Author name: highlandnews

HSE bosses say they have not identified any new Covid variants of concern. The Health Service Executive says though the current variants in Ireland don’t appear to cause severe illness, it expects ICU admissions to be similar to this time last year. Chief Clinical Officer Dr Colm Henry is also encouraging anyone eligible for a […]

    The search for the remains of Columba McVeigh who was murdered 47 years ago, will pause over the winter. The 19-year-old was abducted, shot and secretly buried by the IRA. The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains says persistent rain will make Bragan Bog near Emyvale in Co Monaghan too dangerous

A new step to allow 16 and 17 year-olds to pre-register to vote is being welcomed. The National Youth Council says it will encourage young people to take part in our democracy and support increased voter turnout. However, it believes Government must go further and it’s called for action on the right to vote for

Donegal County Council has confirmed that it will continue discussions with Failte Ireland to further develop tourism facilities in Letterkenny. It comes following repeated calls for the Old Courthouse to be brought back into use as a tourism discovery centre. Councillor Ciaran Brogan has proposed other parts of Donegal could be showcased at the facility

A campaign to reopen two key railways in Donegal as part of a wider rail expansion in the North West is gaining momentum ahead of the expected publication early next year of the All-Island Rail review Strategy. ‘Into The West’ is holding a series of meetings, starting next week in Derry and Letterkenny, with a

The Cathaoirleach of the Inishowen Municipal District is calling for more impactful traffic calming measures to be put in place at all schools in the peninsula. Councillor Paul Canning fears someone will be seriously injured unless action is taken. He says the current traffic calming measures in place appear ineffective as motorists continue to approach

The leader of the UUP is suggesting Article 16 be triggered to avoid another Stormont election. It would allow aspects of the Northern Ireland protocol to be suspended. Doug Beattie says it would give both the UK and the EU the “time and space” needed to achieve a negotiated outcome on the post-Brexit trade arrangement.

The PSNI’s Chief Constable says they’re keeping an eye on perceived Loyalist threats. It’s after a statement from a group representing loyalist paramilitaries this week, saying Irish government ministers aren’t welcome in Northern Ireland. Chief Constable Simon Byrne has been addressing the policing board in Belfast…………

People in Killygordon and Crossroads are being invited to a meeting on Sunday evening next to discuss the next step in drawing up a strategic plan for the future. A preliminary workshop took place in September attended by almost 100 people, and a draft document arising out of that gathering will be presented on Sunday.

An alternative to the government’s Concrete Levy could generate €260 million a year, rather than the predicted €30 million. The Irish Plant Contractors’ Association is proposing an aggregate tax and a landfill tax on producers to incentivise the recycling of materials on building sites. The government intends to introduce a 5% tax on concrete products

People in Buncrana are angry over the lack of progress being made in redeveloping a new state of the art leisure centre. Plans have been in place for a number of years for the redevelopment of the leisure centre following its closure in 2014, but progress has not yet been made. Cllr Jack Murray believes

Donegal County Council is being urged to put pressure on Irish Water to re-evaluate sewer treatment plants across the county. Councillor Michael McBride says there are many areas of Donegal where treatment plants were initially installed to deal with less than 100 homes and are now unable to cope with growing populations. He says in

The Agriculture Minister is reassuring consumers there shouldn’t be a problem with turkeys this Christmas. It comes as poultry owners have been issued with an order to house their flocks from next Monday, to prevent the spread of avian flu. Earlier this week a case of the bird flu was confirmed, after swan was discovered

Tusla, the child and family agency, has placed 158 unborn children on its Child Protection Notification System deemed to be at risk of significant harm over the past 18 months. The figures, which were provided in response to a Freedom of Information request, show 112 unborn children were placed on Tusla’s Child Protection Notification System

Holding Assembly elections in the North would be counter productive. Fianna Fail MEP Barry Andrews said an election could potentially scupper a possible deal that could see the restoration of the Assembly The Northern Ireland Secretary is considering changing British legislation, to delay a second election this year. Chris Heaton-Harris is legally obliged to call

A Inishowen Councillor has hit out at Donegal County Council over the length of time it takes on occasions for a response to questions raised. This week’s meeting of the Inishowen Municipal District was adjourned for 15 minutes as Councillor Nicholas Crossan demanded an answer to a question he issued over 8 weeks ago. He

Concerns have been raised over erosion at a housing estate in Carndonagh. Councillor Albert Doherty says perimeter fencing in the area has been completely eroded, leading to safety concerns being raised by local residents. He says while works to mitigate against the erosion need to be carried out, the priority must be in the interim

A Draft Residential Zoned Land Tax Map of Donegal has been published today. It’s part of the implementation of the Residential Zoned Land Tax which will apply from 2024 to relevant land at a rate of 3% of market value with the aim of activating land for residential development. Landowners whose land is included in

The Cathaoirleach of the Letterkenny Milford Municipal District believes additional supports need to be rolled out for businesses to cope with rising energy costs. Councillor Donal Mandy Kelly claims some businesses are being forced to turn off fridges in a bid to curb costs. He says more support is urgently needed:

A Ramelton woman who works for the Just Stop Oil campaign says the group’s actions have been making real change and is getting their message out across the globe. Amy Rose O’Donnell from Ramelton works full time with the Just Stop Oil Campaign which is now famous for throwing tomato soup on Van Gough’s Sunflower

A pensioner who fears she may never get to return home says she is frustrated with how the Council treated flooded homeowners in Burnfoot. Páirc An Grianán in Burnfoot was flooded in August 2017. A number of homeowners in the area have been unable to return home since the flooding. They have been told it

Concerns have been raised over what appears to be rust in waters pipes in parts of Buncrana. In Columbas Avenue, Rockview Terrace and Grainan Park cast iron pipes are still in place and residents have raised concerns about the quality of their water due to the presence of rust or other debri in the pipes.

Donegal is lagging miles behind in terms of delivery social houses in rural areas. That’s according to Councillor Martin McDermott who is calling for a review of the building of social houses in the county. In particular, Cllr McDermott says there doesn’t appear to be a will from Donegal County Council to develop social housing

60 per cent of current account customers switching from KBC and Ulster Bank have experienced challenges during the process Research from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission found that while over half of those effected by the withdrawal of the banks from Ireland have now switched account, 1 in 8 have yet to decide on

The entire country has been placed on a status yellow wind and rain warning which will remain in place until 9’o clock tonight. Met Éireann has warned of possible damaging gusts with the potential for “localised wave overtopping along Atlantic coasts”. Heavy rain is also forecast, which could lead to flooding in some areas. The

Donegal County Council is being asked to consider the development of a retirement village in Letterkenny. Councillor Gerry McMonagle says there is a growing need for such a facility close to local amenities. The Local Authority says that it is part of an active consideration. However, Councillor McMonagle believes the Council needs to take the

A Special Roads Meeting is to be held this month to discuss ongoing roads projects in the Letterkenny Municipal District. Councillor Ciaran Brogan called for the meeting to include the TII and all those involved in the planning and delivery of projects with a view towards developing a dedicated proposal to seek additional funding for

Donegal County Council is being urged to avail of funding from the Croí Cónaíthe Fund announced in Budget 2023. The initiative would see the development of servcied sites in towns and villages that would facilitate people who wish to build their own homes. The local authority has confirmed that work is ongoing in the context