Author name: highlandnews

25 year old Tyrone man charged to court following machete incident yesterday

A man in county Tyrone has been charged to court following an incident involving two machetes yesterday in the area of Coalisland. The 25 year old has been charged with possession of a blade or point in a public place and two counts of assault on police. He is due to appear at Enniskillen Magistrates […]

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Over 4,000 nurses and midwives assaulted in 13 month period

Over 4,000 nurses and midwives were assaulted in the 13 months to February. These figures, on the back of a Freedom of Information request from the Irish Nurses’ and Midwives’ Organisation, show incidents of verbal, physical, and sexual assault. March 2023 was the worst month over this period with 338 incidents. INMO General Secretary Phil

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Donegal pensioner faces homelessness as his defective block home is to be demolished

A pensioner in Donegal is facing homelessness as his defective concrete block home is set for demolition in the coming weeks. Frank, has been forced to move to live in one room of his property which he shared with his late wife due to the state it is in. No emergency accommodation is available for

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Donegal Cllr urges Justice Minister to introduce incentives for Gardai to stay on longer in force

The Justice Minister is being urged to introduce incentives for Gardai who are considering early retirement to stay on in the force. Councillor Michael McBride says it is proving near impossible to increase Garda numbers. While the number of recruits passing through Templemore Garda Station are increasing, its counterproductive as more and more Gardai are

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47 claims over accidents caused by uninsured drivers in Donegal in 2023

There’s been an 11% rise in the number of claims over accidents caused by uninsured cars. The Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland has released figures, showing 187 extra claims in 2023. The largest number of claims for uninsured driving came in Dublin, followed by Cork, Limerick, Kildare and Galway. In Donegal, there were 47 claims

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Social Justice Ireland believes 20% of housing stock should be set aside for social housing

There’s a call on Government to set a target of 20% of all housing stock for social housing. Social Justice Ireland says the Government must deal with a rising population, and the housing needs of an ageing population. It’s releasing its Social Justice Matters 2024 review today. Its Research and Policy Analyst Michelle Murphy says

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Donegal pharmacist calls for overhaul of industry’s current funding model

The new head of the Irish Pharmacy Union is calling for an overhaul of the industry’s current funding model. The IPU wants a flat fee of 6 euro 50 introduced for pharmacists administering community drug schemes, after a 16 year pay freeze. Community pharmacists dispensed 80 million medicines on behalf of the state last year.

Donegal pharmacist calls for overhaul of industry’s current funding model Read More »

Justice Minister’s meeting with Britain Home Secretary postponed

The Justice Minister’s meeting today with Britain’s Home Secretary over UK migrants arriving into the Republic of Ireland through the North has been postponed. Her talks with James Cleverly were called off last night, after Rishi Sunak’s comments over the weekend that it shows his Rwanda policy is working. Minister Helen McEntee will bring proposals

Justice Minister’s meeting with Britain Home Secretary postponed Read More »

JPC hears more gardaí needed in Gaeltacht areas of Donegal

It’s been claimed that Gaeltacht areas in Donegal are badly served by Gardaí. At the recent sitting of Donegal’s Joint Policing Committee, PPN representative, James Trearty says he feels Gardaí are losing touch with people in rural areas with many Garda stations unmanned. Superintendent David Kelly who is based at Milford Garda station says with

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Tidy Town groups and residents associations not applying for funding because of bureaucracy

A Donegal councillor says many Tidy Towns groups and residents associations are not applying for funding for small grants because of the level of bureaucracy and red tape imposed by the council. Cllr Patrick McGowan says this isn’t an issue in other areas and the council should streamline its procedures. Cllr McGowan says he’s discussed

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Terraced housing affected by defective blocks needs to be streamlined – Cllr McMonagle

Concerns have been raised regarding terraced housing that is affected by defective concrete blocks. Cllr. Gerry McMongle says confusion regarding eligibility and the logistics of remediating a numerous houses that are conjoined is slowing things down. Cllr McMonagle says there is still room for improvement in the enhanced scheme as barriers remain in place:

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European Disability Card will ensure freedom for those with disabilities

  Ireland’s youngest serving MEP says a newly passed European Disability Card can ensure true freedom for Irish people with disabilities. The new pass gives the holder equal access to discounted tickets, reserved seating, free travel, and personal assistance across the EU. Maria Walsh, MEP for Midlands-North West, says the government needs to sign up

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34 cases of vandalism logged at parks and heritage sites across Ireland

There has been 34 cases of vandalism logged at parks and heritage sites across Ireland. Included is an incident in Mullyvea in Donegal which seen an interpretive board being shot with lead last Autumn. A few months prior to this another interpretive board was stolen from the Duntally Wood Nature Reserve in the county. The

