Author name: highlandnews

Support for Fine Gael has increased according to a new opinion poll. It’s risen four points to 27% while support for Sinn Fein has dropped three points to 20%. The IPSOS/Irish Times survey also shows support for the Taoiseach has surged to 55% while it’s fallen to 30% for the Sinn Fein leader. The poll […]

The Government is expected to reveal on Budget Day how it will spend the Apple tax windfall. The Taoiseach told a Fine Gael meeting last night he hopes to reveal how the €14 billion will be invested on October 1st. He’s already hinted it will be used for infrastructure and investment.

Arranmore RNLI has responded to two medical emergencies within a week, both requiring evacuations. The lifeboat has been under the command of relief coxswain Sean Curtin from Kerry. The first call from Malin Head Coastguard took place at 10:30 PM on Wednesday, September 11th. The second was yesterday afternoon at 12:30 PM. Both patients were

Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue has confirmed that Atlantic Technological University is one of two locations for a €50 million veterinary school. Speaking at the National Ploughing Championships this afternoon, MInister McConalogue confirmed that the clinical part of the veterinary course will be provided in Letterkenny, while the practical side will be delivered in collaboration with

The £300 million Derry and Strabane City Deal has been signed. The City Deal is aimed at stimulating the economy in the North West and has today, been officially signed off by the North’s Secretary of State, Hilary Benn. It’s a landmark day for Derry and Strabane with the signing of the £300 million City

Advance payments totalling €17.5 million have been issued to 7,141 Donegal farmers in Donegal under the Areas of Natural Constraints scheme. Announcing the payments, Minister Charlie McConalogue said payments totalling over €184 million have issued to 87,149 farmers under the ANC scheme, the highest ever level of advance payments made. ******************** Release in full –   €17.5 million allocated

A multinational investigation with Europol has taken down a criminal communication platform with operations in Ireland. A collaboration with Gardai, along with nine other countries, has resulted in a total of 51 arrests worldwide as part of an encrypted drug trafficking network platform. 11 arrests have been made in Ireland and 15 point 6 million

Applications are now open for the ATU’s 2024/2025 1916 Bursary. The bursary provides assistance to socio-economically disadvantaged students entering higher education for the first time. Grants of between €1,500 and €5,000 per year are available. Applications close on October 10th. More information is available on the Atlantic Technological University’s website.

Investigations are ongoing into a crash in Letterkenny earlier today. Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene of the two car collision at New Mills Bridge at around 9:05am. The road was temporarily closed but has since reopened.

A new social housing development in Dungloe is a step closer. The contract for the 43 unit project at Chapel Road has been awarded to John O’Donnell Construction Ltd., Ballybofey. The development will consist of a mix of housing properties from 1 bed apartments to 4 bed houses. The contract was formally signed in recent

Donegal County Council is urging people to dispose of their waste responsibly. The Council is reminding members of the public that the burning of domestic, industrial, agricultural and construction waste is an offence under the Waste Management Act. It is warning that failure to comply can result in prosecution. The local authority shared a case

The Health Minister wants to expand free contraception to include 16 year olds. It’s currently free for women aged 17 to 35 but Stephen Donnelly wants to lower this. There’s resistance though from the Department of Health given the legal age of consent is 17. The age of medical independence is 16 and girls can

Children will be evacuated from Gaza to receive medical treatment in Ireland, under plans to be approved by Cabinet this morning. In the first wave, 30 children will travel alongside a carer who will be accommodated in homes owned by healthcare workers. The children will be flown in by the EU after being cleared by

The Dáil returns from its summer recess this afternoon. It’s widely expected this could be the last few weeks of this Dáil term before a general election is called. More than two months after the house rose for the summer TDs are back in Leinster House today as the new political term kicks off. There

Over €1.6 million is being allocated to CHO1 in Budget 2024 to support respite provision. This is part of a nationwide investment of €15 million announced today by Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Anne Rabbitte. The allocation to CHO1 will benefit the counties of Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, and Monaghan. This represents an

Over 170 homes and businesses are without power in Ballyshannon. ESB crews are working to restore the power to the area. he fault was first reported around 2:20 PM this afternoon with a view to restoring electricity by 6 o’clock this evening.

Searches have ceased in Glenfin for the remains of a teenager who went missing 30 years ago. Last week it was confirmed by the family of Arlene Arkinson that a search in the parish had gotten underway. It’s believed the efforts were stood down on Saturday. The 15 year old from Castlederg was last seen

Computer equipment has been stolen from a derelict factory in Fintown. Gardaí say between 6 o’clock and 10.30 on Tuesday evening last, September 10th, the office of the factory at Shallogan More, Fintown was broken into and a Dell computer, hard drive and printer were stolen. Entry was gained via the front door, which was

Gardaí are investigating a burglary at Windmill View, Letterkenny between 12.30 and 12.45 on Friday morning last. An intruder entered an occupied property via the unlocked front door, and when disturbed, he fled via the back door having stolen a River Island handbag. The bag did not contain any cash. Gardai are asking anyone who

Gardaí are appealing for assistance  in relation to a burglary that occurred at Stone Park, Mountcharles at approximately 4.30 on Sunday morning last. The rear door of a derelict house was forced open and entry was gained. It has not yet been fully established what was stolen from the property, but a number of people

Michael McGrath has been named as the new EU Commissioner for Justice and the Rule of Law. President Ursula von der Leyen has announced the portfolios for her new Commission. Ireland’s nominee – the former Finance Minister – had been hoping for an economic portfolio. Portugal’s nominee has replaced Mairéad McGuinness as the Commissioner for

Taoiseach Simon Harris is being urged to use the Government’s Shared Island Fund to subsidise Donegal students travelling to college in the North. The call has come from Fine Gael Election Candidate John McNulty, following Mr Harris’s visit to Derry yesterday where he delivered a keynote speech at Magee College and announced funding for the

The commercial vacancy rate in Donegal has increased once again, and stood at 19.4% at the end of June. According to EY figures which have been collated and published this morning by Geodirectory, the Donegal figure is the second highest in the country, after Sligo which has a rate of 20.5%. These figures compare to

A new report shows there are three applications for every student bed on university campuses. High construction costs means more accommodation isn’t being built. This report, entitled ‘Funding the Future’, found accommodation in universities was oversubscribed by 29,773 applications for the last academic year. This means there were three applications for every one student bed.