Author name: highlandnews

Motorists being urged to slow down and use lights in heavy rain this weekend

People are being urged to slow down, use their lights in heavy rain and leave space between yourself and others on the roads this weekend. It comes as Gardaí crack down on speed, intoxicated driving and distracted driving for the bank holiday weekend. Around 51 per cent of motorists also say they feel less safe

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Donegal-based priest appears in court, charged with alleged ‘attempted sexual communication with a child’

A Donegal-based Catholic priest has appeared in court, charged with attempted sexual communication with a child. 58-year-old Fr Edward Gallagher, of Orchard Park, Lifford, was arrested on Thursday, following an incident outside a Derry hotel. Fr Edward Gallagher appeared via video link at a special sitting of Derry Magistrates’ Court sitting in Dungannon this morning.

Donegal-based priest appears in court, charged with alleged ‘attempted sexual communication with a child’ Read More »

Fermanagh Police appealing for information following Lisnaskea collision

Police in Fermanagh are investigating a road traffic collision that occurred on Sunday last. The incident occurred on the Nutfield Road, Lisnaskea at approximately 12pm. The PSNI are trying to establish the registration of a red BMW that was on this road at the time of the accident. Anyone with dash-cam and who was on

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Essential repair works commence at Austins Department store in Derry

Essential repair works have commenced at Austins Department store in Derry. The iconic building was acquired by the Inner City Trust in March. The Trust is now considering future uses of the building. The Inner City Trust has confirmed that contractors have commenced a program of minor, but urgent, work at the former store to

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Motorists advised of possible traffic disruption in Derry due to planned parades

Motorists are being advised of possible traffic disruption in Derry tomorrow due to a number of planned parades. The first one will leave Cromore Gardens at 1pm, towards Linsfort Drive, Iniscarn Road, Eastway Road, Elmwood Terrace to Westland Street. Meanwhile, at 2pm, a parade will leave from Lecky Road towards Westland Street, Elmwood Terrace, Eastway

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BREAKING: Priest charged with attempted sexual communication with a child

Police in Derry have charged a priest with attempted sexual communication with a child. The 58-year-old, who is understood to have been serving in Donegal, was arrested in Derry yesterday. He is due before a special sitting of Derry Magistrates’ Court tomorrow, sitting at Dungannon Magistrates’ Court. The Diocese of Derry yesterday confirmed that it

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Renewed calls for mental health supports for defective block homeowners

There are renewed calls for mental health supports to be put in place to support defective block homeowners. It follows recent research published by Ulster University, which laid bare the stark impact the crisis is having on affected homeowners. 30% of people who took part in the survey were found to be suffering from severe

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Protest to show support for Legacy Act to get underway at Westminster

Around a thousand bikers are expected in Westminster later to show support for British troops who served in Northern Ireland. They’re opposed to the repealing of the Legacy Act, which gave immunity for crimes committed during the troubles in return for co-operation with a new truth recovery body. The original bill was opposed by all

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Two men charged to court following £170,000 drug haul yesterday

Two men have been charged to appear in court following a major drug haul in Trillick, West Tyrone, yesterday. Officers yesterday recovered suspected cannabis, with an approximate street value of £170,000 and €10,000 cash from a house at that location. The men, aged 19 and 24, have been charged with several offences including possession of

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Water burst leaves Crolly without supply hours before festival set to launch

A water outage in Crolly is causing major concern, just hours before the Féile Croithlí is set to get underway. Cllr Michael Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig says it’s very disappointing at a time when there will be visitors to the area. The festival is set to launch at 7 o’clock this evening, while the works

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Accused killer of Optum boss indicted on federal murder charge

The man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare and Letterkenny-based Optum boss Brian Thompson in New York has been indicted on a federal murder charge. 26-year-old Luigi Mangione is suspected of shooting the insurance chief executive outside a hotel in December. The charge, returned by a grand jury in federal court, is a necessary step for prosecutors

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Rigid planning permission system is killing Gaeltachts – MEP Ní Mhurchú

The Donegal Gaeltacht will die if more planning permission is not granted. That’s the warning from Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, who is calling for a relaxation of the ‘overly rigid planning system’ that is currently in place. Native speakers are having to leave Gaeltacht areas because they cannot build houses on land they

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DCC seeking the stories of Donegal people who worked in Scotland from 1940 to 1990

Donegal County Council is seeking participants for a new exhibition exploring the history of Donegal people who travelled to Scotland to work between 1940 and 1990. The ‘Working Over By’ exhibition is being developed by the council’s Culture Division, in partnership with the Mellon Centre for Migration Studies. People are being asked to record their

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North’s Economy Dept assumes responsibility for funding of CoDA

The North’s Department of the Economy has assumed responsibility for funding the City of Derry Airport. Northern Ireland Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald has announced that her department will now provided annual operating funding of up to £3 million for the airport. The responsibility previously fell to Derry City and Strabane District Council to fund the

North’s Economy Dept assumes responsibility for funding of CoDA Read More »

Police warn that someone’s life could be at risk if damage to life-saving equipment continues

Police in Strabane are warning that someone’s life could be put at risk if people continue to damage life-saving water safety equipment. Police have issued a stark warning that a throw line could be the difference between life and death. It’s after a string of recent incidents in Strabane and Newtownstewart during which life-saving safety

Police warn that someone’s life could be at risk if damage to life-saving equipment continues Read More »

