Author name: highlandnews

O’Callaghan will consider enquiry into Creeslough tragedy, but only after other investigations end

The Justice Minister says he will ‘consider’ an enquiry into the Creeslough tragedy. 10 people were killed in the explosion in County Donegal, on October seventh 2022. Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan also says he has “no difficulty” in meeting the families affected. He says they deserve answers, but repeated his belief that other processes must

O’Callaghan will consider enquiry into Creeslough tragedy, but only after other investigations end Read More »

Two weekend burglaries in Castlederg believed to be linked

Police in Strabane are investigating reports of two commercial burglaries in Castlederg in which tools and other items were taken. Police believe they may be linked and a number of persons were involved in both incidents, which tool place early yesterday morning. In the first instance, a number of people entered a premises on Drumquin

Two weekend burglaries in Castlederg believed to be linked Read More »

Donegal Youth Council to address Local Community Safety Partnership

Representatives of Donegal Youth Council are to be invited to address the county’s Local Community Safety Partnership. At the body’s first public meeting recently, Tusla, Letterkenny Chamber and other agencies said it’s important that when the interests of young people are being discussed, they have a direct input into the conversaation. Michael McDevitt, the Youth

Donegal Youth Council to address Local Community Safety Partnership Read More »

Government initiative for transparency in motor insurance to begin

Motor insurers would have to explain to customers why their premiums are going up, under a new voluntary code. The Government initiative aims to provide more transparency and pass on the effects of recent insurance reforms to consumers. Companies that sign up would also have to give a breakdown on premium calculations, charges and discounts.

Government initiative for transparency in motor insurance to begin Read More »

Public invited to have their say on draft Donegal Biodiversity Action Plan

Donegal County Council is inviting members of the public, community groups, landowners, businesses, and organisations to have their say on the draft County Donegal Biodiversity Action Plan 2026 – 2030. The deadline for submissions is the 23rd of March. The Draft County Donegal Biodiversity Action Plan 2026-2030 provides a framework for biodiversity action over the

Public invited to have their say on draft Donegal Biodiversity Action Plan Read More »

Derry City & Strabane District Council to relaunch UNESCO Learning City Initiative this week with Donegal County Council

Derry City and Strabane District will be relaunching the UNESCO Learning City Initiative. They have partnered with Donegal County Council and the North West Tertiary Education Cluster (NWTEC) to form the North West Learning City Region. The Learning Festival will take place on Wednesday and Thursday, with more than 40 free events taking place to

Derry City & Strabane District Council to relaunch UNESCO Learning City Initiative this week with Donegal County Council Read More »

Donegal Councillor seeking clarity from the HSE in relation to ambulance worker contracts

A Donegal Councillor has called for clarity from the HSE in relation to full time contracts for national ambulance workers. According to SIPTU, 80 newly-qualified graduates will not be offered permanent roles following their three years of training. The HSE says this is due to their lack of budgetary capacity to take on new members.

Donegal Councillor seeking clarity from the HSE in relation to ambulance worker contracts Read More »

The number of Garda vehicles written off in crashes trebled in 2025

The number of Garda vehicles written off in crashes has almost trebled. 41 vehicles were damaged beyond repair last year, compared to 15 in 2024. The west Dublin Metropolitan region had the highest number of incidents last year, with more than 100 collisions, followed by Cork city at 80, and Waterford-Kilkenny with 75. The figures

The number of Garda vehicles written off in crashes trebled in 2025 Read More »

Irish people living in the Middle East encouraged to sign up to Department of Foreign Affairs’ Citizen Registration platform

Irish people in the Middle East are being encouraged to sign up to the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Citizen Registration platform. A large number of citizens, particularly in the UAE, are already registered, with several hundred more signing up yesterday. Following coordination with EU partners, Minster Helen McEntee is advising against evacuations through Gulf countries,

Irish people living in the Middle East encouraged to sign up to Department of Foreign Affairs’ Citizen Registration platform Read More »

Heritage Council urging Donegal community groups to apply for Community Heritage Grant Scheme

The Heritage Council is inviting on-line applications from community and voluntary groups in County Donegal under its Community Heritage Grant Scheme. Applicants have until 8pm on the 20th March to submit. The scheme supports projects that apply good heritage practice to the conservation, management and interpretation of Ireland’s natural, built, archaeological and cultural heritage. Donegal

Heritage Council urging Donegal community groups to apply for Community Heritage Grant Scheme Read More »

National Ambulance Service to no longer offer full-time contracts to graduating students

