Author name: highlandnews

Taoiseach calls for protection of UN peacekeepers in Lebanon

The Taoiseach says Israel must stop firing on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, and listen to the voice of the international community. It follows reports two peacekeepers were injured when a tank fired towards a UNIFIL observation tower at Naquoura. Simon Harris says UN Peacekeepers must always be protected. He says he’s discussed the safety of […]

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76% of hospital consultants feel they are constantly in “firefighting mode”

More than half of hospital consultants believe their working environment rarely or never reflects a culture of mutual support, cohesion, or trust. A new survey commissioned by the Irish Hospital Consultants Association found 76 per cent of consultants said they are very often or always in ‘firefighting mode’. The survey also revealed despite 72 per

76% of hospital consultants feel they are constantly in “firefighting mode” Read More »

Further calls for hedge cutting policy to be revised

There’s further calls for the hedge cutting policy to be revised. Councillor Michael McBride says the restrictions on the cutting of hedges along roads continues to raise serious health and safety concerns. Hedge cutting is only permitted between September and January. Councillor McBride believes extending the hedge cutting season by just two weeks would help

Further calls for hedge cutting policy to be revised Read More »

1,000 jobs to be lost due to Dublin Airport passenger cap

There’s ‘nothing good’ about the passenger cap at Dublin Airport, according to DAA. The Airport’s parent company is forecasting one thousand aviation jobs will be lost next year due to the 32 million passenger annual limit. DAA adds that flights for next year will increase, as slots have to be pulled from the airport. CEO

1,000 jobs to be lost due to Dublin Airport passenger cap Read More »

Calls for humanitarian pause in Gaza for second round of polio vaccines

A humanitarian pause is being called for in Gaza as a second round of the polio vaccination is being rolled out. A vitamin A supplement will also be administered in order to help reinforce children’s immune systems. Over 552 thousand children on the Gaza strip received the polio vaccine last month with 78 per cent

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Euro NCAP says touch screens in cars are a “distraction” to drivers

Touch screens in newer cars are distracting drivers according to the European New Car Assessment Programme. Euro NCAP is the consumer organisation which gives safety ratings on cars. Touch screen buttons on dashboards are used for the radio, air conditioning and driving controls such as turning on fog lights.  

Euro NCAP says touch screens in cars are a “distraction” to drivers Read More »

50% of contactless payments made with mobile wallets

Mobile phones are dominating how people pay for things. Research from the Banking and Payments Federation of Ireland shows over half of all contactless payments are now made using mobile wallets, like Apple and Google Pay. Over 1-point-4 billion payments in shops and outlets across the country were contactless in the year to June, representing

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Uisce Eireann report shows Donegal communities benefitting from investment

Kilcar, Kerrykeel, Burtonport and Coolatee are four of the Donegal communities benefitting from Uisce Éireann’s €436m plus investment in wastewater infrastructure across the country in 2023. The latest EPA Urban Wastewater Treatment Report published today, shows the progress being made in tackling long-running issues like raw sewage discharges, while also underlining the need for continued

Uisce Eireann report shows Donegal communities benefitting from investment Read More »

Irish fishing industry and coastal communities invited to complete Fisheries Survey

  A comprehensive survey has been launched by Sinn Féin to seek the views of people, working in or with an interest in the Irish fishing industry, on the current state of the industry in Ireland. The survey is open from until Thursday November 7th and the results will be published soon after. Sinn Féin

Irish fishing industry and coastal communities invited to complete Fisheries Survey Read More »

Man and woman sentenced for supplying illegal streaming subscriptions in Derry

A man and woman from Derry have today, October 11, been sentenced for offences in relation to supplying illegal subscriptions for streaming services that involved more than £700,000. Cormac McGuckin and Maura McGuckin, both from Bellaghy, were sentenced at Omagh Crown Court. The sentencing follows an investigation in relation to the sale of illegal subscriptions

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44% decrease in patients awaiting inpatient or day case appointment at LUH

Over 700,000 people were awaiting medical treatment at the end of last month. Data from the National Treatment Purchase Fund shows almost 600,000 people were awaiting a first outpatient consultation. A further 87,000 people were waiting on inpatient or day case treatment, with almost 24,000 in line for an endoscopy appointment. Over 100,000 patients have

44% decrease in patients awaiting inpatient or day case appointment at LUH Read More »

Government urged to bring amendment to DCB scheme legislation before Dail next week

The Government is being urged to urgently bring an amendment to legislation governing the Enhanced Defective Concrete Block Grant Scheme before the Dail. Yesterday, a 10% scheme cap increase was announced along with changes to square foot rates and ancillary grants. To ensure the change is available for all homeowners engaged with the scheme, an

Government urged to bring amendment to DCB scheme legislation before Dail next week Read More »

Council urged to ensure people with SEN, AEN and physical disabilities are considered in social housing developments

