Author name: highlandnews

Complaint about Donegal hospitality experience labelled ‘petty’

A Donegal businessman has labelled a letter to the Irish Times, complaining of the an experience by a visitor to the county ‘petty’. The correspondence appeared in the paper in recent days in which the writer outlined how on a visit to Donegal he received ‘woeful’ coffees, ‘second rate’ food and had to listen to […]

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Buncrana Cllr believes new swimming strategy is opportune time to get new leisure centre over the line

The launch of a new swimming strategy by Government is the opportune time to get the new Buncrana Leisure Centre over the line. That’s the belief of the Cathaoirleach of the Inishowen Municipal District who is urging Minister Thomas Byrne to sanction funding for the development. The government’s new plan is expected to include a

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Searches carried out in Strabane and Derry as part of dissident republican activity investigation

Searches have been carried out today in Strabane and Derry as part of an ongoing investigation into dissident republican activity. Detectives from the Police Service’s Terrorism Investigation Unit conducted searches at two addresses in the Strabane and Lettershandoney area this morning. A number of items have been seized and taken away for further examination. Police

Searches carried out in Strabane and Derry as part of dissident republican activity investigation Read More »

SEAI hosting information event for defective block homeowners

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland is hosting an information event for defective block homeowners in Inishowen next month. Information will be provided on the eligibility criteria and how to apply for SEAI energy efficiency grants. SEAI officials will be present at the event which is being hosted in partnership with the Inishowen Development Partnership

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Blue plaque unveiled in Strabane to honour Alexander Ector Orr

A blue plaque has been unveiled in Strabane in recognition of Alexander Ector Orr. The Strabane native is best known for helping finance and arrange construction of New York’s subway system. He emigrated to America in the 1850s, aged 19 and went on to become a successful businessman. Mr Orr was instrumental in the foundation

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Details of phone ban in secondary schools to be unveiled in coming weeks

Schools will find out more details in the next few weeks about plans for a phone ban in secondary schools. The Education Minister has confirmed she wants to look at a ban in post-primary for the entire school day, including lunch breaks. It’s understood Norma Foley will now write to schools to give advice on

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‘Only solution to childcare crisis is public system’ – NWC

The National Women’s Council says the only solution to the current childcare crisis is a public system. It’s calling on the government to roll out a pilot childcare scheme. The organisation claims parents are being put under severe pressure, as caregivers pull out of the government’s current program. Eilish Balfe from the National Women’s Council

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HSE issues advice to parents as children prepare to go back to school

The HSE has issued advice for parents for getting children prepared to go back to school. It includes establishing a regular sleeping routine and having a conversation about how their child is feeling about going back t school. Parents are also advised to be prepared for inevitable back to school bugs that do the rounds.

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Donegal Town Pier Carpark to close amid flood risks over next 24 hours

Donegal County Council have issued a notice that Donegal Town Pier Carpark will be closed for designated periods today and tomorrow as a safety measure. It’s due to flooding risks with potential high tides, a storm surge and heavy rain over the next 24 hours. The carpark will close from 6:30pm until 9:30pm tonight. Tomorrow

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VHI health insurance customers face second price increase this year

VHI health insurance premiums are increasing for a second time this year in October. The State run company announced the move today, saying on average the cost of health plans will increase by 3.5% It follows the 7% average increase in March. Dermot Goode from TotalHealthCover.ie says the company is blaming a rise in the

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37% injuries in pavement injuries to visually impaired people – Vision Ireland

Over three quarters of blind or vision-impaired people have been injured by footpath obstacles, with a year on year increase of 37%. A new survey from Vision Ireland published as part of the ‘Clear our Paths’ campaign found incidents ranged from minor grazes from overhead branches to two reports of broken ankles. The most common

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First Irish record of North Atlantic Whale validated after sightings in Donegal waters

The first record of a North Atlantic Right Whale has been validated by the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group following two sightings in Donegal waters in recent months. The mammal was first spotted in Donegal Bay in July and earlier this month 70km away. The IWDG is appealing to people in the North West and

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Journalist, author and women’s rights activist Nell McCafferty dies aged 80

Journalist, author and women’s rights activist Nell McCafferty has died at the age of 80. She passed away this morning at a nursing home in County Donegal. She was born in Derry in 1944, and went on to co-found the Irish Women’s Liberation Movement. Journalist Mary Kenny founded the movement with Nell McCafferty and others

