Author name: highlandnews

West Tyrone MLA says playgroups need a more sustainable funding model

A playgroup in The Glebe outside Strabane is highlighting the fact that a cap is limiting the number of places they can offer this year. Little Flower leader Sandra Harper says they’ve been capped at nine places, with thirteen applications for admission from September. She says this means for the second year in a row, […]

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Dog owners urged to keep pets under control during lambing season

Dog owners in Donegal are being urged to keep their pets under control especially during lambing season. Donegal County Council say sheep are particularly vulnerable during this time. It’s appealing to people to not let dogs loose in areas adjoining livestock fields. Many attacks, the Council warns, are caused by dogs which escape and attack

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Councillor critical of denial of meeting with LUH management

A Donegal County Councillor has hit out after being denied a meeting with Letterkenny University Hospital management. A meeting had been arranged with Councillors Thomas Sean Devine and Michael McBride for January 30th but was cancelled two days prior. It’s understood they were advised instead to raise issues through the Regional Health Forum, of which

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Assembly told rail provision in the North West must be improved

The Northern Ireland Assembly has been told that the North West is still being discriminated against when it comes to rail provision. Foyle MLA Sinead McLaughlin said on Sundays, more than half of all westbound services from Belfast end in Coleraine. She also said there need to be earlier trains from Derry and later trains

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Inishowen Councillor seeks urgent talks with Uisce Éireann

An Inishowen Councillor is seeking a special and urgent meeting with Uisce Eireann to address ongoing water supply disruptions. Councillor Albert Doherty says schools and businesses were forced to close and families left without water in recent days due to the inadequacy of water infrastructure in the peninsula. It’s understood the replacement of old water

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Death penalty sought for suspect in killing of Letterkenny Optum boss

The US attorney general has ordered prosecutors to seek the death penalty for Luigi Mangione. The 26-year-old is accused of shooting CEO of Letterkenny-based company, Optum boss Brian Thompson outside a hotel in New York in December. In a statement, Attorney General Pam Bondi called the attack a “premeditated, cold-blooded assassination”. Mangione has pleaded not

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MacLochlainn claims Dail Order of Business procedure is now illegal

The Dail is voting this afternoon on the Order of Business, despite a submission from Donegal Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn that the process should not go ahead because changes proposed by the government last week were not properly passed. Deputy MacLochlainn argued that while an amendment was passed, the substantial question was not voted on, thereby

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Orange fire warning issued for Donegal amid wildfire risk

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has put an Orange Fire Danger Notice into effect for gorse, heather, dried grasses, and other vegetation in County Donegal. This warning will remain in place until midday on Monday. Donegal County Council is strongly advising landowners and the public to take all necessary precautions to prevent

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Garda

Homeowners left distressed in East Donegal with teenagers kicking doors at night

Homeowners in parts of East Donegal are said to have been left distressed following reports of young people kicking the doors of houses at night. Gardai have been contacted by a number of concerned homeowners in Raphoe and Stranorlar in recent days. Garda Grainne Doherty is urging parents to speak to their children to highlight

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Uisce Éireann urges customers in Ramelton and Milford to conserve water.

Uisce Éireann is appealing to customers in Ramelton and Milford to conserve water. The utility says the recent spell of dry weather has resulted in low lake levels at Milford, the area’s water source. As a result, customers are being asked to be mindful of their usage, to allow supply to catch up with demand

Uisce Éireann urges customers in Ramelton and Milford to conserve water. Read More »

Gardai appeal for information regarding fatal collision in Carrigart

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses following a fatal single-vehicle road traffic incident that occurred on the R245 in Carrigart on Saturday afternoon last. Danny Gallagher, who was in his late seventies and from The Glebe, Downings, lost his life in the tragedy. On today’s Nine til Noon Show, Garda Grainne Doherty made this appeal for

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Gardai seeking to identify youths in connection with criminal damage incident in Letterkenny

Gardai seeking to identify two youths in connection with a criminal damage incident in Letterkenny in recent days. Between 4:30pm and 4:40pm on Wednesday, the pair were observed in the Carnamuggagh Upper area when one of them threw a stone at a window of a house before fleeing the scene. Both boys are believed to

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Gardai seeking information after pedestrian was struck by car in Rathmullan

