Category: Old Donegal

The Taoiseach has said it’s dishonest to suggest carbon taxes are behind the severe rise in the cost of fuel.

Opposition TDs have called on the Government not to go ahead with a carbon tax increase in May and to introduce a mini-budget to deal with the cost of living.

A cabinet sub-committee is due to meet on Thursday to consider measures to cushion the impact of rampant inflation.

But Taoiseach Micheál Martin has ruled out VAT cuts to fuel and says those price hikes are not down to the carbon tax alone:

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A feasibility study for phase 3 of the Derry railway line has been completed.

The study was ordered to get the improvement works on the Derry to Coleraine rail line back on track and has ring-fenced funding so the work can take place as soon as viably possible.

Funding has also been allocated for a further study to examine options of new halts and associated park-and-ride facilities at Strathfoyle, Eglinton/City of Derry Airport and Ballykelly as well as the possibility of introducing half-hourly services from Derry.

In a statement Foyle MP Colum Eastwood described the project as having the potential to transform the lives of people in Derry and right across the North West.

This railway line is said to be in dire need of an upgrade for many years.

Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin stated that “Derry needs improved public transport connectivity as a core part of our drive to attract higher levels of investment into the city and the wider North West region.

The post Progress on phase 3 of Derry railway line appeared first on Highland Radio – Latest Donegal News and Sport.

Sligo Rovers have signed New Zealand international Nando Pijnaker.

The defender joins on a season long loan from Portuguese second-tier side, Rio Ave subject to international clearance.

He also previously played with Swiss outfit Grasshopper and with Danish outfit Helsingor.

Pijnaker said: “It’s fantastic to be here. It’s a move that appealed to me and my main motivation is to play matches and help the team. I know the season is 36 games plus Cup football and European games so I know a chance will come at some point and I will take it.

“I spoke with the manager a couple of times and I was impressed by what he said. He had been speaking with my agent and I felt this was a good opportunity to go to a team playing European football at a good standard as well.”

Manager Liam Buckley said: “We’re very pleased to bring in Nando. He’s done well with his country in the Olympics last year. Rio Ave are keen for him to get game time at this stage of his career so we’re delighted to have him with us this season. Nando has a lot of what you want from a defender in terms of his height, strength, his tackling and also his distribution as well. He’s coming into a new league but we feel he can do well here.

“We do have Garry Buckley, Shane Blaney, Robbie McCourt can slot in there and young Peter Maguire is coming through, but with the loss of John Mahon it was important to bring in another defender at centre-half.

“He’s come in with a good level of fitness and we’ll integrate him into the group. He’ll be ready to play from the off and it’s great to have him training with us today. I’ve no doubt he’ll be contributing over the course of the year and I can see by the conversations we’ve had that he is extremely keen to make an impact with us.”

The post Rovers sign New Zeland International Nando Pijnaker appeared first on Highland Radio – Latest Donegal News and Sport.

A number of motorists have been caught speeding in Letterkenny.

Gardaí conducted a speed checkpoint on the Leck Road in the town yesterday in response to recent reports of vehicles travelling in excess of the speed limit in the area.

A number of vehicles were detected travelling in excess of the 60KPH speed limit – one motorist was clocked speeding at 97KPH.

Fixed Charge Penalty Notices were issued to the drivers who will now have to pay a fine of €80 and they will also receive 3 penalty points.

Gardai are reminding people to slow down and help save lives.

The post Garda crackdown on speeding in Letterkenny appeared first on Highland Radio – Latest Donegal News and Sport.

 

A life ring has been stolen from Moorlough, Donemana.

The theft is believed to have occurred between Wednesday 2nd February and Saturday 5th.

In a statement, police say that these are a vital piece of life saving equipment and should not be removed unless for an emergency.

People are being urged to contact police if they have seen anyone removing these life rings or tampering with them.

The equipment was replaced by Community Search and Rescue but at a substantial cost.

The post Appeal over theft of life ring appeared first on Highland Radio – Latest Donegal News and Sport.

The Manager of the Donegal Domestic Violence Service says a lack of emergency refuge accommodation is forcing people back into an unsafe situation.

The lack of refuge beds available in Donegal resulted in 16 families being housed in hotels and B&B’s between July and September last year while 20 children were homeless because of domestic abuse.

Manager of the Donegal Domestic Violence Service is Dr Marie Hainsworth:

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The post ‘Lack of refuge accommodation forcing domestic violence victims back into unsafe situation’ – Dr Hainsworth appeared first on Highland Radio – Latest Donegal News and Sport.

Investigations are continuing into a number of criminal damage incidents across Donegal.

In the Glentain Manor area of Letterkenny a resident discovered that two tyres had been slashed on their vehicle which was parked at their home overnight on Tuesday night last.

Elsewhere in Letterkenny, between 1:15am and 1:30am on Saturday, a front window at the Fortwell Apartment block was broken.

While in Clonmany on Friday night between 9:30pm and 10pm, a resident in the Cloontagh area heard a loud bang and discovered that the front window of the house had been smashed.

Gardaí in Letterkenny as part of investigations into a criminal damage incident on the Letterkenny road in Lifford in the early hours of Saturday between 4am and 4.30am are appealing to anyone who may have spotted a black VW Passat and a 7 seater Zafira in the area at the time or who has dashcam footage to come forward.

Anyone with any information relating to any incident is asked to contact Gardai.

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Gardai are investigating a burglary in Letterkenny last night.

Between 9.30pm and 10pm the door of an apartment at the Sunnyside Apartments on the Port Road was forced open and entry was gained.

A black Alcatel mobile phone, a BOI card and a small sum of cash was stolen from the property.

Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have observed any suspicious activity in the area at the time or who may have dash cam footage to contact Gardaí in Letterkenny.

The post Money and bank card stolen from apartment in Letterkenny appeared first on Highland Radio – Latest Donegal News and Sport.

Donegal could benefit from a €1.5 million biodiversity fund.

The 2022 Local Biodiversity Action Fund has opened to applications from local authorities.

The fund aims to support locally-led projects that align with actions under the National Biodiversity Action Plan and enables local authorities develop projects that address biodiversity loss by helping to create new habitats, restoring existing ones and by tackling invasive alien species.

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A committee has been established in Carrigart in a bid to address road safety concerns.

A public meeting was held last night to discuss the issues which includes parking in the village and road safety around the local school.

Donegal Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn was in attendance at the meeting last night and says believes the committee will be instrumental now in ensuring improvements are implemented:

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