Funding must be found for much needed footpath outside Castlefinn – Doherty

The Cathaoirleach of the Lifford Stranorlar Municipal District says imaginative solutions must be found to address a serious road safety issue outside Castlefinn. Cllr Gary Doherty says there is a need for a footpath from Ringsend to the bridge on the Castlederg because of the numbers of people who regularly walk there. He says the

Funding must be found for much needed footpath outside Castlefinn – Doherty Read More »

Police continue to assist Gardai in efforts to locate missing Mayo man

Police continuing to assist Gardai in efforts to locate a missing Mayo man, are seeking information on a man seen hitchhiking outside Limavady earlier this week. 38-year-old George Brennan was last seen on Wednesday, 2 April in Ballycastle, Co Antrim. It’s understood he may have links to the Causeway Coast and Glens and the Mid

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Gardai urging motorists to ‘go back to basics’ ahead of a high-visibility operation

Gardai are urging motorists to ‘go back to basics’ ahead of a high-visibility operation this weekend. 16 people have died and 78 others have been seriously injured in the last five years on the Easter Bank Holiday weekends. Gardai will be focusing on a range of offences, such as speeding, phone use and driving under

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Mental Health Inspector says all hospitals should have 24 hour mental health nurse coverage

    Inspector of Mental Health Services Professor Jim Lucey says there should be a mental health nurse on duty in hospitals at all times. It’s after a report published by the commission this morning found a ‘huge disconnect’ between the Emergency Department and mental health services at Letterkenny University Hospital. Dr Lucey told Highland

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Elm Park houses on floodplain need to be relocated urgently – Deputy Ward

A Donegal Deputy says it’s time the situation in Elm Park in Buncrana was taken seriously. Eight houses in the estate were built on a floodplain and have defective concrete. The homes are prone to flooding and in one serious incident in 2017, a woman nearly drowned. Deputy Charles Ward says the houses should not

Elm Park houses on floodplain need to be relocated urgently – Deputy Ward Read More »

Man arrested after suspected drugs found during speed stop in Derry

A man’s been arrested on suspicion of drug related offences in Derry after he was stopped during a road safety operation. It happened on the Springtown Road shortly after 9 o’clock last night. Police say a car was detected speeding in a 30mph zone on the Springtown Road by an Operation Lifesaver patrol. The car

Man arrested after suspected drugs found during speed stop in Derry Read More »

UK Supreme Court gender ruling highlights need for a respectful debate here – Mac Lochlainn

The British Supreme Court’s decision – that a ‘woman’ in law refers to biological sex – has been met with concerns from LGBTQ plus groups. Other campaigners are welcoming the ruling. The British Government says it brings ‘clarity’ for organisations like hospitals and sports clubs – while trans groups are expressing concern. Here, Deputy Padraig

UK Supreme Court gender ruling highlights need for a respectful debate here – Mac Lochlainn Read More »

DCC Culture Division launches 2024

Donegal County Council’s Culture Division team have published their 2024 Annual Review, outlining the authority’s achievements in strengthening cultural engagement and fostering creativity across communities. The Culture Division team is made up of Library, Arts, Museum, RCC, Archive, Heritage and Biodiversity services. The report looks at a number of significant events and initiatives, including the

DCC Culture Division launches 2024 Read More »

Public are unaware of dispensing fees – Tom Murray

People may not realise they’re being charged up to €11 for their prescription to be dispensed in a pharmacy. Dispensing fees are in the spotlight because of a row between pharmacists and the Government over free HRT. President of the Irish Pharmacy Union Tom Murray says they charge fees to subsidise the number of State

Public are unaware of dispensing fees – Tom Murray Read More »

Only five properties for rent in Lifford Stranorlar MD – Cllr Nic Mheanmann

A Lifford Stranorlar Councillor has hit out at the lack of properties available for rent in her municipal district. Cllr Dakota Nic Mheanman says there are only five available, the cheapest being an apartment at €1,100 a month. She says while some blame can be attributed to the ARP program and the cost of living

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People encouraged to engage with next phase of DCSDC’s Irish Unity consultation

People are being urged to engage with the next phase of work being undertaken by Derry City and Strabane District Council to assess the appetite and benefits of Irish unity. An analysis of responses collected in 2023 was published this week. It revealed the majority of respondents were in favour of reunification, while others expressed

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‘Huge disconnect’ identified between LUH ED and mental health services

Letterkenny University Hospital has been found to have a ‘huge disconnect’ between the emergency department and mental health services. A report from the Mental Health Commission reveals that there is a ‘distinct disparity’ in how mental health patients are treated in the ED. The report shows the need to increase the range of acute mental

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Steel ramps to be trialed at disabled parking bays without dropped kerbs

A trial may soon be initiated in Letterkenny using steel ramps attached to footpaths as a means of dealing with the lack of dropped kerbs at disabled parking bays. Recent meetings of Letterkenny Milford Municipal District have heard that in some instances, it isn’t possible to have dropped kerbs at those spaces. On foot of

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People in Ramelton, Milford, and Kerrykeel encouraged to keep conserving water

Uisce Éireann has renewed its appeal to people in Ramelton, Milford, and Kerrykeel to conserve water over the coming days. Last week’s dry weather conditions have resulted in low lake levels at Milford. As a result, property owners are being urged to be mindful of their usage to allow supply to catch up with demand

People in Ramelton, Milford, and Kerrykeel encouraged to keep conserving water Read More »