Author name: highlandnews

BPFI to meet with DCC’s Defective Blocks Committee next week

The Banking and Payments Federation of Ireland is to attend a meeting of Donegal County Council’s Defective Concrete Blocks Committee to discuss number of pressing issues regarding the government’s DCB programme. 100% Redress: Cllr Joy Beard says it’s a critical engagement that must address what she says is a fundamental failure at the heart of

BPFI to meet with DCC’s Defective Blocks Committee next week Read More »

Donegal farmers set to attend weekend Mercosur protest in Athlone

  One of the organisers of a protest against the Mercosur Trade Deal at the weekend is calling on more farmers from Donegal to attend. If approved, the agreement would create the world’s biggest free-trade zone and increase EU exports to Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. However, farmers fear this would flood the market here

Donegal farmers set to attend weekend Mercosur protest in Athlone Read More »

NI drink-drive limit could be highest in Europe after new Govt plan

Plans to lower the drink-drive limit in England and Wales could leave Northern Ireland with the highest limit in Europe; along with Malta. Under new UK government plans, drivers face being over the legal limit after a single alcoholic drink, which would bring the rules into line with Scotland. The power to cut the limit

NI drink-drive limit could be highest in Europe after new Govt plan Read More »

93 admitted patients without beds today in Letterkenny and Sligo

There were 670 admitted patients awaiting beds in hospitals across the country this morning, according to figures from the INMO. There was a North West total of 93, 40 in Letterkenny University Hospital and 53 in Sligo. University Hospital Galway accounts for the largest number of people waiting for beds, with 81, followed by University

93 admitted patients without beds today in Letterkenny and Sligo Read More »

FLAG North give statement on death of Chair Stephen McCahill

The Fisheries and Local Action Group (FLAG) North have released a statement expressing their sadness at the passing of their Chairman Stephen McCahill. Mr. McCahill served as Chair from 2020, and had been involved with the group for a decade. Members of the FLAG board have said that Mr. McCahill was passionate about developing the

FLAG North give statement on death of Chair Stephen McCahill Read More »

Donegal Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre concerned at proliferation of ‘doctored’ images online

The Donegal Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre is expressing grave concern about the proliferation of AI apps to alter pictures, particularly in light of a current trend to take existing pictures of real people, particularly women, and manipulate them to make the subjects naked or suggestively dressed. It’s become a particular feature on the

Donegal Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre concerned at proliferation of ‘doctored’ images online Read More »

Glenties Councillor highlights lack of home help care investment

A Glenties Cllr has hit out at the Government over resourcing of home help caring services in Donegal. As it stands over 200 families in Donegal are on waiting lists, with Cllr Micheál Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig blaming recruitment issues, He believes that the government do not have the proper motives or priorities when it

Glenties Councillor highlights lack of home help care investment Read More »

Funding allocated for Derry City and Strabane greenway projects

Funding has been released by the Department for Infrastructure for greenway projects in Derry City and Strabane District Council. This funding of over £1m follows a call from Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins during 2025, for different councils to submit proposals for greenway projects. These projects will be funded by 50% capital funding while the other

Funding allocated for Derry City and Strabane greenway projects Read More »

Malin Marine Rescue Centre coordinated 753 incidents in 2025

The Department of Transport has released a new report relating to the Irish Coast Guard in 2025. It revealed that during the year the Irish Coast Guard managed 2,793 incidents, ranging from search and rescue operations to maritime casualty responses, as well as pollution control and preparedness activities. 44 Coast Guard Units were deployed 1,187

Malin Marine Rescue Centre coordinated 753 incidents in 2025 Read More »

32 year old man charged with the murder of Stephen McCahill in Ardara

A 32 year old man has appeared at Letterkenny District Court tonight, charged with the murder of businessman Stephen McCahill at Beagh, Ardara. Michael Maloney of Loughross Point, Ardara appeared before Judge Ciaran Liddy at a special court sitting last night. Detective Garda Patrick Kelly gave evidence of arresting and cautioning the accused man, before

32 year old man charged with the murder of Stephen McCahill in Ardara Read More »

All Donegal gritting routes to be treated Tuesday and Wednesday

Donegal County Council have said all Donegal Winter Maintenance routes will be gritted from 9pm, Tuesday evening, and again from 6am Wednesday. Road users are advised to assume no road is ice free. The routes: 01: National Primary North 02: National Primary Central 03: National Primary South 04: Inishowen South 05: Inishowen East 06: Inishowen

All Donegal gritting routes to be treated Tuesday and Wednesday Read More »

Derry & Strabane Council facilities update amid weather warnings

  The Met Office have announced a yellow weather warning for Ice in Northern Ireland from 6pm Tuesday, through 11am on Wednesday, which continues to affect Council facilities in Derry City and Strabane. Cemeteries will remain closed today and tomorrow morning, with burials prioritised. In relation to bin collection services, Council workers made effort to

Derry & Strabane Council facilities update amid weather warnings Read More »

Cross Border Intercultural Alliance to be launched this month

The official launch takes in two weeks of a new project aimed at building positive relationships in communities experiencing rapid demographic change. The Intercultural Cross-border Inclusion Programme, supported by PEACEPLUS, has been developed by an alliance of five grassroots organisations – North West Migrants Forum, Donegal Intercultural Platform, Irish Network Against Racism, Multi-Ethnic Sports Northern

