Author name: highlandnews

DCC’s Service Delivery Plan should contain specific references to the border – McGowan

There have been calls for Donegal County Council’s 2026 Service Delivery Plan to acknowledge the border. The draft was by council this week, with the plan outlining how the council will deliver the budget agreed in December under the headings of Driving Growth, Delivering Services, Empowering Communities, Moving to Low Carbon Climate Resilience, and Building […]

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McLaughlin hits put at SF’s stewardship of the NI economy

Foyle MLA Sinead McLaughlin says Sinn Fein need to do more to boost the economy in Northern Ireland. Speaking on a Sinn Fein motion noting the ESRI’s report Assessing Economic Trends on the Island of Ireland, the SDLP Economy Spokeserson welcomed the motion and the report, but said progress on developing the All Island Economy

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Council decides not to livestream DCB Committee meetings after lengthy debate

Meetings of Donegal County Council’s Defective Concrete Block Committee will not be live streamed. A motion calling for the meetings to be streamed was brought before today’s plenary meeting by 100% Redress Councillor Tomas Seán Devine, but it was defeated. A counter-motion was then put forward by Councillor Niamh Kennedy that current streaming facilities are

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Surveillance continues following Bluetongue detection in Wexford

The Agriculture Minister says investigations and testing are continuing in County Wexford, following the outbreak of the bluetongue virus. The rare animal disease was confirmed in a cattle herd over the weekend – the first time it’s ever been identified in Ireland. Earlier today, officials from the Department of Agriculture met with stakeholders, including farming

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Assembly told there are variations in life expectancy between Ballyshannon and Belleek

The Northern Ireland Assembly has been told that variations in economic and social conditions on either side of the border mean life expectancy is different between Fermanagh and Donegal. Speaking on a Sinn Fein motion noting the ESRI’s report Assessing Economic Trends on the Island of Ireland, Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Jemma Dolan said

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Enterprise Ireland says client companies created over 12,000 jobs were created last year

Enterprise Ireland-backed companies created more than 12 thousand new jobs last year. Employment by client companies in the North West grew by 1.6% to 7,365 jobs The agency says its client firms attracted 440 million euro in overseas investment in 2025. Over one thousand over-seas contracts were secured, however companies here say costs remain high.

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Council rejects draft Public Lighting Policy

A proposed public lighting policy was opposed at today’s plenary meeting of Donegal County Council, as it would have restricted public lighting to urban speed-zone areas. Cllr Martin McDermott said that, as Donegal is a largely rural county, many townlands would be excluded under the proposals. He also expressed concern for rural dangerous junctions, schools,

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Works at Dry Arch roundabout set to be extended by an extra day

Donegal County Council have said works are continuing to identify and resolve the fault affecting a section of the public lighting network at the Dry Arch Roundabout. Due to the complexity of underground services in the area, repairs are taking longer than anticipated. It is expected that the works will take at least a further

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DCB demonstrations take place at Council meeting

Two homeowners affected by defective concrete are demonstrating outside Donegal County Council offices in Lifford this morning, as the first plenary meeting of the year gets underway. Kathleen Bryant and Mary Connors say access to such meetings is vital to keeping homeowners informed about progress on the scheme. They say in particular that homeowners with

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64 admitted patients awaiting beds at LUH this morning

64 admitted patients were awaiting beds at Letterkenny University Hospital this morning with 26 in the Emergency Department, the third highest figure in the state. That is according to figures from the INMO. At Sligo University Hospital the figure stood at 63. The highest single figure was at University Hospital Limerick where 101 patients were

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Donegal Railway Heritage Museum to receive €7,200 in funding

Donegal Railway Heritage Museum has received €7,200 in funding from the Shared Island Civic Society Fund for the Reconnecting Through Culture project. This project is in association with the Alley Theatre, Strabane. The project aims to take a creative approach to re-establishing cross-border connections through a shared exploration of how transport technologies have effected economic,

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94% of Pharmacies nationwide sign up to Common Condition Service

94% of pharmacies across the country have now signed up to the Common Conditions Service. It allows pharmacists to diagnose and prescribe treatments for eight minor illnesses. It’s designed to alleviate pressure from GP and primary care services. Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill says it’s a no brainer, particularly for patients:

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Bishop Coll expresses hope that faith is growing among younger generations

The new Bishop of Raphoe has expressed his hope that faith is being restored among the younger generation. He was officially installed during a ceremony in St Eunan’s Cathedral yesterday. Bishop Coll is a native of St. Johnston and was previously ordained Bishop of Ossory in Kilkenny three years ago. During his Homily for yesterday’s

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Donegal still has the highest number of Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant applications

Figures published this morning show that Donegal Council continues to have the highest number of applications received under the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, with 1,430 applications received since the scheme began. Of those, 1085 of those have been approved and 396 paid out, at a cost of €22.4 million. Nationally, Minister James Browne says €247

