Author name: highlandnews

The Housing Minister says he wants to put an end to nuisance objections to housing. James Browne says he’ll be the one to fix the housing crisis – despite a Department of Finance warning it will likely persist until at least 2040. The Department of Housing Activation Team met for the first time yesterday. Minister

A South West Donegal Councillor has recounted how the scene of a fatal road collision last week couldn’t be closed off, because the only garda at the scene had no patrol car, no road closed signs, and no back-up. Cllr MIchael Boyle was one of the first people to come onto the scene near Glenties

The Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council says the next two years will be crucial if the three strands of the Ten-T project are to be fully delivered by 2033. Following 16 public consultations, 5,000 total engagements and one on one meetings with landowners, formal Compulsory Purchase Orders will be published in the new year, and

The Agriculture Minister is appealing to the public not to handle sick or dead birds. Poultry farms are in the process of bringing in their flocks ahead of a mandatory housing order from Monday. It’s after avian flu was detected in a turkey flock near Kells and Meath, following similar cases in Carlow and Cork.

  A new Northern Ireland police scheme’s been officially launched in Derry, aimed at keeping people safe on nights out. Project Vigilant sees both uniformed and plain-clothed officers patrolling pubs and clubs, looking out for anyone showing signs of predatory behaviour – such as harassment or stalking. The pilot launched on Halloween night in Derry

Highland Radio has once again cemented its position as the North West’s most listened-to radio station.  JNLR/Ipsos figures which have just been published show Highland has the highest market share of any radio station in the country at just over 65%, a 3.4% increase. The figures show  82% of the population listens at least once

  A Fianna Fail Senator is urging Sinn Fein TDs in the region to be more vociferous in their support for the A5, and to lobby their party colleague Minister Liz Kimmins, the North’s Infrastructure Minister to have the A5 Improvement Scheme resumed as quickly as possible. On the Order of Business in the Seanad

Donegal based Senator Eileen Flynn is calling for a discussion in the Seanad about the defective concrete crisis. She told Senators many people don’t realise that there is no remediation scheme in place for non-residential buildings, even those providing vital public services as childcare and education. Senator Flynn revealed it’s an issue which could soon

The Northern Ireland Secretary of State has played down the prospect of a border poll, saying there’s still no appetite for a united Ireland. Hilary Benn made the comments during a visit to Lisburn to see the Windsor Framework in action. When asked by reporters about the possibility of a border poll, Mr. Benn said

A Donegal TD has told the Dail that Donegal families in defective concrete homes are struggling to pay for school uniforms due to the ‘unbearable cost’ of the defective concrete crisis, as well as the ‘desperate cost of living crisis’. Deputy Charles Ward said many parents are facing impossible choices, as schools continue to make

We’re continuing our series of reports and interviews on the Ten-T road project, with a focus today on the proposed new Ballyraine to Dry Arch road, incorporating a new bridge over the Swilly and two new junctions on the dual carriageway, including a significant expansion of the Trimeragh Junction. However. questions have been asked about

The North coast of Derry and Antrim is dying as a result of short-term lets and holiday homes. That’s according to East Derry MLA Cara Hunter, who moved a motioin in the Assembly calling for action to help local people live and work in their own areas. The motion received cross party support. Ms Hunter

The Employment Minister says the Government is working to support the hundreds of workers impacted by Fastway going into receivership. Its parent company, the Nuvion Group has entered receivership, threatening 300 direct jobs and hundreds of indirect jobs. Couriers held a protest outside the Fastway depot in Greenogue, Dublin yesterday after being told they effectively

Gardai have renewed their appeal for information regarding a single vehicle collision in which a retired Church of Ireland minister lost her life. Rev. Shiela Johnson died following the crash outside Glenties on Wednesday afternoon, while her husband, Rev Canon Stanley Johnson, was hospitalised with non-life-threatening injuries. On today’s Nine til Noon Show, Garda Sean

The Government is looking at getting wastewater treatment plants to be built by the private sector to speed up delivery. Under the proposals, Uisce Éireann will be required to manage the plants once they are built. The move aims to speed up the delivery of homes in rural areas with substandard water services. Paul Davis,

An SDLP representative says relations in Stormont will be damaged following the North’s Education Minister’s visit to Israel. The DUP’s Paul Givan now faces a vote of no confidence next week, supported by the SDLP, Alliance Party, Sinn Fein and People Before Profit. He denies any wrongdoing, and says he is going nowhere. East Derry

Public hospitals have cancelled around one million patient appointments in the last four years. The figures suggest a fall in the number of cancellations at Letterkenny University Hospital, with 6,216 last year, and 1,339 up to the end of September this year. From January 2022 to the end of September, the overall LUH total was

Donegal County Council has been allocated €500,000 to complete the walkway between Carrigart and Downings under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme. This is one of 63 projects that will benefit from the overall investment of €16.5 million. Local Cllr Liam Blaney is hoping this will be enough to complete he project……………   Pic – Google