Author name: highlandnews

Gardaí appeal for information following fatal collision in Monaghan

Gardaí are appealing for information, witnesses or footage following a fatal single-vehicle road collision yesterday in Monaghan. Gardaí and emergency services attended the incident which happened on the R187 at Inishammon, Smithboro. The sole occupant of the car, a man in his 30s, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The road remains closed pending technical […]

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Doherty says the lack of progress on the Gweedore Sewerage Scheme is an outrage

  A Donegal TD says he’s outraged that Uisce Eireann has not included the Gweedore Sewerage Scheme in its capital plan up to 2030. Deputy Pearse Doherty had submitted a complaint to the EU Commission in 2015 about the lack of facilities in the area, resulting in infringement proceedings being taken against the state. As

Doherty says the lack of progress on the Gweedore Sewerage Scheme is an outrage Read More »

Drinkaware report highlights strong awareness of drink-driving risks

87 percent of adults agree ‘any amount of alcohol impairs driving’. The latest findings from ‘Drinkaware’ ahead of the St Brigid’s Day Bank Holiday weekend show a strong awareness of alcohol-related road safety risks, but it also highlights worrying gaps – particularly among people under 35. Drinkaware CEO Dearbhla O’Brien, says awareness of the risks

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Donegal’s Residential Vacancy Rate is well above the national average

  Donegal has a residential vacancy rate of 9%, over twice the national average. That’s according to the latest GeoDirectory Residential Buildings Report. 867 new residential address points in Donegal were added to the GeoDirectory database over the course of 2025, while 998 residential buildings were classified as under construction in the county at the

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Bloody Sunday families considering legal action after PPS decides not to prosecute former soldiers for perjury

Foyle MP Colum Eastwood MP has expressed his deep disappointment that once again, families have been let down by the state following a PPS decision not to prosecute eight former soldiers for perjury, just days before the 54th anniversary of Bloody Sunday. During the trial of Soldier F at Belfast’s Crown Court last year, Mr

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Contractor to be appointed for an initial 12 social homes in Gweedore

It’s hoped a contractor will be appointed shortly for the construction of 12 housing units at the old Radharc an Earagail site in Gweedore. Officials say subject to Department funding approval, it’s expected the Contractor appointment will be finalised in March, with a 15 month design and construction window for the building of one four

Contractor to be appointed for an initial 12 social homes in Gweedore Read More »

The Greg Hughes Show Wednesday 28/01/2026

In today’s episode, we dive into the pressing social issues and sporting highlights shaping Donegal this week. From housing policy debates to the glitz of the upcoming Sports Star Awards, we’ve got it covered. The Morning Papers: A deep dive into the headlines hitting the stands today across the Northwest. Homelessness Crisis: Councillor Gerry McMonagle

The Greg Hughes Show Wednesday 28/01/2026 Read More »

Ward tells Dail Donegal’s mental health crisis is being exacerbated by defective concrete

The Dail has been told that Donegal is facing a significant mental health crisis, characterised by long waiting lists, rising demand and overstretched services. Deputy Charles Ward said the problem in the county is further compounded by the defective concrete crisis, which he says is causing profound mental health issues across all generations. Deputy Ward

Ward tells Dail Donegal’s mental health crisis is being exacerbated by defective concrete Read More »

Rural Ireland suffers from lack of taxis – Freenow GM

Rural Ireland continues to suffer from a lack of available taxis, according to Freenow. Representatives from the taxi app are due to appear before the Oireachtas Transport Committee today to speak about issues facing the taxi industry. Uber, Bolt and the All Ireland Taxi Association will also be in attendance. Danny O’Gorman, General Manager of

Rural Ireland suffers from lack of taxis – Freenow GM Read More »

Frustrated Irish fishers see little evidence of EU ‘solidarity’ – Mullooly

Midlands-North-West MEP Ciaran Mullooly has challenged the Cypriot Minister for Agriculture to ensure that Irish fishers are given fair play during Cyprus’s EU presidency which began this month. Mr Mullooly said Irish coastal communities are being pushed to the brink, particularly after the December council meeting which effectively saw the Hague Principles abandoned. He said

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Over €1.5m of solar grants claimed in Donegal last year

