Author name: highlandnews

A homelessness crisis could be looming for Ukrainian refugees. Reports suggest at least a dozen refugees have spent the weekend sleeping rough at Dublin Airport after arriving here on Friday – and being told there was no accommodation for them. Wayne Stanley, head of policy at Focus Ireland – says finding accommodation has proved difficult

The courts are owed 18 million euro in unpaid fines from the past 18 months. The Courts Service says 16,000 euro has been deemed “uncollectible” due to death or other considerations. According to the data, the highest collection rate in a region was 59 percent. Sinn Féin’s justice spokesman, Martin Kenny, says reform is needed…

The Taoiseach has appealed to the DUP to take up their seats in the Stormont Executive. Fresh elections will be called in the North this coming Friday if no Government can be formed in that time. The DUP has refused to resume power-sharing until changes are made to the Northern Ireland Protocol. Taoiseach Micheál Martin

The Conservative leadership race is underway once again – just six weeks after Liz Truss was given the job. Commons leader Penny Mordaunt’s the first MP to announce she’s vying to become the next British Prime Minister, following Thursday’s dramatic resignation. It’s understood at least 50 Tories want a Boris Johnson comeback – while Rishi

A Strabane Councillor is urging Derry City and Strabane District Council to express an interest in taking over the former Strabane Academy School on the Liskey Road. Cllr Jason Barr says it is now nearly three and a half years since the site became vacant, and it has taken 13 months for the Education Authority

The Society of St Vincent de Paul is urging the government and electricity suppliers to agree a suite of measures that protects people from disconnection this winter, particularly in the case of people using pre-pay meters. SVP says many people it assists prefer pre-pay gas and electricity as it gives them more control over their

The extension project for Moville Community College has received approval to proceed to construction under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme. The project will consist of a new build extension to the current school including a SEN base. Minister Charlie McConalogue says this is tremendous news for the school community and will improve the offering and

The Tánaiste says he’s confident a deal on the Northern Ireland Protocol can be sorted early next year even with the instability in the British Government. The Tory favourites are trying to secure the backing of 100 MPs to keep them in the race. Penny Mordaunt has become the first to declare with Rishi Sunak

The Government Chief Whip today paid tribute to all those who responded to the Creeslough tragedy today, saying that at the worst of times for Donegal, the people showed  their best. Minister Jack Chambers, who serves as Junior Minister for Sport and the Gaeltacht was speaking at opening the Donegal GAA Centre in Convoy today…………..

The state can’t guarantee it will be able to provide accommodation for asylum seekers and Ukrainian refugees. That’s according to the Minister for Integration Roderic O’ Gorman. It comes after the Citywest transit hub reached capacity and won’t accept new arrivals. Officials from the department met the Ukrainian embassy to discuss the issue. Housing Minister

The Minister of State for Sport and the Gaeltacht is in the county today visiting a number of sporting facilities after awarding €5.5m to organisations throughout the county last month. This afternoon, Fianna Fáil TD Jack Chambers will officially open the Donegal GAA Centre in Convoy. He will also visit the sporting facilities at ATU

Councillor Ian McGarvey says during his time on Donegal County Council he always put others first and before his own intentions. Councillor McGarvey, Ireland’s oldest Councillor this week informed the local authority of his intention to retire as a Councillor in the near future. His nephew Pauric McGarvey has been proposed as his successor. Councillor

The Chair of Donegal Action for Cancer Care says no one has been listening to pleas for more resources for health care in Donegal since 2017. Betty Holmes says key services continue to be removed from Letterkenny University Hospital, effectively turning it into a community hospital. The Health Minister has failed to visit Letterkenny University

The state needs to appeal to holiday home owners to house the growing number of Ukrainian refugees. That’s according to Sinn Féin’s Justice Spokesperson, who says a contract needs to be put in place. Ireland has welcomed and housed over 58,000 refugees from Ukraine and other countries so far this year. South Donegal Deputy Martin

The #BuyDonegal campaign returns next month in 2022, showcasing the very best of Donegal business and urging people to choose local products and services while Christmas shopping. The initiative runs from November 11th up to Christmas Eve December, with weekly deals and special on the dedicated website buydonegal.com Steven Perry from Donegal County Council’s Economic

Enviornment Minister Eamon Ryan has told the Dail that increased government funding is being made available and that will be the key to addressing the outstanding issues highlighted this week by the EPA. Minister Ryan was responding to Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty, who said there are unacceptable delays in having these problematic schemes dealt with.

Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern says there could be a border poll this decade. He’s previously said the 30th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement in 2028 could be a good time for a unity referendum. Bertie Ahern still thinks that could be done………