Author name: highlandnews

Details of phone ban in secondary schools to be unveiled in coming weeks

Schools will find out more details in the next few weeks about plans for a phone ban in secondary schools. The Education Minister has confirmed she wants to look at a ban in post-primary for the entire school day, including lunch breaks. It’s understood Norma Foley will now write to schools to give advice on […]

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‘Only solution to childcare crisis is public system’ – NWC

The National Women’s Council says the only solution to the current childcare crisis is a public system. It’s calling on the government to roll out a pilot childcare scheme. The organisation claims parents are being put under severe pressure, as caregivers pull out of the government’s current program. Eilish Balfe from the National Women’s Council

‘Only solution to childcare crisis is public system’ – NWC Read More »

HSE issues advice to parents as children prepare to go back to school

The HSE has issued advice for parents for getting children prepared to go back to school. It includes establishing a regular sleeping routine and having a conversation about how their child is feeling about going back t school. Parents are also advised to be prepared for inevitable back to school bugs that do the rounds.

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Donegal Town Pier Carpark to close amid flood risks over next 24 hours

Donegal County Council have issued a notice that Donegal Town Pier Carpark will be closed for designated periods today and tomorrow as a safety measure. It’s due to flooding risks with potential high tides, a storm surge and heavy rain over the next 24 hours. The carpark will close from 6:30pm until 9:30pm tonight. Tomorrow

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VHI health insurance customers face second price increase this year

VHI health insurance premiums are increasing for a second time this year in October. The State run company announced the move today, saying on average the cost of health plans will increase by 3.5% It follows the 7% average increase in March. Dermot Goode from TotalHealthCover.ie says the company is blaming a rise in the

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37% injuries in pavement injuries to visually impaired people – Vision Ireland

Over three quarters of blind or vision-impaired people have been injured by footpath obstacles, with a year on year increase of 37%. A new survey from Vision Ireland published as part of the ‘Clear our Paths’ campaign found incidents ranged from minor grazes from overhead branches to two reports of broken ankles. The most common

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First Irish record of North Atlantic Whale validated after sightings in Donegal waters

The first record of a North Atlantic Right Whale has been validated by the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group following two sightings in Donegal waters in recent months. The mammal was first spotted in Donegal Bay in July and earlier this month 70km away. The IWDG is appealing to people in the North West and

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Journalist, author and women’s rights activist Nell McCafferty dies aged 80

Journalist, author and women’s rights activist Nell McCafferty has died at the age of 80. She passed away this morning at a nursing home in County Donegal. She was born in Derry in 1944, and went on to co-found the Irish Women’s Liberation Movement. Journalist Mary Kenny founded the movement with Nell McCafferty and others

Journalist, author and women’s rights activist Nell McCafferty dies aged 80 Read More »

Woman arrested in connection with harassment of Taoiseach released

Gardaí investigating the alleged harassment of Taoiseach Simon Harris at his home have released a woman without charge. The woman in her 60s was arrested yesterday at part of the investigation into the incident which occurred on May 2nd. She was detained at a Garda station in Wicklow, but was released last night. A file

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Garda

Young girl being treated for serious injuries after attack on house in Cork

A young girl is being treated for serious injuries after an attack on a house in Cork. Gardaí are appealing for information after what’s been described as “a heinous assault on an innocent child” on Monday night. The young girl was rushed to Cork University Hospital for treatment initially, but has since been transferred to

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South Doneqal Deputy calls on Agriculture Minister to reverse doubled non-domestic water tariffs

A South Donegal TD is calling on the Agriculture Minister to reverse the implementation of the increase of non-domestic water tariffs. The recent decision by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities will see the fee double per connection. Deputy Marian Harkin says this will hurt farmers in Donegal and the North West, the most. Deputy

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Alarming but not surprising revelations made in meeting between 100% Redress Party and Banking Payments Federation Ireland

A meeting took place between the 100% Redress Party and the Banking Payment Federation of Ireland yesterday afternoon. A number of issues were discussed in this meeting including a proposal from the BPFI to see the state guarantee upfront money to homeowners from banks to get remediation works underway, sitting on the Housing Ministers desk

Alarming but not surprising revelations made in meeting between 100% Redress Party and Banking Payments Federation Ireland Read More »

