Category: Old Donegal

A Donegal Councillor has claimed that the authority is failing the community when it comes to Drumonaghan Wood in Ramelton.

Cllr Ian McGarvey told a meeting of Letterkenny and Milford Municipal District this afternoon that he believes his democratic rights are being denied by the council’s executive.

Cllr Mc Garvey said he would not be moving the other motions he had submitted, saying he felt aggrieved.

At the start of this afternoon’s MD meeting, Cllr Ian McGarvey asked permission to address members. He said a motion on Drumonaghan Wood in Ramelton had been rejected by the executive, and not placed on the agenda.

He said the motion asked that the council would approach Coillte and the telecommunications company would withdraw their plans to erect a mast in the area.

He asked that the meeting be suspended for an hour, saying he had arranged a bus at his own expense to bring any member who wished to the site so that they could see it.

Mayor Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh said permission had been granted by the council and upheld by An Bord Pleanala, and the issue had never been considered by members.

Area Manager Eamon Browne said similar motions had been discussed in April, May, July, September and October, and it was on that basis that he rejected the motion.

Cllr McGarvey asked what purpose his presence in the council serves, and suggested he would be treated differently if he were in a party. He also asked if his age was a factor.

That was strenuously denied by officials and by the mayor.

Inland Fisheries Ireland has opened a fund to support vital conservation projects around the country.

Up to €1 million is being made available.

Minister Eamon Ryan is encouraging all eligible angling clubs, fishery owners and other stakeholders in Donegal to apply for funding to support fisheries conservation projects through the 2022 ‘Habitats and Conservation’ scheme.

Priority will be given to projects that focus on habitat ‘rehabilitation’ and conservation, such as improving water quality, rehabilitating damaged habitats and helping fish overcome physical barriers, like impassable weirs.

Last year, over €785,000 in funding was approved for 18 projects, including in Donegal.

Former Donegal senior football boss Jim McGuinness is being linked with a surprise return to the sport.

McGuinness is being lined up as part of a new Down management lead by Conor Laverty.

Martin Clarke would also be included in the backroom team.

If Guinness decides to jump onboard with the new Mourne County set up, it would be his first job in gaelic football since leading Donegal to three Ulster titles and an All Ireland between 2010 and 2014.

Since then he has had various jobs on the soccer front at Celtic in Scotland, in China and America and more recently with the Derry City u19’s.

 

 

Gardai conducted a crime prevention checkpoint on the outskirts of Letterkenny last night.

Crime prevention patrols and checkpoints take place across the Donegal Division both during the day and night.

In a statement, Gardai say that unfortunately, incidents of burglaries are on the increase and they are encouraging everybody to report any suspicious activity/people/vehicles in their area without hesitation.

It is important for people to look out for each other within our communities especially now as the evenings are darker that bit earlier. Gardaí may be reached 24/7 at the following Garda Stations:
Letterkenny 074-9167100
Milford 074-9153060
Buncrana 074-9320540
Ballyshannon 071-9858530

It is thought that the chances of a break in are greatly reduced if it takes a burglar more than 3 minutes to gain entry to your home. Please take note of the following advice and discover ways that you can make your home more secure:
Home Security
• Whether at home or going out, turn on some lights.
• Lock all doors and windows.
• Use your house alarm.
• Store keys safely, away from windows and letterboxes.
• Record details of valuables and don’t keep large cash amounts at home.
Vacant Houses
• Ask a trusted neighbour to conduct frequent checks of the property and take note of anything suspicious.
• Ensure house alarm is set.
• Install timers on internal lights and motion detectors on external lights.
• Ensure the building doesn’t look neglected; cut grass, trim hedges etc.
• Ask a neighbour to collect your post.
• Inform your local Garda station when the premises will be vacant.
Social Media
• Don’t post status updates about your holidays while you’re still away.
• Don’t post pictures while you’re away.
• Respect other people’s privacy, don’t tag others while they are on holidays.
• Avoid posting upcoming travel plans.
• Consider turning off the location sharing setting on your phone.
Garden/Landscaping
• Don’t help the burglar; safely store away ladders, tools etc.
• Use quality locks on garden sheds, chain valuable property, tools, bikes etc. within.
• Property mark and photograph valuable possessions.
• Tidy up gardens and shrubbery, this improves visibility and creates the illusion of an occupied home.
• Consider defensive planting, e.g. thorny plants around the perimeter for extra security.
If you wish to read/print some home security advice for you or for someone you know please have a look at the following:

 

The North’s Deputy First Minister is calling on the UK Government to withdraw its threat to trigger Article 16.

