Author name: highlandnews

A Hospital Action Committee is to be formed in Donegal on foot of a Day of Action which is just ending at Letterkenny University Hospital. The gathering just above the hospital this afternoon heard calls for more investment, and more support for the hospital staff. Organiser Mary T Sweeney says it’s important that the people

There’s calls for more CCTV to be put in place at ports and harbours in Donegal to target smuggling. Councillor Niamh Kennedy believes an enhancement of security along the coast in the form of CCTV cameras would also help in cracking down on thefts. She says it would enhance policing in the county:

The Government is being accused of deliberately discriminating against people in rural Ireland who own houses with building defects. The Rural Independent Group of TDs say the Government is looking after property owners in Dublin, but is not treating people outside the capital with the same respect. The group says the Mica redress scheme in

Donegal County Council’s Road Service is to examine flooding in Manorcunningham, particularly in the vicinity of Abbey Villas. The issue was raised at a Letterkenny Milford Municipal District meeting this week by Cllr Gerry McMonagle, who says gardens regularly get flooded, and access was recently affected when a doctor was called to a house there.

The HSE has been meeting with elected representatives and members of the Regional Health Forum in light of concerns about the out of hours GP service in Donegal and Leitrim. At present, it’s operated by NoWDOC, but Carlow based company ‘Caredoc’ is in discussions with the HSE with a view towards taking the service over.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and the leader of Britain’s Labour Party Keir Starmer have expressed hope that progress can be made on the Northern Ireland Protocol. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar told Mr Starmer the Irish economy is still benefiting from growth – but inflation is impacting people and business. Kier Starmer was also briefed about a new

It’s claimed houses in West Donegal are now suffering water interruptions on a daily basis due to issues at various water plants in the area. A months long boil water notice was imposed on the Lettermacaward Water Treatment Plant last year while there’s reports of ongoing problems at Ardsbeg Treatment Plant after it was hit

A local Councillor believes the reintroduction of flights to Glasgow or Edinburgh from Donegal Airport is vital for the county’s tourism. Sinn Féin Councillor John Shéamais Ó Fearraigh says the reintroduction of flights from Donegal Airport would be extremely beneficial to the county’s tourism and economy while it would also benefit local students travelling to

The organisers of a national Day of Action against hospital overcrowding are urging people to turn out for a demonstration outside Letterkenny University Hospital tomorrow. The event at 1 o’clock is one of over 20 simultaneous protests taking place outside acute hospitals. Local Organiser Mary T Sweeney says one of the key issues being highlighted

Questions have been asked about the possibility of an early general election, but the Leader of the Seanad, Fianna Fail Senator Lisa Chambers this morning poured cold water on that suggestion. Speaking on this morning’s Nine til Noon Show, Senator Chambers said there is a widespread feeling that autumn next year is the most likely

There’s calls for an urgent plan to be put in place for the erection of modular homes in Donegal. Minister Catherine Martin previously suggested that up to 7000 modular homes are to be built in the country. Cllr Albert Doherty however, says there appears to be no evidence of such. He says what this means

A Donegal Deputy has called on the Coillte to halt the sale of thousands of hectares of private land in rural communities. Sinn Fein Deputy Pearse Doherty voiced his opposition to a proposed afforestation agreement between Coillte and the UK-based private investment fund Gresham House. The proposed agreement would see Coillte manage up to 12,000ha

A Status Yellow ice warning for the whole country is in place until midday. Met Éireann is warning of hazardous travelling conditions with icy stretches on roads and footpaths. It says there may also be freezing fog in places. Alan O’Reilly from Carlow Weather says rain is possible in the southwest:

Donegal County Council is to review its capacity to grit roads in the vicinity of schools which are not on the roads included in the council’s gritting plan. The issue was raised by Cllr Michael McBride, who pointed out that one school had lost six days before before Christmas cause the roads leading to it

Donegal County Council is being urged to apply for additional Severe Weather Funding in the wake of this week’s cold snap. Cllr Michael Choilm MacGiolla Easbuig says there is already visible damage on the Back of Errigal Road and other routes in Donegal, and with a thaw expected to kick in at the weekend, more

There’s an epidemic of small offences being overlooked. That’s according to Inishowen Councillor Nicholas Crossan who says people using a mobile phone while driving, misusing fog lights and pedestrians not wearing high visibility clothing while small are becoming more prevalent. He says those out on the roads have a responsibility:

There is huge hurt in Donegal. That’s the view of Donegal Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn who’s been responding to the announcement of a multi billion euro 100% redress scheme for defective apartment owners. Deputy MacLochlainn has repeated calls for defective block homeowners in Donegal to be afforded fairness. He’s urging the government to amend the defective

The Public Expenditure Minister has once again been accused of avoiding answers over his 2016 election expenses. Minister Paschal Donohoe addressed the Dáil last night, claiming he was unaware postering staff were being paid by Mr. Michael Stone. Donegal Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn last night labelled Minister Donohoe’s response to fellow Deputies an ’embarrassment to democracy’.

Argos is to close all of its Irish outlets. Some stores will shut in March following the end of their leases, with the majority, including Letterkenny, operating until June. The Mandate Trade Union says it will work with the company to get the best deal for staff. John Carty is the North and West Divisional

A Donegal TD has accused the government of failing to take on board a measure which could help alleviate the overcrowding crisis in Irish hospitals. Speaking during a debate on the crisis in the health service, Deputy Thomas Pringle said he’s written to Minister Stephen Donnelly on a number of occasions suggesting that the government

Donegal County Council is being urged to erect better signage advising HGVs and large vehicles not to drive down the Market Square in Letterkenny. Officials say there are two signs in place, but Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh says there is a need for earlier signage. He outlined a recent case where a lorry driver from Northern

The Garda Commissioner has confirmed that Gardaí are continuing to liaise with the coroner in a bid to reach a conclusion in the investigation into the Creeslough tragedy. 10 people died following the explosion at a shop in October last. In the aftermath, the scene remained closed for a number of weeks as Gardaí and

It is hoped that Donegal will benefit from the new ‘Home of Derry Girls’ exhibition in the Tower Museum and Derry Girls trail taking in key filming locations. Members of Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Business and Culture Committee approved the plans as funding of £80,000 had been secured for the project. The exhibition,

The Housing Minister has been pressed once again to provide support to defective block homeowners who are under pressure to keep up with mortgage payments. Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle has told the Dail that homeowners are under severe pressure from banks in relation to worthless homes that they have mortgages out against. Minister Darragh O’Brien

The lack of Garda resources in Donegal has been thrown into the spotlight once again. It has been highlighted on many occasions how some Garda stations, particularly in the South of the county are left without access to a squad car. This has led to much concern over how Gardai are equipped to respond to

Letterkenny Milford Mayor Cllr Donal Mandy Kelly there’s an onus on Irish Water to meet with members in the council chamber and discuss the real concerns they have, including the cost of new connections, the number of leaks and outages in places like Rossbracken, and the future of Group Water Schemes. Earlier, outgoing councillor Ian

There was much ruckus in the Dail this evening following a statement from Minister Paschal Donohoe in relation to the incorrect filing of election expenses. The Public Expenditure Minister says he didn’t know campaigners were paid for working for him during the 2016 election. As Minister Donohoe attempted to respond to questions raised by Deputies,