Category: Old Donegal

The Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council has expressed concern that the per square foot rate to be paid under the revised Mica Redress Scheme will be set by the Housing Minister and his officials, rather than independently.

When the revised scheme was announced last week, it was understood that the rate would be using figures provided by the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland.

However, in a letter to Cllr Jack Murray last evening, Minister Darragh O’Brien says the rate will be set by himself, in consultation with the SCSI.

Cllr Murray says that’s very concerning………..

https://www.highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/jackscsi1pm.mp3

Police in Strabane are appealing for information following a fatal collision at Victoria Road, Ballymagorry, yesterday afternoon.

The driver of a white Volkswagen Transporter van, a man aged in his 20’s named locally as Aaron Harkin from Strabane, died as a result of the collision involving a red Scania cement lorry, at around 3.25pm. The driver of the lorry was taken to hospital where he remains receiving treatment.

Officers from the Collision Investigation Unit are appealing to anyone who was driving in the area on Tuesday afternoon and witnessed the collision or who may have captured dash-cam footage which could assist with their enquiries to contact them at Sprucefield.

 

 

An orange wind warning remains in place in Donegal until 2 o’clock this afternoon, followed by a yellow wind warning, which will be in place until 6 o’clock this evening.

Schools remain closed, and gardai are warning against unnecessary travel.

Garry Martin is Director of Emergency Services with Donegal County Council ; He says there have been multiple reports of fallen trees which are being dealt with by the council, and is urging people to be particularly careful on winding, rural roads.

He spoke to Greg Hughes on this morning’s  Nine til Noon Show…….

https://www.highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/garymweds.mp3

Failing to show up for a booster appointment is disrespectful to vaccination centre staff, according to a Donegal GP.

It emerged yesterday just 93 thousand people turned up to 180 thousand appointments at centers that were scheduled last week.

The IMO says there are very few no-shows at GP surgeries.

Chairman of its GP Committee, Dr Denis McCauley, says people need to take appointments seriously…….

 

https://www.highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/aamccauley8am.mp3

Over 6,000 homes and businesses in Creeslough and Gweedore were without power for a brief period just before 6 o’clock this morning, but supplies were restored within 20 minutes.

Several hundred customers in Bundoran have also had their power restored after outages this morning. However, 361 other customers in Bundoran are still without power, and are likely to remain so until the early hours of tomorrow morning.

Meanwhile, in Kilcar, 105 premises are without power this morning, with supplies expected to be restored betweeen 4pm and 7pm this evening.

Clinics which were to have been held at the Letterkenny Vaccination Centre this morning have been cancelled, as have walk in clinics.

Those with appointments will be contacted by text with rescheduled dates as quickly as possible.

A decision will be made later on whether the clinic will open this afternoon.

Covid test centres in Letterkenny and Donegal Town are closed until lunchtime.

Emergency Ophthalmology clinics at St Conals in Letterkenny have been cancelled, as have day services at Killybegs Community Hospital.

Serious concern has been raised over the present state of fire hydrants in Raphoe.

It’s reported that when emergency services attended a fire in the area in recent weeks, one of the hydrants was blocked.

Crews then went to another hydrant further away, but on the same line, to find that the water pressure was extremely low.

Local Cllr Gerry Crawford has contacted the fire service and has asked them to follow it up as a matter of urgency.

He says the buck ultimately lies with Irish Water……..

https://www.highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/gerryhydrant1pm.mp3

Broadband issues are said to be escalating in the Lifford Stranorlar area.

A significant amount of people in the area are now working from home but in some cases, their broadband is cutting out and taking a long time to get back up and running.

Local Cllr Gary Doherty says many residents are working for multinational companies, and unreliable broadband is hampering their working day.

Cllr Doherty says assurances are needed that the National Broadband Plan is being expedited and providers are actively working to remedy the situation………..

https://www.highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/garybroadband1pm.mp3

Storm Barra has seen severe winds and heavy rain continue to batter the country overnight.

Orange wind warnings are in place for Dublin, Donegal, Leitrim and Sligo this morning, while a yellow alert will remain for the country until this evening. The Donegal warning will remain in place until 2 o’clock this afternoon, with gardai urging people not to travel unless it’s absolutely necessary.

The storm has led to the widespread disruption of hospital services and public transport.

Last night, the Department of Education also advised that schools covered by red or orange warnings, including Donegal, remain closed today.

The ESB is facing multiple power outages all over the country.

Over 6,000 homes and businesses in Creeslough, Bundoran and Gweedore were without power for a brief period just before 6 o’clock this morning, but supplies were restored within 20 minutes. However, 825 other customers in Bundoran are still without power, and are likely to remain so until the early hours of tomorrow morning.

Meanwhile, in Kilcar, 105 premises are without power this morning, with supplies expected to be restored between 4pm and 7pm this evening.

Spokesperson for ESB Networks, Siobhan Wynne, says crews will resume work this morning to restore services…………..

https://www.highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/wynn7am.mp3

 

The first cases of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 have been confirmed in Northern Ireland.

All three are linked to travel from Britain.

Two are in the same household in the greater Belfast area – and a third unconnected case in the Southern region.

Northern Ireland Health Minister, Robin Swann, says it’s something they’ve been preparing for……..

https://www.highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/wynn7am-1.mp3