolition, the property must be rebuilt on the original foundations. However, campaigners are questioning the exclusion of foundations from the scheme. Claire Irwin, a quantity

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Former DCC Cathaoirleach says response to housing crisis must go beyond conventional politics

A former Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council says the housing crisis will not be resolved until we have a real debate in this country which recognises the fact that we are in a crisis situation which demands a special response. On today’s Nine til Noon Show, Brendan Byrne said one of the problems at the

Former DCC Cathaoirleach says response to housing crisis must go beyond conventional politics Read More »

Donegal Deputy questions why Government sits on ‘rainy day fund’ as school projects on hold

A Donegal Deputy has questioned why the Government continues to sit on its ‘rainy day fund’ while school construction is put on hold. A rise is construction costs has been cited by Government as the reason why 58 projects nationwide have been stalled, around 14 in Donegal. The rainy day fund currently has a balance

Donegal Deputy questions why Government sits on ‘rainy day fund’ as school projects on hold Read More »

Serious questions raised as NIFRS tasked to Donegal 93 times in 2022

Serious questions are being raised as its emerged the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service was tasked to Donegal on 93 occasions last year. Latest figures from Donegal County Council reveal that the Donegal Fire Service was mobilised 935 times during 2022 and dealt with a total of 827 incidents. Councillor Martin McDermott is seeking

Serious questions raised as NIFRS tasked to Donegal 93 times in 2022 Read More »

People Before Profit warn of potential for ‘tsunami of evictions’

People Before Profit TD Bríd Smith says there could be a “tsunami of evictions.” Her comments come after the Government announced its plans to end the eviction ban at the end of the month. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said yesterday the ban won’t be brought back even if there’s a rise in homelessness. Deputy Bríd Smith

People Before Profit warn of potential for ‘tsunami of evictions’ Read More »

Pausing of school construction a ‘sucker punch’ to parents and pupils

The pausing of the construction of 58 schools has been described as a “sucker punch” to parents and pupils. That’s the view of Labour Leader Ivana Bacik as a rise in building costs was cited for the stoppage in the Dáil this week. More than a dozen schools in Donegal are affected. Despite the building

Pausing of school construction a ‘sucker punch’ to parents and pupils Read More »

Donegal businesses urged to be on high alert over St. Patrick’s weekend

Businesses in Donegal are being urged to take extra security precautions over the St. Patrick’s Day bank holiday weekend. Security specialists Netwatch say they’ve seen a 16% increase in attempted security breaches this year to date and expect an increase of up to 30% over the weekend celebrations with most occurring between 6pm and midnight:

Donegal businesses urged to be on high alert over St. Patrick’s weekend Read More »

Deputy Pringle calls on Government to use rainy-day fund to assist school construction

  Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle has submitted a parliamentary question to the Minister for Education, regarding the progress of construction at Gaelscoil na gCeithre Máistrí. The Donegal Town school is one of 58 schools across Ireland with outstanding works to be done. Deputy Pringle condemned the Governments decision to sit on a reported €6-billion rainy-day fund while putting

Deputy Pringle calls on Government to use rainy-day fund to assist school construction Read More »

ATU and NWRC collaborate to offer studies in Electric Vehicle Technology

The North West is at the centre of a new venture allowing technology students grow and develop their knowledge of electric vehicle technology. The Donegal ATU campus in Letterkenny and North West Regional College have come together to create what they’re calling a unique cross border pathway for learners to advance their studies. The initiative,

ATU and NWRC collaborate to offer studies in Electric Vehicle Technology Read More »

Cross-border co-operation continues in Omagh attempted murder investigation

Cross-border cooperation between the Gardai and the PSNI is continuing in an effort to find gunmen who tried to murder one of Northern Ireland’s top detectives. Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell remains in a critical condition in hospital after he was shot several times in Omagh two weeks ago. Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said the

Cross-border co-operation continues in Omagh attempted murder investigation Read More »

Letterkenny Engineer Helping Ireland Reach Cleaner Energy Future

Eoin Stevenson, son of Eamon and Susan, started his education at Gaelscoil Adhamhnáin and knew from an early age that he wanted to pursue a career path that would help make Ireland a more sustainable place. “I spent a lot of my childhood watching David Attenborough documentaries. His advocacy to preserve and restore biodiversity, transition

Letterkenny Engineer Helping Ireland Reach Cleaner Energy Future Read More »

Mac Lochlainn tells Dail goverment must take a harder line on Rockall

The government is being urged to take a more hardline approach to the British government’s 12 mile exclusion zone around Rockall. In the Dail this morning, Junior Minister Martin Hayden said the government doesn’t accept the limit, and is involved in diplomat efforts to ensure traditional fishing patterns are continued. However, Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn called

Mac Lochlainn tells Dail goverment must take a harder line on Rockall Read More »

16 Donegal projects to share over €180,000

16 projects in Donegal are to share over €180,000 in funding under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme. The scheme assists owners of heritage structures – including those on the local authorities’ Record of Protected Structures and those in Architectural Conservation Areas – to meet their obligations to care for their properties by providing match-funded grants

16 Donegal projects to share over €180,000 Read More »

North West Cancer Centre Fundraising Concert in St Columbs Cathedral, March 31st

Ian Peilow, from Derry-Londonderry, has battled cancer twice, first in 2003 when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer and was then diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2020. Ian has since been given the all clear, during his time battling cancer he received amazing care from the NHS throughout Northern Ireland. Ian has decided to

North West Cancer Centre Fundraising Concert in St Columbs Cathedral, March 31st Read More »

Concerns over delivery of €2.5m health centre for Dunfanaghy

Concerns have been raised over the delivery of a new health centre in Dunfanaghy. The €2.5m development was due to be completed in 2020. However, to date construction works have yet to commence. Councillor Michael McClafferty says he has sought an update from the Health Minister:   Dr Rory Stewart, a GP in Dunfanaghy says

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Calls for parts of Inishowen to be added to winter gritting programme

There’s calls for parts of the Inishowen peninsula to be included in Donegal County Council’s Winter Gritting Programme to facilitate access year round. Councillor Johnny McGuinness believes the Inishowen 100 and the Wild Atlantic Way should be reclassified in order for them to be gritted due to a number of schools currently omitted and to

Calls for parts of Inishowen to be added to winter gritting programme Read More »

‘No citizen should be denied access with legal tender’ – Deputy MacLochlainn

No citizen should be denied access to a community or public service if they are willing to pay with legal tender. That’s the warning from Donegal Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn who was speaking in the Dail on a motion calling for the protection of cash as a legal tender. He says the Government needs to confront

‘No citizen should be denied access with legal tender’ – Deputy MacLochlainn Read More »

Donegal woman receives Dara Fitzpatrick Award for her response to Creeslough tragedy

A Donegal woman has been awarded the inaugural Dara Fitzpatrick Award. Frances Griffin, a paramedic with the National Ambulance Service has been recognised for her efforts in the immediate aftermath of the Creeslough tragedy. She was one of the first responders on the scene of the explosion in Creeslough last October. Irish Paramedicine Education and

Donegal woman receives Dara Fitzpatrick Award for her response to Creeslough tragedy Read More »

Man arrested in connection with hijacking and discovery of suspicious device in Derry

A man has been arrested in Derry as part of an investigation into a hijacking and discovery of a suspicious device last month. On Friday February 17th, police received a report of a hijacking in the Hollymount Park area. A suspicious device was subsequently found in the Corrody Road area the following day. The 21-year-old

Man arrested in connection with hijacking and discovery of suspicious device in Derry Read More »