Author name: highlandnews

West Donegal councillor fears greenway projects are being “forgotten about” despite €4.27 million investment

A West Donegal Councillor has expressed concerns that greenway projects in his constituency have been forgotten about, despite a €4.27 million investment for the county. The funding was announced this week as part of a national allocation of €67 million, and Donegal received the fourth highest figure. However, Cllr Micheal Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig feels […]

West Donegal councillor fears greenway projects are being “forgotten about” despite €4.27 million investment Read More »

Fears for health and safety as semi-detached home left standing as counterpart demolished infested with mice

A 100% Redress councillor says she could fit her fist in the cracks of a house that had it’s semi-detached counterpart demolished. Cllr Joy Beard says now as a result, mice have gained entry to the home. The home in question is not on the scheme, as the owners cannot afford the initial building condition

Fears for health and safety as semi-detached home left standing as counterpart demolished infested with mice Read More »

Letterkenny firefighters launch petition to reverse proposed Government cuts

Firefighters from the Letterkenny Fire Service have launched a petition, calling on the Government to reverse planned cuts to their resources. The service had been informed last week that the cuts included the removal of the second fire engine, a substantial reduction in crew numbers and the loss of the vital water tanker and incident

Letterkenny firefighters launch petition to reverse proposed Government cuts Read More »

Gardaí investigating after body of man discovered in Dublin’s Grand Canal

Gardaí investigating the discovery of the body of a man in the Grand Canal in Dublin yesterday are appealing for witnesses. The man’s body was found at Coolscuddan near Newcastle. His remains were removed to Dublin City Mortuary, and a post-mortem has since taken place. Gardaí are appealing for anyone who was in the area,

Gardaí investigating after body of man discovered in Dublin’s Grand Canal Read More »

Limit could be put on number of learner permits a driver can hold before passing test

The Department of Transport has suggested a limit should be put on the number of learner permits a driver can hold before passing their test. Currently, there is no limit, meaning a learner driver can have an unlimited number of permits and test attempts, before eventually passing. The new recommendations, reported in the Irish Times,

Limit could be put on number of learner permits a driver can hold before passing test Read More »

Tanáiste rejects opposition claims voters were “misled” by housing delivery figures

The Tánaiste says he’s more interested in solving the housing crisis, than revisiting the general election. Simon Harris says he believes housing figures supplied last year by former Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien were given in “good faith”. It follows fresh claims the outgoing government was aware housing delivery was well below target before November’s election.

Tanáiste rejects opposition claims voters were “misled” by housing delivery figures Read More »

Girlfriend of Charles Dooher confirms he has been moved out of intensive care

The girlfriend of Charles Dooher, who was left seriously injured after he was beaten by a masked gang, has confirmed that he has been moved out of intensive care. The 26-year-old was in his family home when the gang broke in and attacked him with iron bars on January 20th. In a statement on social

Girlfriend of Charles Dooher confirms he has been moved out of intensive care Read More »

Donegal agricultural shows allocated nearly €60,000 in funding

Nearly €60,000 in funding has been allocated to agricultural shows in Donegal. The announcement was made yesterday by the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, with over €1 million in supports being given to 123 shows across the country. Ardara, Ballyshannon, Inishowen, Glencolmcille and Finn Valley have been awarded

Donegal agricultural shows allocated nearly €60,000 in funding Read More »

Motorists being advised to be aware as Ending Violence Against Women & Girls Solidarity Walk takes place today

The public is advised of a walk due to take place in and around the town centre of Strabane this afternoon. The Ending Violence Against Women & Girls Solidarity Walk is scheduled to start at 3pm and finish at approximately 4pm. Participants will assemble and leave from Melvin Hall, onto Melvin Road, over Strabane Bridge

Motorists being advised to be aware as Ending Violence Against Women & Girls Solidarity Walk takes place today Read More »

Government sent forecast before election that cast doubts on hitting 40,000 housing target

It’s understood the government was sent a forecast months before the election, pre-emptively casting doubts on hitting housing targets. In August, a monthly housing data report drawn up by civil servants highlighted how delivery would hit between 30 and 33 thousand homes in 2024, according to The Irish Times. The outgoing coalition went into the

Government sent forecast before election that cast doubts on hitting 40,000 housing target Read More »

Calls for Justice Minister to act faster in delivering more community Gardaí

There’s a call on the Justice Minister to act faster to deliver more community Gardaí. Sinn Féin claims there’s no real plan by Government to recruit the number of officers needed to ensure people feel safe in their communities. The Garda Commissioner Drew Harris says the force has grown to 14,300 members. But Sinn Féin’s

Calls for Justice Minister to act faster in delivering more community Gardaí Read More »

Adiganny bridge lighting delay unacceptable – Cllr McMonagle

Improved lighting and a safety barrier are required on the Adiganny area bridge to improve road safety. Councillor Gerry McMonagle highlights the road safety risk posed by the transition from light to dark on this stretch of road, demanding immediate action. Donegal County Council, citing funding constraints, has stated that installation of the lighting could

Adiganny bridge lighting delay unacceptable – Cllr McMonagle Read More »

Donegal DCB homeowners can now seek reimbursement after Éowyn hotel stays

A number of homeowners with defective concrete homes who used hotel accommodation during Storm Éowyn are still awaiting reimbursement. Donegal County Council advised those feeling unsafe in their homes to seek hotel accommodation, pledging to cover the costs. At a recent meeting of the Donegal County Council Defective Concrete Block Committee, Councillor Joy Beard was

Donegal DCB homeowners can now seek reimbursement after Éowyn hotel stays Read More »

Sentencing due later this year for threats on Sunday World journalists

A convicted rapist who threatened to kill three female Sunday World journalists will be sentenced later this year. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that 52-year-old Mark McAnaw, formerly of Letterkenny, pleaded guilty to the harassment of Nicola Tallant, Amanda Brunker and Deirdre Reynolds on various dates in August 2023. The court heard that Mr McAnaw

Sentencing due later this year for threats on Sunday World journalists Read More »

LUH waiting lists down despite ‘busy year’

Letterkenny University Hospital has seen a decrease in waiting lists for 2024, despite what the hospital has described as an incredibly busy year. Letterkenny University Hospital conducted 77,194 outpatient appointments last year, an increase of 12,120. New referrals also increased, with 42,561 new patients added to the waiting list in 2024. Despite this, outpatient waiting

LUH waiting lists down despite ‘busy year’ Read More »

MEP Carberry welcomes EU Women’s Rights Roadmap

Midlands-North West MEP Nina Carberry has praised the European Commission’s plan for a Women’s Rights Roadmap, which will guide future gender equality strategies. She emphasised the need to maintain progress, citing the importance of implementing the Pay Transparency Directive. In Ireland, female employees earn 13.7% less than their male counterparts. MEP Carberry says Ireland needs

MEP Carberry welcomes EU Women’s Rights Roadmap Read More »

Council urged to make Glasha Bridge accessible to local farmers

  Donegal County Council is being urged to reinforce Glasha Bridge between Trentagh and Churchill so that it is capable of handling local agricultural traffic. At present, the bridge has a weight limit of three tonnes, which means a number of local farmers cannot use it. Cllr McBride says this is unacceptable, and work is

Council urged to make Glasha Bridge accessible to local farmers Read More »

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 »