Author name: highlandnews

The Tánaiste has raised the killing of Private Sean Rooney during a meeting with Lebanese Ministers today. Michael Martin has been visiting Irish troops at UNIFIL’s Camp Shamrock. He fold them the Government is determined to ensure those responsible for Private Rooney’s death are brought to Justice. ecurity and Defence Analyst Declan Power says it’s

The body of a man in his 80s has been recovered from the Swilly at Buncrana Pier. Gardaí and emergency services were alerted to a vehicle in the water  at around 7.30 this morning Following a multi-agency search and recovery operation, the car was recovered from the water, and the man’s body was discovered inside.

  A new Town Park for Stranorlar is now a step closer. Donegal County Council has confirmed that the long awaited Drumboe Town Park has moved to detailed design stage. Funding and planning permission for the project is already in place. Councillor Patrick McGowan says once it comes to fruition, the park will be a

Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI) are celebrating with several Donegal schools at the completion of their 2023-2024 ‘World of Work’ programme.   Second-year students were partnered with local businesses who inspire them to reach their full potential by recognising the value of completing their education. Through workshops, including company visits, employee career talks, soft skills

The annual Famine walk gets underway in Co. Mayo later today. Thousands of people are expected for the 18 kilometer event, starting at the Doolough Valley near Louisburgh. Organiser of the event Joe Murray, says the situation in Gaza will be a prominent theme today……….

  The Department of Agriculture is facing demands for an explanation regarding what the IFA says its failure to fully compensate farmers for their environmental work. The IFA has urged Minister Charlie McConalogue to provide clarity, stating many farmers have only received interim payments, instead of the full amounts promised under the ACRES agreement. IFA

An Inishowen Councillor says forcing people to stand out and wait on a bus in adverse weather conditions is farcical. Councillor Nicholas Crossan believes the peninsula is being left behind due to the lack of bus shelters. A pilot scheme was rolled out in Inishowen a number of years ago with six bus shelters erected.

Tramore beach carpark is running the risk of running into complete disrepair. That’s according to Cllr John O’Donnell. He says the efforts of local tidy town volunteers are going to waste without council support to upkeep of the area. Cllr O’Donnell is hopeful that works will be carried out in the near future:

  The Cathaoirleach of the Inishowen Municipal District has hit out at the lack of dog fouling bins on the Culmore to Muff Greenway. Councillor Terry Crossan says the absence of bins has resulted in dog waste bags on occasions being thrown into nearby agricultural land. He says it’s imperative that firstly, the bins are

A South Donegal Deputy has warned that too many families are suffering the loss of loved ones on the roads. Deputy Martin Kenny in the Dail, pressed Junior Minister Jack Chambers on what progress has been made on improving road safety. Minister Chambers admitted that the Government is not on track to meet it’s target

A meeting is in the works to discuss concerns regarding the future of Radharc na Sleibhte in Carndonagh. The Acting Area Director of Nursing and a representative from the Donegal Mental Health Area Management Team will be in attendance to meet with families, advocates, and other representative members. The facility is in the process of

A Donegal TD believes that nursing homes should be the responsibility of the state. Deputy Thomas Pringle says its worrying to see the number of private beds increase on a yearly basis. He says that not enough funding is being allocated to rural care facilities, leading to closures in small communities. Deputy Pringle outlined the

The Chair of Donegal County Council’s Planning SPC says the adoption of the County Development Plan shows that rural Ireland is being kept open. The plan which will govern planning policy and decisions until at least 2030 and possibly beyond will now be reviewed by the Office of the Planning Regulator. Councillor Paul Canning says

A protest is due to take place tomorrow in solidarity with the staff and patients of Letterkenny University Hospital. Organiser, Emma Gova says with extensive waiting lists and continuous overcrowding, it’s time the government stepped in and delivered the much-needed investment once and for all. People are being encouraged to come out and show their

The rollout of the Enhanced Community Care Programme has resulted in reduced cardiology waiting lists at Letterkenny University Hospital. As part of the Sláintecare plan, the initiative, has seen six consultants recruited and a 34% reduction in Cardiology outpatient waiting lists at the hospital while the number of patients waiting over a year for an

The closure of Lettermacaward GP surgery has been labelled an “abject failure”. The facility was closed a year and a half ago over concerns that the building was not fit for purpose. Patients have been forced to travel to Glenties to avail of GP services since. Councillor Brian Carr has questioned why despite improvement works

An Inishowen Councillor says the security of ongoing funding for both the Lough Foyle and Swilly Ferry Services has been significant in enabling businesses plan ahead. For many years there was much uncertainty over the future of the ferry services due to a lack of funding from year to year. Funding is now set out

Donegal County Council has adopted the Draft County Development Plan which will shape planning policy and decisions until at least 2030 and possibly on to 2034. The proposal to adopt the amended plan was made by Cathaoirleach, Cllr Martin Harley and seconded by Fianna Fail Whip Cllr Ciaran Brogan. A number of the proposed amendments

The proposal to rename the Cockhill Bridge in Inishowen after Tipp O’Neill is facing opposition. It was announced at this week’s meeting of the Inishowen Municipal District that a public consultation will take place on the renaming of the bridge on a proposal put forward by Councillor Nicholas Crossan. He believes it would be a

A dedicated Fisheries and Marine Minister is needed to save Ireland’s dying fishing industry. That’s according to Midlands North West MEP Maria Walsh who says the sector is now on a downward trajectory. Speaking after a recent visit to Killybegs, Ms Walsh says fishing communities need support:

Urgent investment and action is vital to ensure adequate respite services for people with disabilities in Inishowen. That’s according to Adrian McMyler, a local election candidate in the Buncrana local electoral area. He says many families in the peninsula are facing a daunting challenge with the closure of River Walk House in Carndonagh and the

Things came to blow once again in the Dáil between Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty and Tánaiste Michael Martin. In a debate on the provision of housing, an argument broke out between the pair leading to raised voices and the Ceann Comhairle calling for order. Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl threatened to suspend the house, warning

While the agri-food sector here is struggling, working to our strengths is the way out of the crisis. That’s according to the Irish Famers Journal Agribusiness Report which looks at the challenges to the food processing sector here. Labour shortages, market volatility and policy uncertainty mean many in the industry are unable to keep their

The Dáil has heard how Letterkenny University Hospital seen the highest number of patients waiting for beds for the month of April on record. Almost 600 were admitted without beds last month. Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle said the health system on its knees and needs a complete overhaul in order to deliver universal healthcare. Deputy

Donegal County Council is meeting in a special session today to adopt the County Development Plan, which will guide planning decisions until at least 2030, and possibly beyond. Today is the deadline for a decision, with members considering the recommendations of the Chief Executive following the latest round of public consultation. That includes the recommendations