Author name: highlandnews

Highest number of corncrake territories recorded in Ireland in 25 years

The highest number of corncrake territories has been recorded in Ireland in 25 years. A recent survey from the National Parks and Wildlife Service shows the numbers of corncrake territories recorded in the core breeding areas of Donegal, Mayo and Galway have increased by 45% since 2018. Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral

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Social Democrats call on Government to urgently deliver social homes

The Social Democrats are calling on the government to urgently deliver social homes. Over 235,000 people are in need of social housing, according to a report published by the Parliamentary Budget Office. The Social Democrats claim the government is leaving the country with a social housing deficit, and putting a huge reliance on the HAP

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Post mortem to be carried out today on body of woman found dead in Magherafelt

A post mortem is expected to be carried out today on the body of a woman found dead in her home in Magherafelt in Co Derry. Police were called to the Ashgrove Park area of the town on Sunday afternoon – where the woman in her 50s was pronounced dead. They’re investigating the circumstances of

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Taoiseach confirms Budget will contain package to help with Cost of Living crisis

The Taoiseach says the Government is mindful of the cost of living and the Budget will contain a package to help people who are struggling. Simon Harris was speaking in Kerry today six weeks before the Finance Minister presents Budget 2025 to the Dáil. Fuel prices have risen twice this year as excise duty cuts

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Ireland could be hit with remnants of Hurricane Ernesto this week

Ireland could be hit with the remnants of Hurricane Ernesto later this week. The system has caused destruction in the Caribbean recently and would weaken across the Atlantic. Its expected to track towards Ireland by Wednesday night. Alan O’Reilly from Carlow Weather says there will be more unsettled conditions following Ernesto:

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Letterkenny Councillor hits out after fly tipping at Gartan Lake

A Letterkenny Councillor has hit out after fly tipping in a scenic area outside Letterkenny. Household rubbish including tins, cans and glass jars was discovered dumped at Gartan Lake in recent days. The rubbish has since been removed by Donegal County Council. Councillor Donal Mandy Kelly has asked whoever was responsible to rethink their actions

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Supply disruptions in North Donegal due to burst water main

Repairs to a burst water main may cause supply disruptions to O’Gara Villas Estate, Ardfoyle Estate, Crawford Square Estate, Saint Finians Park, Moville and surrounding areas in Co. Donegal. Works are scheduled to take place until 4pm this afternoon. It is recommended that those affected allow 3-4 hours after the estimated restoration time for supply

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Doochary residents calling for removal of Cloghercor mast

Residents of Doochary Village are requesting the immediate dismantling of the mast at Cloghercor. Danish company Orsted had sought planning permission from Donegal County Council and an Bord Pleanála to build a wind farm but that was rejected, resulting in them pulling out of the project. The mast has been described as an “eye-sore” by

Doochary residents calling for removal of Cloghercor mast Read More »

Confirmed – Doug Beattie announces he is stepping down as UUP leader

Doug Beattie has announced he’s stepping down as the leader of the Ulster Unionist Party. He’s released a statement saying there are “irreconcilable differences” between him and other members of the party. It’s thought the tensions are linked to the selection of certain political figures for roles both in Stormont and Westminster.

Confirmed – Doug Beattie announces he is stepping down as UUP leader Read More »

Prime Minister to discuss response to recent riots in NI with PSNI Chief Constable today

The British Prime Minister is visiting Northern Ireland today, to meet with the PSNI’s chief constable. Keir Starmer and Jon Boutcher are expected to discuss the response to recent riots in Belfast. The Prime Minster will also meet with the rank-and-file PSNI officers who were directly involved in dealing with the violent disorder seen in

Prime Minister to discuss response to recent riots in NI with PSNI Chief Constable today Read More »

Parishioners left terrified after disturbance at Letterkenny Church

Parishioners were left terrified after a disturbance at the Church of the Irish Martyrs in Letterkenny yesterday. A group of men aged from their 30s to 60s were arrested at the scene after the disturbance broke out outside the Church and in the porch area . Five men are due before Letterkenny District Court this

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Over €1.7m in claims paid out for trips and falls in Donegal

Latest figures show claims totalling over €1.7 million for trips and falls was paid out by Donegal County Council in 2023. Figures from the Irish Independent show that 97 people were paid in compensation for public liability claims last year. In total €54 million was paid out by councils across Ireland, with the majority relating

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Derry and Strabane arts groups encouraged to showcase their work on Culture Night

Derry and Strabane arts groups are being encouraged to showcase their work on Culture Night The theme this year is ‘Openness, Discovery, Celebration and Belonging’ and will take place on September 20th this year. September is the month for culture across the country, as arts venues throughout Ireland prepare to throw open their doors to

Derry and Strabane arts groups encouraged to showcase their work on Culture Night Read More »

