Author name: highlandnews

Huw Edwards due in court today in relation to indecent images of children

Former BBC presenter Huw Edwards is due in court later – charged with making indecent images of children. The broadcaster, who left the BBC in April, is facing three charges over alleged activity between December 2020 and April 2022. He’s accused of having six category A images, the most serious classification, 12 category B pictures

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Lack of OTs and speech therapists for adults with intellectual disabilities in Donegal needs to be addressed – Cllr Meehan

There is a gap in services available for adults with intellectual disabilities in Donegal. Cllr Declan Meehan submitted a written question on the matter to the Region Health Forum West, highlighting in particular speech and language therapists. Responding the HSE outlined that two senior speech and language therapists were appointed to the Donegal Intellectual Disability

Lack of OTs and speech therapists for adults with intellectual disabilities in Donegal needs to be addressed – Cllr Meehan Read More »

Council says it’s committed to increasing the level of social housing provision in Donegal

Donegal County Council says it’s committed to increasing the level of social housing provision in Donegal. Officials were answering questions from Cllr Gerry McMonagle, who asked how many people are currently in receipt of homeless vouchers, and how many reported they were facing eviction over the course of the past year. Officials confirmed that at

Council says it’s committed to increasing the level of social housing provision in Donegal Read More »

Garda

Emergency services at scene of helicopter crash in Co Westmeath

Emergency services are at the scene of a helicopter crash in County Westmeath this evening. Gardai say they are investigating an incident involving a helicopter in Killucan which occurred at approximately 3:30pm today. It’s believed the aircraft may have crashed into a building. There are reports of multiple injuries at the site. The Air Accident

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Opening hearing of the Omagh Bombing Inquiry begins with the names of those killed

The first hearing of the Omagh Bombing Inquiry is underway in the town’s Strule Arts Centre. 29 people were killed when a car bomb exploded in the centre of Omagh on August 15th 1998. Among the dead was a woman pregnant with twins. The inquiry is examining whether the atrocity could have been prevented. Chairman Andrew Turnbull

Opening hearing of the Omagh Bombing Inquiry begins with the names of those killed Read More »

Viola McSharry speaks of the family’s pride as daughter Mona takes Olympic bronze

Mona McSharry’s mother says she and her family are so proud after the Sligo swimmer claimed Ireland’s first medal of the Paris Olympics. The 23 year old, who was a member of the Marlins Club in Ballyshannon under Coach Grace Meade, won bronze in the 100 metre breaststroke by the narrowest of margins last night.

Viola McSharry speaks of the family’s pride as daughter Mona takes Olympic bronze Read More »

Gardai urge people to be cautious as spate of thefts from cars and vans continues

Gardaí are urging people to be careful with items in cars and other vehicles after two incidents in recent days. On Monday July 22nd, the passenger window of a car parked at Murvagh Lower, Ballintra was smashed between 2pm and 3pm as the owner was taking a walk. A black River Island handbag containing a

Gardai urge people to be cautious as spate of thefts from cars and vans continues Read More »

Woman (70s) seriously injured in three vehicle crash in Dunkineely yesterday

A woman was seriously injured in a three vehicle crash yesterday evening in Dunkineely. A van and two cars collided at around 5:40pm. The woman in her 70s was taken to Sligo University Hospital for treatment to serious injuries. Meanwhile a man in his 30s, who was driving the van, is being treated for non

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New government scheme for young fishermen ‘irresponsible’ – Deputy Pringle

A Donegal Deputy has labelled a new scheme for young fishermen rolled out by Government ‘irresponsible’. Marine Minister Charlie McConalogue launched the Young Fisher Scheme last month which provides support for the purchase of a first fishing vessel with up to 40% of the cost of purchasing the vessel available. Deputy Thomas Pringle however, claims

New government scheme for young fishermen ‘irresponsible’ – Deputy Pringle Read More »

Laghey Roundabout Road Safety Improvement Scheme public event today

A public information event is being held this evening on the Laghey Roundabout Road Safety Improvement Scheme. Donegal County Council is proposing the N15/ R232 Laghey Junction be replaced with a roundabout with single lane, entry, exit and circulatory carriageway. Plans also include the provision of active travel facilities and modification of access to service

Laghey Roundabout Road Safety Improvement Scheme public event today Read More »