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Uninsured driver caught speeding with cannabis and amphetamine in system

A driver in Carndonagh, who was initially caught speeding, was later was found to be uninsured and then failed a road side drug test yesterday. The motorist in question tested positive for cannabis and amphetamine. The car was seized and a court appearance is to follow. An Garda Síochána can test for cannabis, cocaine, opiates,

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Taoiseach expected to address aggression towards gardaí and politicians at commemoration today

Abuse towards politicians and attacks on Gardaí are top of the agenda for the Taoiseach as he attends a memorial in Monaghan this lunchtime. Today marks the 50th anniversary of the death of a Senator, who was murdered by the IRA in 1974. This afternoon’s events commemoration centre around a “man of peace” and yet

Taoiseach expected to address aggression towards gardaí and politicians at commemoration today Read More »

Phase two of consultation of Donegal County Council Draft Residential Zoned Land Tax Annual Map 2025 open until end of May

Phase one of consultation on the Donegal County Council Draft Residential Zoned Land Tax Annual Map 2025 closed on the Monday the 1st of April. Phase two will remain open until Friday the 31st of May. Donegal County Council say the second phase only allows for submissions from landowners requesting a change in land use

Phase two of consultation of Donegal County Council Draft Residential Zoned Land Tax Annual Map 2025 open until end of May Read More »

Marine Minister to welcome letter that could see pollock fishing reinstated

The Minister for the Marine is welcoming a letter he is due to receive in relation to a regulation that could enable inshore fishers to catch pollock. There was a ban imposed due to depleting stocks. The letter is off the back of a meeting between an Arranmore fishing family and European officials in Strasbourg

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Investigation launched following bomb-scare at home of Justice Minister

An investigation’s underway following a bomb-scare at the home of Justice Minister Helen McEntee. Today’s Irish Daily Mail reports the late-night threat forced the evacuation of the Minister’s husband and young family. The Minister herself was not at home when the threats were made. It’s understood Gardaí regarded the alert with the ‘utmost seriousness’.

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95 bikes collected in Milford for schools in The Gambia

95 bicycles collected in Donegal are currently being refurnished before they are sent to The Gambia. It’s after Letterkenny Rotary Club organised a collection as part of their annual School Bikes Africa appeal in conjunction with Donegal County Council and Bryson Recycling. The bikes were collected from the Milford recycling centre, and have now been

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Donegal non-residential land prices most expensive in Connacht and Ulster

Donegal has the most expensive non-residential land in Connacht and Ulster for the third year in a row. For holdings under 50 acres, good quality land cost €13,400 per acre. The same figure in 2022 was €12,143. The findings were released in a new report by the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland. Nationally, Donegal is

Donegal non-residential land prices most expensive in Connacht and Ulster Read More »

Gambling awareness needs to start at younger age – Gambling Support Counsellor

A Gambling Support service provided therapeutic sessions to 2,591 people in Donegal last year. The Gambling Therapy & Support Service is a two year pilot project operating from the Finn Valley Resources Centre. Figures indicate that gambling addiction is more prevalent among men in the county with women said to find it more difficult to

Gambling awareness needs to start at younger age – Gambling Support Counsellor Read More »

Arranmore fishing family say they got a fair hearing in Strasbourg

  The Minister for the Marine is to receive a letter from European fishing officials regarding the case of 14 year old Muireann Kavanagh from Arranmore Island. The inshore fishing sector says it’s been banned from fishing pollock due to depleting stocks, while super trawlers remain active in the vicinity. The Kavanagh family traveled to

Arranmore fishing family say they got a fair hearing in Strasbourg Read More »

Water supply issues today in the vicinity of Letterkenny and Convoy

Uisce Eireann says repairs to a burst water main may cause supply disruptions at Bellanascaddan and surrounding areas between Letterkenny and Kilmacrennan. Works are scheduled to take place until 2:45 this afternoon. Meanwhile, a power outage may cause supply disruptions to Corradooey, Rooskey, Findrum, Blackrepentance, Convoy and surrounding areas until 4 o’clock this afternoon. In

Water supply issues today in the vicinity of Letterkenny and Convoy Read More »

Minister hopes premises can be found to facilitate Carndonagh Day Services

While in Ballyshannon for the official opening of the new local Community Hospital today, Junior Minister Mary Butler, who has responsibility for older people, is meeting with campaigners seeking the re-opening of day services in Carndonagh. The service ceased over Covid, and hasn’t restarted, as the settings are deemed to be inappropriate. On today’s Nine

Minister hopes premises can be found to facilitate Carndonagh Day Services Read More »