‘No praise’ for FG on the exemption of farmers from RZLT – Deputy Doherty

A Donegal TD says he has no praise for Fine Gael following an announcement yesterday that farmers are to be excluded from the Residential Zoned Land Tax. Deputy Pearse Doherty says the decision to defer the tax is only benefitting those who are holding on to land suitable for development and watching the value rise

‘No praise’ for FG on the exemption of farmers from RZLT – Deputy Doherty Read More »

Letterkenny and surrounding areas to be without water until midnight tonight

Uisce Eireann have issued a notice for low water pressure and supply disruption to Cluain Ard, Killyclug, Letterkenny and surrounding areas. Works are scheduled to take place until midnight tonight. It’s recommended that an allowance of up to four hours after this time is made for supplies to fully return.

Letterkenny and surrounding areas to be without water until midnight tonight Read More »

Controlled explosion carried out on a suspected World War II bomb in Co. Down

A controlled explosion’s been carried out on a suspected World War II bomb in County Down. That’s after a major security alert in Newtownards which lasted for three days. 400 residents had to be evacuated after the historic munition was found on Thursday. Tara Griffiths is at the scene:  

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Government urged to increase core funding to childcare providers to prevent price hikes

The Government is being called on to increase the level of core funding to childcare providers. It comes amid warnings some providers will leave the state scheme and hike fees. Chairperson of the Federation of Early Childhood Providers Elaine Dunne insists action has to be taken:

Government urged to increase core funding to childcare providers to prevent price hikes Read More »

Mícheál Ó Cléirigh Summer School to receive €5,000 in funding

The Mícheál Ó Cléirigh Summer School in Donegal is to receive a share of a €69,000 fund for small scale festivals and summers schools across the country. The Rossnowlagh based Summer School is to receive €5,000. This year’s theme for the annual Summer School is ‘Words, Language and Lore / Focail, Teanga agus Seanchas’, examining

Mícheál Ó Cléirigh Summer School to receive €5,000 in funding Read More »

Follow-up HIQA inspection notes further improvements required at Donegal centre

A follow-up HIQA inspection at a designated centre for adults with disabilities in Donegal has found further improvements are needed. Earlier this year, inspectors raised concerns in relation to the safety of the service provided at Dunshenny House. A HIQA inspection in February found four regulations to be non-compliant and said there were concerns in

Follow-up HIQA inspection notes further improvements required at Donegal centre Read More »

Two people arrested and over €3,000 worth of drugs seized in Donegal

Two people were arrested in Donegal over the weekend and over €3,000 worth of drugs seized as part of Operation Tara. In total, 10 people were detected in possession of controlled drugs. €3,150 worth of cocaine and cannabis were seized by the Donegal Divisional Drugs Unit a checkpoints and during searches. Assistance was provided by

Two people arrested and over €3,000 worth of drugs seized in Donegal Read More »

Person seriously injured in weekend crash in Newmills

A person has been seriously injured in a weekend crash outside Letterkenny. Shortly after 1am on Saturday morning, a vehicle travelling between Glenswilly and Newmills collided with a wall in the Rashedoge area. The driver escaped injury. However, while the passenger was seriously injured, Gardai say their injuries are non-life threatening. Gardai are appealing to

Person seriously injured in weekend crash in Newmills Read More »

Highest number of corncrake territories recorded in Ireland in 25 years

The highest number of corncrake territories has been recorded in Ireland in 25 years. A recent survey from the National Parks and Wildlife Service shows the numbers of corncrake territories recorded in the core breeding areas of Donegal, Mayo and Galway have increased by 45% since 2018. Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral

Highest number of corncrake territories recorded in Ireland in 25 years Read More »

Social Democrats call on Government to urgently deliver social homes

The Social Democrats are calling on the government to urgently deliver social homes. Over 235,000 people are in need of social housing, according to a report published by the Parliamentary Budget Office. The Social Democrats claim the government is leaving the country with a social housing deficit, and putting a huge reliance on the HAP

Social Democrats call on Government to urgently deliver social homes Read More »

Post mortem to be carried out today on body of woman found dead in Magherafelt

A post mortem is expected to be carried out today on the body of a woman found dead in her home in Magherafelt in Co Derry. Police were called to the Ashgrove Park area of the town on Sunday afternoon – where the woman in her 50s was pronounced dead. They’re investigating the circumstances of

Post mortem to be carried out today on body of woman found dead in Magherafelt Read More »