PSNI

Four men arrested and drugs seized in Derry over weekend

A quantity of drugs were seized and four men arrested in Derry over the weekend. Following two separate incidents in the city on Friday evening, two men were arrested and subsequently charged with drug-related offences. They appeared before Derry Magistrates Court today. Meanwhile, yesterday police detected and seized a quantity of suspected Class B drugs

Four men arrested and drugs seized in Derry over weekend Read More »

Humphries denies being “blindsided” on TV Licence funding announcement

The Social Protection Minister denies being “blindsided” after finding out her department will have to pay for more free TV licences for over-70s. As part of the RTÉ funding model, the social welfare pot will be given supplementary money for the additional free licences, to counteract the predicted drop in licence sales. However, it’s reported

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First public hearing of the Omagh Bombing Inquiry taking place tomorrow

The first public hearing of the Omagh Bombing Inquiry chaired by Lord Turnbull takes place in Omagh tomorrow, with relatives’ campaigner Michael Gallagher urging the Irish Government to fully participate in the hearings. Earlier this month, the Cabinet agreed to provide assistance to the inquiry, which follows on from the conclusion of a High Court

First public hearing of the Omagh Bombing Inquiry taking place tomorrow Read More »

DCB Committee Chair seeking update to IS465 as science advances

The Chair of Donegal County Council’s Defective Block Committee says it’s vital that the remediation options are government by the latest science, but that’s not happening at the moment. He was one of a number of members to demand the immediate publication of a new standard to replace the IS465 standard that is currently being

DCB Committee Chair seeking update to IS465 as science advances Read More »

Public invited to information session for Strabane Urban Sports Park

Derry City and Strabane District Council is inviting stakeholders and residents to a public information session on the possible site for Strabane Urban Sports Park. The proposed project is to develop a sports park to cater for a variety of wheeled sports such as skateboarding, bikes, scooters, roller skaters and inline skaters and also to

Public invited to information session for Strabane Urban Sports Park Read More »

Sinn Féin promises to deliver 300,000 new homes by 2029 if elected

Sinn Fein says they will deliver 300-thousand new homes by 2029 if elected. The party’s alternative housing plan promises to reduce homelessness, ramp up supply and improve affordability. It would see many of those homes costing between 250-thousand and 300 thousand euro. Sinn Fein spokesperson on housing, Eoin O Broin, says this would counteract years

Sinn Féin promises to deliver 300,000 new homes by 2029 if elected Read More »

Taoiseach faces backlash for not nominating female candidate for European Commissioner

The Taoiseach’s stance not to nominate a woman candidate for European Commissioner is being opposed. Simon Harris insists the Government will only nominate former Finance Minister Michael McGrath for the role. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wants a second candidate put forward to ensure gender balance.

Taoiseach faces backlash for not nominating female candidate for European Commissioner Read More »

Tanáiste urges all sides in Middle East conflict to de-escalate

The Tánaiste’s urged all sides in the Middle East conflict to ‘urgently de-escalate’ what he’s described as ‘an enormously dangerous situation that could ignite a wider regional conflict’. Micheál Martin says he’s horrified by yesterday’s attacks in the Golan Heights, and a school in Gaza – and deplores the deaths of civilians, including children, in

Tanáiste urges all sides in Middle East conflict to de-escalate Read More »

Homelessness figures in the North West drop for the third month in a row

The number of adults in the Northwest recorded as homeless has decreased for the third month in a row. The figures were released following a question raised by Cllr Gerry McMonagle this week. Figures have decreased gradually since March and April, when 172 adults were recorded as homeless. Meanwhile, Ireland has hit another record for

Homelessness figures in the North West drop for the third month in a row Read More »

Road closures in place in Derry over weekend to facilitate greenway works

Derry City and Strabane District Council are urging drivers to be aware of road closures in place over the course of the weekend to facilitate Greenway works. Closures include the Culmore Road near the Magnet and at Coney Road beside Grant’s Factory. These will be in place from 8am until 6pm on both days.

Road closures in place in Derry over weekend to facilitate greenway works Read More »

Early childcare providers say current Government funding is “woefully inadequate”

Early childcare providers are hitting out at the Government for a lack of support. They say the funding they’re given is “woefully inadequate” which is leading to permanent closures in the sector. They’re already withdrawing from the Government’s core-funding programme as a result, or are seriously considering it. Federation of Early Childhood Providers Chairperson Elaine

Early childcare providers say current Government funding is “woefully inadequate” Read More »