Author name: highlandnews

£9 million boost for Urban Villages Capital Plan to benefit Derry’s Realm Project

A £9 million announcement has been made for the Urban Villages Capital Plan. One of the projects set to benefit from the investment is The Realm Project in Derry. The announcement was made by First Minister Michelle O’Neill during a visit to the Northwest, where she also commended the North West Disability Centre and Ebrington

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There is funding available for the provision of home help services – Minister

The Minister of State for Older People has told the Dail that there is funding available for the provision of home help services, and if there are shortfalls in the North West, the department will liaise with the HSE locally. Minister Kieran O’Donnell was responding to Sligo Leitrim and South Donegal TD Frank Feighan, who

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LUH fifth most overcrowded hospital in Ireland this morning

There are 599 admitted hospital patients on trolleys this morning according to the country’s biggest nurses’ union. INMO figures show 403 people are waiting in emergency departments across the country. A further 196 are in wards elsewhere in the hospital. University Hospital Limerick remains the worst affected with 109 patients on trolleys, Letterkenny University Hospital

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Creeslough Tragedy: Law firm pledges challenge to “insensitive” planning decision

Phoniex Law, the firm representing a number of the families affected by the Creeslough Tradgey say the planning permission decision to see a shop and forecourt constructed at the site will be challenged at every stage. In a statement released, the move was called “insensitive” and “morally bankrupt”, placing commercial and business interests above the

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Truth Recovery Panel co-chair urges anyone with a story to tell to come forward

Those investigating Northern Ireland’s Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses are urging anyone who wishes to engage with them to do so before the end of April. Truth Recovery Independent Panel Co-Chair, Professor Leanne McCormick says they want all those who have something to share to do so………..

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Donegal County Council expanding lifeguard team ahead of bathing season

Donegal County Council is expanding its team of lifeguards ahead of the 2025 summer bathing season. The Council has praised the stellar work of lifeguards in the county last year who were involved in five rescues after people got into difficulty in the water. The Council is now accepting applications for those interested in a

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Man arrested in Derry as part of ongoing investigation into INLA criminality

A man has been arrested in Derry today as part of an ongoing investigation into INLA criminality. Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Organised Crime Unit carried out a search in Derry this morning. The 43 year old was arrested under the Terrorism Act, and taken to Antrim Serious Crime Suite for questioning.

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Senator Eileen Flynn misses out on election as Seanad Leas Cathaoirleach

Senator Maria Byrne has been elected Leas Cathaoirleach of the Seanad in a contest between herself and Donegal based Senator Eileen Flynn. Senator Flynn became the first traveller to join the Seanad when she was nominated by Taoiseach Micheal Martin in 2020. In proposing her Seanad colleague as Leas Cathaoirleach earlier, Senator Frances Black spoke

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Council decides on Creeslough planning application, but details have not been revealed

Donegal County Council has made a decision on an application to develop a new filling station and shop on the site of the 2022 Creeslough explosion, in which 10 people lost their lives. However, the details of the decision have not yet been published. The application is for the demolition of the existing building and

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Deputy Aengus O’Snodaigh hails former Donegal Minister’s efforts to learn the Irish language

Speaking in the Dail while lobbying for votes to become the Dail’s Leas-Ceann Comhairle, Aengus O’Snodaigh hailed a former Donegal Minister for his efforts to learn the Irish language. In 2014, Joe McHugh was appointed Junior Minister for the Gaeltacht and after being criticised for not being a native speaker, he began his journey to

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Increased police presence in Coleraine following seizure of ‘sinister’ items

There’s an increased police presence in Coleraine following the seizure of a number of what have been described as ‘sinister items’. Police have confirmed that they seized a bicycle and a bag in the Strand Road area of the town on Thursday last. It’s understood the bag contained cable ties, blue surgical gloves, condoms, a

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123% jump in motorists caught driving without insurance in Donegal

There’s been a 123% spike in the number of motorists in Donegal caught driving without insurance. Donegal was amongst the worst Garda districts in the country for driving without insurance between 2023 and 2024. Figures provided to MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú show that there were significant increases in the number of vehicles seized right across

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Omagh survivor tells inquiry how her body was “peppered with metal”

A survivior of the Omagh Bombing has described her body being “peppered with bits of metal,” after the Real IRA car bomb detonated. The blast claimed the lives of 29 people in August 1998. The first phase of the public inquiry is drawing to a close today. A statement’s been read on behalf of Mary

