Author name: highlandnews

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 […]

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

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

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

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

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…….

The ASTI and TUI are objecting to one of the proposals made by the Minister of Education in relation to the Leaving Cert programme. It would see incoming fifth year students sitting English and Irish paper one exams at the end of the year, only half way through the syllabus. General Secretary of the ASTI,

Questions are being raised once again over Donegal’s casual trading by-laws. A number of businesses are said to be experiencing a loss in profits due to a rise in portable vendours popping up. Cllr Martin Harley says it is his priority is to protect rate-paying establishments:

If your aged between 18 and 49 your being encouraged to get your COVID booster jab. The HSE says you can get it at a walk-in clinic this Bank Holiday weekend. No appointment’s necessary. Eileen Whelan is the Executive’s National Lead for the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme:

Donegal County Council is being urged to review and reassess spending practices in order to provide the best possible value for money. The call came this week from Cllr Nicholas Crossan, who says officials suggested at the last budget meeting a rates increase may be sought in 2024, and he wants to avoid that. Director

A decision will be announced later today if a public inquiry will be held into the 1998 Omagh bombing. 29 people were killed and more than 200 others were injured in the Real IRA attack. It was the worst single worst atrocity of the Troubles. Chloe St John reports:

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

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

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

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

The British Government says “there’s still lots of work to do” to get a deal on the Northern Ireland Protocol. It follows reports in the London Times this morning that the UK and EU had reached an agreement on customs. But Number 10 says no deal has been agreed – and significant gaps remain. Friday

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

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

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

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,

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

A Donegal Deputy says its imperative mental health services for children and young people in Donegal are properly resourced, fully staffed and provide support when and where needed. Sinn Fein brought forward a motion in the Dail last evening on the back of serious concerns over patients currently accessing Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

Donegal County Councillors have passed a motion opposing the granting of licences for prospecting anywhere in Donegal. Cllr Michael McMahon told members this week a strong resolution has been passed by Leitrim County Council, and he believes Donegal must follow suit to protect its clean waters and its reputation of a tourist destination. Officials noted

People living in the most deprived areas of the country have a 28% higher risk of dying due to cancer within five years of diagnosis. The National Cancer Registry’s report also found men and women living in deprived areas have a higher chance of developing cancer. Dr, Niamh Bambury, co- editor of the report, says

Garda body-cams are a step closer as key legislation is before the Dáil to allow the use of the kits by members of the force. It’s claimed the Gardaí are about three decades behind comparable police services when it comes to equipment. Donegal based Garda Brendan O’Connor is president of the Garda Representative Association. He

The Taoiseach has been asked to clarify exactly how much money is being allocated for pier improvements and other projects in Killybegs. The issue was raised in the Dail by Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle, who said large amounts of money are being announced every year, but he believes the actual amount of new funding being

Donegal County Council is being urged to intensify its public consultation on new Zebra Crossings without beacons which are being piloted in the Twin Towns as part of a national Department of Transport & NTA initiative. The issue was raised at this week’s council meeting by Cllr Patrick McGowan, who told members that the strength

Cathaoirleath of Lifford-Stranorlar Municipal district, has confirmed retrofitting for 47 social houses which he describes at ‘Life Changing’. Houses in Railway Avenue in Killygordan and Hilltop Cresent in Stranorlar are to be renovated under government funding. Cllr. Patrick McGowan says the first step he says is to survey the properties with hope for works to