Author name: highlandnews

Donegal leads in Croí Cónaithe Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant Scheme

Donegal has the highest uptake in the country for the Croí Cónaithe Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant Scheme. To date, Donegal County Council has received 931 applications. 66% of the applications received have been approved, including 16 on the county’s islands. The local authority say the high uptake of the scheme reflects the level of vacancy […]

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Public asked for patience as PSNI deal with a ‘serious incident’ in Ballymagorry

A West Tyrone MLA has asked the public to be patient with local authorities as they deal with a very serious incident in the village of Ballymagorry. The A5 was closed this morning and remains so, with diversions at Leckpatrick Road, Ballymagorry, and Woodend Road, Strabane. MLA Daniel McCrossan shared that the closure will take

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Local Councillor condemns tipping of bottle banks at Falcarragh Chapel

A local councillor has condemned anti-social behaviour in Falcarragh that resulted in a footpath being blocked by litter over the weekend. Cllr Michael McClafferty says the bottle banks were removed from the chapel car park, leading to a large quantity of cans being dumped. While the rubbish has now been cleared, investigations are ongoing, and

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Over 1000 Donegal learners stuck in driving test queue

More needs to be done to combat the lengthy waiting times faced by learner drivers seeking to obtain their full license. That’s according to Letterkenny Councillor Gerry McMonagle. In Donegal, there are over 9,500 learner drivers, of which 1,600 are awaiting a test. Only 580 are scheduled to sit their driving test. Cllr McMonagle says

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Extention for Scoil Náisiúnta an Bhreacaigh reaches next stage

Scoil Náisiúnta an Bhreacaigh in Ardara has been granted permission to proceed to the tender stage with its plans for an extension. The extension will include a special class for children with special education needs, a soft and hard play area, a sensory garden, and six parking spaces. This project is being funded under the

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Remembrance ceremonies taking place to mark second anniversary of Creeslough tragedy

A number of remembrance ceremonies will take place to honour the lives lost in the Creeslough explosion two years ago. The bell of St. Michael’s Church will ring ten times at 3.17pm, the exact time of the tragedy, to remember Robert Garwe and his daughter Shauna Flanagan-Garwe, Catherine O’Donnell and her son James Monaghan, Jessica

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Donegal schools to take part in National Walk to School Week

Today marks the beginning of Green-School’s National Walk to School Week, to encourage active transport and sustainable solutions to traffic congestion. Green-School Travel Officers will be working with schools this week to promote active travel, carryout walkability audits, and deliver climate workshops. Walk on Wednesday sees schools encouraged to record the number of students and

Donegal schools to take part in National Walk to School Week Read More »

3 drivers arrested in Buncrana on suspicion of drug and drink driving

Buncrana Roads Poling Unit arrested three drivers on suspicion of drink and drug driving last night. They had been conducting high visibility patrols when two drivers tested positive for having drugs and another for alcohol in their system. Five drivers in total have been arrested in the last 24hrs within the Buncrana District on suspicion

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Donegal Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre announce the resignation of Manager Marina Porter

Donegal Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre have announced the departure of Manager Marina Porter. In a statement, the centre said she has been an “invaluable member of the organisation”, contributing significantly to the growth and success over the last 9 years. The board of management have arranged two Interim Managers to take her place,

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Tanaiste concerned Israeli Defence Force have breached ‘Blue Line’

Tanaiste and Minister for Defence Micheál Martin has said he is “deeply concerned” as the Israeli Defence Forces have breached the “Blue Line” in recent days. Speaking last night Michael Martin said that the decision for peacekeepers currently on leave from Lebanon not to return imminently “was the correct advice given the fluidity of events

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Man (20s) charged with drugs and driving related offences in Strabane

Police have charged a man to court with drugs and driving related offences after a car was stopped and searched in the Canal Basin area of Strabane on Friday evening. The 21-year-old was arrested and subsequently charged with taking a motor vehicle without authority, possession of a Class B controlled drug, using a motor vehicle

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Man charged to court after dangerous driving incident in Derry

A man arrested by District Support Officers in Derry following a road-related incident on the Culmore Road in the city on Thursday evening has been charged to court. The man, aged 40, has been charged with dangerous driving, driving with excess alcohol in breath, failing to stop for police, obstructing police, and resisting police. He

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Local Link to introduce service enhanced services from Greencastle and Burtonport

