Author name: highlandnews

Two arrested in Donegal human trafficking investigation

  Two people have been arrested in Donegal as part of an ongoing targeting organised crime, human trafficking, organised prostitution and money laundering. Gardaí from the Human Trafficking Investigation and Coordination Unit at the Garda National Protective Services Bureau carried out an operation in Letterkenny on Monday. A man in his 40s arrested under organised […]

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Council must do more to tackle dereliction – McGarvey

  Donegal County Council is to carry out a review of vacancy and dereliction across the county, with the possibility potential Compulsory Purchase Orders and other measures to promote regeneration and provide housing options. The review will draw on a high-level examination of vacancy in the region that was recently published by the Northern and

Council must do more to tackle dereliction – McGarvey Read More »

Ministers believe President “crossed a line” in housing comments

It’s claimed that President Michael D. Higgins ‘crossed a line’ in comments he made about the housing crisis. According to reports a number of Government Minsters are said to be ‘furious’ about the remarks made in a speech yesterday. President Higgins took aim at government housing policy yesterday while making an address at the opening

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Mayor looks forward to a busy year in the Letterkenny Milford MD chair

The new Mayor of Letterkenny Milford Municipal District says reducing housing waiting lists, the cost of living, Mica and spiralling costs in the agriculture sector will be on his agenda over the coming year. Councillor Donal Mandy Kelly was elected unanimously last evening, with Councillor Ciaran Brogan elected Deputy Mayor. Councillor Kelly says he wants

Mayor looks forward to a busy year in the Letterkenny Milford MD chair Read More »

MacGiollaEasbuig says all council meetings should be streamed live

A Donegal County Councillor is calling for all meetings, including committee meetings to be streamed live. Councillor Micheal Cholm MacGiollaEasbuig believes the public deserve an insight into all council business. He says the pandemic proved that the streaming of meetings can be facilitated. Councillor MacGiollaEasbuig says it would be an important step……….

MacGiollaEasbuig says all council meetings should be streamed live Read More »

New scheme does not meet homeowners’ needs – Doherty

The Mica Action Group says as it stands, the enhanced Mica redress scheme approved by Cabinet yesterday does not meet their needs. Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien says he is satisfied that the enhanced scheme will represent a significant step forward in having a fit for purpose grant scheme which will help homeowners rebuild their homes

New scheme does not meet homeowners’ needs – Doherty Read More »

Cllr Donal Mandy Kelly new Cathaoirleach of Letterkenny Milford MD

Councillor Donal Mandy Kelly has been elected the new Cathaoirleach of the Letterkenny Milford Municipal District. The Fianna Fail Councillor takes over the role for the first time from outgoing Cathaoirleach Councillor Jimmy Kavanagh. Councillor Ciaran Brogan has been announced as Deputy Mayor. Councillor Kelly says reducing housing waiting lists, the cost of living, Mica

Cllr Donal Mandy Kelly new Cathaoirleach of Letterkenny Milford MD Read More »

President labels Ireland’s housing crisis a ‘disaster’

President Michael D Higgins says housing in Ireland is no longer a crisis, it’s a disaster. He was speaking at the opening of a centre for homeless young adults in County Kildare. Latest Government figures show there are more than 10,000 people in homeless accommodation nationally, which doesn’t include refugees or asylum seekers. Michael D

President labels Ireland’s housing crisis a ‘disaster’ Read More »

Pearse Rd traffic flow improved with new lights – Council

Donegal County Council engineers say the traffic flow on Pearse Road has improved after new lights were installed at the end of last month. There have been complaints that the lights have slowed down traffic, and Cllr Michael McBride today called on Letterkenny Municipal District to review the lights. He was told the suppliers began

Pearse Rd traffic flow improved with new lights – Council Read More »

‘We need to get on with it’ – Taoiseach responds to calls for pre-legislative scrutiny of Mica bill

The Dail today heard further calls for the bill to be granted pre-legislative scrutiny. Donegal Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn told Micheal Martin that with many false dawns for affected homeowners, they deserve scrutiny of the legislation:   In responding, Taoiseach Michael Martin however, did not agree to pre-legislative scrutiny but instead said it’s time to get

‘We need to get on with it’ – Taoiseach responds to calls for pre-legislative scrutiny of Mica bill Read More »

Fears Donegal is heading into ‘major crisis’ as Ukrainian refugee housing contracts set to expire

Concerns have been raised that Donegal is heading into a major crisis as contracts with hotels and B&Bs housing Ukrainian refugees are due to expire. A number of accommodation facilities across the county have opened their doors to house refugees in the wake of the Ukrainian war. Cllr Michael McClafferty says it is important a

Fears Donegal is heading into ‘major crisis’ as Ukrainian refugee housing contracts set to expire Read More »

Government grants approval of enhanced redress scheme

The enhanced Mica Redress Scheme has been granted Government approval. Key features of the scheme just announced include 100% grants with a cap of €420,000, grant rates in keeping with the construction cost report prepared by the SCSI, a Government guarantee in regard to remediation works other than full demolition and rebuild, a revised application

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Plans for new state-of-the-art Lidl store in Carndonagh to be presented