Donegal County Council is being urged to adopt a policy to ensure every new social housing development in the county provides housing for people with SEN, AEN and physical disabilities. While commending the provision of services for those with special needs in the county, Councillor Fionán Bradley says the missing link is housing. The local

Council urged to ensure people with SEN, AEN and physical disabilities are considered in social housing developments Read More »

Donegal man in Florida says Hurricane Milton is “scary”

Water levels are continuing to rise in Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton. Clean-up operations are beginning to take place as daylight shows the extent of the damage from the storm which made landfall overnight. People are being ordered to stay indoors as the Hurricane passes. Tommy Byrne, who is from Donegal and lives

Donegal man in Florida says Hurricane Milton is “scary” Read More »

Donegal Deputy raises need for investment in CAMHS with Tanaiste

A Donegal Deputy has told the Tanaiste that the CAMHS service has been brought to its knees under the Government’s watch. Deputy Pearse Doherty says the crisis in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services across the country is an emergency. He says those most in need are being locked out of the care they urgently

Donegal Deputy raises need for investment in CAMHS with Tanaiste Read More »

HIQA publishes reports on three residential centres for older people in Donegal

HIQA has published inspection reports on three residential centres for older people in Donegal. It includes the newly opened Ballyshannon Community Hospital. Inspectors found Falcarragh Community Hospital to be fully compliant during an unannounced visit in June. They noted that while refurbishment works are continuing, measures were in place to ensure risks were mitigated. An

HIQA publishes reports on three residential centres for older people in Donegal Read More »

TCS owner dies, aged 86

The owner of Tata Consultancy Services which has a base in Donegal has died at the age of 86. Ratan Tata, one of India’s most internationally recognised business leaders led the Tata Group for more than two decades and employed around 660,000 people globally. The company established it’s Letterkenny base after purchasing Pramerica Systems Ireland

TCS owner dies, aged 86 Read More »

Disabilities Minister says she wants to see extent of Brandon Report’s recommendations implementation

Disabilities Minister Ann Rabbitte has told the Dail she wants to see a report assessing the extent to which the recommendations of the Brandon Report have been implemented. She was responding in the Dail to Deputy Thomas Pringle, who asked if the report being compiled by Colm Lehane will be published, and whether it finds

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DCC rejects claims of manipulation of grant scheme applications

Donegal County Council has issued a statement reassuring defective block homeowners that there has been no manipulation of the Homeowners Engineers Recommendations to match that of the Housing Agency Decisions. It’s after an article in the Ditch contained allegations that the Council had edited more than 20 remediation applications under the Enhanced Defective Concrete Block

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Claims of uneven distribution of parking fines in Letterkenny

A Letterkenny councillor has suggested there is a pattern in Letterkenny where traffic fines are being issued in some areas more than others. Calling for a special workshop to discuss the work of the parking wardens in and around Letterkenny, Cllr Ciaran Brogan said there also needs to be a comprehensive review of the appeals

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County Council urged to tackle commercial vacancy rate in Ballybofey

Donegal County Council is being urged to take a more targeted approach to tackle the high commercial vacancy rate in Ballybofey. The commercial vacancy rate in the town has consistently been the highest in the country according to Geo Directory. Councillor Patrick McGowan has questioned how the Government can tackle the issue if the local

County Council urged to tackle commercial vacancy rate in Ballybofey Read More »

Pat “The Cope” Gallagher welcomes progress of A5 construction

General Election candidate, Pat the Cope Gallagher has welcomed the announcement by Stormont that funding for the upgrade of the A5 is approved. The project will begin in early 2025 and will be completed on a phased basis, expected to finished in five years’ time. The former Minister of State and Transport says he is

Pat “The Cope” Gallagher welcomes progress of A5 construction Read More »

Hurrican Milton described as “unsurvivable” as it hits Florida

Hurricane Milton’s being described as ‘unsurvivable’ with winds starting to pick up ahead of its arrival in Florida, in the coming hours. Despite being downgraded to a Category 4 – officials say it’s still incredibly dangerous, and could be the worst to hit the state in a century. Orlando International Airport’s shut – with millions

Hurrican Milton described as “unsurvivable” as it hits Florida Read More »

16-year-old charged with attempted murder of army chaplain Fr. Paul Murphy

A 16-year-old boy has been charged with the attempted murder of an army chaplain, who was stabbed outside Renmore barracks in Galway two months ago. The boy, whose identity is protected by law due to his young age, is also accused of intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to Fr. Paul Murphy. Fr Paul Murphy

16-year-old charged with attempted murder of army chaplain Fr. Paul Murphy Read More »

Taoiseach to meet with President Biden to discuss conflict in the Middle East

The Taoiseach says his meeting with US President Joe Biden this evening will be an opportunity to urge the United States to try and de-escalate the situation in Lebanon. Simon Harris will meet with Mr.Biden to mark the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Ireland and United States. However the original event has been completely

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