Author name: highlandnews

UK Environment Secretary confirms Stormont election will be called today

A British Government minister’s confirmed there will be a pre-Christmas election in Northern Ireland after a deadline to restore powersharing passed without agreement. The DUP’s still blocking the formation of an executive at Stormont, in protest over the post-Brexit Protocol. Now the UK environment secretary Therese Coffey says voters will “definitely” go to the polls,

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Dr. Lynn Ramsey from Ramelton is new director of The Teaching Council

New Director of The Teaching Council lives in Ramelton, Donegal. Dr. Lynn Ramsey will take up her appointment as Director in February 2023 The Teaching Council has announced the appointment of Dr. Lynn Ramsey, Ramelton, Co. Donegal, as Director of the Council. Dr. Ramsey will take up her role on 1st February 2023, joining the Teaching

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Former Tanaiste elected Chair of Donegal Fianna Fail

Former Tanaiste Mary Coughlan has been elected Chair of the Donegal Executive of Fianna Fáil. She was returned unanimously at the executive’s AGM in Ballybofey last night. The elected Donegal Fianna Fáil Executive consisted of; Mary Coughlan, Chairperson Claudia Kennedy, Vice Chairperson Susan Meehan, Secretary Desmond Lynch, Treasurer Walter McGrory, Assistant Treasurer Gavin McGowan, PRO

Former Tanaiste elected Chair of Donegal Fianna Fail Read More »

Public Information Day being held on Castlefinn Flood Relief Scheme

Donegal County Council is holding a Public Information Day on the Castlefinn Flood Relief Scheme. The event will detail plans on the preferred option for the scheme. A Public Information Day on the Preferred Option for the Castlefinn Flood Relief Scheme will take place on 10th November in the CPI Centre, Castlefinn. Members of the

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Pilot retrofitting scheme in Lifford Stranorlar MD ‘positive’ initiative

The Cathaoirleach of the Lifford-Stranorlar Municipal District says there’s been positive feedback regarding a pilot retrofitting scheme being carried out in the district. Cllr Patrick McGowan says that three housing schemes in the Lifford and Castefin areas have been provided with retrofitted air-to-water heating, as well as updated insulation and home wiring to try and

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‘Government keen to get redress scheme up and running’ – Tanaiste

The Tanaiste says the Government’s desire is to see hundreds of Mica affected homes repaired through the revised redress scheme next year. Leo Varadkar says the Government is very keen to get the scheme up and running. He was responding to Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty in the Dail who pressed the Tanaiste for an update

‘Government keen to get redress scheme up and running’ – Tanaiste Read More »

Preservation of Creeslough explosion site extended as investigation continues

Gardai are continuing to investigate all of the circumstances into cause of a fatal explosion at a building complex in Creeslough on October 7th A High Court order has been obtained to extend the preservation of the scene until November 27th. Gardai say a careful and systematic approach is being taken to the forensic examination

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Around the North with John Breslin | Hector: Balkans go Baltics

  Ireland’s most intrepid traveller Hector O’hEochagáin returns to his travels after 18 months grounded. The adventurer, banter-er and mischief maker in chief is primed for another set of epic adventures as he takes on an amazing trip from the Balkans of Eastern Europe to the Baltics of the North. #highlandradio #aroundthenorthwest #hector

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Around the Northwest with John Breslin | Letterkenny Chamber Business Awards Sustainable Superstars

John was joined by Mary, owner of MD Serendipity Designs, Sab owner of Sourced by Sab and Cinu, operational lead of FM Services Group to talk about being shortlisted for the Sustainable Superstar award by Eirgrid. This award is centred around how a business is embracing sustainable development goals (SDGs). It is not just about

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Around the Northwest with John Breslin | Letterkenny Chamber Business Awards Best Tourism Initiative

Best Tourism Initiative sponsored by Donegal Airport Rónán O’Doherty from Oideas Gael & Eimear Ní Mhathúna from Fanad Lighthouse talk to John about being shortlisted for the ‘Best Tourism Initiative’ award sponsored by Donegal Airport. This award is seeking an outstanding attraction or initiative that is drawing visitors to the area and enhances the profile

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Calls for safety measures at busy Letterkenny junction

There’s calls for safety measures to be installed at a busy junction in Letterkenny. Concerns have been raised over dangers being posed to pedestrians crossing between Letterkenny Shopping Centre and Gleneany House due to the speed of traffic on approach to the junction. There are fears someone could be seriously injured unless measures are put

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Works to start of €7m Burtonport sewerage scheme

Works are set to get underway on the new €7m Burtonport Sewerage Scheme. A new wastewater treatment plant and sewerage infrastructure will be constructed as part of the project to eliminate the discharge of raw sewage into the sea. Once operational, the new plant and associated infrastructure will ensure compliance with wastewater discharge regulations and

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HIQA publishes reports on Falcarragh Community Hospital and Larissa Lodge in Letterkenny

