Author name: highlandnews

More chaos in Dail as election of Taoiseach is adjourned until tomorrow

The Dail has been adjourned until tomorrow morning, with Michael Martin’s election as Taoiseach on hold for 24 hours. This morning, opposition TDs revolted over plans to adjourn for two weeks after the election of a Taoiseach, and also the decision to allow independents supporting the government participate in a technical group intended for members […]

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HSE offers assurances about the future of public health nursing services in Fahan

The HSE has again stressed that there are no plans to remove the Public Health Nursing service from Fahan Health Centre, and services continue to be provided, as defined by the needs of the patients in the area. The commitment was given at a meeting of the Fahan Health Centre Committee earlier today. They HSE

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Red wind warning for Donegal as Storm Éowyn heads for the west coast

A storm warning for Friday morning has been upgraded to Red in Donegal, with gale to storm force southerly winds becoming westerly, and bringing severe, damaging and extremely destructive gusts in excess of 130km/h. Met Eireann says Storm Éowyn poses a potential danger to life, with extremely dangerous travelling and working conditions, disruption and cancellations

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Highest number of calls received by CRITICAL made in Donegal

The highest number of calls made to the Emergency Medical Response charity CRITICAL last year was in Donegal. Nationally, there’s been a 45% increase in medical emergency calls. Volunteers in Donegal responded to 230 calls in 2024. CRITICAL responds is tasked too reports of chest pain, stroke, cardiac and respiratory arrest, falls and road traffic

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Donegal County Council, County House, Lifford

Audio update – Donegal TDs to be invited to special DCC housing meeting

A Special Plenary Meeting of Donegal County Council has heard a proposal for a meeting with Donegal’s five TDs. Cathaoirleath of the Council, Cllr Niamh Kennedy moved the motion. Cllr Patrick McGowan told the chamber that in the case a Minister is chosen from the five representatives, a particular protocol must be followed in relation

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Members briefed on progress with DCC’s capital Housing Programme

A special meeting of Donegal Council has been given an update on progress with the authority’s Housing Capital Programme. Members were told there are currently 123 turnkey homes being constructed on sites in Letterkenny, Ballybofey, Donegal Town, Bunbeg and Convoy. Six more turnkey projects totalling 159 units have received Stage 1-2 Departmental approval, three projects

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Storm warning upgraded to RED for parts of the country

Storm Éowyn may pose a danger to life. Met Eireann has upgraded its advisory to RED for counties Clare, Cork, Kerry and Limerick. That mean’s a risk to life, extremely dangerous travelling conditions, unsafe working conditions, widespread power outages, structural damage and wave overtopping. The red warning comes into effect at 3 am on Friday

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Dail suspended as row over speaking arrangements and Dail break intensifies

Ceann Conmhairle Verona Murphy suspended the Dail this morning amid rowdy scenes as opposition TDs complained about the arrangements for the nomination of a Taoiseach, and the allocation of speaking rights to opposition technical groups which include indepenmdents who have pledged to support the govetnment. Donegal Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn, the Sinn Fein Whip, proposed the

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Leck Road not designed for the amount of traffic now using it – McMonagle

The number of drivers using the Leck Road in a bid to avoid traffic congestion in Letterkenny is a major concern and safety issue, according to Letterkenny Milford Municipal District Cathaoirleach Cllr Gerry McMonagle. A number of members had motions before an MD meeting this week calling for safety measures on the road, particularly on

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Major barrier resolved in Defence Forces recruitment crisis

A major barrier to solving the recruitment and retention crisis in the Defence Forces has been removed according to a representitive group. RACO is welcoming the move by the outgoing Minister for Enterprise to no longer submit the Forces to an exemption to the Working Time Directive. Members are now entitled to guaranteed rest periods

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Lack of skilled labour force will slow down delivery of housing in Donegal – Cllr McBride

A lack of skilled labour will be the filter that slows down the delivery of more housing in Donegal. That’s the belief of Cllr Michael McBride, who this week called for the establishmemnt of a task force that would include all relevant agencies to address this issue. Officials said the council has in the past

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ATU given green light to appoint Executive Management Team

The Atlantic Technological University has received confirmation that it can now begin appointing its Executive Management Team. The move will lead to the open recruitment of senior positions to the executive management team within the university. Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Patrick O’Donovan says he is delighted to make the

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Man wanted in connection with fatal crash in Donegal extradited from NI

A man wanted in connection with a fatal crash which claimed the lives of two people in Donegal in 2017 has today been extradited from Northern Ireland. Two men have today been extradited from Northern Ireland today, one to the Republic of Ireland and the other to Lithuania. The 31-year-old man extradited to the Republic,

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Volunteer boost for Cara House’s Befriending Service

Cara House Family Resource Centre in Letterkenny is expanding its service to combat loneliness among older people. Following a successful recruitment drive, more volunteers will now be paired with individuals experiencing isolation or vulnerability under the Befriending Service. The service offers both in-person home visits and social gatherings. Individuals aged 65 and over are eligible

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HIQA publishes report of first inspection at IPAS centre in Ballybofey

HIQA has published a report following an Inspection at an International Protection Accommodation Service Centre in Donegal. The Finn Accommodation Centre in Ballybofey is provided by Townbe ULC on behalf of the government. It was HIQA’s first inspection of the premises, and took place in September. The centre has capacity for 179 residents. At the

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Aontu’s role in facilitating Rural Independents highlighted in debate on speaking rights

Opposition parties are attempting to stop some Independent TDs getting speaking rights in the Dail. It’s after the Ceann Comhairle said the group of Independents that are supporting the incoming Government, can have Opposition speaking time. Sinn Fein, the Social Democrats, Labour and People Before Profit will issue a joint submission today challenging this. There’s

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Man in balaclava damages car in broad daylight in Letterkenny

A car was left substantially damaged in Letterkenny after an unknown substance was poured over it in broad daylight. Gardaí have described the incident as unsavoury. It happened at the Orchard Crescent Letterkenny on Thursday last between approx. 10.20am and 10.25am. The man was dressed in black and wore a balaclava. Garda Sergeant Eunan Walsh

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Tendering stage to proceed for St Columba’s College, Stranorlar extension

St Columba’s College in Stranorlar has received approval from the Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD, to proceed to the tendering stage for a major extension and refurbishment project. This will see the construction of new facilities including six science labs, four construction and engineering rooms, two art rooms, two home economics rooms, two computer

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Donegal Airport becomes first Irish airport to achieve Level 4 Airport Carbon Accreditation

Donegal Airport has become the first Irish airport to achieve Level 4 “Transformation” in Airport Carbon Accreditation. It recognises the airport’s continuing commitment to reduce its carbon footprint and align its operations with global climate goals. Some of the key initiatives introduced at the airport include carrying out a comprehensive carbon footprint assessment, setting ambitious

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Government urged to step in and protect provision of fire services in South Donegal

The Government is being urged to step in and protect the provision of fire services in South Donegal. The fire stations in Bundoran, Ballyshannon and Glencolmcille have been under threat of closure for decades. It’s now understood, plans are being considered which would see Bundoran and Ballyshannon stations amalgamated into one ‘super station’ with two

Government urged to step in and protect provision of fire services in South Donegal Read More »

Calls for portion of LEP funding to be ringfenced for men’s sheds in Donegal

A Glenties councillor is proposing that €75,000 from the Local Enhancement Programme be specifically allocated to fund Men and Women’s Sheds in Donegal. This proposal comes after a change in the funding model for these community initiatives. Previously, funding for Men’s Sheds was provided by the Irish Men’s Shed Association. However, under the new arrangement,

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