Author name: highlandnews

Irish fishing industry and coastal communities invited to complete Fisheries Survey

  A comprehensive survey has been launched by Sinn Féin to seek the views of people, working in or with an interest in the Irish fishing industry, on the current state of the industry in Ireland. The survey is open from until Thursday November 7th and the results will be published soon after. Sinn Féin […]

Irish fishing industry and coastal communities invited to complete Fisheries Survey Read More »

Man and woman sentenced for supplying illegal streaming subscriptions in Derry

A man and woman from Derry have today, October 11, been sentenced for offences in relation to supplying illegal subscriptions for streaming services that involved more than £700,000. Cormac McGuckin and Maura McGuckin, both from Bellaghy, were sentenced at Omagh Crown Court. The sentencing follows an investigation in relation to the sale of illegal subscriptions

Man and woman sentenced for supplying illegal streaming subscriptions in Derry Read More »

44% decrease in patients awaiting inpatient or day case appointment at LUH

Over 700,000 people were awaiting medical treatment at the end of last month. Data from the National Treatment Purchase Fund shows almost 600,000 people were awaiting a first outpatient consultation. A further 87,000 people were waiting on inpatient or day case treatment, with almost 24,000 in line for an endoscopy appointment. Over 100,000 patients have

44% decrease in patients awaiting inpatient or day case appointment at LUH Read More »

Government urged to bring amendment to DCB scheme legislation before Dail next week

The Government is being urged to urgently bring an amendment to legislation governing the Enhanced Defective Concrete Block Grant Scheme before the Dail. Yesterday, a 10% scheme cap increase was announced along with changes to square foot rates and ancillary grants. To ensure the change is available for all homeowners engaged with the scheme, an

Government urged to bring amendment to DCB scheme legislation before Dail next week Read More »

Council urged to ensure people with SEN, AEN and physical disabilities are considered in social housing developments

Donegal County Council is being urged to adopt a policy to ensure every new social housing development in the county provides housing for people with SEN, AEN and physical disabilities. While commending the provision of services for those with special needs in the county, Councillor Fionán Bradley says the missing link is housing. The local

Council urged to ensure people with SEN, AEN and physical disabilities are considered in social housing developments Read More »

Donegal man in Florida says Hurricane Milton is “scary”

Water levels are continuing to rise in Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton. Clean-up operations are beginning to take place as daylight shows the extent of the damage from the storm which made landfall overnight. People are being ordered to stay indoors as the Hurricane passes. Tommy Byrne, who is from Donegal and lives

Donegal man in Florida says Hurricane Milton is “scary” Read More »

Donegal Deputy raises need for investment in CAMHS with Tanaiste

A Donegal Deputy has told the Tanaiste that the CAMHS service has been brought to its knees under the Government’s watch. Deputy Pearse Doherty says the crisis in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services across the country is an emergency. He says those most in need are being locked out of the care they urgently

Donegal Deputy raises need for investment in CAMHS with Tanaiste Read More »

HIQA publishes reports on three residential centres for older people in Donegal

HIQA has published inspection reports on three residential centres for older people in Donegal. It includes the newly opened Ballyshannon Community Hospital. Inspectors found Falcarragh Community Hospital to be fully compliant during an unannounced visit in June. They noted that while refurbishment works are continuing, measures were in place to ensure risks were mitigated. An

HIQA publishes reports on three residential centres for older people in Donegal Read More »

TCS owner dies, aged 86

The owner of Tata Consultancy Services which has a base in Donegal has died at the age of 86. Ratan Tata, one of India’s most internationally recognised business leaders led the Tata Group for more than two decades and employed around 660,000 people globally. The company established it’s Letterkenny base after purchasing Pramerica Systems Ireland

TCS owner dies, aged 86 Read More »

Disabilities Minister says she wants to see extent of Brandon Report’s recommendations implementation

Disabilities Minister Ann Rabbitte has told the Dail she wants to see a report assessing the extent to which the recommendations of the Brandon Report have been implemented. She was responding in the Dail to Deputy Thomas Pringle, who asked if the report being compiled by Colm Lehane will be published, and whether it finds

Disabilities Minister says she wants to see extent of Brandon Report’s recommendations implementation Read More »

DCC rejects claims of manipulation of grant scheme applications

Donegal County Council has issued a statement reassuring defective block homeowners that there has been no manipulation of the Homeowners Engineers Recommendations to match that of the Housing Agency Decisions. It’s after an article in the Ditch contained allegations that the Council had edited more than 20 remediation applications under the Enhanced Defective Concrete Block

DCC rejects claims of manipulation of grant scheme applications Read More »

Claims of uneven distribution of parking fines in Letterkenny

A Letterkenny councillor has suggested there is a pattern in Letterkenny where traffic fines are being issued in some areas more than others. Calling for a special workshop to discuss the work of the parking wardens in and around Letterkenny, Cllr Ciaran Brogan said there also needs to be a comprehensive review of the appeals

Claims of uneven distribution of parking fines in Letterkenny Read More »

