Author name: highlandnews

Donegal is one of the least afforested counties in Ireland. 1,651 hectares of land was afforested in 2023 across Ireland, a 27% decrease from 2022. Donegal accounts for 21 of those hectares, the same amount as the year prior. In the last number of years the county has seen a decline in afforestation levels.

Lough Swilly RNLI crews responded to a false alarm yesterday after a red flare was seen off the coast. The team have commended the member of the public who raised the alarm, saying its better to launch and see that all is well than to not launch at all. However, they added that marine distress

A holiday home owner in Magherabeg, Downings has reported the theft of newly delivered home heating oil to gardaí. It’s believed to have happened between 1.30pm on Monday the 17th of June, the day of delivery, and 3pm on Friday last. Appeals are being made to those who observed any suspicious activity in the area

Four alloys were stolen from a Volkswagen Jetta that was parked in a carpark on Isle Lane, near the Station Roundabout. It’s reported to have happened in the early hours of Sunday morning. The car was damaged as a result and entry was gained, as the car was unlocked. However nothing was stolen. Gardaí wish

The glass of a front door and a sitting room window were smashed in Carndonagh over night on Thursday last. Gardaí are appealing for information on the criminal damage incident that happened in the Abbotts Wood area between 8pm that evening at 9am the next morning. They are particularly interested in hearing from anybody who

Gardaí have launched an investigation following a burglary in a yard in Sheskinarone, Dungloe. Between 5pm on Friday last and 10:30am the following morning, a canteen window was broken and the glass in the toilet door was smashed. Entry was gained inside these areas which were ransacked, however, nothing was stolen. Those who were in

Three people were hospitalised following a single car collision in Letterkenny in the early hours of yesterday morning. A car travelling on the N56 from Letterkenny towards Illistrin at around 2.45am left the road and crashed into a fence. The driver and two passengers were treated at Letterkenny University Hospital for non life threatening injuries.

Aer Lingus and the pilots union IALPA will attend separate meetings at the Labour Court today. It’s the latest attempt to find agreement on a pay dispute which threatens the travel plans of thousands of Aer Lingus passengers. With industrial action planned to start tomorrow, a last ditch attempt is being made to bring Aer

Michael McGrath is set to be nominated as Ireland’s new European Commissioner. Cabinet will be asked to approve the current Finance Minister for the role in Brussels when it meets this morning. It’s understood Michael McGrath was named by the Tánaiste as his nominee to be the new European Commissioner at a meeting of coalition

Ireland’s problem with cocaine is getting worse according to new research. There’s been a surge in people looking for help, with more women presenting with addiction issues. The Health Research Board says just over 13,000 people sought help for problem drug use last year. This is the highest annual number ever recorded and a rise

The security alert that seen homes and businesses evacuated in Omagh has ended. The Sinn Fein Office was closed yesterday as a result of a suspicious object having been found, PSNI now confirm that item was a gun. It was found at around 12.50pm yesterday afternoon and then removed by Ammunition Technical Officers. It’s now

The Sinn Fein Office in Omagh has been closed due to a security threat. Órfhlaith Begley MP took to social media to advise the public. She says a suspicious object has been found and is hoping to resume business tomorrow. It’s understood police are tending the scene.

€16,000 worth of controlled drugs were seized over the weekend in Donegal, along with €4,000 in cash and paraphernalia. It was with the assistance of a detector dog and handler who aided checkpoints and searches. Four men were arrested as a result on suspicion of possessing drugs for the purposes of sale and supply. They

15 year old Steven Boyle has been located. Tomorrow would have marked one month since he was last seen in Magherabeg on May 25th. Gardaí have announced that the teenager is no longer missing and have thanked the public for their assistance.