Donegal homeowners claimed over €1,512,260 in Solar Panel Grants in 2025. The finding comes from an analysis of SEAI data by electricity price comparison website Kilowatt.ie. During the year, 792 properties availed of SEAI Solar Panel Grants to install the panels across the county. This is an increase on 2024, where 672 installations took place

Over €1.5m of solar grants claimed in Donegal last year Read More »

Ballymacool housing development gains Department approval

Donegal County Council’s proposal for the 172-unit housing development at Ballymacool in Letterkenny, which will cost around €50 million, has been approved by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The application was moved from the planning stage into pre-construction after Donegal County Council granted Part 8 planning approval in September 2025. The development

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Renewed call for traffic calming on Letterkenny’s Glencar Road

There have been calls for more traffic calming measures to be implemented in Letterkenny, particularly on the Glencar Road close to the Gaelscoil. Cllr Gerry McMonagle highlighted the fact that 85% of traffic was exceeding the speed limit on that stretch. He had raised the issue at a Municipal District meeting earlier this month, and

Renewed call for traffic calming on Letterkenny’s Glencar Road Read More »

Children’s Minister urged to address need for a DCB scheme for childcare facilities

Children’s Minister Norma Foley is being urged to come to Donegal to see childcare buildings affected by defective blocks. The issue was raised by Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty during a debate on the second stage of the Child Care Amendment Bill 2025. It’s believed there are over 20 facilities affected, and three of the buildings

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Taoiseach declines to comment on council decision not to livestream DCB Committee meetings

Taoiseach Michael Martin has refused to comment on Donegal County Council’s decision yesterday not to stream meetings of its Defective Blocks Committee online. The issue was raised in the Dail this afternoon by Deputy Charles Ward, who described the decision as a betrayal of homeowners. At a plenary meeting last evening, the DCB Committee Chair

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Andrew McGinley’s quest for more information on his children’s deaths raised in the Dail

The need for more information on the deaths of three children killed by their mother five years ago this week has been raised in the Dail today. Their father, Donegal born Andrew McGinley was in the Dail chamber today to hear the issue raised by Independent Deputy Paul Gogarty. Mr McGinley has long sought an

Andrew McGinley’s quest for more information on his children’s deaths raised in the Dail Read More »

Councils’ Irish Unity Working Groups hold their first joint meeting

Irish Unity working groups from Donegal County Council and Derry City and Strabane District Councils have held their first joint meeting. Both councils have established working groups to examine how unity might happen, and what changes might be needed in the region to facilitate it. Strabane Councill Brian Harte says it was a positive and

Councils’ Irish Unity Working Groups hold their first joint meeting Read More »

Irish voluntary medical charity experiences record calls in 2025

Voluntary medical charity CRITICAL have revealed that 2025 was their busiest year yet, with a 54% increase in calls during 2025. The charity assist the National Ambulance Service in responding to emergency calls. Volunteers from the charity attended 2,022 medical and trauma emergency calls last year, up from 1,308 in 2024. One of the busiest

Irish voluntary medical charity experiences record calls in 2025 Read More »

Industrial action for CMPs in voluntary hospitals may begin Friday

Fórsa has said industrial action by clinical measurement physiologists (CMPs), working in HSE and voluntary hospitals, will get underway on Friday (30th January) unless agreement can be reached at talks scheduled to take place at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) tomorrow (Wednesday). Unless the parties secure an agreement at the WRC, CMPs will begin a

Industrial action for CMPs in voluntary hospitals may begin Friday Read More »

Extension of DCC’s period products initiative is a positive step for women’s health – Kennedy

A Donegal Councillor has welcomed the news that period products are now available in the County Museum, The Regional Cultural Centre in Letterkenny and in every public library across the county. This development builds on the original programme launched in June 2024, which introduced free period products across Donegal’s Public Service Centres and Family Resource

Extension of DCC’s period products initiative is a positive step for women’s health – Kennedy Read More »

People invited to submit interest for projects under LEADER

Údarás na Gaeltachta and the Donegal Local Development Committee are inviting people to submit expressions of interest for community projects under the LEADER Programme. This initiative is being taken with the aim of strengthening rural communities and supporting the local economy. The grants are available to help communities develop high-quality sustainable festivals that sustain Gaeltacht