TFI Local Link Donegal Sligo Leitrim is enhancing bus services between Greencastle and Letterkenny from Monday week, the 14th of October. They say services to North and East Inishowen will be enhanced, with improved access to regional connections. Transport For Ireland says Route 953 will now operate eight daily return services Monday to Friday, seven

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DCSDC offering special food safety workshop for local businesses

Small food businesses involved in the Derry City and Strabane area are being urged to take part in a free food safety workshop taking place next week in the Everglades Hotel. The free workshop, on Wednesday 9th October, is hosted by Safefood Knowledge Network, in association with Derry City and Strabane District Council. ********************* More

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McConalogue hits back on SF DCB scheme claims

Agriculture and Marine Minister Charlie McConalogue has hit back at Sinn Fein Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn over the issue of defective concrete blocks. In the Dail this week, Deputy MacLochlainn lambasted the allocation of €70 million for the remediation of homes in 2025, under the defective concrete block grant scheme and the defective apartment redress scheme.

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ESRI analysis shows Budget 2025 will have little effect on reducing poverty

The Taoiseach has said he was “taken aback” after analysis by the Economic and Social Research Institute showed that Budget 2025 will have little effect on reducing overall poverty or child poverty. It said the “untargeted” cost-of-living measures, such as the energy credits and double Child Benefit payments, would have been enough to pay for

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Donegal Councillor believes Budget 2025 shows commitment to invest in Ireland

A Donegal Councillor has said Ireland is now in a good position to invest in education and healthcare after the Budget announcement earlier this week. Cllr Ciaran Brogan says the once-off payments, such as energy credits and children’s allowance will also have a positive impact for many people across the country. Speaking on the nine

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Man arrested in Derry following road related incident

A man has been arrested in Derry following a road-related incident on the Culmore Road yesterday evening. Enquiries are ongoing and police are appealing for anyone with information to come forward. District Support Team officers were on patrol at around 7.50pm when they observed a BMW driving closely behind their vehicle. As this vehicle subsequently

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President leads tributes to former Government Minister Mary O’Rourke

Politicians from across the political divide have been paying tribute to former government minister Mary O’Rourke who died at the age of 87. The President Michael D Higgins said she had a shrewd and magnetic approach to politics and politicians. While the Taoiseach said she was a force to be reckoned with. Tanaiste Michael Martin

President leads tributes to former Government Minister Mary O’Rourke Read More »

Contractor appointed to complete Culmore Community Play Park project

Work at the Culmore Community Park project will begin later this month following the appointment of a contractor to complete the work at Ballynagard, Woodlands Avenue. Derry City and Strabane District Council have appointed Willie Doherty Construction to complete the new play park that will include equipment for younger children and older as well as

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Ryanair CEO claims Dublin Airport will not be able to provide extra seats this Christmas

The head of Ryanair says Dublin Airport can usually offer 250,000 extra seats to airlines at Christmas, but not this year. Dublin Airport’s operator revealed yesterday that 26 million people had passed through so far in 2024. It’s moving closer to breaching the passenger cap, despite making cuts in an effort to comply with the

Ryanair CEO claims Dublin Airport will not be able to provide extra seats this Christmas Read More »

Donegal man killed in tragic Australian workplace accident named

The Donegal man who was killed in a tragic workplace accident in Australia has been named locally as Barry Breslin. The 35-year-old, originally from Straleel, Kilcar, sustained serious head injuries after being struck by an excavator in Northern Perth. He was taken by ambulance to  Royal Perth Hospital, where he died a short time later.

Donegal man killed in tragic Australian workplace accident named Read More »

Malinbeg named best village in Donegal for solar energy production

A study has shown that Malinbeg is the best village in Donegal for solar energy production. 149 locations within the county were captured in the study. NRG Panel, analysed how much electricity Donegal residents can expect to produce from solar. The calculations took into account weather conditions, solar radiation, along with many other factors, for

Malinbeg named best village in Donegal for solar energy production Read More »

150 Irish residents advised to leave Beirut following new strikes

Israeli forces have struck Hezbollah targets in Beirut in Lebanon. They’ve also told residents of more towns in the south to evacuate, as Hezbollah also carries out new strikes. The Department of Foreign Affairs has advised around 150 Irish citizens to leave the region. Kildare South Independent TD Cathal Berry says Irish troops are well

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