Gardai are seeking information about an incident on Main Street, Rathmullan shortly after 12 noon on Sunday. Between five and ten past twelve, a man was struck by a black car while crossing the street, causing him to fall to the ground. The car stopped a distance away and the driver and passenger came to

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‘Trans-Atlantic trade war could result in immediate decline of North West’ – MEP Walsh

A trans-Atlantic trade war could result in the immediate decline of the West and North West of Ireland. That’s the warning from Midlands North West MEP Maria Walsh, who’s been speaking at the European Parliament ahead of Donald Trump’s expected tariffs announcement tomorrow. She says we have to remain vigilant:

‘Trans-Atlantic trade war could result in immediate decline of North West’ – MEP Walsh Read More »

Councillor highlights need for better EV infrastructure across Donegal

Donegal County Council is being urged to develop a better electric vehicle charging network for the county. Councillor Ali Farren says with the huge increase in EVs and just 19 public charging points in Donegal, the current infrastructure is totally insufficient. Donegal County Council is the lead authority for the west and north of the

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Donegal Coutnty Council collects record €34.7m in commercial rates

Donegal County Council collected €34.7 million in commercial rates in 2024, up €3.3 million on the previous year. It was the highest commercial rates collection in the history of the Council. In 2024, commercial rates bills were issued to 4,305 customers in respect of 5,607 properties across Donegal, to the value of €48.4 million. Of

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New loan approved by Donegal County Council to help first time buyers

Donegal County Council has approved a loan of €2 million to assist first time buyers. The money will help those looking to get on the property ladder who are unable to obtain a loan from private lending agencies to purchase a new or second-hand property or to build their own home. Councillor Martin Harley, says

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Service Delivery Plan 2025 approved by Donegal County Council

Donegal County Council has approved its Service Delivery Plan for 2025. The plan outlines the principal services that will be delivered by the Council in the coming year. Donegal County Council’s Annual Service Delivery Plan has been prepared based on the provisions of the adopted budget of €185.6 million for 2025. The plan is underpinned

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There should be no more health discrimination in Donegal – DACC

Another protest has taken place outside Letterkenny University Hospital calling for improved cancer services in Donegal, including the provision of a dedicated cancer centre at the hospital. Among those the hospital today was Betty Holmes, the Chair of Donegal Action for Cancer Care. She says the map showing the geographical divide in cancer services that

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Donegal County Council, County House, Lifford

DCC moves to replace B&B vouchers with hostel accommodation in cases of emergency homelessness

Donegal County Council is moving to phase out the use of B&B Vouchers to tackle homelessness, with more emphasis on the use of hostels and other similar living arrangements. Local Cllr Michael Cholm McGiolla Easbuig is welcoming the new focus, but says there is a need to ensure that people can stay within their own

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DCC allocated €2 million for the acquisition of second hand homes

Donegal County Council has been allocated €2 million for the Social Housing Second-Hand Acquisitions Programme, including tenant in situ purchases targeted at those most in need. The allocation is part of the capital funding allocations totalling €325 million which have been notified to local authorities in respect of the second-hand social housing acquisitions programme for

DCC allocated €2 million for the acquisition of second hand homes Read More »

Condemnation of weekend damage incidents in Buncrana and Newtowncunningham

Two incidents of  damage in Inishowen on Saturday are under investigation, with calls on those responsible to foot the bill in both instances. In Buncrana, on Saturday night, someone drove through a fence at Festival Park on the Shore Front, before driving away. Inishowen MD Cathaoirleach Cllr Jack Murray says  whether it was accidental or deliberate, gardai will find whoever

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Pay related Jobseeker’s Benefit comes into effect today

Pay-related social welfare changes come into effect today, for people with a strong work history. Anyone who becomes unemployed from today and has made at least five years of PRSI contributions will have their jobseeker’s benefit linked to their previous earnings. It’s split into three different payment rates over 13-week periods – starting at a

Pay related Jobseeker’s Benefit comes into effect today Read More »

Uisce Eireann to proceed with works on pipe from Clonmany to Mindoran

  The section of mains has been the subject of regular bursts, including a significant one within the last two weeks, which left some homes and businesses without water for almost 24 hours. Local Cllr Martin McDermott says he’s now been told that the work will get underway immediately, with hopes that it’ll be complete

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