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Woman arrested in connection with harassment of Taoiseach released

Gardaí investigating the alleged harassment of Taoiseach Simon Harris at his home have released a woman without charge. The woman in her 60s was arrested yesterday at part of the investigation into the incident which occurred on May 2nd. She was detained at a Garda station in Wicklow, but was released last night. A file

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Garda

Young girl being treated for serious injuries after attack on house in Cork

A young girl is being treated for serious injuries after an attack on a house in Cork. Gardaí are appealing for information after what’s been described as “a heinous assault on an innocent child” on Monday night. The young girl was rushed to Cork University Hospital for treatment initially, but has since been transferred to

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South Doneqal Deputy calls on Agriculture Minister to reverse doubled non-domestic water tariffs

A South Donegal TD is calling on the Agriculture Minister to reverse the implementation of the increase of non-domestic water tariffs. The recent decision by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities will see the fee double per connection. Deputy Marian Harkin says this will hurt farmers in Donegal and the North West, the most. Deputy

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Alarming but not surprising revelations made in meeting between 100% Redress Party and Banking Payments Federation Ireland

A meeting took place between the 100% Redress Party and the Banking Payment Federation of Ireland yesterday afternoon. A number of issues were discussed in this meeting including a proposal from the BPFI to see the state guarantee upfront money to homeowners from banks to get remediation works underway, sitting on the Housing Ministers desk

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‘No praise’ for FG on the exemption of farmers from RZLT – Deputy Doherty

A Donegal TD says he has no praise for Fine Gael following an announcement yesterday that farmers are to be excluded from the Residential Zoned Land Tax. Deputy Pearse Doherty says the decision to defer the tax is only benefitting those who are holding on to land suitable for development and watching the value rise

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Letterkenny and surrounding areas to be without water until midnight tonight

Uisce Eireann have issued a notice for low water pressure and supply disruption to Cluain Ard, Killyclug, Letterkenny and surrounding areas. Works are scheduled to take place until midnight tonight. It’s recommended that an allowance of up to four hours after this time is made for supplies to fully return.

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Controlled explosion carried out on a suspected World War II bomb in Co. Down

A controlled explosion’s been carried out on a suspected World War II bomb in County Down. That’s after a major security alert in Newtownards which lasted for three days. 400 residents had to be evacuated after the historic munition was found on Thursday. Tara Griffiths is at the scene:  

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Government urged to increase core funding to childcare providers to prevent price hikes

The Government is being called on to increase the level of core funding to childcare providers. It comes amid warnings some providers will leave the state scheme and hike fees. Chairperson of the Federation of Early Childhood Providers Elaine Dunne insists action has to be taken:

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Mícheál Ó Cléirigh Summer School to receive €5,000 in funding

The Mícheál Ó Cléirigh Summer School in Donegal is to receive a share of a €69,000 fund for small scale festivals and summers schools across the country. The Rossnowlagh based Summer School is to receive €5,000. This year’s theme for the annual Summer School is ‘Words, Language and Lore / Focail, Teanga agus Seanchas’, examining

Mícheál Ó Cléirigh Summer School to receive €5,000 in funding Read More »

Follow-up HIQA inspection notes further improvements required at Donegal centre

A follow-up HIQA inspection at a designated centre for adults with disabilities in Donegal has found further improvements are needed. Earlier this year, inspectors raised concerns in relation to the safety of the service provided at Dunshenny House. A HIQA inspection in February found four regulations to be non-compliant and said there were concerns in

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Two people arrested and over €3,000 worth of drugs seized in Donegal

Two people were arrested in Donegal over the weekend and over €3,000 worth of drugs seized as part of Operation Tara. In total, 10 people were detected in possession of controlled drugs. €3,150 worth of cocaine and cannabis were seized by the Donegal Divisional Drugs Unit a checkpoints and during searches. Assistance was provided by

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Person seriously injured in weekend crash in Newmills

A person has been seriously injured in a weekend crash outside Letterkenny. Shortly after 1am on Saturday morning, a vehicle travelling between Glenswilly and Newmills collided with a wall in the Rashedoge area. The driver escaped injury. However, while the passenger was seriously injured, Gardai say their injuries are non-life threatening. Gardai are appealing to

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