Sinn Féin demand explanation for terror threat level raise

Sinn Féin wants an explanation as to why the terror threat level has been raised. The Garda Commissioner has reportedly advised the Justice Minister he’s raised it from ‘moderate’ to ‘substantial’ due to violent political extremists. Taoiseach Simon Harris says Ireland is not immune to domestic or international terrorism. Sinn Féin’s Justice Spokesperson, Pa Daly,

Sinn Féin demand explanation for terror threat level raise Read More »

Road resurfacing taking place this week at Drumlonagher Roundabout and Mountcharles

Donegal County Council says road resurfacing works will take place on the N15 close to Donegal Town this week. The works, on the stretch approaching Drumlonagher Roundabout. Works will be carried out from tonight until Friday night between 6pm and 7am. Traffic control measures will be in operation.   Meanwhile, the Council will be carrying

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Carndonagh councillor hoping for resolution after DCC rescinds Cluain Darach offer

A Carndonagh based councillor says he firmly believes the recently completed Cluain Darach development in the town has the capacity to provide 58 much needed social housing units, half of which are complete. Cllr Albert Doherty was speaking after it emerged this month that Donegal County Council has withdrawn an offer to buy the development.

Carndonagh councillor hoping for resolution after DCC rescinds Cluain Darach offer Read More »

Five arrested following incidents of public disorder at Letterkenny mass

Gardaí in Letterkenny are investigating a number of incidents of public order that occurred at a mass in Ballyraine, Letterkenny this morning. Five men, aged in their 60s and 30s, were arrested in relation to the public order offences and a number of weapons were seized at the scene. All five men have been charged

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Number of drivers caught drug and drink driving over the weekend

Gardaí in Letterkenny made several arrests over the weekend in relation to drug and drink driving. The Roads Policing Unit arrested a driver on suspicion of drink driving after lunchtime yesterday. The driver had been socialising the previous night and they then tested almost 3 times over the legal limit back at the station. A

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Traffic delays as emergency services attend the scene of Lifford Roundabout collision

Motorists have reported major delays following what is believed to be a multiple vehicle collision at the Lifford Roundabout. It is reported to have taken place at around 3.30pm when one car ran into the back of another, causing serious damage to both vehicles. Members of the emergency services, including the fire service and the

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400 houses evacuated in Co. Down following discovery of suspected World War II bomb

The PSNI have evacuated a large number of houses today as they continue a clearance operation following the discovery of a suspected World War Two bomb in County Down. A police cordon remains in place in Newtownards this afternoon and the clearance operation is expected to take a number of days. The ongoing public safety

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Teenager arrested and €180,000 worth of THC oil seized in Louth

  A teenage boy has been arrested and suspected THC oil has been seized following an operation by Gardaí in County Louth. Officers attended the scene in Dundalk following reports of an incident involving a teenager. The boy left the scene and subsequently apprehended by Gardaí, who then seized around 7 litres of suspected THC

Teenager arrested and €180,000 worth of THC oil seized in Louth Read More »

Calls for Housing Minister to see impact of defective blocks in Donegal

There’s a call on the Housing Minister to visit Donegal to see the impact of defective blocks on homeowners. It’s after the Housing Agency’s decision to downgrade redress for those affected by poor Mica concrete. Instead of getting their homes knocked down as recommended by their engineer, they’re only getting a partial fix. Mica defective

Calls for Housing Minister to see impact of defective blocks in Donegal Read More »

Proposed increase in minimum wage could cost medium-size businesses more than €30,000

It’s claimed an increase of 80 cent per hour in the minimum wage could cost medium-size businesses up to 35 thousand euro extra if granted. The government is strongly considering delaying an increase to the living wage, after a wave of hospitality and retail closures in recent months – according to the Business Post. Chief

Proposed increase in minimum wage could cost medium-size businesses more than €30,000 Read More »

Big tech firms to blame for decline of children’s mental health

Big tech firms are contributing to the overall decline of children’s mental health. That’s the opinion of a cyber expert who warns that children are not being protected from unregulated sexual and terror related content online. This follows reports that tech companies, like X, are expected push back on the EU’s Digital Services Act to

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Health Minister calls for greater productivity measures across the sector

The Health Minister is calling for radical changes across the health sector aimed at improving public health care in our hospitals by embedding productivity measures. With all hospitals now publishing their activity data, Stephen Donnelly told the Business Post he wants hospital departments and doctors to be held accountable for their performance and future investment

Health Minister calls for greater productivity measures across the sector Read More »

Threat level posed by violent extremists is now ‘substantial’

  The threat level posed by violent extremists has been increased from ‘moderate’ to ‘substantial’ – meaning an attack is now likely. The Sunday Times reports Garda Commissioner Drew Harris informed the Justice Minister of the move in a private letter. It’s thought Garda HQ now considers far-right extremism to pose a more serious threat

Threat level posed by violent extremists is now ‘substantial’ Read More »