It comes as tensions continue to escalate both politically and on the streets of Northern Ireland – over the post-Brexit protocol.

Michelle O’Neill met with David Frost this morning in the wake of two bus hijackings in loyalist areas.

Ms O’Neil says she made it very clear that the wider community are only interested in solutions and stability:

https://www.highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/michelle3pm.mp3

 

The hospitality industry has called for stronger sanctions for pubs and restaurants breaching the Covid regulations.

The Restaurants Association of Ireland says this should include fines and closures.

It follows a meeting between the hospitality sector, Government officials and the Deputy CMO Dr Ronan Glynn this afternoon.

 

The Government has announced an investment of almost €2.5m to help a Carrigans based food producer develop and diversify post Brexit.

22 projects across the country in the meat and dairy sectors will receive funding as part of the €70m fund.

Donegal Meat Processors, has been awarded capital investment to support a market diversification strategy.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue says the investment will assist the sector expand current markets and increase sales of higher value-add products in the global marketplace while maintaining Ireland’s position as the sustainable food capital of the world.

People are still socialising even though they are showing symptoms of Covid 19, and that is contributing to an increase in incidents of the disease in Donegal.

That’s according to the Director of Public Health with HSE West, who says cases in the community are increasing.

On today’s Nine til Noon Show, Dr Anthony Breslin said there are some cases being recorded in hospitals, care homes and schools, but the level of spread is nowhere near as serious as it was last year.

Urging people to avail of booster vaccines when offered them, he stressed vaccination greatly reduces the risk of serious illness……..

https://www.highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/abcases1pm.mp3

Gardaí in Ballyshannon are seeking the public’s assistance in relation to a number of burglaries within
the district.

Money and jewellery were stolen during a number of incidents.

A small sum of money, jewellery and clothing was stolen from a house in the St. Josephs’ Avenue area of Donegal Town between 7pm and 11:50pm on Saturday evening last.

Forced entry was gained through the back door.

While on Thursday, between 3pm and 9.45pm a house at Ballure Lane, Ballyshannon was burgled.

A rear window was forced open and a sum of cash and jewellery stolen.

Elsewhere, between Sunday October 31st and Friday November 5th, the back window of a house at Stracomer View, Bundoran was forced open.

Gardai say the property was searched but nothing was taken.

Three houses were burgled in the area of Glencoagh, Mountcharles between 5pm – 8pm on Saturday last with money stolen from one property.

Damage was caused by gaining entry as doors and windows were forced open.

Nothing was stolen during a break in at a property on Finner Avenue, Bundoran on Thursday

An unsuccessful attempt was made to force open the front door of the property, entry was then gained through an unsecured rear window between 3pm and 7pm.

Anyone with information relating to any of the burglaries is asked to contact Gardai in Ballyshannon.

Gardai are warning about a rise in burglaries across Donegal as winter sets in with longer, darker evenings.

Garda Niall Maguire is urging homeowners to take precautions:

https://www.highlandradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/niall1pm.mp3

Gardai are appealing to residents in the Solomon’s Manor area of Letterkenny to come forward if they have any information relating to a break in last week.

Entry was gained to a house in the area by forcing open a rear window between 11am on Tuesday morning last and 11am the following morning.

Gardai say it was evident those responsible had searched the property before making off with a 40-50 inch TV.

It is believed the front door was used as an exit point as it was found unlocked.

Anyone with information is being asked to contact Letterkenny Garda Station.