It was announced today that an investment of one million euro will be provided for agricultural shows in 2024.

As part of the initiative, each show will receive a grant of between €6,000-€11,000 depending on their size. This leads to a total of €59,150 to be invested in Donegal, €25,050 in Leitrim, and €30,930 in Sligo.

Sligo Chair of the IFA, Michael O'Dowd, has welcomed the new funding from the government.

He says it's not just important for the agricultural show, but for the community as well.

There's major disappointment in Sligo following news that just twelve new Garda recruits are to be stationed in the entire North West region.

It's the lowest allocation nationwide.

A total of 165 Gardaí were attested as sworn members of An Garda Síochána earlier today.

They were recruited as part of the 2022 recruitment campaign.

Local Independent Cllr Michael Clarke says with a rise in various types of crime in the county, the allocation is totally unacceptable:

The GRA is calling for clarity from the Garda Commissioner over what it has described as "inappropriate comments" surrounding an officer who loaned a farmer an unclaimed bicycle during the pandemic.

The Garda has been cleared of any wrongdoing after a four year investigation.

Yesterday, Drew Harris told TDs and Senators at the Public Accounts Committee that the public didn't know the full story.

President of the Garda Representative Association, Brendan O'Connor, says the Commissioner needs to clarify what he meant.

People here generally support immigration - according to new ESRI research.

The study finds some attitudes became less positive in the last six months of 2023 - including in November when the Dublin riots occurred.

It also shows people are more supportive of helping Ukrainian refugees than asylum seekers, and responses to immigration are likely influenced by their own economic situations.

Independent Donegal TD, Thomas Pringle, says the results of the report are hardly a surprise.

 The OPW is facing increasing pressure to provide security measures at the Carrowkeel tombs in Sligo.

The tombs have suffered countless acts of vandalism over the years and while they are crash barriers currently in place at the entrance, it's been claimed that some visitors are removing them.

Local Fianna Fail Cllr Donal Gilroy believes that more deterrents need to be added to the ancient site.

He says plans are being developed for the site, they must include protective measures for not just Carrowkeel but other important structures in Sligo:

There could be a few new faces at the Cabinet table in the wake of Taoiseach Leo Varadkars imminent departure.

The Higher Education Minister confirmed his intention to run to be the next leader of the party last night and has already been endorsed by the majority of the parliamentary party - meaning he will likely be the sole candidate and the next Taoiseach.

But he is being urged to reshuffle and promote fresh blood - a move that could spell the end of Simon Coveney's ministerial career.

Leitrim Fine Gael Cllr Enda Mc Gloin has been outlining what he will might happen:

A regeneration plan for the village of Creeslough has officially been launched.

The aim of the project is to provide a number of new facilities to the area.

The plan will centre around a new community hub, where counselling services will be made available to those still dealing with the aftermath of the tragedy in September 2022.

There will also be a range of new sporting facilities included provided for the village.

Parish priest, Fr John Joe Duffy, has been outlining what these plans will mean to the community.

There are hopes that a number of issues will be tackled at St. Aidan's National School in Ballaghameehan sooner rather than later.

The school building and playground are said to be in a state of disrepair while emergency funding for external doors and windows was previously rejected.

Local Independent Councillor, Felim Gurn, is calling for the issues to be addressed.

He says the current situation at the school has left pupils in danger.

The 100% Redress Party has officially endorsed "The People's Document".

The document details what exactly is required by those affected by defective concrete blocks in their homes to receive full redress.

The initiative was launched at the beginning of this month.

A public endorsement event will be taking place in The Inishowen Gateway hotel, Buncrana, to officially launch the document on Tuesday, March 26th.

100% Redress Party Representative, Ali Farren, says nobody will get full redress unless all conditions of the document are met.

There are fears that it may be too little too late for many struggling tourism businesses in the North West, even if the Government steps in at the eleventh hour.

It comes as a report from the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation found that thousands of jobs could be lost in the sector because of an increase in costs.

Treasurer of the Donegal Vintners Association and Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council and Fine Gael Cllr Martin Harley says while he agrees that there should be a return of the 9% VAT rate, the Government need to go further.

He believes that the idea of a mini budget should be explored as matter of urgency: