Author name: highlandnews

Fears over Israeli ground invasion into Lebanon

There’s growing concern over an Israeli ground invasion into Lebanon. Israel says it struck Hezbollah targets in Lebanon overnight, just a day after confirming it killed the group’s leader Hassan Nasrallah. The Lebanese health ministry says 11 people have been killed in the attacks. Sky’s Middle Eastern Correspondent Alistair Bunkall is in Northern Israel and […]

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Traffic delays expected on main A5 road between Victoria Bridge and Newtownstewart

Police in Derry and Strabane are advising motorists that delays of up to two hours may be expected due to a truck and tractor event. The main A5 on the Mulvin Road and Strabane Road between Victoria Bridge and Newtownstewart is currently affected. They are advising motorists to use alternative routes if possible as delays

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Calls for “regional inequity” of neurology care services to be addressed in Budget

There are calls for “regional inequity” of neurological care services to be addressed in this week’s Budget announcement. The Neurological Alliance of Ireland – the national umbrella for over 30 neurological organisations – says access to care depends heavily on your location. Director of the alliance, Magdalen Rogers explains the aim of their pre-budget submission.

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Ireland not experiencing “economic bubble” ahead of Budget 2025

A leading economist is adamant that Ireland is not experiencing an economic bubble. It comes ahead of next week’s budget, which is expected to be a giveaway, with a government surplus of 25 billion euro. This contrasts sharply with the UK and other EU countries where belt tightening measures are being implemented. Chief Economist of

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Irish homes revealed to throw out 220,000 tonnes of food each year

Today marks International Day of Food Waste Awareness, which highlights the problem of households binning excess food. The Environmental Protection Agency says Irish homes throw out around 220,000 tonnes of food each year. CEO of Global Action Plan Ireland, Hans Zomer, says it contributes significantly to global warming.

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Mary Lou McDonald criticises Government handling of scoliosis crisis

The Government is under fire over the scoliosis crisis for children. The Sinn Fein Leader says it’s “a scandal” children with scoliosis and spina bifida are waiting years for operations. Speaking at her party’s Ard Fheis in Athlone last night, Mary Lou McDonald demanded the Taoiseach deliver treatment options for affected children without delay.

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MEP Barry Cowen calls for sustainable power generation and new funding stream for farmers

MEP Barry Cowen has highlighted the success of his candidacy and, while addressing a EU Parliament debate on impending commission appointments. Representing the Midlands North West, he specifically mentioned the new CAP agreement that rewards farmers, that brings certainty, simplification and a succession plan that finally aligns food production systems to environmental ambition and consumers

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XL Bully dogs sent to Sweden ahead of new legislation

Several XL Bully dogs from shelters across Ireland have had to “flee” for their lives. New legislation due to come into effect on October 1st will prohibit the breeding, selling and re-homing of the breed. A separate deadline of February 1st, 2025, will see unregistered XL Bullies euthanised. Co-founder of ‘WAG Rescue’ Brenda Fitzpatrick has

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Man charged with drug and driving offences in Enniskillen

PSNI Detectives investigating a number of incidents in the Enniskillen area yesterday, have charged a 36 year old man with multiple offences. The alleged offences include blackmail, two counts of criminal damage, possession of a class A drug and a number of motoring offences. He is due to appear at Enniskillen Magistrates’ Court tomorrow.

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Three artistic initiatives in Donegal being funded by the HFA

Three artistic initiatives in Donegal are to be funded by the the Housing Finance Agency under its Social Investment Fund. The council will receive the funding for three artistic initiatives, coordinated by its Arts and Cultural Diversity Officer. They are a ‘Smartphone Filmmaking Residential Weekend’, ‘Fly a Kite for Inclusion’ workshops and open days, as

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Local Link announces enhanced service linking Fanad and Letterkenny

Local Link have announced improvements to their Letterkenny Fanad services. The upgraded service, which will now be branded Route 973, will come in to operation on tomorrow week, Monday October 7th. Route 973, formerly Route 300, will now operate up to ten daily return services between Letterkenny and Kerrykeel, from Monday to Sunday. This includes

