Author name: highlandnews

More schools and community groups in Donegal are being encouraged to apply for the Garda Youth Awards. The awards celebrate outstanding young people aged between 13 and 21 years, and recognise the good work they are doing throughout their communities Gardaí have been distributing nomination forms to schools, youth groups and voluntary organisations right across […]

The Government is being urged to make amendments to the new Leader Programme. The Programme provides funding to support community-led rural development with many successful Donegal projects over the last few years. As part of new programme the rate for businesses has been increased to 75% however community groups are in the same category. Cllr

  A Fianna Fail TD is calling on the Government to reduce excise duty to tackle rising fuel costs for taxi drivers. John Lahart is backing calls from the National Taxi Forum for the government to intervene to help them. He says taxi drivers are seeking a hike in 1 euro per trip to help

The Vice President of the GRA has described working without a patrol car for five months as ‘difficult’. Gardaí in the Dunfanaghy/Creeslough area have been without a vehicle since last year, after the car they had was taken off the road as it had reached end-of-life. Chief Superintendent Terry McGinn has stated that while it’s

  Safety concerns have been raised over an estate in North Inishowen. The recent storms have caused considerable erosion and damage to fencing at Donagh Park in Carndonagh. Donagh River flows alongside the estate and is now said to be more accessible as a result of the damage. Cllr Albert Doherty says a lot of

  A Donegal Deputy has described yesterday’s rates produced by the SCSI as a good start for Mica homeowners. The report proposes higher rates for building costs than were previously estimated. Deputy Joe McHugh was speaking to John Breslin this afternoon at the official launch of the new Mulroy Drive initiative. Deputy McHugh says the

  There are hopes of renewed momentum on the Malin Head Visitor Management Plan. The plan which has been in the pipeline for a number of years now includes proposals for walking routes, parking and other facilities. A meeting is getting underway over the next few weeks in a bid to move the plan forward.

The Cathaoirleach of the Letterkenny Milford Municipal District has visited Islington as part of an event to recognise the contribution of the Irish community to the borough. Councillor Jimmy Kavanagh travelled with Councillor Ciaran Brogan on the back of an invite from Ireland’s Ambassador to the UK as part of Irish month which is being

Serious concern has been raised over a lack of charging points for electric vehicles across Inishowen. It’s thought there are only a handful of such charging points currently in place across the entire peninsula. It has led to fears that the lack of infrastructure could deter tourists from choosing to visit the area. Cllr Johnny

The Government has no plans to include island ferries and air services under an upcoming reduction in public transport fares. A 20% reduction in fare prices on transport services is set to come into effect by early May as part of a new scheme to help with the rising cost of living. Last night, the

Donegal County Council is being urged to review its policy as it relates to tenants buying out their Council homes. It’s understood that a blanket ban on purchasing homes is currently in place until such time as the Council concludes assessments for the presence of Mica. However Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council Cllr Jack Murray

A Donegal based Senator has made history as the first traveller to address the Dail. Senator Eileen Flynn was speaking as part of statements on the report of the Special Oireachtas Committee on key issues affecting the traveller community. She told the Dail that the travelling community must be afforded every opportunity going forward. The

  Listen back to the main evening news, sport, farming and obituaries for Thursday March 3rd:     

Census 2022 will take place on Sunday, April 3rd. This year’s form will have 8 new questions on issues such as renewable resources, internet access, childcare and smoking. This year’s edition will also feature a voluntary time capsule, which will allow households to leave a message to be released in 100 years. Director General of

  There are calls for a reduction in taxes on fuel after petrol prices hit a new high yesterday. Premium unleaded petrol reached 2 euro per litre in a service station in Dublin. AA Ireland says oil stocks are at their lowest in seven years, as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine intensifies. David Horgan, Managing Director

The Housing Minister has also welcomed the publication of the report and has confirmed that it will now be analysed by the Expert Working Group. Minister Darragh O’Brien says today is an important step forward in getting an enhanced scheme up and running. He has confirmed that he intends to bring the final details of

The SCSI has published its much anticipated ‘Construction Costs for the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme’ report. Based on 2022 material and labour rates, the SCSI has set out an average rebuild cost of €157 – €165 per square foot for an estate type house and €145 – €167 for one-off houses. The enhanced redress

Concern has been expressed over what’s been described as a lack of regional balance in job creation statistics for Northern Ireland. The data shows that only 103 jobs had been created in West Tyrone in the 15 months up to March 2021. West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan believes the figures demonstrate a high level of

A Donegal Labour Councillor believes Alan Kelly never got the chance to demonstrate his leadership skills. Alan Kelly resigned as Labour leader last night after accepting that his parliamentary party no longer had confidence in him. Earlier, he denied members of his parliamentary party were working against him from the start of his time as

Both the HSE and Donegal County Council are being urged to be proactive as it relates to buildings in Buncrana which are set to become vacant as a result of the new Primary Care Centre. A number of buildings across the town are currently being used as clinics and surgeries but will be vacated when

A review of medication practices in every CAMHS team in the country is getting underway today. It was ordered after the scandal in the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service in south Kerry. A review found 46 children were significantly harmed, after they were prescribed inappropriate medication by a junior doctor. Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae

The commercial vaccancy rate in Donegal has increased. The number of vacant commercial properties in Donegal has increased to 16.9% in the last quarter of 2021, above the national average of 13.9%. According to figures published today by GeoDirectory, Ballybofey has the highest commercial vacancy rate in the country at 30% while Buncrana had the

Ukrainian officials believe Russian rocket strikes are cutting off heating and water supplies in several major cities, as troops close in on the capital. It’s currently freezing in Kyiv, and many of those who’ve chosen to stay are sheltering underground with missiles devastating buildings. A week since Russia’s invasion began, it appears to have taken

Further questions are being asked over the level of communication as it relates to Storm Franklin and Mica homeowners. It’s understood that Cllrs were well briefed as it relates to storm Dudley and Eunice however, it’s thought more could have been done in terms of prior warnings for Franklin. There was structural damage to a

Full planning approval has been granted for 70 new social homes in Strabane. The project will include 60 new houses and 10 apartments on the former Lady of Mercy High School site between Evish Road and Mount Carmel Heights in the town. The application for the housing scheme was made by local company McGettigan Homes,