Lidl Ireland is to present plans for a new Carndonagh store next week. A drop-in community briefing will be held on Thursday June 23rd from 5pm to 7pm at Colgan Hall, Carndonagh. Planning permission for the state-of-the-art store was recently granted by Donegal County Council. Brian Smyth, Regional Property Director for Lidl Ireland says they

Plans for new state-of-the-art Lidl store in Carndonagh to be presented Read More »

Significant policing operation in place this rally weekend

Gardai say they will have a significant policing operation in place for this weekend’s Donegal International Rally. Numerous high viability checkpoints will be in place across the county with Gardai also out on patrol and conducting speed checks. Extra Gardai are being deployed to the county for this weekend. Garda Eunan Walsh says there will

Significant policing operation in place this rally weekend Read More »

Taoiseach fears trust will suffer as a result of new Protocol bill

Following the publication yesterday of a bill to overturn elements of the Northern Ireland protocol Taoiseach says trust between the EU and UK will be the biggest issue into the future. Michéal Martin also called the British government’s bill undermining parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol ‘anti-business’. He says there’s a denial of democracy in

Taoiseach fears trust will suffer as a result of new Protocol bill Read More »

Gardai appeal for information on two road collisions in Donegal

Gardai are seeking information about two collisions in recent days in Donegal, one of which left a motorcyclist in hospital. The other was an apparent hit and run in Ballybofey which caused significant damage. On the Community Garda Slot on today’s Nine til Noon Show, Sgt Eunan Walshe issued these appeals for information, starting with

Gardai appeal for information on two road collisions in Donegal Read More »

Garda

Gardai investigating criminal damage incidents in Ramelton and Ballybofey

Gardai are investigating three criminal damage incidents over the past number of days, one in Ramelton on Saturday last, the others in Ballybofey on the previous Thursday. On Saturday afternoon, gardai received reports of a vacant house at Lennon View Cottages on the Tank Road, Ramelton being damaged by a group of youths at 3.30.

Gardai investigating criminal damage incidents in Ramelton and Ballybofey Read More »

Sturgeon starting renewed push for second independence referendum

Scotland’s first minister’s starting a renewed push for independence from today. She’ll release the first in a series of papers – aiming to set out the case for breaking away from the United Kingdom. Nicola Sturgeon’s made no secret of the timeline she’s working towards for a poll on the issue – This is what

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Glencar Road, Proposal, Closure, Roadworks, Highland radio, Letterkenny, Donegal

Immediate repairs need to be carried out at ‘non-existent’ Glencar roundabout – Cllr Kelly

A Letterkenny councillor has called for immediate repairs to be carried out at the Glencar roundabout. Cllr Donal Kelly says the roundabout is currently non-existent and is causing major safety concerns in the area. He says immediate works must be carried out ahead of rally weekend and the busy summer season:

Immediate repairs need to be carried out at ‘non-existent’ Glencar roundabout – Cllr Kelly Read More »

Calls for purpose-built buildings to address Donegal housing needs

There’s calls for purpose-built buildings to be provided by Donegal County Council to tackle the growing need for emergency accomodation in the county. Councillor Gerry McMonagle is to raise the issue at today’s sitting of the Letterkenny Milford Municipal District. He believes the Council needs to step in and provide additional emergency accomodation to deal

Calls for purpose-built buildings to address Donegal housing needs Read More »

MLAs send letter to Prime Minister ahead of release of new protocol legislation

A majority of MLAs in the North have signed a joint letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson outlining their opposition to the government’s proposed legislation that would give Ministers the power to unilaterally disapply sections of the Northern Ireland Protocol. It comes as details of a new bill to override parts of the Northern Ireland

MLAs send letter to Prime Minister ahead of release of new protocol legislation Read More »

Road safety appeal issued to all road users and local communities during Donegal Rally

The Donegal Road Safety Working Group is appealing to everyone attending the Donegal Rally to act safely this weekend. The working group says true motorsport fans come and go to rally events and no one would ever know they attended but unfortunately these events also attract a cohort who attend these events whose driving, and

Road safety appeal issued to all road users and local communities during Donegal Rally Read More »

Former Taoiseach says Britain cannot deny the Protocol is working

The Foreign Affairs Minister says a UK Government plan to remove and alter the Northern Ireland Protocol is ‘deeply damaging.’ Simon Coveney spoke to the British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss for 12 minutes by phone today. Ms Truss is due to announce details of UK legislation in Parliament later, which is expected to scrap all

Former Taoiseach says Britain cannot deny the Protocol is working Read More »

LUH ‘extremely busy’, with 224 ED visits over the weekend

The Emergency Department at Letterkenny University Hospital has been extremely busy over the past few days with unusually high numbers patients presenting for treatment. Over the weekend 224 people attended the Emergency Department.   Saolta says the high number of people attending who need to be admitted for ongoing treatment means that there is pressure on

LUH ‘extremely busy’, with 224 ED visits over the weekend Read More »

Pringle seeks public inquiry after more ‘shocking’ abuse revelations

Donegal TD Thomas Pringle is calling for an independent inquiry into instances of sexual abuse at the Ard Greine Court Complex in Stranorlar, after it emerged at the weekend that 11 more cases have been referred to An Garda Siochana. Its believed the cases occurred between 1991 and 2002, and were unearthed after the HSE

Pringle seeks public inquiry after more ‘shocking’ abuse revelations Read More »