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Driver arrested in Fermanagh after cannabis and cocaine found in system

A driver has been arrested in Fermanagh after testing positive for cocaine and cannabis use while driving. The District Support Team took part in a Rural Crime Operation yesterday afternoon, when they observed a vehicle acting suspiciously on the Irvinestown Road. Following speaking to the driver, the team carried out a search, where they noticed

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Donegal Minister urges unsuccessful sports clubs to appeal funding decisions

Minister Charlie McConalogue has encouraged sports clubs in Donegal that missed out on Community Sports Facilities Fund funding to appeal the decision. Despite a record allocation of over €13 million for the county, some clubs were unsuccessful. Minister McConalogue believes that many of these clubs may have had technical issues with their applications which prevented

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Burtonport- Letterkenny Greenway not getting the support it needs – Mac Giolla Easbuig

A West Donegal councillor has hit out at the government following the announcement of funding for walkways in Donegal, saying many ambitious plans are not getting the support they need. In particular, Cllr Michael Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig says the proposed Burtonport to Letterkenny Greenway, one of the first such projects to be proposed and

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Newly appointed Senator uses maiden contribution to call for action on DCB scheme improvements

A newly appointed Donegal Senator has used her first speech in the upper house to call for an update on the Defective Block Redress Scheme. After taking her seat this week, Senator Nicky Bradley urged Minister Darragh O’Brien to come in to the Seanad and have a meaningful conversation about the shortcomings in the current

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A 55-year-old man from Derry was sentenced today for five counts of cruelty to children at Newry Crown Court. The man, who cannot be named in order to protect the identity of the victims, will serve four years in prison and four years on licence. Police said afterwards that this offender is a cruel and

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Protests loom as Healthcare Unions say their goodwill is taken for granted

Nursing unions say their members feel their goodwill has been taken for granted, and they are no longer able to plug the gaps caused by unfilled posts. A series of lunchtime protests by healthcare unions, starting next Thursday, is being organised in response to the ongoing row over staffing levels. Separately nurses and midwives are

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Oireachtas members briefed on importance of Family Resource Centres

Oireachtas members have been briefed on the impact Family Resource Centres are having in Donegal and beyond, ahead of next week’s budget. The finance minister is being urged to increase core funding to enable FRCs to deliver the services that are needed. The call was made at a special briefing in Leinster House this week,

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Railway View and Finnside receive positive HIQA inspection reports

HIQA has today published two inspection reports on designated centres for people with disabilities in Donegal. Both facilities were found to be compliant. Railway View recorded five substantially compliant regulations, which were training and staff regulations, governance and management communication, and general welfare and development and healthcare. The remainder were fully compliant. While Finnside Centre

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TII being urged to provide money for path and verge maintenence

  Transport Infrastructure Ireland is being urged to ensure that more money is available for the maintenance of verges and paths in the vicinity of national roads, and on greenways and urban parks. Recent meetings of Letterkenny Milford Municipal District have heard criticism of the proliferation of weeds and decries in a number of locations,

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Regional Health Forum briefed on progress of 29 Donegal projects in the HSE Capital Plan

Members of the HSE’s Regional Health Forum have been given an update on the 29 major capital projects for Donegal included in this year’s HSE Capital Plan. Cllr Ciaran Brogan who raised the question was told that of the 29 projects, two have been completed, three are under construction, two are at tender stage, 11

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2024 Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards takes place tonight

The Annual Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards takes place tonight. The event commemorates the centenary of the birth of the late Tip O’Neill and seeks to recognise those who have excelled in their chosen field whilst honouring their contribution to Ireland and the Global Irish Community. The 2024 Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards will honour

2024 Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards takes place tonight Read More »

Dáil hears calls to halt downgrading of remediation work recommendations for defective concrete homes

The Dáil has heard calls for an immediate halt to the downgrading of remediation work recommendations for homes affected by defective concrete. This follows concerns that private engineer reports are being overruled by engineers from the Housing Agency based on the discredited IS465 standard. The National Standards Authority of Ireland has confirmed that the IS465

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