Author name: highlandnews

St. Patrick’s Bank Holiday road safety campaign gets underway

A bank holiday road safety campaign is underway. 33 people have been killed in crashes on the roads since the start of the year. Gardaí and the Road Safety Authority are warning drivers NOT to get behind the wheel after taking drink or drugs. Chief Superintendent Jane Humphries says there’s more risk with higher traffic […]

St. Patrick’s Bank Holiday road safety campaign gets underway Read More »

Donegal County Council to carry out assessment of Bridge End traffic in a bid to improve road safety

Donegal County Council’s Roads Section is to carry out an assessment of traffic at Bridge End in Ramelton to identify ways of improving safety. Officials will consider funding options, possibly through an active travel scheme. It’s in response to Cllr Declan Meehan, who said it’s vital that the Council will act to address road safety

Donegal County Council to carry out assessment of Bridge End traffic in a bid to improve road safety Read More »

Over £45,000 spent repairing Christmas decorations in Derry and Strabane after vandalism

Derry City and Strabane District Council is considering additional deterrents in a bid to prevent the vandalism of Council Christmas trees. Last Christmas the cost of vandalism to decorations across the district was over £45,000. The Council has confirmed that artificial trees at Waterloo Place, Guildhall and Strabane Town Centre suffered the most damage with

Over £45,000 spent repairing Christmas decorations in Derry and Strabane after vandalism Read More »

Over 16,500 people awaiting inpatient or outpatient appointment at LUH

Over 16,500 people are on a waiting list for an inpatient or outpatient appointment at Letterkenny University Hospital. According to figures published today by the National Treatment Purchase Fund, inpatient waiting lists are up over 50%. During the month of February, 2050 patients were waiting on an inpatient appointment at Letterkenny University Hospital. 1,994 of

Over 16,500 people awaiting inpatient or outpatient appointment at LUH Read More »

Derry campaigner says emigrants should have a vote in October’s Presidential Election

Not allowing Irish emigrants to vote in the upcoming Presidential election “deprives citizens of their right to be heard.” That’s according to a voting rights campaign group, which is calling for the over 1 million Irish emigrants living abroad to get to cast their vote this Autumn. The most recent IDEA global democracy report found

Derry campaigner says emigrants should have a vote in October’s Presidential Election Read More »

New asylum seeker accommodation centres may not open in Donegal due to ‘local and political feedback’

New asylum seeker accommodation centres won’t be opened in certain parts of the country, due to “local and political feedback”. Government documents seen by the Irish Times say several properties in north-inner city Dublin, and hotels in Kerry, Clare, Mayo and Donegal won’t be used by the International Protection Accommodation Service. Some hotels temporarily used

New asylum seeker accommodation centres may not open in Donegal due to ‘local and political feedback’ Read More »

Buncrana businessman says fake mosque planning notice is a malicious social media stunt

A Buncrana businessman says he and his wife have been the subject of what he termed a malicious social media stunt over the past 48 hours. Christopher Flanagan says somebody created a fake Planning Notice, stating that he and his wife were seeking planning permission for a mosque on the shore front in Buncrana. He

Buncrana businessman says fake mosque planning notice is a malicious social media stunt Read More »

Letterkenny road works should be carried out at weekends – Devine

A Letterkenny councillor has hit out at hedge cutting works which took place on the edual carriageway a week ago last Thursday. Cllr Thomas Sean Devine says the works caused gridlock in Letterkenny, worsening a traffic situation which is already very bad. Officials say this was vital safety work, requiring specialist traffic management skills, and

Letterkenny road works should be carried out at weekends – Devine Read More »

Deputy First Minister fears NI may get caught up in US – EU tariff war

Stormont’s Deputy First Minister says she’s doesn’t want Northern Ireland to get caught up in a potential tariff war between the US and EU – because of post-Brexit rules. Speaking from Washington DC, Emma Little Pengelly says Northern Ireland’s circumstances need to be considered………….

Deputy First Minister fears NI may get caught up in US – EU tariff war Read More »

Burke family removed from Washington event after protest

Members of the Burke family were forcibly removed from a gala dinner attended by the Taoiseach in Washington DC last night. Three family members attempted to interrupt the Ireland Fund’s dinner to accost Micheál Martin over the case of Enoch Burke. They were tackled to the ground by security and forcibly removed from the premises

Burke family removed from Washington event after protest Read More »

Midlands North West MEP fears agri-food sector could face US tariffs

There’s a fear US President Donald Trump will target Ireland’s agri-food industry with tariffs. It’s after he threatened the EU with a 200 percent tariff on alcohol being exported to America. Taoiseach Micheal Martin has called for dialogue between the two sides in the coming weeks. Midlands North West MEP Maria Walsh says Irish agri-food

Midlands North West MEP fears agri-food sector could face US tariffs Read More »

Almost €20 million spent on URDF projects in Letterkenny

Almost €20 million euro has been allocated to projects in Letterkenny so far under the first two phases of the Urban Regeneration and Redevelopment Fund. A further €4 million will be allocated under the third phase according to figures provided to Cllr Gerry McMonagle this week. Under the first URDF call, €330,000 was allocated towards

Almost €20 million spent on URDF projects in Letterkenny Read More »

Appeal lodged with An Bord Pleanála over plans for new shop on Creeslough explosion site

A fresh appeal has been lodged against the proposed redevelopment of the site of the Creeslough explosion. Damien Tansey Solicitors on behalf of 10 bereaved family members, has submitted an appeal to An Bord Pleanála after Donegal County Council granted planning permission to demolish the existing building and rebuild a service station on the site