Cross Border Intercultural Alliance to be launched this month Read More »

16 arrests in Donegal since December 23rd for alleged driving under the influence

  16 people have been detected driving under the influence in Donegal in the past fortnight. During the final stage of the Christmas and New Year Enforcement Operation, there have been nine arrests in relation to suspected drink driving offences and seven arrests in relation to suspected drug driving offences across the county. The enforcement

16 arrests in Donegal since December 23rd for alleged driving under the influence Read More »

Nestlé recall infant formula and follow-on-milk in Ireland

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland have advised that Nestlé is voluntarily recalling specific batches of SMA infant formula and follow-on milk to the potential presence of Cereulide. They say that this recall is precautionary and that there has been no reported cases of illness to date. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland has said

Nestlé recall infant formula and follow-on-milk in Ireland Read More »

Higher temperatures and less rain in Donegal during December

Temperatures hit just over 16 degrees celcius at one weather station in Donegal, a nine year high. Meanwhile, rainfall levels in the county were below average for the month. Met Eireann’s provisional climate statement for December shows an average temperature of just over 7 degrees in December, about one degree above the long term average.

Higher temperatures and less rain in Donegal during December Read More »

Ardara assault victim named locally as Stephen McCahill

A man killed in a suspected stabbing in County Donegal overnight has been named as a well-known businessman and former general election candidate. 66-year-old Stephen McCahill died following a fatal assault at his home on the outskirts of Ardara in the early hours of this morning. It’s understood that Mr McCahill suffered fatal knife injuries

Ardara assault victim named locally as Stephen McCahill Read More »

Overnight water restrictions necessary for Pettigo area

Uisce Éireann have said overnight water restrictions are necessary for customers in the Pettigo area to allow reservoir levels replenish. They say reservoir levels have fallen due to mechanical issues experienced by water pumps. The restrictions will be in place from 10.30pm tonight (Monday 5th) to 7am tomorrow (Tuesday 6th) morning to resolve the issues

Overnight water restrictions necessary for Pettigo area Read More »

Donegal routes being gritted this afternoon, and again from 6am tomorrow

  Donegal County Council have advised that  routes throughout the county will be gritted from 6am on Tuesday. They advise all road users to assume no road is ice-free. The routes: 01: National Primary North 02: National Primary Central 03: National Primary South 04: Inishowen South 05: Inishowen East 07: Milford South 08: Milford North

Donegal routes being gritted this afternoon, and again from 6am tomorrow Read More »

Meehan welcomes progress on Downings Activity Centre plan

A Milford area councillor based says there’s been significant progress on the proposed Downings Facility Centre for Water Sports Activities following the granting of Maritime Area Consent for the project. Cllr Declan Meehan says the consent marks an important milestone for the project, which will be located in the public car park at Crocknamurleog, Downings.

Meehan welcomes progress on Downings Activity Centre plan Read More »

DCC Roads Director urges people to drive to the conditions

Donegal County Council’s Director of Roads Services says all of the roads on the council’s winter programme were gritted today, although there were some issues in Letterkenny and on the N15 in the south of the county. Both those situations have been resolved. Speaking on The Greg Hughes Show, Bryan Cannon said the situation remains

DCC Roads Director urges people to drive to the conditions Read More »

16% of admitted patients awaiting beds in the state this morning were in Letterkenny and Sligo

Almost 16% of all admitted patients without beds in Irish hospitals this morning were in the North West. INMO figures show of the national total of 565, 46 were at Letterkenny University Hospital and 42 at Sligo University Hospital, the fourth and fifth highest in the state respectively. Cork University Hospital accounts for the largest

16% of admitted patients awaiting beds in the state this morning were in Letterkenny and Sligo Read More »

Retired surgeon says Slaintecare is not the answer to the health service’s problems

A retired orthopaedic surgeon in Letterkenny says he believes the National Treatment Purchase Fund is a major issue which is hindering rather than helping the public health service in the long term. Speaking on today’s Greg Hughes Show, Dr Peter O’Rourke repeated his reservations about Slaintecare, and questioned the narrative that the treatment of private

Retired surgeon says Slaintecare is not the answer to the health service’s problems Read More »

Inishowen community invited to take part in national public consultation on water services.

Residents, community groups and businesses in Inishowen are being invited to take part in a national public consultation on water services. It’s after a Boil Water Notice was issued for customers supplied by the Buncrana Water Treatment Plant last week. The consultation, which is being conducted by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, will determine

Inishowen community invited to take part in national public consultation on water services. Read More »

Derry City and Strabane District Council services impacted by weather

Derry City and Strabane District Council has advised that due to the current snow and ice weather conditions, a number of Council services are impacted. House hold bin collections have been suspended. All Council cemeteries were closed over the weekend because of the weather and will remain closed this morning and will only open once

Derry City and Strabane District Council services impacted by weather Read More »

Closures: Monday, January 5th

The following schools and facilities are closed tomorrow, Monday January 5th: Sessiaghoneill National School, Ballybofey TT Childcare, Stranorlar McGettigan Travel – School routes not operating Dromore National School, Killygordon St. Patrick’s National School, Lurgybrack St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar Saint Eunan’s College, Letterkenny Errigal College, Letterkenny Crana College, Buncrana Little Angels, Letterkenny St. Bernadette’s, Letterkenny Cara

Closures: Monday, January 5th Read More »