Author name: highlandnews

Additional COVID-19 walk-in vaccination clinics available over Bank Holiday weekend

The HSE will be offering additional walk-in COVID-19 vaccination clinics in Donegal this Bank Holiday weekend. Those in the 18-49 year old age bracket are eligible for their second COVID-19 booster, provided it is six months since their last vaccine or since they had a COVID-19 infection. Vaccine centers are located in Donegal Town and

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South Donegal TD calls for support for tourism businesses housing refugees

South Donegal TD, Marian Harkin, has urged the Government to deliver support for tourism dependent businesses affected by the number of refugees being housed in hotels. The issue was raised off the back of a recent meeting with community leaders and businesses people which Deputy Harkin described as ‘constructive and focused on seeking solutions’. She

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OPW Minister urged to progress flood relief scheme in Donegal Town

Donegal County Council is to write to OPW Minister Patrick O’Donovan asking him to progress a flood relief scheme in Donegal Town. At this week’s meeting of Donegal County Council, Cllr Noel Jordan sought an update on the applications for Flood Relief Schemes in Donegal, with specific emphasis on the south of the county. He

OPW Minister urged to progress flood relief scheme in Donegal Town Read More »

Johnny Rotten terrified of getting it wrong ahead of Euro Song contest tonight

Former Sex Pistols frontman John Lydon says he’s ‘terrified’ of getting it wrong, as he battles to become Ireland’s Eurovision entry. His band, Public Image Limited, is one of six acts hoping to represent the country at the competition in May in a battle to be decided tonight. It’s being held in Liverpool, with the

Johnny Rotten terrified of getting it wrong ahead of Euro Song contest tonight Read More »

Tanaiste told defective block homeowners are at ‘wits end’

The Tanaiste has been told that the owners of defective block homes in Donegal are at their wits end. Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle has once again pressed the Government to commence the Defective Blocks Act. Homeowners were due to be consulted this week on the draft regulations. In responding to Deputy Pringle, Micheal Martin gave

Tanaiste told defective block homeowners are at ‘wits end’ Read More »

Over €80m social welfare payments reclaimed by state in 2022

Over 80 million euro in social welfare payments were reclaimed by the state last year. The money was taken off around 115,000 people. The Department of Social Protection also launched almost 6,300 investigations into welfare fraud in 2022 – with four people jailed for the crime. Criminal barrister and Fine Gael senator, Barry Ward, says

Over €80m social welfare payments reclaimed by state in 2022 Read More »

Calls for NPHET-style approach to accommodating refugees

There’s a call on the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to ensure a strong NPHET-style approach to accommodating refugees. Labour Leader Ivana Bacik’s made the call, saying Government needs to do a lot more proactively to counter the disinformation and myths that are spreading. It comes after a large anti-immigration protest was held outside Finglas Garda Station

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Rural Independent Group leader welcomes Omagh bomb inquiry

The Leader of the Rural Independent Group has welcomed the British Government’s order of an independent inquiry into the Omagh bombing. Mattie McGrath says it’s a crucial step in finding justice for both victims and their families. 29 people died, following the planting of a bomb by dissident republicans, in August 1998. Deputy McGrath has

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Canning seeks commitment on provision of houses for people with intellectual disabilites

Donegal County Council is being asked to implement a policy that would guarantee the delivery of 5% of all social houses constructed in the next 5 years for the sole purpose of occupancy of residents with special needs. Cllr Paul Canning moved a motion saying such units should be tailored to the needs of the

Canning seeks commitment on provision of houses for people with intellectual disabilites Read More »

McConalogue urged to help young people enter fishing industry

A plea has been issued to Marine Minister Charlie McConalogue to provide a pathway for young people embarking on a career in fishing. Member of Donegal County Council’s Fishing Committee, Jerry Early says it is proving more difficult and more costly for younger generations getting into the sector. He believes the Government needs to ensure

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McManus claims EU Covid Recovery Funds are “sitting on a shelf”

A North West MEP claims millions of Euro which was supposed to be used to help the Irish economy recover from covid is “sitting on a shelf in Brussels”. Ireland was allocated €915 million in grants from the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility. The money is supposed to be used for investment projects and advancing

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Former soldier receives suspended sentence for manslaughter of Aiden McAnespie

A former British solider has been given a three year suspended sentence for the killing of Aiden McAnespie in 1988. David Jonathan Holden was found guilty of his manslaughter last November, but today escaped a jail sentence. Mr. McAnespie – who was 23 at the time – was shot in the back at an army

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Public Inquiry into Omagh Bombing confirmed in Westminster

The British Government has confirmed there will be a public inquiry into the Omagh bombing. Northern Secretary Chris Heaton Harris made the announcement in the House of Commons just after 1 o’clock this afternoon. He said he had made the decision after meeting with Michael Gallagher and other campaigners, and visiting Omagh itself…….