The National Ambulance Service has decided to no longer offer full-time contracts to graduating students. According to SIPTU, around 80 newly-qualified graduates will not be offered permanent roles following their three years of training. It says the HSE has told its members they don’t have the budgetary capacity to take on new members. SIPTU is

National Ambulance Service to no longer offer full-time contracts to graduating students Read More »

Letterkenny Cabs announce reduction in provision of direct wheelchair transport

Letterkenny Cabs has announced its intention to reduce the provision of wheelchair transport directly. They say, because of rising costs, they are ceasing investment in their own fleet and reducing the quantity of wheelchair accessible transport. However, they hope to continue using a mixture of direct employees and agent drivers. Sean Gallagher, Managing Director of

Letterkenny Cabs announce reduction in provision of direct wheelchair transport Read More »

Donegal Cancer Flights and Services welcome response from Health Minister

Donegal Cancer Flights and Services have welcomed a formal reply that they have received from the Minister for Health, in relation to the Donegal – Dublin PSO timetable. Minister Jennifer Carroll Mac Neill said the Department acknowledges the serious concern and potential impact on cancer patients and other medical travellers in the North West. The

Donegal Cancer Flights and Services welcome response from Health Minister Read More »

Donegal LEO head details Local Enterprise Week events

Local Enterprise Week begins on Monday with lots of events scheduled around Donegal to support local and small businesses. This event takes place across the 31 Local Enterprise Office branches nationwide. Head of Enterprise at the Donegal Local Enterprise Office, Brenda Hegarty, says there are lots of events scheduled. She’s detailed this week’s events:

Donegal LEO head details Local Enterprise Week events Read More »

Ireland Reads Day marked by the Donegal County Library service

Today marks Ireland Reads Day, and the Donegal County Library Service is joining libraries nationwide to promote the benefits of reading for wellbeing. This year’s theme is ‘Get Lost in a Good Book’. There are a number of events happening today to celebrate Ireland Reads Day. At the  Central Library, Letterkenny – Storytime and illustration

Ireland Reads Day marked by the Donegal County Library service Read More »

Seaweed harvesting raised at DCC economic committee

The issue of seaweed harvesting was raised at a meeting of Donegal County Council’s Economic Strategic Policy Committee. Large corporations seeking licenses to harvest seaweed have been a cause for concern within coastal communities. This is particularly in relation to the effect mechanical harvesting can have on the ecosystem. Cllr Albert Doherty says marine regulation is

Seaweed harvesting raised at DCC economic committee Read More »

Ballybofey no longer has Ireland’s highest commercial vacancy rate

      The commercial vacancy rate in Donegal in December 2025 was 20.6%, 6% higher than the national average. That’s the second highest rate in the country. Ballybofey had the county’s highest commercial vacancy rate in December 2025 at 33.6%, but is no longer the town with the highest vacancy rate in the country.

Ballybofey no longer has Ireland’s highest commercial vacancy rate Read More »

EU must help with costs and adopt common sense if it expects Irish fishers to accept better monitoring – Mullooly

The EU Commission is being urged to upgrade the designation of Killybegs to a control port ahead of the implementation of new legislation. The issue was raised at the European Parliament’s Committee on Fisheries by Midlands North West MEP Ciaran Mullooly, who told the committee that what fishers in Ireland are seeking is common sense,

EU must help with costs and adopt common sense if it expects Irish fishers to accept better monitoring – Mullooly Read More »

Economic Committee hears of financial support available from LEO

The Local Enterprise Office in Donegal hit or exceeded all targets set for them during 2025. The Head of Enterprise revealed this at a recent meeting of Donegal County Council’s Economic Strategic Policy Committee. Donegal’s Local Enterprise Office also highlighted numerous economic supports available to small and local businesses, such as funding to help businesses

Economic Committee hears of financial support available from LEO Read More »

HIQA publishes five reports on designated centres for people with disabilities in Donegal

HIQA has published reports following inspections at five designated centres for people with disabilities in Donegal. Non-compliances were noted at two of them. Four compliances were recorded at Fernhill Respite House when it was inspected in November. There were two residents in situ at the time. The non-compliances were noted in the areas of Governance

HIQA publishes five reports on designated centres for people with disabilities in Donegal Read More »

Over 300,000 households behind on their electricity bills – CRU

Nearly 320,000 households were behind on their electricity bills at the end of last year. That’s a 19% increase on the previous year, according to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities. The average value of the arrears stood at €466. When it comes to electricity, the number of households in the red increased by 19%

