Author name: highlandnews

149 recruits graduate from the Garda College in Templemore

149 Garda recruits from eleven countries have graduated from the Garda Training College at Templemore today. Ninety-eight will be posted to the Dublin region, the east will get twenty-eight, thirteen will be posted in the southern region, while the North Western region will get ten new Gardaí. Of those, we understand two will be deployed

149 recruits graduate from the Garda College in Templemore Read More »

Targeted cost of living supports must be included in next budget – Flynn

Donegal based Senator Eileen Flynn says there must be a provision in October’s budget for some form of cost of living payment for those who need it. In then Dail this week, Finance Minister Pascal Donohoe said there would not be a universal payment similar to the ones included in the last few budgets. On

Targeted cost of living supports must be included in next budget – Flynn Read More »

Housing Minister James Browne being urged to come to Donegal

The Chair of Donegal County Council’s Defective Concrete Block Committee has confirmed that Housing Minister James Brown is being urged to visit Donegal and meet with the committee. Cllr Martin McDermott says he and other committee members are anxious to brief the minister on the scheme’s progress so far, the urgent need for improvements, and

Housing Minister James Browne being urged to come to Donegal Read More »

Letterkenny Chamber to formalise meetings with councillors

Letterkenny Chamber says it will hold formal quarterly meetings with members of the Letterkenny Milford Municipal District, and will also increase its contact with Donegal County Council as a whole. Newly elected President Jimmy Stafford, who began his second stint in the top job this week, says when it comes to lobbying, Chamber members and

Letterkenny Chamber to formalise meetings with councillors Read More »

MyHome survey shows people want more action to bring vacant homes back into use

88 per cent of people believe not enough is being done to use vacant properties to boost housing stock. In December, it emerged that Donegal had the highest uptake of vacant property grants in the country. The MyHome sentiment survey also reveals 66 per cent believe private sector investment is needed to help meet housing

MyHome survey shows people want more action to bring vacant homes back into use Read More »

Consultation getting underway on suicide reduction policy

A public consultation on a new suicide reduction policy is being launched today. The consultation will allow members of the public, stakeholder groups and organisations to share their experience, observations and proposals on suicide reduction in this country. The information from the consultation will be collated and analysed by the National Suicide Research Foundation and

Consultation getting underway on suicide reduction policy Read More »

Work to commence next week at the site of Derry’s new municipal cemetery

Work is set to commence on the ground at the site secured for the development of Derry’s new municipal cemetery next week. It is hoped that the new cemetery will facilitate up to 20 years burial capacity with the potential for further expansion on to adjoining lands. The site, located on the outskirts of the

Work to commence next week at the site of Derry’s new municipal cemetery Read More »

Trump designates March as ‘Irish American Heritage Month’

  US President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation declaring March “Irish-American Heritage Month”. It calls on all Americans to celebrate the contribution of Irish-Americans with “ceremonies, activities and programs”. Designating March Irish-American Heritage Month is regularly done by US Presidents. While signing the proclamation last night, he called Irish-Americans “great people………………

Trump designates March as ‘Irish American Heritage Month’ Read More »

Early starters on the Defective Block Redress Scheme must not be penalised – Hone

The chair of the Mica Action Group has called for measures to be put in place to address a number of serious emerging issues with the Defective Block Redress Scheme. Lisa Hone told a meeting of Donegal County Council’s Defective Blocks Committee that a number of people who were early starters now face being denied

Early starters on the Defective Block Redress Scheme must not be penalised – Hone Read More »

Over 6,700 have applied to be a Garda in the Trainee Recruitment Competition

Over 6,700 people have applied to be a Garda in the Trainee Recruitment Competition. It closed last Thursday, with people applying from a diverse range of backgrounds. Almost a third of applicants are women, 42 per cent are aged 30 and over, and 23 per cent have an ethnic background other than white Irish. Garda

Over 6,700 have applied to be a Garda in the Trainee Recruitment Competition Read More »

Information appeal for stolen livestock worth over £14,000 in Omagh

Police are appealing for information following a report of the theft of livestock in Omagh. A substantial number of black face Scottish ewes were stolen from Rylagh Road, sometime between October and November 2024. The PSNI say it would have taken time and potentially a large vehicle or vehicles to transport the 114 ewes, which

Information appeal for stolen livestock worth over £14,000 in Omagh Read More »

Police appealing for witnesses to Coleraine collision

Police are appealing for witnesses or footage following report of a serious road traffic collision in Coleraine this morning. At approximately 9.30am, police received a report of a single vehicle collision in the Railway Road area. Officers along with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service attended the scene and a woman was taken to

Police appealing for witnesses to Coleraine collision Read More »

HSE needs to reactivate consultative forum as 284 children await assessments – MacLochlainn

The HSE is being urged to reactivate a forum for local representatives and parents of children with disabilities. The call has come from Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn who has received figures showing that 284 Donegal children with disabilities have been left waiting for their vital assessments that are crucial in securing the supports and services

HSE needs to reactivate consultative forum as 284 children await assessments – MacLochlainn Read More »

Health Minster has been assured new National Children’s Hospital will open next year

The Health Minister says she’s been assured the new National Children’s Hospital will open next year. Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, says she expects the hospital to open by the end of June 2026. The new facility has faced numerous delays since construction began almost six years ago, with costs amounting to almost €2.25 billion. Minister Carroll

Health Minster has been assured new National Children’s Hospital will open next year Read More »

Donohoe says there won’t be any more one off energy credits

  The Government is ruling out any future one-off energy credits. It’s as SSE Airtricity is increasing its prices from April – and overall costs for households and businesses are much higher than five years ago. The credits were applied to bills automatically over the last couple of years, and each issuing cost the state

