Author name: highlandnews

Donegal County Council to consider setting up Mica helpline

Donegal County Council is to look at establishing a helpline for people whose homes are affected by Mica, as well as advice centres in three of the county’s five municipal districts. An emergency motion signed by a representative cross party group of 12 members was moved at yesterday’s reconvened council meeting by Cllr Gary Doherty.

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THM failure in one Donegal private water supply, no E.coli found

The quality of drinking water in private supplies is not as good as it should be, with E. coli found in 1 in 20 private water supplies. No supplies in Donegal were affected. Meanwhile Trihalomethane failures were identified in 22 supplies, one of them, Townawilly, in Donegal. The report also shows that over one quarter

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Consultation on new Letterkenny plan deferred pending OPW discussions

A decision on the Letterkenny Development Plan has been deferred until the March meeting. During what was a lengthy debate, members of the Letterkenny MD claimed officials had not been listening to their priorities. At one point, Cllr Patrick McGowan suggested other areas are suffering because planners are focussed on Letterkenny. Cllr John O’Donnell says

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Wind Energy policy to the forefront as DCC discusses County Development Plan

Donegal County Council hopes to put proposed Variations to the County Development Plan in respect of a Wind Energy Policy Framework out to public consultation by May. The council had already proposed that turbines not be allowed in areas visible from Glenveagh National Park, and this week, Cllr Marie Therese Gallagher proposed a number other.

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Fourth dose of Covid vaccine to be rolled out to vulnerable in NI

Northern Ireland is rolling out fourth doses of Covid-19 vaccines to those aged over 75, as well as the immuno-compromised. It follows recommendations by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation in the UK. In a statement the North’s Department of Health said most people in this cohort had received a third dose in September

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‘Storms a stark reminder of perilous conditions of Mica homes’ – Cllr McDermott

The chair of Donegal County Council’s Mica Redress Committee says the weekend’s storms in Donegal are a stark reminder of the perilous conditions in which some people are living. Cllr Martin McDermott says some people in North Inishowen stayed up all night, and in some cases, houses affected by Mica were damaged. Calling for the

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Inspection reports published on Donegal facilities

  The Health Watchdog has published inspection reports on five facilities in Donegal. A number of non-compliances have been identified in some of the centres. At the Ballyshannon Community Nursing Unit, there were non-compliances recorded in the areas of registration, governance and management, premises and fire precautions. At Donegal Community Hospital, non-compliances were identified in

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Minister to meet with Cllrs over flood relief plans

  The Minister for the OPW has agreed to meet with Donegal County Councillors to discuss a number of planned flood relief projects for Donegal. It’s after the OPW was heavily criticised in recent weeks by a number of Councillors over refusing to attend meetings. Local representatives had been concerned that important projects are effectively

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Storm Franklin: Thousands in Donegal without power

  Thousands of homes and businesses in Donegal are currently without power this morning. Worst affected areas include Milford, Carndonagh, Rossgeir, Dungloe and Convoy. Outages are also reported in Moville, Ballyraine Letterkenny, Stranorlar, Glenties and Kilcar. Crews are currently carrying out repair works with power expected to be restored to most areas later this morning.

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Novice motorist caught speeding in icy conditions in south Inishowen

  A novice motorist has been caught speeding in icy conditions in south Inishowen. The driver was clocked traveling at 101KPH in a 60KPH speed zone in the Fahan area yesterday evening. Buncrana Roads Policing Unit detected a car travelling at 101KPH in a 60KPH speed zone this evening in the Fahan area. The novice

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Storm Franklin update: Clady Bridge, other NI routes flooded

As Storm Franklin approaches this evening, the Clady Bridge is currently impassable due to flooding. Flooding from the River Finn means the entrance to Clady from the N15 Lifford to Castlefinn road is currently closed. Motorists are also advised to take caution as a number of routes have faced flooding issues today. Police advice caution

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RNLI Lough Swilly urge caution after swimmers get into difficulty at Ludden Beach

The Lough Swilly RNLI are urging swimmers to be cautious, after two people got into difficulty at Ludden Beach in Buncrana yesterday. It’s believed that the swimmers were rescued by an onlooker after a life ring was thrown into the water. No injuries were reported, but the RNLI have warned of the dangers of swimming

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Success of vaccine programme to thank for end to mask wearing – O’Neill

A Professor of Immunology says the success of Ireland’s vaccination campaign is to thank for ending the need for mask wearing. Taoiseach Micheal Martin accepted NPHET’s advice that masks will no longer be needed in shops, public transport and schools from February 28th. It’s also recommended not to PCR test healthy people under the age

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Foreign Affairs Minister to visit Ukraine security conference today

The Foreign Affairs Minister says world leaders will spend this weekend attempting to de-escalate tensions between Russia and Ukraine. Simon Coveney is at the Munich Security Conference where he’s due to meet the Ukrainian Foreign Minister this evening. NATO’s General Secretary says it is not too late for Russia to ‘step back from the brink.’

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Donegal school first to take part in Irish language World of Work programme

A Donegal school has become the first Irish language school in Ireland to participate in the World of Work programme. Second year Business Studies students from the Donegal ETB Gairmscoil Chú Uladh school based in Ballinamore have been partnered with Optum Ireland in Letterkenny for this six-week programme run by Business in the Community Ireland.

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