Author name: highlandnews

Widespread controlled water outages have been implemented in the Glenties Municipal District due to low reservoir levels. To protect pipes from damage during the warm weather, the pumping station in the area has been turned off. Cllr Michael McClafferty has expressed concern following a meeting with the utility, stating that he understands Uisce Éireann prefers

A burst water main in the Riverside area of Buncrana has left many residents without water. It remains unclear when the supply will be restored, causing significant inconvenience to those affected. Locals have taken to social media to express their frustration with the recurring issue, which has become a common problem in the area. Cathaoirleach

Yet another deadline for the resumption of respite services at Riverwalk House in Carndonagh has been missed. The HSE previously said the services would be reinstated in March. That was then pushed back until September. Now, the HSE says due to ongoing staffing issues it is working towards a recommencement date in the last quarter

Elected public representatives in Donegal have been told that there is a dual opportunity through Budget 2025 and in the next general election to continue prosperity through key strategic investments in the North West. Ibec hosted a meeting this week during which it emphasised the importance of leveraging Ireland’s economic success while avoiding complacency. Businesses

The Real Estate Alliance says housing supply is simply not meeting demand. House prices are on the rise again with the average price of a three-bed semi-detached home now costing over €320,000. Dublin is the most expensive with an average of €532,000 while the cheapest is in Donegal with the average price at €170,000. Michael

Farmers must be properly paid through the EU into the future, according to Minister Charlie McConalogue. He was speaking in Bussels, where EU agriculture ministers are meeting today to discuss how the current Common Agricultural Policy which runs until 2027 is to be replaced. Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, has promised a ‘vision for

The Sinn Fein President is calling on the British Government to “make clear its intention to trigger a referendum” on Irish unity. Mary Lou McDonald made the comments in a speech at the UK Labour party conference yesterday. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has previously said the issue of a united Ireland is not on

Confirmation that the Strabane Public Realm scheme is to go ahead has been welcomed by the local business community. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has confirmed almost £7 million in capital investment, which will go towards improving the streetscape, lighting, footpaths and traffic flow within the town. The investment is being made by the department, in

The mother of Danielle McLaughlin says she’s been told the trial of the man accused of her rape and murder in Goa, India in 2017, will be completed by the 17th of October. Danielle, who was from Buncrana, had turned 28 the month before she was killed. Vikat Bhaghat was arrested charged shortly after Danielle’s

  The Taoiseach says maximum pressure must be put on all involved in the National Children’s Hospital to “finish the job”. The facility is once again delayed, with the estimated cost rising to at least 2 billion euro – making it the most expensive children’s hospital in the world. In a letter to senior government

Donegal T.D. Thomas Pringle, has confirmed that he will be seeking to retain his Dail seat in the upcoming General Election. Announcing his decision, Deputy Pringle said as an independent, he’s always put people first rather than party, and he believes that’s what’s been missing with the current government. On the prospect of a large number of

One in seven children across the country are suffering from child poverty. Social Justice Ireland says it needs to be urgently addressed by the government in Budget 2025. It’s looking for affordable and social housing to be put to the top of the budget agenda along with decent pay for working parents and an increase

Almost 1,600 are dying early each year because of poor air quality. The Environmental Protection Agency says Ireland is not on track to reach its air quality target by 2026. There are 115 air quality monitoring stations in the country, three of them in Donegal. Fine particulate matter which comes from solid fuels is responsible

The President says the approach to housing is ‘limited and damaged’. Michael D Higgins says he doesn’t believe there is a link to homelessness and asylum seekers coming into the country – a view articulated by the Taoiseach Simon Harris in the Sunday Times yesterday.   Both the President and the Taoiseach are in New

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance, Pearse Doherty TD, has said that the Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) Scheme is squeezing ordinary workers out of the market. The Donegal Deputy raised the the issue with Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien in the Dáil last week. The ARP scheme currently provides €800 per month to provide accommodation for

A vigil to represent the 23 women who’ve been killed in the North since 2020 is taking place in Portrush later. It’s happening at the town hall and organisers say it’s also to raise awareness around gender-based violence. It comes following the recent launch of a framework to end violence against women and girls. Riley

The Health Minister is accusing the developers of the National Children’s Hospital of trying to extract as much money as possible from the tax-payer. The Sunday Independent reports Stephen Donnelly wrote to the Taoiseach and coalition leaders about cost overruns and delays to the project. In a statement BAM disputes the claims calling them misleading,

Postal votes from Ireland could be the difference in the upcoming US Presidential election. The race for the presidency continues to be a close one, and Americans living abroad are being reminded they can widen the margins. An estimated 25 to 35 thousand Americans are currently based in Ireland and are eligible to vote. Patti

The government is set to drop plans to introduce new laws on hate speech. The Irish Times reports that Justice Minister Helen McEntee will propose amendments to new hate crime legislation, removing incitement to violence and hatred. The bill will proceed only with the elements that deal with hate crime. Political Correspondent with the Irish

The opening of the National Children’s Hospital is set to be delayed yet again, this time until 2026. It comes as expenditure on its construction currently stands at 2.2 billion euro following several previous delays. Ireland Editor at the Irish Independent Fionnan Sheehan explains the latest developments.

The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting last night over pager explosions in Lebanon this week. Walkie-talkies were detonated in the country on Wednesday, a day after pagers used by Hezbollah blew up. At least 20 people were killed and more than 450 wounded in the second wave, the Lebanese Health Ministry said. Independent

People are being encouraged to support the circular economy by buying pre-loved clothes for Christmas. New research from An Post shows over half of 16 to 34 year olds have sold used clothing online, with 1 in 5 people buying second hand clothes. Depop is the most popular reselling website, followed by Facebook. Marketing Communications

Independent TD for Donegal, Thomas Pringle, has criticized means tests for disability allowance, stating that they fail to recognize the realities faced by disabled people. He expressed his support for a motion calling for urgent action on disability and special needs provision. Pringle emphasized the need to acknowledge the true cost of disability. Outlining the

A total of 108 new Gardaí were sworn in at a ceremony in Templemore today, but only eight will be stationed in the North West Region. This decision has sparked concerns among local residents and officials, who have been calling for increased Garda presence in the region to address rising crime rates, particularly road fatalities.