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F93 Lifford eircode region among lowest residential dwelling prices

The F93 Lifford area Eircode recorded the 6th lowest price for a residential dwelling in Ireland last December according to the CSO. The average price of a dwelling was €178,984, up 4% from the previous year. Meanwhile, the F94 Donegal region ranked 17th cheapest out of 140 at €213,394 an rise of 3%. Finally, the

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Special Education Minister to discuss capacity issues at new Little Angels School with NCSE

The Junior Minster with responsibility for special education and inclusion is to hold a series of meetings to discuss Little Angels School in Letterkenny. Last night in the Dail, Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty said the new school is too small, and some parents are being told there won’t be a place for their child. Today

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Police appeal for information after items taken from grave in Derry

Police in Derry have appealed for information following the removal of items from a grave at Altnagelvin Cemetery. The items were taken from the plot at Church Brae, Waterside, between Sunday, 12 January and the following Saturday. This was the week before Storm Éowyn. The PSNI say the family have been left upset, and are

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Man charged to Derry Court following vehicle and spitting incident

A 19-year-old man arrested in connection with a vehicle-related incident in Derry on Monday evening, has been charged to court this morning. He has been charged with a number of driving-related offences and assault on police. It’s after he failed to stop for police after hitting a kerb. He later spat at the officers who

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Call for action plan to expedite the reopening of the ‘Bonagee Bridge’ in Letterkenny

The small bridge at Bonagee, on the side of the Clanree Hotel in Letterkenny has been closed as a matter of public safety following Storm Eowyn. Donegal County Council says it’s at risk of collapsing. Cllr Ciaran Brogan says the bridge was neglected and should have been seen to before it reached such a state

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Loughs Agency confirms substantial fish kill in Artigarvin

The Loughs Agency has confirmed it is actively investigating a pollution incident on the Glenmornan River, Artigarvan, which has resulted in a major fish kill exceeding 4,000 mortalities. Multiple species are affected, including Atlantic Salmon, Brown Trout and European Eel. The agency says statutory samples have been collected from the suspected pollution source, and the

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Impact of DCB crisis on mental health is outlined in the Dail

There is a profound mental health crisis in Donegal that is getting worse, and needs a government response. That’s according to Deputy Charles Ward who presented a summary of the findings of a recent Ulster University survey looking at how the defective blocks crisis is affected the health of those affected. Speaking during statements on

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Dail told brand new Little Angels School building is too small

he Dail has been told a new school which has just been opened in Letterkenny for children with profound learning difficulties is much too small, and children are already being turned away because there is no space for them. Urging MInister Norma Foley to visit the new Little Angels School, Deputy Pearse Doherty said what

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Voluntary ‘No Smartphone’ agreement reached at five Carndonagh schools

Five schools in the Carndonagh area have come together to introduce a ‘No Smartphone Voluntary Agreement.’ This community-wide effort is supported by school Principals, and encourages parents to delay providing their children with smartphones until they begin secondary school. The schools involved are Scoil Naomh Pádraig, Carndonagh, St. Patrick’s G.N.S, St. Brigid’s National School, Glassalts, Donagh National School and Glentogher National

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Foley promises to address pay issues of Section 39 workers

The Government’s promising to tackle pay issues raised by disability workers. Section 39 workers are outsourced by the Government for healthcare services, and say their rate of pay is significantly different than that of their HSE counterparts. The issue rose to prominence in the lead up to the General Election, when disability worker Charlotte Fallon

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Audio update – Ward criticises delays in DCC’s administration of the DCB redress scheme

Donegal TD Charles Ward says delays on the part of Donegal County Council’s administration of the Defective Concrete Block Redress Scheme are unfairly penalising homeowners. Deputy Ward says contractors are taking on other jobs due to cash flow issues, predominantly arising from council processing delays, which stem from excessive paperwork scrutiny, portal outages, slow claim approvals,

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Strabane PSNI investigating theft of equipment from church shed

  Police in Strabane are investigating a report of theft from a church shed on Longland Road in Donemana. Yesterday, a number of pieces of gardening equipment were reported stolen. These include a strimmer, a lawnmower and a leaf blower. At this time, it’s believed these items were taken sometime between 1st and 8th February.

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