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PSNI concerned for missing girl with links to Fermanagh, Tyrone and Derry

Police are becoming increasingly concerned for the safety of Yasmin Carroll, who has been reported missing. She is known to have links to Fermanagh, Newtownstewart in Tyrone and Derry. Yasmin was last seen in the Enniskillen area at 2.40pm yesterday. She is described as being approximately 5 ‘ 2 “, of a slim build and

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Bishop Niall Coll officially installed as Bishop of Raphoe

Bishop Niall Coll has officially been installed as Bishop of Raphoe. During a ceremony in St. Eunan’s Cathedral this afternoon, his new role became formally effective after his appointment was confirmed on November 13th last year. Bishop Coll is a native of St. Johnston and was ordained Bishop of Ossory in Kilkenny three years ago,

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Searches continuing in the investigation of Wayne Reid’s murder

Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Major Investigation Team, investigating the murder of Wayne Reid in Derry, are continuing to carry out enquiries and searches in the local area. Today, officers are conducting searches in Coleraine’s Lisnablagh Road and surrounding areas. Mr Reid was pronounced dead at an address in the Society Court

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Board game based on The Troubles described as ‘crass’ and ‘insensitive’

A board game based on The Troubles is being condemned for being crass and insensitive. The game allows players to take on the roles of the British Forces, the IRA, loyalist paramilitaries, and other key actors in the Northern Ireland conflict, which occurred between the 1960s and 1998. Bill Thomas, founder of Compass Games –

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Dromore Killygordon footbridge closed due to structural issues

The Dromore Killygordon footbridge has been closed immediately due to structural issues. Temporary traffic lights will be in operation on the main road bridge to allow a pedestrian walkway. Donegal County Council say the Roads Office will update local councillors and the public next week. They are asking the public to allow extra time when

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Donegal 2040 scales back Alpha/Beta plan with one building to be prioritised in Letterkenny

The plan to develop two buildings at the site of the old ESB headquarters in Letterkenny Town Centre has been scaled back. It had been planned to develop the Alpha and Beta innovation centres together, but in July 2024, the plan was temporarily withdrawn pending a review. The issue was raised then by Cllr Michael

Donegal 2040 scales back Alpha/Beta plan with one building to be prioritised in Letterkenny Read More »

Three non-compliances noted during HIQA inspection at Donegal centre

HIQA has published inspection reports on two designated centres for people with disabilities in Donegal. There were three non-compliances recorded at Ballytrim House in Raphoe, which had four residents, and none at Drumboe Respite Centre in Stranorlar, where two people were living at the time of the inspection. Last year, nine non-compliances were recorded at

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The Greg Hughes Show Friday 23/01/26

Welcome to your Friday morning briefing. Today, we’re looking at the growing friction between our digital privacy and national security, as new proposals could see Gardaí accessing your encrypted messages. We also examine the “energy lag”—why your wallet isn’t feeling the relief of falling wholesale prices—and we celebrate a massive 50-year milestone for one of

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HIQA publish draft national guidance on use of AI

HIQA has launched a draft public consultation on the Responsible and Safe use of Artificial Intelligence in Health and Social Care Services. A statement from the organisation has praised the benefits of using AI in a Health and Social Care setting, including helping with administrative tasks Linda Weir, Deputy Director for Health Information Standard at

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Donegal to receive over €210,000 in Heritage funding

Donegal will receive €212,600 in heritage funding this year. The county has been awarded almost €133,300 under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme, which will be shared among eight projects. Meanwhile, over €79,300 has been allocated under the Historic Thatched Buildings stream. This funding will support the maintenance of eight buildings across the county. ****** (Funding

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Renewed focus needed on social housing for the Twin Towns – Nic Mheanmin

A Stranorlar area councillor says there needs to be a more focussed effort to buy sites for social housing in Ballybofey and Stranorlar. Cllr Dakota NicMheanmain told a Lifford Stranorlar Municipal District meeting that there’s been a recent history of under-provision of social homes in the MD, and while 14 turnkey homes have been acquired

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Siptu says strike by home support service HCAs can be averted

Siptu says industrial action by Health Care Assistants attached to the HSE’s Home Support Service can be averted. 24 hour strikes will take place in Donegal on the 13th and 20th of February, with Siptu accusing the HSE of failing to honour national agreements going back over eight years. Speaking to Highand Radio News, Siptu’s

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DCC says the 2025 #BuyDonegal campaign was a huge success

Donegal County Council says this year’s #BuyDonegal campaign has once again demonstrated the incredible strength of community spirit and local pride. The council says the initiative, which was launched in the lead-up to Christmas by Donegal County Council’s Economic Development Division, showcased the county’s outstanding businesses and unique offerings to a global audience, reaffirming Donegal

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