Author name: highlandnews

Strabane businesses have been alerted to a recent surge in counterfeit banknotes circulating in the town. Strabane BID issued a warning after receiving multiple reports from local vendors. Cllr Raymond Barr, a pub owner in Strabane, noted that this type of crime often increases during the holiday season. He advised businesses to use UV scanners

No child should have to travel abroad for a spinal surgery according to the Labour Party. Government plans to help reduce the number of kids with spina bifida and scoliosis who are waiting for their life changing surgeries, by making the procedures available overseas. Latest figures from Children’s Health Ireland show 264 kids are waiting

A Letterkenny based councillor says many council tenants in Defective Block Homes are living in unacceptable conditions, and this situation needs to be treated as an emergency. Cllr Thomas Sean Devine of the 100% Redress Party says there needs to be more focus on securing a remediation scheme. Officials say if necessary, people can apply

  A Donegal TD has urged the government to begin planning for a meaningful discussion on Irish unity. Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn told Taoiseach Simon Harris that the most recent poll published this week suggests there is now a majority in favour of Irish unity north of the border, and called for a citizen’s assembly. The

The Sinn Féin leader has corrected the Dáil record this afternoon and apologised to the teenager at the centre of a text scandal involving her party. Mary Lou McDonald said the teenager was 17 years old when, in fact, he was 16 at the time of receiving the messages. He received inappropriate texts from former

A Buncrana mother has been left in shock after a firework was thrown at her three- and four-year-old sons on the way to school. She’s now appealing to other parents to check their children’s schoolbags for the devices after the near miss yesterday. Catherina says fireworks are being sold on the street. A garda investigation

Gardaí in Donegal are asking all road users to take extra care on the roads this Bank Holiday Weekend. Drivers have been urged to not drive under the influence, while distracted and to ensure all seatbelts are fastened, while walkers and cyclists are reminded to wear a high-vis at all times. Garda Claire Rafferty made

  Gardai in Donegal are urging anybody involved in construction or farming to conduct a review of the security measures that they have in place. The appeal comes in the wake of a number of  recent incidents. They include the theft of digger  track pads in Illistrin last week, and the theft of tractor parts

Two young children have been traumatised after a firework was thrown at them in Buncrana. The Cathaoirleach of Inishowen Municipal District is now appealing to parents to ensure their children are not being sold these devices. Cllr Jack Murray says while the children were fortunate to have escaped physical harm, they were left very frightened

There were just 33 properties available for rent under the ‘discretionary’ HAP scheme this October. Only 3 properties were available to rent under the ‘standard’ rate. The ‘Locked Out of the Market’ report for the Simon Communities of Ireland is a snapshot study of 16 locations – over three consecutive days – every three months.

UN peacekeepers are in “regular” contact with the Israel Defence Forces in Lebanon. Recent instances of IDF gunfire towards UNIFIL peacekeeper positions have raised tensions about the possibility of casualties as Israel continues its offensive in Lebanon. However, security and defence analyst Declan Power says there are robust lines of communication with the IDF designed

The Stormont Assembly has been told that car parking in the streets around Derry City Centre and the University is creating serious problems for local residents, many of whom are regularly unable to park near their own homes. Foyle MLA Mark Durkan urged Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd to take action, saying that pilot projects in

The Courts Service is coming under mounting pressure to set out a timeline for the restoration of services at Carndonagh Court House. The building was closed due to health and safety concerns five years ago. Donegal County Council has agreed to write to the Courts Service and the OPW seeking clarity on the future of

Work has started on a 34 social housing unit development in Castlefinn. Dorrian Construction Ltd is set to deliver the €9.5 million project within 18 months in association with Habinteg. Pat the Cope Gallagher, Fianna Fail General Election Candidate, was the Junior Environment Minister when Habinteg began planning its first development in Lifford. He says

A billboard campaign launched in Derry and Belfast today is calling on the Stormont Executive to prioritise the realisation of a peaceful and reconciled society. The initiative is being spearheaded by the Peace Summit partners, and using the slogan “Are We There Yet?” it is highlighting the urgent need to move beyond the divisions of

A driver has been caught speeding in Donegal Town this morning. Gardaí detected a vehicle traveling at 134 km/h in a 100 km/h zone. It then emerged that the driver was a learner driver who was unaccompanied and uninsured. The car was also without an NCT and had excessively worn front tires. The vehicle was

Explosions are being heard and smoke has been seen billowing over Beirut’s southern suburbs – as Israel launches fresh attacks on Hezbollah. There are reports of panicked crowds filling the streets – with hundreds fleeing their homes in the capital. Last night Israel warned of an imminent attack on the militant group’s financial arm across

An Inishowen councillor is calling for a meeting with tourism bodies to plan for the upcoming year. Cllr Martin McDermott noted that the past year has been challenging for many businesses in the sector. He emphasized the importance of addressing issues that arose this year to prevent them from hindering the industry’s progress in 2025.

The Mayor of Letterkenny MiIford Municipal District has praised the team which demolished three derelict buildings on Letterkenny’s Main Street over the weekend. Cllr Gerry McMonagle says the demolition was necessary because of the danger the buildings posed to people, and also the risk to the structural integrity of other buildings in the area. On

Over 950 teaching positions are currently vacant in schools across the country. A survey from the INTO, which covered 40% of primary and secondary schools, found 195 permanent posts and 756 long term temporary or substitute jobs are unfilled. That number is set more than to double after Christmas, with a further 1,816 vacancies expected

Cleanup operations are scheduled to begin this morning in Donegal and across the country following Storm Ashley. Nearly 140 homes, farms, and businesses remain without power in the county. Carndonagh is the worst affected, with 113 properties impacted. It is expected that power will be restored by 4:00 PM. Killybegs and Bundoran are also reporting

It has been confirmed that the upcoming General Election will see the largest ever number of women contesting for seats, with 165 contesting this year. In Donegal, there are no women currently representing the county and since 1921, only two women have ever been elected, with Mary Coughlan being the first in 1987. A candidate

A 100% Redress Party member has suggested a ‘one-stop-recycling-shop’ for waste material from demolished houses affected by defective concrete. Cllr Joy Beard says that while affected homeowners reuse as much as they can from their previous home in a bid to reduce costs, not all wood, glass and PVC is salvageable. She says a depot