Author name: highlandnews

Efforts are continuing to explore how properties not affected by iron sulfide-related defects, more commonly known as ‘Mica’ homes, can be deemed sellable, mortgageable and insurable. It follows scientific evidence which identifies internal sulfate attack, driven by the presence of iron sulfides such as pyrrhotite and pyrite, as the root cause of the defective block

The woman who manages the Donegal Cancer Flights and Services organisation in the west of the county says there needs to be much more support from politicians for the services they provide. Mary Coyle says there are many people in Donegal who would forego medical procedures if the transport support was not available. Speaking on

Questions remain unanswered as to why some gardaí are not carrying out their duties. An unpublished report suggests some members of the Roads Policing Unit are “openly hostile to doing their job” – according to the Policing and Community Safety Authority. Commissioner Drew Harris says the findings as “sobering”, particularly in light of the number

Irish goods are now subject to a 15% tariff entering the US. Donald Trump’s trade tax came into effect at 5am Irish time. More details of precisely what’s been agreed between America and the EU are likely to be revealed later. Many countries failed to reach an agreement ahead of today’s deadline, while Mexico’s secured

Drivers are being urged to slow down over this Bank Holiday weekend. Gardaí say they will be carrying out checkpoints from now until Wednesday. A safety campaign was launched yesterday, and Minister of State with responsibility for road Safety Sean Canney says drivers must be aware that cars are heavy machines:

A South Donegal councillor says there’s a vacant HSE building in Pettigo that could be used for social housing, and Donegal County Council has agreed to open discussions about possibly taking it over. Cllr Michael McMahon believes the building would particularly suit the construction of apartments for young couples. Officials have agreed to speak to

A survey carried out by the Donegal branch of Women’s Collective Ireland finds that over half of women in the county are experiencing anxiety. The survey gathered responses from 572 women aged 18 and above, living throughout Donegal, sharing with WCI Donegal their life experiences and views on a number of issues. Project Coordinator Danielle

A survivor of the Miami Showband Massacre says 50 years on, he still remembers the Troubles-era attack like it was yesterday. Surviving members of the showband today revisited the site of the atrocity, 50 years on. Three band members were murdered in 1975 when their tour bus was ambushed by loyalist paramilitaries near Newry. Bass

Those who find themselves in energy arrears are being advised to get in touch with their supplier. New figures show more than 300-thousand households are behind on their electricity bills with a further 175 thousand struggling to pay gas bills. Despite the increase in arrears the Government insists there will be no energy credits in

The incoming ASTI President believes rushed changes to the Leaving Cert set to come into effect in September will widen inequalities and damage education. Nine new and revised subject specifications due to be introduced will have an assessment worth 40% of final grades. Padraig Curley, a teacher at Loreto Community School, Milford says there’s also

The Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council is confident that the visitor experience project planned for Fort Dunree will come to fruition. Yesterday, it was confirmed that An Coimisiún Pleanála refused planning permission for the €12.5 million project. The body says it was not satisfied that effluent could be satisfactorily treated on site without a risk

331,000 households were behind on their electricity payments at the end of May. It means the number of people in arrears on their electricity bills has now hit a record high. Another 175,000 domestic gas customers are behind on their payments, according to figures from Sinn Féin. The party’s Dublin MEP, Lynn Boylan, says the

An Coimisiún Pleanála has refused planning permission for Fort Dunree’s €12.5m visitor experience. The body says it was not satisfied, that effluent from the development can be satisfactorily treated and/or disposed of on site in a manner that would not give rise to the risk of pollution to surface water and/or ground water. The proposed

A 3D printing demonstration took place in Manorcunningham today, showcasing the construction of houses using printing technology. Engineers and members of Donegal County Council, including Cllr Joy Beard, were among those in attendance. She says with the urgent demand for housing in Donegal every avenue to speed up the house building process needs to be

The ground trembled for over eight hours in Donegal, following a powerful earthquake off the far eastern coast of Russia overnight. The 8.8 magnitude quake, one of the strongest ever recorded, was detected by a seismometer at St Columba’s College in Stranorlar. Tsunami alerts remain active for parts of the Pacific, including Papua New Guinea

A Milford Area councillor says he believes there is a means of avoiding yesterday’s access issue in Fanad, with buses unable to get to the lighthouse, and being forced to terminate at Ballylar Post Office.   TFI Local Link says they were unable to serve the Lighthouse due to haphazardly parked cars prohibiting the bus