Over 300,000 households behind on their electricity bills – CRU Read More »

Standing ovation for Bord Bia protestors at Donegal IFA AGM

The Donegal woman who is part of a five person strong Irish Farmers’ Association protest at the Bord Bia Head Office in Dublin was given a standing ovation after she appeared live on a video link at the annual general meeting of the Co. Donegal Executive of the IFA last night  in Letterkenny. Christine Friel, the Donegal representative on

Standing ovation for Bord Bia protestors at Donegal IFA AGM Read More »

HSE to provide more details as some patients wait up to 40 weeks for home support in Donegal

The HSE has confirmed there are currently 379 people on the waiting list for new or additional home support services in Donegal with waiting times of up to 40 weeks. Cllr Gary Doherty was told at a Regional Health Forum meeting that the waiting list is reviewed on an ongoing basis, and a priority rating

HSE to provide more details as some patients wait up to 40 weeks for home support in Donegal Read More »

Soc Dem Education Spokesperson says people still fear future SNA cuts

The Government is being asked to meet stakeholders over the SNA cuts’ controversy. The Department of Education is trying to reassure people no cut is being made to Special Needs Assistants. The Government put a €19 million additional funding plan in place this week for SNA posts in the 2026/2027 academic year, after uproar from

Soc Dem Education Spokesperson says people still fear future SNA cuts Read More »

Need for more gardai highlighted at meeting of Donegal LCSP

The inaugural public meeting Donegal’s Local Community Safety Partnership has heard calls for more gardai in the county. Concerns were raised by local representatives about the increased availability of drugs in the county, while an increase in burglaries was also highlighted. This led Peoples’ Participation Network representative Joe Boland, the partnership’s Vice-Chair, to call for

Need for more gardai highlighted at meeting of Donegal LCSP Read More »

Meehan told Surgical Hub at LUH will not be used for surge capacity purposes

The HSE has confirmed that measures will be taken to ensure the planned new Surgical Hub at Letterkenny University Hospital will not be used to accommodate Emergency Department patients during periods of surge capacity. The issue was raised by Cllr Declan Meehan, who said concerns have been raised by some staff at the hospital, who

Meehan told Surgical Hub at LUH will not be used for surge capacity purposes Read More »

Little Blue Heroes announced as Grand Marshalls of Letterkenny’s St Patrick’s Day Parade

Donegal’s Little Blue Heroes have been announced as Grand Marshals for the 2026 Letterkenny St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Letterkenny Chamber confirmed this afternoon that the children living with life-limiting illnesses, who have been made honorary members of An Garda Síochána, will lead the parade through the town. Outgoing President Jimmy Stafford says these children represent

Little Blue Heroes announced as Grand Marshalls of Letterkenny’s St Patrick’s Day Parade Read More »

Doherty and Harris clash once again on the floor of the Dail

The Leas Ceann Comhairle has again intervened in a Thursday row involving Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty and Tanaiste Simon Harris. The Government’s being criticised ahead of upcoming changes to rent rules, with Opposition parties describing it as a win for large investors. The reforms come into effect on Sunday, meaning landlords will be able to

Doherty and Harris clash once again on the floor of the Dail Read More »

McConalogue welcomes DCB retrospective payments, but acknowledges slow pace of progress

  Junior Minister Charlie McConalogue says the enactment of legislation allowing for retrospective payments to be made to defective block homeowners up to the new maximum cap is to be welcomed. The Housing Minister James Brown signed the commencement order last evening, Minister McConalogue says this is another important step in the evolution of the

McConalogue welcomes DCB retrospective payments, but acknowledges slow pace of progress Read More »

The Greg Hughes Show Thursday 26/02/2026

Today’s show is heavy with both community advocacy and essential health insights. From the heart of St. Johnston to the latest in cardiovascular research, we dive deep into the stories impacting Donegal and beyond. Community in Mourning: The Fight for Road Safety in St. Johnston In the wake of this week’s tragic fatal collision, the

The Greg Hughes Show Thursday 26/02/2026 Read More »

Government’s record on ‘Vision Zero’ targets questioned in the Dail chamber

The Junior Transport Minister says there needs to be an honest conversation about road behaviour. Minister Jerry Buttimer was answering questions in the Dail this morning from Deputy Jennifer Whitmore, who said the government is nowhere near reaching its Vision Zero road safety targets. Both offered their condolences to the families and friends of recent

Government’s record on ‘Vision Zero’ targets questioned in the Dail chamber Read More »