Donegal County Council has received €13,678.09 in funding under the Dormant Accounts Action Plan to see libraries made more accessible. Nationally €550,000 has been granted to see the installation of library supports. It’s in a bid to engage with marginalised groups in the community. Assistive technologies such as hearing loops and electronic magnifiers are included

More than 107,000 people have arrived in Ireland from Ukraine since the start of the conflict with Russia. Just over 100 people arrived in the week ending the 2nd of June. 7,802 people who fled Ukraine are currently living in Donegal. That’s an increase of 189 over the past four months. The majority of arrivals

A young girl has been injured in a hit and run in Omagh. Between 4:10pm and 4:15pm yesterday, the young girl while walking on the Glencam Road was struck by a blue car. She suffered injuries to her ankle. Police are appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time who witnessed the

Three teenagers and a young boy have been arrested after three PSNI officers were assaulted in Derry on Friday evening. One officer was kicked, a second officer’s hand was stamped on, and a third had a police vehicle door slammed on their arm. Two teenage girls were arrested on suspicion of offences including assault on

The three coalition party leaders will discuss who is to become Ireland’s next EU Commissioner today. The nomination to replace Mairead McGuinness will be made by Fianna Fail, with speculation its likely to be Finance Minister Michael McGrath. His appointment would still have to be approved by the European Parliament. Meanwhile Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien,

Gardai have thanked the ‘majority’ of people who visited Donegal over rally weekend for their compliance and co-operation. A large policing operation was in place over the past number of days with additional Gardai drafted in and assistance provided by the PSNI also. Defective vehicles were seized over the course of the weekend and motorists

Resurfacing works will be starting today on the Kiltoy Road. The extent of the surfacing works is from the R245 Ramelton Road to the turn off for Aughaninshin Abbey. Works will commence from the Ramelton road side and the road will be closed to traffic today and tomorrow from the R245 to the entrance to

One workplace fatality took place in Donegal in 2023. The Health and Safety Authority today published its Annual Report highlighting key achievements and outcomes over the course of the year. In total, 43 people lost their lives in workplace fatalities last year in Ireland. The HSA records show an overall decrease in the rate of

The HSE has advised that the MMR vaccine is the only protection against measles. Their MMR vaccine catch up programme is now running in community vaccination clinics in Donegal. Measles is a highly infectious disease that can cause serious complications, particularly in children under one year of age, pregnant women, and the immunosuppressed. The MMR

A diver who died tragically off the coast of Teelin yesterday has been named locally as Patrick Doran. Mr. Doran, who was in his 40s, passed away after he got into difficulty during the North West Dive Rally. A major search and rescue operation was launched involving the Killybegs Coast Guard, An Garda Siochana, the

A car has been seized today in Letterkenny by the Roads Policing Unit as the tax expired almost a year ago. A tax disc belonging to another vehicle was displayed on the windscreen. Court proceedings will follow.

A number of Fixed Charge Penalty Notices were issued for tyre offences yesterday evening. Gardaí & the RSA conducted a checkpoint outside Letterkenny. An Garda Síochána have stressed that tyres are the only part of a vehicle that keep you in contact with the road surface. It is recommended that you change your tyres when

Families of victims of the Stardust fire have joined the President, politicians, and artists in the first National Commemoration. The ceremony at the Garden of Remembrance in Dublin saw hundreds come together to remember the 48 victims of the 1981 tragedy. This follows the inquest conclusion in April, which returned a verdict of Unlawful Killing.

Detectives in Newry are appealing for information following a report of a burglary and hit-and-run road traffic collision in Newry this morning. Police responded to a report that a white BMW X5 was stolen outside a house in the Dublin Road area of Cloghoge. It was reported that the homeowner found the front door of

Police in Derry  made five arrests following a disturbance in city centre on Friday. They attended a report of BB/pellet guns being fired at members of the public in a shopping centre at around 7.15pm Three police officers sustained injuries after being assaulted by a number of people. One officer was kicked, whilst a second

A man’s been arrested after a robbery and attack – in a car – near Belfast. A 25 year old man who got into the car – with a number of people already inside – was attacked by a man armed with a knife who took his mobile phone and some cash. The incident spilled