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Former soldier to be sentenced today for murder of Aidan McAnespie

A former soldier will be sentenced today for the manslaughter of Aidan McAnespie in Co. Tyrone 35 years ago. 53-year-old David Holden was found guilty of manslaughter last November, after the judge found he gave a “deliberately false account” of events. He was due to be sentenced last Friday, but the trial judge instead heard

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MacLochlainn says a wealth tax would help facilititate a proper Defective Block Redress Scheme

A Donegal Deputy has called for fair wealth taxes to be introduced to fund critical public services. It’s emerged that the combined wealth of just two people in Ireland, €15 billion is more than half of what the entire population earns. Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn compared it to how thousands of defective block homeowners in Donegal

MacLochlainn says a wealth tax would help facilititate a proper Defective Block Redress Scheme Read More »

Flood Relief Scheme must progress in Donegal Town – Jordan

Donegal County Council is to write to OPW Minister Patrick O’Donovan asking him to progress a flood relief scheme in Donegal Town. At this week’s meeting of Donegal County Council, Cllr Noel Jordan sought an update on the applications for Flood Relief Schemes in Donegal, with specific emphasis on the south of the county. He

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Council’s exclusion from Affordable Housing Scheme is wrong – Gallagher

Donegal County Council says given the escalation in house prices in the county, it has made contact with the Housing Delivery Coordination Office to see if affordable housing schemes can be established in parts of the county. Members were told this week that Donegal County Council is one of a number of local authorities which

Council’s exclusion from Affordable Housing Scheme is wrong – Gallagher Read More »

Pringle backs proposal to ringfence 20% of development charges for local projects

A Donegal TD has backed a private members motion in the Dail calling for at least 20% of development levies to be ringfenced for the local area in which the development is taking place. Deputy Thomas Pringle says it’s only right in order to guarantee that communities experiencing high levels of new developments receive commensurate

Pringle backs proposal to ringfence 20% of development charges for local projects Read More »

Transport Minister backs idea of ‘Western Atlantic Rail Corridor’

The Transport Minister says he wants to see older rail lines in the west and south return to their original use, not turned into greenways. Eamon Ryan says he wants to see a revived ‘Western Atlantic Rail Corridor’, as more plans emerge to turn duisused lines into greenways. Minister Ryan says the outcome of a

Transport Minister backs idea of ‘Western Atlantic Rail Corridor’ Read More »

MEP pours cold water on Brexit deal breakthrough speculation

Press reports about an imminent Brexit deal are overblown speculation, according to an Irish MEP. The Times of London reports the EU might be prepared to offer new concessions on customs and the role of the European Court of Justice in relation to Northern Ireland. Fianna Fáil MEP, Barry Andrews, says while progress is being

MEP pours cold water on Brexit deal breakthrough speculation Read More »

Rise in late-stage cancer presentations since the pandemic

The pandemic has had a lasting impact on Cancer diagnosis in Ireland. The HSE claims they have seen more presentations for later stage cancer diagnoses since the pandemic. It’s to tell the Oireachtas Health Committee that it recorded 10 or 11 percent fewer cancer diagnoses than it expected in 2020. It adds cancer services remain

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An Grianan Theatre set for major refurbishment

An Grianan Theatre, Letterkenny is set to get a major refurbishment. €600,000 is being invested to transform and enhance the amenity. Plans include re-purposing the upper foyer of the building to create a studio space, redesigning the box office and making the theatre more energy efficient. Patricia McBride is Managing Director of An Grianan Theatre,

An Grianan Theatre set for major refurbishment Read More »

Council awarded €4.5m for Active Travel Projects

€4.5m has been allocated to Donegal County Council for 36 Active Travel projects. The money will go towards the development of segregated cycle lanes and widened footpaths, new walking and cycling bridges, and new pedestrian crossings. Among the projects to benefit is the Letterkenny Cathedral One Way Active Travel Scheme, as well as other projects

Council awarded €4.5m for Active Travel Projects Read More »

Over 100 assigned Council houses in Donegal not being lived in – Claim

It’s claimed over 100 Council houses in Donegal, while rented out are not being lived in. It’s believed in some instances some social homes are being listed on Airbnb or rented out to someone other than the assigned tenant. Councillor Michéal Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig told today’s Nine til Noon Show that it is totally

Over 100 assigned Council houses in Donegal not being lived in – Claim Read More »

State-of-the-art community x-ray facility opens in Letterkenny

A new state-of-the-art community x-ray facility has opened in Letterkenny. The facility has opened at the Errigal Chronic Disease Management Hub and will improve timely access to diagnostics in the community, and reduce pressure on the acute hospital services. The HSE says capacity at the facility will increase in May with the appointment of a

State-of-the-art community x-ray facility opens in Letterkenny Read More »