Appeal lodged with An Bord Pleanála over plans for new shop on Creeslough explosion site Read More »

North’s Infrastructure Minister keen to see A5 progress without further delays

The North’s Infrastructure Minister says she is keen to see the A5 progress without further delays. A public hearing on a judicial review being taken by objectors to the long awaited infrastructure project is set to commence on Tuesday. Minister Liz Kimmins speaking on a site visit to one of the locations where advance works

North’s Infrastructure Minister keen to see A5 progress without further delays Read More »

Interim road safety works on Mill Bridge, Buncrana causing significant delays

Interim works carried out in a bid to improve safety on Mill Bridge in Buncrana are said to be causing additional issues. A give way system was recently implemented on the bridge in response to ongoing calls to alleviate pedestrian safety issues on the busy route. This is now believed to have resulted in significant

Interim road safety works on Mill Bridge, Buncrana causing significant delays Read More »

€11.2 million announced for works at Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre

Funding of just over €11.2 million has been announced today for Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre. It’s part of a national fund of €27.75 million to modernise and enhance state-owned Fishery Harbour Centres. The majority of the funding earmarked for Killybegs, €7 million will go towards the third phase of smooth point works while €2.5 million

€11.2 million announced for works at Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre Read More »

Jack Chambers deliberately misled the public on housing figures – Pearse Doherty

Sinn Fein is accusing the Public Expenditure Minister of deliberately misleading the public on housing figures. The party says Jack Chambers knew the figures were down in the days leading up to the General Election. Jack Chambers was the Finance Minister before the General Election last November. In the days leading up to it –

Jack Chambers deliberately misled the public on housing figures – Pearse Doherty Read More »

Growth in regional airport passenger numbers will help mitigate Dublin Airport cap – Failte Ireland

A drop in international tourists to Ireland this year is set to continue for St Patrick’s Day. Visitor numbers fell by 25 per cent in January when compared with last year. Meanwhile Dublin Airport says the cap on passengers means less seat capacity to bring in tourists this weekend. Fáilte Ireland’s Orla Carroll says they’ll

Growth in regional airport passenger numbers will help mitigate Dublin Airport cap – Failte Ireland Read More »

Waste Management Association says a home based deposit return scheme is still feasible

There are calls for a deposit return scheme that you could use at home. It would work via an app and unique bar codes on your bins and bottles. The Irish Waste Management Association says it would have saved 80 million euro a year if it had been introduced from the start. Secretary Conor Walsh,

Waste Management Association says a home based deposit return scheme is still feasible Read More »

Councillors seek meeting with gardai regarding concerns over e-scooter use in Letterkenny

  Donegal County Council is to seek a meeting with gardai to discuss the use of e-scooters in Letterkenny, on foot of motions this week from Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh and Cllr Gerry McMonagle. Officials outlined the by-laws regarding the use of e-scooters, including a ban on their use on footpaths, and the carrying of passengers.

Councillors seek meeting with gardai regarding concerns over e-scooter use in Letterkenny Read More »

Public consultation open on Sliabh Liag viewing platform

Donegal County Council, in conjunction with the Sliabh Liag Company, is holding a non-statutory public consultation to enhance the visitor experience at Slieve League. The cliffs, towering 601m above the Atlantic Ocean, are a popular tourist attraction. Sliabh Liag is designated as one of the Discovery Points along the Wild Atlantic Way. However, the existing

Public consultation open on Sliabh Liag viewing platform Read More »

Councillors frustrated at ‘slow progress’ of Defective Concrete Block Redress Committee

Two newly elected councillors have voiced their frustration at the perceived lack of progress by the defective concrete block committee since their election last June. At the most recent meeting, Councillors Martin Scanlon and Ali Farren both expressed their concern that little has been achieved to date. Councillor Ali Farren, of the 100% Redress Party,

Councillors frustrated at ‘slow progress’ of Defective Concrete Block Redress Committee Read More »

Letterkenny Chamber urges members to share their views on active travel proposals

The Chief Executive of Letterkenny Chamber is urging members to make their views known on two active travel proposals which are out to public consultation. One, covering Circular Road, ends on Wednesday March 18th, the second, covering Ballyraine Road, ends a week later. Toni Forrester says while some members will be making submissions directly to

Letterkenny Chamber urges members to share their views on active travel proposals Read More »

Infrastructure improvements must begin before work starts on 170 houses at Ballymacool – Kelly

As preparations continue for the construction of 170 new homes in Ballymacool, Letterkenny Milford Municipal District has been told that existing infrastructure such as water and roads must be upgraded. Cllr Donal Mandy Kelly says he wants the development to go ahead, but the infrastructural improvements must come first. Responding to Cllr Donal Mandy Kelly,

Infrastructure improvements must begin before work starts on 170 houses at Ballymacool – Kelly Read More »

Campaign group to demonstrate as A5 objectors judicial review hearing to begin next week

The A5 Enough is Enough campaign group is set to hold a demonstration outside Belfast High Court on Tuesday to coincide with a judicial review set to be taken by objectors to the major road project. Dozens of people have lost their lives on the route to date. The group plans to hold a display

Campaign group to demonstrate as A5 objectors judicial review hearing to begin next week Read More »

NI Assembly passes motion criticising Irish government’s approach to legacy issues

The Northern Ireland Assembly has passed a motion criticising the lack of any tangible effort by the Irish Government to conduct their own inquiry into the Omagh atrocity, or deal with the wider aftermath of the troubles. MLAs also say through the motion that they believe a memorandum of understanding between the Omagh Bombing Inquiry

NI Assembly passes motion criticising Irish government’s approach to legacy issues Read More »