Donohoe says there won’t be any more one off energy credits Read More »

Calls for link up between Enhanced Defective Concrete Block Grant Scheme and community mental health services

There have been calls for a link up between the Enhanced Defective Concrete Block Grant Scheme and community mental health services. Cllr Declan Meehan says the ramifications of the crises on those affected has been severe. He says the work being done by the Inishowen Development Partnership should be replicated across the county. Cllr Meehan

Calls for link up between Enhanced Defective Concrete Block Grant Scheme and community mental health services Read More »

Karl Lacey appointed as County Performance Lead to Donegal GAA Academy

CLG Dhūn na nGall have announced the appointment of Karl Lacey as County Performance Lead to the Donegal GAA academy. As such, Karl will lead the delivery of the National Strategy to improve the quality, coherence and consistency of player and coach development within the county, and will operate within a national approach to align

Karl Lacey appointed as County Performance Lead to Donegal GAA Academy Read More »

Centre for people with disabilities found to be fully compliant by HIQA

An announced HIQA inspection at a designated centre for adults with disabilities in Donegal has found it to be fully compliant. There were four residents at the Peter Bradley centre in Loughnagin at the time of the inspection on December. The centre was found to be compliant with every regulation that was assessed. You can

Centre for people with disabilities found to be fully compliant by HIQA Read More »

Donegal firefighters warn imposed cuts will ‘threaten public safety’

Firefighters in Donegal are warning that imposed cuts to resources will threaten public safety. In a statement, the Donegal Firefighters Association has warned of catastrophic consequences due to the unfolding crisis. They’re calling on elected public representatives to intervene immediately and for management to engage in meaningful discussionswith firefighters and their unions to resolve the

Donegal firefighters warn imposed cuts will ‘threaten public safety’ Read More »

Taoiseach and British PM holding first UK-Ireland Summit today

The Taoiseach Micheál Martin and the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer are holding the first of a new series of UK-Ireland Summits, in Liverpool this morning. Tanaiste Simon Harris is also attending – along with a number of senior Government Ministers from Ireland and the UK. Afterwards, Micheál Martin will travel on to Brussels, to

Taoiseach and British PM holding first UK-Ireland Summit today Read More »

Justice Minister told of anxiety among Gardai in Donegal over new policing model

The Justice Minister has been told that the new Garda policing model proposed for Donegal is causing significant anxiety among members of the force and communities. Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty highlighted to Minister Jim O’Callaghan how the implementation of the new model is not feasible in Donegal given the large geographical spread of the county

Justice Minister told of anxiety among Gardai in Donegal over new policing model Read More »

Expansion of Ulster University in Derry moves a step forward

The expansion of Ulster University’s Magee campus has taken a step forward this week. A €44.5 million cross-border investment was announced for the University in 2023 through the Shared Island Fund to construct a new teaching block. McAdam Design has been announced as the consultancy team for the Shared Island teaching block. The teaching and

Expansion of Ulster University in Derry moves a step forward Read More »

Jury in trial of pair accused of murdering man in Donegal has adjourned until tomorrow

The jury in the trial of a former couple accused of murdering a man in Donegal has finished its second day of deliberations without reaching a verdict. Alan Vial, of Drumanoo, Killybegs; and Nikita Burns of Carrick, Co Donegal, deny murdering 66-year-old, Robert Wilkin, in June 2023. It is the prosecution’s case that Mr Wilkin

Jury in trial of pair accused of murdering man in Donegal has adjourned until tomorrow Read More »

OT waiting lists in Donegal ‘scandalous’ – Cllr Meehan

With 476 people in need of an appointment, occupational therapy waiting lists in Donegal have been described as ‘scandalous’. 66% of those patients have been waiting over a year. Information provided to Councillor Declan Meehan shows that there are currently 11 vacant occupational therapy posts in Donegal with two more expected to become vacant by

OT waiting lists in Donegal ‘scandalous’ – Cllr Meehan Read More »

Lifford Stranorlar MD councillors visit new Social Housing development in Convoy

The Elected Members of the Lifford-Stranorlar Municipal District had the opportunity to visit the new Social Housing Estate at Corran an Lín, Convoy this week. The Council signed the contract with Meadowfield Development Limited in February 2024 for the acquisition of 24 social houses, to be delivered in 2 phases, with 11 properties forming Phase

Lifford Stranorlar MD councillors visit new Social Housing development in Convoy Read More »

Serious traffic delays into and out of Derry following Buncrana Road incident

Severe traffic delays are being reported following a collision close to the Skeoge Roundabout in Derry this morning. Diversions are in place on the Buncrana Road out of Derry and the road into Derry close to Bridgend. No details have been released by the PSNI regarding the nature of the incident.  

Serious traffic delays into and out of Derry following Buncrana Road incident Read More »

Donegal to receive €4.27 million for Greenways and Active Travel projects

Donegal County Council has been allocated €4.27 million for Greenways and National Roads Active Travel infrastructure. It’s the fourth highest figure in the country, and part of a national allocation of €67 million which has been announced today. Junior Sports Minister Charlie McConalogue says the the ongoing expansion of Donegal’s walking and cycling network is

Donegal to receive €4.27 million for Greenways and Active Travel projects Read More »

Taoiseach accused of being “disengenious” in his Dail statements on DCB scheme progress

A Donegal Deputy has accused the Taoiseach of being disingenuous, and attempting to mislead the public. Deputy Charles Ward said while Micheal Martin claims works are ongoing at 450 defective concrete block homes, the reality is is that remediation works have been completed on just 69 properties since 2022. The Defective Concrete Block Bill amendment

Taoiseach accused of being “disengenious” in his Dail statements on DCB scheme progress Read More »