People invited to submit interest for projects under LEADER Read More »

DCC’s Service Delivery Plan should contain specific references to the border – McGowan

There have been calls for Donegal County Council’s 2026 Service Delivery Plan to acknowledge the border. The draft was by council this week, with the plan outlining how the council will deliver the budget agreed in December under the headings of Driving Growth, Delivering Services, Empowering Communities, Moving to Low Carbon Climate Resilience, and Building

DCC’s Service Delivery Plan should contain specific references to the border – McGowan Read More »

McLaughlin hits put at SF’s stewardship of the NI economy

Foyle MLA Sinead McLaughlin says Sinn Fein need to do more to boost the economy in Northern Ireland. Speaking on a Sinn Fein motion noting the ESRI’s report Assessing Economic Trends on the Island of Ireland, the SDLP Economy Spokeserson welcomed the motion and the report, but said progress on developing the All Island Economy

McLaughlin hits put at SF’s stewardship of the NI economy Read More »

Council decides not to livestream DCB Committee meetings after lengthy debate

Meetings of Donegal County Council’s Defective Concrete Block Committee will not be live streamed. A motion calling for the meetings to be streamed was brought before today’s plenary meeting by 100% Redress Councillor Tomas Seán Devine, but it was defeated. A counter-motion was then put forward by Councillor Niamh Kennedy that current streaming facilities are

Council decides not to livestream DCB Committee meetings after lengthy debate Read More »

Surveillance continues following Bluetongue detection in Wexford

The Agriculture Minister says investigations and testing are continuing in County Wexford, following the outbreak of the bluetongue virus. The rare animal disease was confirmed in a cattle herd over the weekend – the first time it’s ever been identified in Ireland. Earlier today, officials from the Department of Agriculture met with stakeholders, including farming

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Assembly told there are variations in life expectancy between Ballyshannon and Belleek

The Northern Ireland Assembly has been told that variations in economic and social conditions on either side of the border mean life expectancy is different between Fermanagh and Donegal. Speaking on a Sinn Fein motion noting the ESRI’s report Assessing Economic Trends on the Island of Ireland, Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Jemma Dolan said

Assembly told there are variations in life expectancy between Ballyshannon and Belleek Read More »

Enterprise Ireland says client companies created over 12,000 jobs were created last year

Enterprise Ireland-backed companies created more than 12 thousand new jobs last year. Employment by client companies in the North West grew by 1.6% to 7,365 jobs The agency says its client firms attracted 440 million euro in overseas investment in 2025. Over one thousand over-seas contracts were secured, however companies here say costs remain high.

Enterprise Ireland says client companies created over 12,000 jobs were created last year Read More »

Council rejects draft Public Lighting Policy

A proposed public lighting policy was opposed at today’s plenary meeting of Donegal County Council, as it would have restricted public lighting to urban speed-zone areas. Cllr Martin McDermott said that, as Donegal is a largely rural county, many townlands would be excluded under the proposals. He also expressed concern for rural dangerous junctions, schools,

Council rejects draft Public Lighting Policy Read More »

Works at Dry Arch roundabout set to be extended by an extra day

Donegal County Council have said works are continuing to identify and resolve the fault affecting a section of the public lighting network at the Dry Arch Roundabout. Due to the complexity of underground services in the area, repairs are taking longer than anticipated. It is expected that the works will take at least a further

Works at Dry Arch roundabout set to be extended by an extra day Read More »

DCB demonstrations take place at Council meeting

Two homeowners affected by defective concrete are demonstrating outside Donegal County Council offices in Lifford this morning, as the first plenary meeting of the year gets underway. Kathleen Bryant and Mary Connors say access to such meetings is vital to keeping homeowners informed about progress on the scheme. They say in particular that homeowners with

DCB demonstrations take place at Council meeting Read More »

64 admitted patients awaiting beds at LUH this morning

64 admitted patients were awaiting beds at Letterkenny University Hospital this morning with 26 in the Emergency Department, the third highest figure in the state. That is according to figures from the INMO. At Sligo University Hospital the figure stood at 63. The highest single figure was at University Hospital Limerick where 101 patients were

64 admitted patients awaiting beds at LUH this morning Read More »