Author name: highlandnews

Women’s Aid received record high disclosures of abuse in 2023

3,350 more women suffered physical violence from stabbings to strangulations in 2023, compared to 2022, in record disclosures of abuse to Women’s aid. An additional 520 women revealed they had been sexually abused, including over 300 that said they had been raped. In total, Women’s aid received more than 40,000 disclosures of abuse against women

Women’s Aid received record high disclosures of abuse in 2023 Read More »

Calls to extend Rural Regeneration and Development Fund to Letterkenny Cathedral Quarter

There has been a call to extend the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund to more towns. Speaking in the Dáil earlier today, Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Community Development Paul Donnelly said projects such as the Letterkenny Cathedral Quarter could benefit from the scheme. He says the group doesn’t fit into the urban scheme so should

Calls to extend Rural Regeneration and Development Fund to Letterkenny Cathedral Quarter Read More »

Michael Martin adamant he’ll lead Fianna Fail into the next election

The Fianna Fail leader says he has no intention of stepping down. Michael Martin is  the only one of the three coalition party leaders who entered government together in 2020 who will lead their party into the next General Election. Leo Varadkar stepped down from the Fine Gael leadership earlier this year, while Eamon Ryan

Michael Martin adamant he’ll lead Fianna Fail into the next election Read More »

Harkin says EU Migration Pact is not a magic bullet as debate is extended to next week

A South Donegal TD has accused the government of using the EU Migration pact to cover up its own failure to bring in efficient and humane systems to deal with refugees and people seeking international protection. Deputy Marian Harkin was one of the last TDs to speak in the Dail on the pact last night

Harkin says EU Migration Pact is not a magic bullet as debate is extended to next week Read More »

Aer Lingus bookings plummet as airline seeks to minimise impact of pilots’ action

Bookings at Aer Lingus have plummeted since industrial action by pilots was confirmed. The airline has said it will work other carriers to hire in planes in order to limit the disruption. The work to rule action by Aer Lingus pilots does not begin until next week – but its already having an impact on

Aer Lingus bookings plummet as airline seeks to minimise impact of pilots’ action Read More »

Letterkenny Chamber Business Awards open for applications

The Letterkenny Chamber Business Awards have been launched and are now open for applications. The awards were launched officially by former Mayor of Letterkenny Milford MD Cllr. Kevin Bradley at the event that was held in Century Cinema. Toni Forrester , Chamber CEO says they have made a few changes this year, which includes the

Letterkenny Chamber Business Awards open for applications Read More »

Ardara Community Childcare and other settings need a DCB plan from government – Deputy Doherty

A Donegal Deputy says history is repeating itself when it comes to childcare facilities affected by defective concrete blocks. Deputy Pearse Doherty appealed to the government to find a solution to the imminent crisis facing Ardara Community Childcare. The setting serves over 100 children and 76 families in the area but now hangs in limbo

Ardara Community Childcare and other settings need a DCB plan from government – Deputy Doherty Read More »

Visitors encouraged to plan journey ahead of the Foyle Maritime Festival

Visitors are being urged to plan their journey ahead of the Foyle Maritime Festival. Tens of thousands of people are expected to flock to the event next weekend. People are being encouraged to plan ahead for their trip, taking into account a number of restrictions that are being put in place to facilitate this year’s

Visitors encouraged to plan journey ahead of the Foyle Maritime Festival Read More »

Water outage scheduled for parts of North Donegal this morning

Valve installation works may cause water supply disruptions to North Donegal today. Areas impacted include Shandrim, Kinnagoe, Foffenagh, Ballynakeeloge, Connaghkinnagoe, Meendacalliagh, Illies, Glenard and Umrycam. Works are scheduled to take place from 8am until 2pm this afternoon. However it may up until 6 o’clock this evening before supplies return.

Water outage scheduled for parts of North Donegal this morning Read More »

€34.5m of PEACEPLUS funding to roll out shared learning projects in NI and border counties

€34.5m of PEACEPLUS funding has been awarded to a see shared learning in formal education settings across Northern Ireland and the border counties. The ASPIRE project will bring students from different cultural, religious, and socio-economic backgrounds together to learn, while also providing joint training schemes to upskill educators in facilitating shared learning. The project aims

€34.5m of PEACEPLUS funding to roll out shared learning projects in NI and border counties Read More »

Implications of EU migration pact described as “devastating” by Deputy Pringle

A Donegal Deputy says the implications of the EU migration pact are “devastating”. Independent TD for Donegal, Thomas Pringle spoke against the motion proposed for approval in the Dail yesterday. He says people have a right to international protection and the well-being of children should be protected. Deputy Pringle says the pact will allow for

Implications of EU migration pact described as “devastating” by Deputy Pringle Read More »

Taylor Swift’s Derry roots published by Irish Emigration Museum

The Irish Emigration Museum has published information linking Taylor Swift’s family to Ireland. The singer’s ancestors on one side departed Derry on a ship in the year 1836 – and later got married. Meanwhile her great-great-grandfather George, on the other side of the family, was serving in the Royal Navy. Fiona O’Mahony, Head of the

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Quality of inland waterways the focus of a special ATU seminar this evening

The need for more action to protect inland waterways is being discussed at a special event this evening at ATU Sligo. ATU is a member of the EU Green European University Alliance, which focused on the need to protect aquatic ecosystems for future generations. The event at the main lecture hall in Sligo between 6pm

Quality of inland waterways the focus of a special ATU seminar this evening Read More »

