Author name: highlandnews

Highland Radio launches The Community Hero Award

This award is a unique collaboration between Highland Radio and iMotors. The Community Hero Award will honour a neighbour, family, friend, colleague or community supporter who has made an extraordinary contribution within their community. The award was launched today on the Nine ’til Noon Show with Greg Hughes. The Community Hero will receive a brand new 231 […]

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Ex-soldier convicted of McAnespie manslaughter will now be sentenced next week

The sentencing hearing of a former British solider, guilty of the manslaughter of Aidan McAnespie, will take place next week. David Holden was due to be sentenced today, but it has been pushed to next week, and the judge will today hear pleas from both sides. Aidan McAnespie was killed at an army checkpoint in

Ex-soldier convicted of McAnespie manslaughter will now be sentenced next week Read More »

Importance of expenses mistakes should not be downplayed – Crossan

  A Donegal Councillor says the Standards in Public Office Commission needs to use its power more effectively, or seek more powers if necessary. Cllr Nicholas Crossan says while many people may have regarded at the ongoing debate on Minister Pascal Donohoe’s underdeclared expenses a storm in a teacup, this is a very important issue

Importance of expenses mistakes should not be downplayed – Crossan Read More »

Soldier to be sentenced today for manslaughter 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. Mr. McAnespie was shot after walking through the border checkpoint at Aughnacloy while on

Soldier to be sentenced today for manslaughter of Aidan McAnespie Read More »

IFA President says Coillte deal is frustrating for farmers

The controversial Coillte deal is very frustrating for everybody, in particular for farmers engaged in forestry. That’s the view of the IFA over Coillte’s multi-million euro deal with a UK investment firm, to buy up new and existing forestry in Ireland. It comes after hundreds of protesters held a protest outside Leinster House yesterday calling

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South Donegal Deputy raises concerns over refugee accommodation

A South Donegal Deputy has raised concerns over accomodation for Ukrainian refugees with the Integration Minister. Deputy Marian Harkin told Minister Roderic O’Gorman that one person fears they can no longer afford to house refugees as they are awaiting payment from the Government of over €400,000. She says there is also an issue with people

South Donegal Deputy raises concerns over refugee accommodation Read More »

Marine Minister told to listen to fishing community

The Marine Minister has been told to listen to what the fishing community is telling him. Speaking on a motion on Inshore Fishing, Donegal Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn says Minister Charlie McConalogue has a responsibility to act on behalf of fishermen. The Sinn Fein Marine spokesperson says fishermen right across Donegal are staring out at a

Marine Minister told to listen to fishing community Read More »

Donegal principal says students’ well-being must be considered in new senior cycle

Donegal School principal Alan Thomspon has raised the need for students mental well being to be taken into serious considerartion when formulating a better senior cycle system. It’s among the points which have been raised at a National Conference of ETB schools taking place in Sligo. It comes with many students across the country having

Donegal principal says students’ well-being must be considered in new senior cycle Read More »

Two convicted murderers who absconded from NI prison service arrested

Two convicted murderers who absconded from the prison service in the North, have been found. A manhunt had been under way since Saturday, when 54-year-old Stephen McParland and 49-year-old Alison McDonagh were last seen at a Belfast train station. The pair were arrested in Newry this afternoon. Gardaí had been notified of the incident yesterday,

Two convicted murderers who absconded from NI prison service arrested Read More »

Tanaiste pays tribute to Private Sean Rooney during Lebannon visit

The Minister for Defence has told Irish troops in Lebanon that the government is determined that all the facts and circumstances around the attack, which led to the death of Private Sean Rooney, are fully established. Michael Martin spoke to peacekeepers at Camp Shamrock today. He told them he will meet both the Lebanese Ministers

Tanaiste pays tribute to Private Sean Rooney during Lebannon visit Read More »

Update – HSE responds to five HIQA reports published yesterdayl

HIQA has published reports on another five inspections carried out at designated centres for people with disabilities in Donegal. In total, the centres catered for 23 residents at the time of the inspections in October and November of last year. The five inspections in the county were part of a review of all such centres

Update – HSE responds to five HIQA reports published yesterdayl Read More »

Letterkenny University Hospital among least overcrowded hospitals in the country

The number of people awaiting beds in Letterkenny University Hospital continues to fall. Reports show a total of three people waiting for a bed, with only one of those being in the Emergency department. This drop in demand for beds has brought Letterkenny University Hospital from being one of the most overcrowded hospitals in the

Letterkenny University Hospital among least overcrowded hospitals in the country Read More »

NoWDOC Clinical Lead says service review and move to new Letterkenny base are not related

The Clinical Lead with the NoWDOC service says the plan to vacate the current Letterkenny base at Oldtown and move to The Hub on Kilmacrennan Road will improve services and facilities for both doctors and patients, and is not linked to the ongoing review of the NoWDOC service. On the prospect of Caredoc taking over

NoWDOC Clinical Lead says service review and move to new Letterkenny base are not related Read More »

Council to clamp down on illegal parking on Letterkenny’s Sprackburn Drive

Donegal County Council’s Parking Section is to increase enforcement in the Sprackburn Drive area of Letterkenny. A recent meeting of Letterkenny Milford Municipal District was told that cars parking on the footpath at the junction with High Road often block the vision lines of other drivers, and make getting out of the cul-de-sac unsafe. In

Council to clamp down on illegal parking on Letterkenny’s Sprackburn Drive Read More »