County Council urged to tackle commercial vacancy rate in Ballybofey

Donegal County Council is being urged to take a more targeted approach to tackle the high commercial vacancy rate in Ballybofey. The commercial vacancy rate in the town has consistently been the highest in the country according to Geo Directory. Councillor Patrick McGowan has questioned how the Government can tackle the issue if the local

County Council urged to tackle commercial vacancy rate in Ballybofey Read More »

Pat “The Cope” Gallagher welcomes progress of A5 construction

General Election candidate, Pat the Cope Gallagher has welcomed the announcement by Stormont that funding for the upgrade of the A5 is approved. The project will begin in early 2025 and will be completed on a phased basis, expected to finished in five years’ time. The former Minister of State and Transport says he is

Pat “The Cope” Gallagher welcomes progress of A5 construction Read More »

Hurrican Milton described as “unsurvivable” as it hits Florida

Hurricane Milton’s being described as ‘unsurvivable’ with winds starting to pick up ahead of its arrival in Florida, in the coming hours. Despite being downgraded to a Category 4 – officials say it’s still incredibly dangerous, and could be the worst to hit the state in a century. Orlando International Airport’s shut – with millions

Hurrican Milton described as “unsurvivable” as it hits Florida Read More »

16-year-old charged with attempted murder of army chaplain Fr. Paul Murphy

A 16-year-old boy has been charged with the attempted murder of an army chaplain, who was stabbed outside Renmore barracks in Galway two months ago. The boy, whose identity is protected by law due to his young age, is also accused of intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to Fr. Paul Murphy. Fr Paul Murphy

16-year-old charged with attempted murder of army chaplain Fr. Paul Murphy Read More »

Taoiseach to meet with President Biden to discuss conflict in the Middle East

The Taoiseach says his meeting with US President Joe Biden this evening will be an opportunity to urge the United States to try and de-escalate the situation in Lebanon. Simon Harris will meet with Mr.Biden to mark the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Ireland and United States. However the original event has been completely

Taoiseach to meet with President Biden to discuss conflict in the Middle East Read More »

Over €1 million allocated to Donegal Climate Action projects

Donegal County Council today announced funding of over €1,000,000 under the Community Climate Action Fund. This will support small, medium, and large-scale community climate action projects in five key theme areas, – community energy, sustainable travel, food and waste, shopping and recycling, and local climate and environmental action. The funding has seen €100,000 allocated to

Over €1 million allocated to Donegal Climate Action projects Read More »

Public meeting tonight to discuss SPHE whistle-blower teacher video

Responding to concerns raised by parents, Mary T Sweeney Aontu General Election candidate will host a public meeting tonight at 7pm in Station House Hotel, Letterkenny. Concerns raised by parents and the recent SPHE whistle-blower teacher video are expected to be discussed. Mary Creedon, SPHE teacher, will be on video link to discuss further proposed

Public meeting tonight to discuss SPHE whistle-blower teacher video Read More »

Gardaí appeal for information after reports of man entering the sea at Lagacurry

An Garda Síochána is appealing to the public for information following reports of a man entering the sea at Lagacurry Beach, Isle of Doagh, Clonmany on Saturday afternoon. A Family Liaison Officer has been appointed to the family and this appeal is being carried in conjunction with the man’s family on the presumption that this

Gardaí appeal for information after reports of man entering the sea at Lagacurry Read More »

Council discusses takeover of two estates in Letterkenny

Donegal County Council say they want to take over the Gort na Greine and Gleann Tain estates in the Carnamuggagh area of Letterkenny as quickly as possibly. Responding to a motion from Cllr Thomas Sean Devine, officials pointed out that last year, they did take over the electricity costs associated with the water pumping station for the estates, and

Council discusses takeover of two estates in Letterkenny Read More »

Contractors say NCH will be complete by June next year- Donnelly

The Health Minister says the contractors behind the new National Children’s Hospital are standing over their June 2025 completion date. Stephen Donnelly says three main issues are leading to delays including staff shortages, snagging, and a management deficit on site. The date for the completion of the hospital has changed 14 times. Minister Donnelly has

Contractors say NCH will be complete by June next year- Donnelly Read More »

McMonagle seeking pedestrian walkway around derelict buildings on Letterkenny’s Main Street

Letterkenny Milford Municipal District has been told that a proper hoarding should be located around the derelict buildings adjacent to the Market Square, with the provision for a safe pedestrian walkway to be included. The issue was raised by Cathaoirleach Cllr Gerry McMonagle, who says the volume of traffic renders that stretch very dangerous. He

McMonagle seeking pedestrian walkway around derelict buildings on Letterkenny’s Main Street Read More »

Israeli forces move away from UNIFIL position in Lebanon

  The Defence Forces has called Israel’s decision to leave positions close to where Irish peacekeepers are stationed as a “positive development”. In an update this morning, the Defence Forces say the situation around UN Post 6-52 remained relatively calm overnight but there were clashes in other areas of the Irish sector. Irish peacekeepers continue

Israeli forces move away from UNIFIL position in Lebanon Read More »