Car parking charges at UHG are impacting Donegal cancer patients – DACC

The Chairperson of Donegal Action for Cancer Care says the imposition of car parking charges on cancer patients is adding to an already significant financial burden. Betty Holmes told today’s Nine til Noon Show that with many Donegal cancer patients regularly travelling to University Hospital Galway, provisions must be made to ease the pressures they

Car parking charges at UHG are impacting Donegal cancer patients – DACC Read More »

HIQA publishes reports on two centres for people with disabilities in Donegal

HIQA has published reports on two unannounced inspections carried out at centres for people with disabilities in Donegal. Four non-compliances were noted in the case of Dunshenney House in Carndonagh, in the areas of notification, risk management, behavioural support and protection. You can read the full Dunshenney House report HERE In the case of the

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

Cancer services are grossly underfunded, and patients are suffering as a result- ICS

Cancer services here have been underfunded by 180 million euro since 2017. The Irish Cancer Society is launching its Budget 2025 submission today calling on the Government to properly invest in the National Cancer Strategy, and also provide more support to patients. It says the scheme’s budget should have increased incrementally by 110 million euro

Cancer services are grossly underfunded, and patients are suffering as a result- ICS Read More »

Family carers in Donegal are saving the state €500 million per year – Harkin

The Dail has been told that the state is saving €500 million a year because of the work being done by family carers in Donegal, with a further €375 million being saved in Sligo and Leitrim. The figures were presented by Deputy Marian Harkin during a Dail debate on the abolition of the means test

Family carers in Donegal are saving the state €500 million per year – Harkin Read More »

Children of Derry should not be subject to black mould in schools – MLA Delargy

A Derry MLA says children in his area should not be subjected to having to attend schools where there is black mould growing on the ceilings. Sinn Feins Padraig Delargy held up photographs in the NI assembly yesterday to show the poor conditions of some schools which he visited in Derry. He says it’s unacceptable,

Children of Derry should not be subject to black mould in schools – MLA Delargy Read More »

400 additional staff allocated to International Protection System this year

400 additional staff are being allocated to the International Protection System here over the next 12 months. Justice Minister Helen McEntee also received Cabinet approval today to bring forward proposals to increase fines for airlines which do not ensure passengers have the correct documentation. Plans to revoke certificates of citizenship for in very limited circumstances

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Eamon Ryan confirms he is to stand down citing personal reasons

Eamon Ryan greeted reporters at Government Buildings this afternoon where some colleagues gathered and applauded him. He said he was standing down as party leader and will not contest the next general election for personal reasons. He said he needed more time with his family and his son who has special needs and he couldn’t

Eamon Ryan confirms he is to stand down citing personal reasons Read More »

Tanaiste urges parties in Aer Lingus to go to the Labour Relations Commission

The Tánaiste is urging both sides in the Aer Lingus dispute to sort it out. It’s feared flights may be cancelled as early as next week in a row over pay. Pilots want pay increases of nearly 24 per cent. Micheál Martin says the Labour Relations Commission may have to get involved…………………

Tanaiste urges parties in Aer Lingus to go to the Labour Relations Commission Read More »

McBrearty to propose members of the 100% Redress for DCC’s top positions

A former mayor of Donegal has said members of the 100% Redress Party should be elected as Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach of Donegal County Council when it gathers for its AGM on Friday morning. Independent Cllr, Frank McBrearty Jnr says he will make the proposal at the meeting, arguing that the mandate received by the 100%

McBrearty to propose members of the 100% Redress for DCC’s top positions Read More »

Donegal to receive share of €1m CSP fund

Minister Joe O’Brien has announced €268,200 of funding to create 10 new community services programme positions across 7 organisations in Donegal. The CSP supports community-based organisations to provide local social, economic and environmental services through a social enterprise model. It aims to tackle disadvantage by providing a co-funding contribution towards the cost of employing a

Donegal to receive share of €1m CSP fund Read More »

Gardai investigate break-ins at derelict buildings in Letterkenny and Carrigart

Gardaí are appealing for information in relation to burglaries at vacant properties in Letterkenny and Carrigart. On Friday last,June 14th,  a man entered a vacant property in Meadowbank Park, Letterkenny between 4pm and 4.20pm and stole a gas cylinder. Gardai in Letterkenny are appealing to anybody who may have travelled in the area around that

Gardai investigate break-ins at derelict buildings in Letterkenny and Carrigart Read More »

Police in Strabane urging farmers to review security

Police in Strabane are encouraging farmers to review their security to minimise their risk of becoming a victim of crime. They’re also urging anyone who notices any suspicious activity in their area, especially in rural communities, to report it immediately. Police have issued an appeal for vigilance following recent reports of the theft of sheep

Police in Strabane urging farmers to review security Read More »

Man charged in connection with seizure of firearm and drugs following searches in Derry and Antrim

A 50 year old man is due in court today charged in connection with the discovery of a suspected firearm and large quantity of drugs in Derry and Antrim. Searches were carried out in both areas yesterday as part of the operation. The man is charged with possessing ammunition and a firearm in suspicious circumstances,

Man charged in connection with seizure of firearm and drugs following searches in Derry and Antrim Read More »

Women’s Aid records highest level of disclosures of domestic abuse in its history

Women’s Aid has recorded the highest level of disclosures of domestic abuse in its 50-year history. The organisation’s Annual Report for 2023 outlines over 40,000 disclosures – up 18% on the previous year. Women’s Aid CEO Sarah Benson says it’s utterly appalling – and it’s just the tip of the iceberg:

Women’s Aid records highest level of disclosures of domestic abuse in its history Read More »