HIQA has issued reports two accommodation providers for older people in Donegal, Falcarragh Community Hospital, which had 11 residents when it was inspected in July, and Larissa Lodge in Letterkenny, which had 42 residents when it was inspected in August. In the cases of Falcarragh Community Hospitak, the inspector said the provider had failed to

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Fire service warning after Buncrana Recycling Plant fire

Donegal Fire Service is urging people in the vicinity of Druminor, Buncrana to keep windows and doors closed following an overnight fire at a recycling plant On today’s Nine til Noon Show, Acting Chief Fire Officer Michael Scott said there’s no indication that anything dangerous was burned, but they say as a precaution, people should

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Over €10 million allocated for Leader projects in Donegal

€10.4m million has been allocated to Donegal under the Leader programme for the next five years, the second highest allocation in the country after Cork. The money is used to support rural communities and enterprises, with Agriculture and Marine Minister Charlie McConalogue urging interested groups to apply for funding. He says the LEADER model has

Over €10 million allocated for Leader projects in Donegal Read More »

Senator George Mitchell to address Oireachtas Committee as Assembly election looms

Senator George Mitchell will virtually address the Oireachtas committee today on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement today. The special envoy to the north who was appointed by former US president Bill Clinton, is expected to comment on the current political impasse at Stormont. Jon Tonge, professor of politics at the University of Liverpool,

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Irish Red Cross hosting public meeting in Creeslough tonight

The Irish Red Cross will host a public meeting in Creeslough tonight to update the community on its plans for the distribution of funds raised through a national appeal. The meeting takes place at Creeslough Community Centre in Massinass at 7 o’clock this evening. Meanwhile, Donegal County Council’s Community Support Officer will be available at

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Hospital overcrowding reaching ‘Emergency Levels’ – INMO

Hospital overcrowding this winter could be the worst ever seen. That’s according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation after 669 patients were left without beds on Tuesday. That figure was the highest number of patients waiting on trolleys in a single day in 2022. Of those, 51 were at Letterkenny University Hospital, the joint

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Remediation scheme needed for Council houses with Mica – McMonagle

There’s calls for a Remedial Works Programme to be set up to bring Mica affected social houses and others laying vacant back into use. People have been moved out of up to 20 council owned properties in the Letterkenny Milford Municipal which have been affected by defective blocks. Councillor Gerry McMonagle believes a process needs

Remediation scheme needed for Council houses with Mica – McMonagle Read More »

Concerns raised regarding vacant positions in Donegal County Council

Concerns have been raised over vacant roles in the Corporate Services Department of Donegal County Council. It is understood a number of staff have retired in recent times and while the local authority says efforts are being made to recruit for the roles, to date, they remain empty. Councillor Ciaran Brogan says the issue needs

Concerns raised regarding vacant positions in Donegal County Council Read More »

Taoiseach will consult cabinet on potential rate revaluation deferral

The Taoiseach says he will consider a further deferral of the national rates revaluation process which is now underway. Donegal is one of the first counties in which the process is underway, with fears that this may mean some businesses will see their rates bill increase significantly in years to come. In the Dail, Fianna

Taoiseach will consult cabinet on potential rate revaluation deferral Read More »

Letterkenny Milford MD Mayor welcomes progress on Market Square improvements

The Mayor of Letterkenny Milford Municipal District says the process of reinvigorating Letterkenny’s Market Square could have been delayed if agreement hadn’t been reached this week on taxi spaces. The draft proposal saw all taxi spaces taken away from Market Square and outside the Market Centre, and moved down Main Street past the Courtyard Shopping

Letterkenny Milford MD Mayor welcomes progress on Market Square improvements Read More »

Government trying to divide country over Mica redress – Hone

The Chairperson of the Mica Action Group says the Government is trying to divide the country over the mica redress scheme. Lisa Hone was the homeowner representative at today’s Oireachtas Committee meeting about the controversial concrete levy, which was introduced in Budget 2023 and intended to fund mica redress. She was joined by reps from

Government trying to divide country over Mica redress – Hone Read More »

CIF head says there was no regulation of the manufacture of concrete blocks

The head of the Construction Industry Federation says whatever actions are taken by government to recover the cost of the defective Blocks Scheme, the reality is that the bulk of the burden will ultinately fall on the taxpayer. Answering questions from Deputy Mick Barry, Tom Parlon acknowledged that there was no regulation in terms of

CIF head says there was no regulation of the manufacture of concrete blocks Read More »

Community Support Officer assigned to Creeslough this week

Donegal County Council has appointed a Community Support Officer to Creeslough, to help all those affected by the Creeslough tragedy. The support officer will be in place this week from Wednesday until Friday, from 10am to 4pm each day at the Wild Atlantic Campsite in Creeslough. Donegal County Council say the support officer will act

Community Support Officer assigned to Creeslough this week Read More »