Gresham House deal is a ‘corporate takeover’ of a public resource – PBP

The controversial deal to bankroll new forests has been branded a “corporate heist”. Coillte’s link-up with UK asset manager, Gresham House, will provide up to 200 million euro of the capital needed to create new forests. Farmers have slammed the move as a “land grab”, with fears that local people in the West and North

Gresham House deal is a ‘corporate takeover’ of a public resource – PBP Read More »

Concerns raised over excessive Japanese Knotweed in Burtonport

Concerns have been raised over what has been described as the excessive presence of Japanese Knotweed in Burtonport. Councillor Marie Therese Gallagher fears the presence of the species may impact the delivery of building projects in the area. She believes a project similar to a pilot one rolled out in Dungloe would be hugely beneficial:

Concerns raised over excessive Japanese Knotweed in Burtonport Read More »

Inishowen has lowest 5-11 year olds vaccination rate in country

Some areas of Donegal have the lowest number of children vaccinated against Covid-19. Latest figures from the Central Statistics Office show as of December 31st, 4% of 5-11 year olds in Inishowen are vaccinated, the lowest figure in the country. The second lowest number of children in that age group who have been vaccinated to

Inishowen has lowest 5-11 year olds vaccination rate in country Read More »

Reports that NoWDOC are set to move to new base in Letterkenny

It’s reported today morning that the NoWDOC base in Letterkenny is moving. We understand that staff were informed by text message last night that in March, the current premises in Oldtown will be vacated, and doctors and drivers will be based at the hub on the Kilmacrennan Road, just above St Conal’s Hospital. No clarity

Reports that NoWDOC are set to move to new base in Letterkenny Read More »

ETB Principals and Deputy Principals seeking enhancement of Leaving Cert exams

Sit-down exams shouldn’t be the only way students are assessed after their time in school. That’s the view of Paul Fields, Director of Schools with Education and Training Boards Ireland, who says it’ll be one of the key points made during a two-day meeting of Principals this week. 270 ETB Principals and Deputy Principals are

ETB Principals and Deputy Principals seeking enhancement of Leaving Cert exams Read More »

DCC to consider wildlife pond at Letterkenny’s Ballymacool Park

Donegal County Council is considering a proposal that a wildlife pond be developed at the Town Park in Ballymacool, Letterkenny. It’s been suggested by Cllr Gerry McMonagle, who says there is space there which could be uitilised to enhance the park’s appeal, and to support flora and fauna. Officials say an initial assessment will involve

DCC to consider wildlife pond at Letterkenny’s Ballymacool Park Read More »

GRA seeks taskforce to examine ‘serious issues’ facing gardai

The Garda Representative Association wants the government to set up a Special Taskforce to discuss, what it described, as the many serious issues and concerns affecting its members. It says Gardaí are facing an unprecedented challenge with rising assaults, and failures within both the recruitment process and the retention of Gardaí. The GRA has formally

GRA seeks taskforce to examine ‘serious issues’ facing gardai Read More »

Inishowen 100 should be marketed like the Ring of Kerry – McGuinness

The Inishowen 100 needs to be resurrected. That’s according to Councillor Johnny McGuinness who believes the potential for the route to be a huge tourist attraction is not being realised. He fears Inishowen is going to continue to be bypassed unless more of an effort is made to promote it as a destination for tourists.

Inishowen 100 should be marketed like the Ring of Kerry – McGuinness Read More »

Tanaiste going to Lebanon to meet with colleagues of Pte Sean Rooney

The Tánaiste is on his way to Lebanon this morning where he will meet members of the 121st UNIFIL Infantry Battalion. 23-year-old Newtowncunningham based Private Seán Rooney – who was killed last December – was part of that unit. Michael Martin will reiterate to Lebanese officials that the Government want “all of the facts”, and

Tanaiste going to Lebanon to meet with colleagues of Pte Sean Rooney Read More »

Calls for no swimming signs at ‘notoriously dangerous’ stretch of water in Inishowen

There’s calls for ‘no swimming signs’ to be installed at what has been labelled a ‘notoriously dangerous’ stretch of water in Inishowen. Councillor Terry Crossan has issued the plea following an incident at the Isle of Doagh last year in which he had to intervene to warn a number of people who had entered the

Calls for no swimming signs at ‘notoriously dangerous’ stretch of water in Inishowen Read More »

Public consultation on herring stock management in NW to be launched

A public consultation on herring stock management in the Northwest is to be launched. Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Mr Charlie McConalogue, has launched the consultation on the back of a request from the NIFF and North RIFF. Minister Charlie McConalogue has confirmed that a process on a review of the 2012 Herring

Public consultation on herring stock management in NW to be launched Read More »

Minister Donohoe to refund some money donated to his election team

Minister Paschal Donohoe has said he will be refunding some money donated to his election team under Standards in Public Office rules. The Public Expenditure Minister had admitted the use of vans worth more than 400 euro in 2020 election exceeded corporate donation limits. He’s said he will refund the difference to the Designer Group,

Minister Donohoe to refund some money donated to his election team Read More »

One week left to have say on County Donegal Heritage Plan

You have just one week left to have your say on the new County Donegal Heritage Plan. The new plan will direct heritage priorities, resources and funding for built, archaeological, natural and cultural heritage in the county. The new County Donegal Heritage Plan will include actions relating to natural heritage, built heritage, archaeology and cultural

One week left to have say on County Donegal Heritage Plan Read More »