Author name: highlandnews

Over 15,000 people still awaiting out-patient appointments at LUH

Latest National Treatment Purchase Fund figures show there were 1,583 people awaiting in-patient procedures at Letterkenny University Hospital on April 25th, 119 of them for longer than 18 months. The number awaiting out-patient appointments was almost ten times, at 15,171. Of those, 1997 were waiting for longer than a year and a half. There were

Over 15,000 people still awaiting out-patient appointments at LUH Read More »

McConalogue wants to see more wind energy generation

Agriculture and Marine Minister Charlie McConalogue says he wants to see more wind energy generation, both on land and at sea. Minister McConalogue was speaking after he officially opened the seven turbine Lenalea Wind Farm, developed by SSE Renewables and FuturEnergy Ireland, close to Cark, 10 km south west of Letterkenny. The 30 megawatt wind

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£1.9 million worth of drugs seized and two men arrested in County Derry

Two men have been charged after detectives in County Derry have seized Class A and Class B drugs with an estimated value of £1.9 million. Police say the proactive search took place in the Castledawson area yesterday afternoon. The men, aged in their 20s and 50s, were charged with a number of drug related offences,

£1.9 million worth of drugs seized and two men arrested in County Derry Read More »

‘Tent Cities’ will spring up all over if migration crisis isn’t tackled – Casey

Meanwhile, Independent European candidate Peter Casey says he fears the asylum seekers crisis will spiral out of control if what he termed this inept Irish government does not find an immediate solution. He said the way illegal immigrants are flooding across the border from the UK on a daily basis, it will not be long

‘Tent Cities’ will spring up all over if migration crisis isn’t tackled – Casey Read More »

Derry Courthouse

Another man due in court in Derry in relation to Sackville Street incident

A man has been charged with four counts of common assault, affray, disorderly behaviour, criminal damage and the improper use of a public communications network, after a fight broke out in Derry City centre on Wednesday. The 28 year old was arrested yesterday, after a civilian and police officer were assaulted during the disturbance in

Another man due in court in Derry in relation to Sackville Street incident Read More »

Toilets badly needed at foot of Muckish – Cllr Ó Fearraigh

Sinn Féin local election candidate in the Glenties LEA Councillor John Shemais Ó Fearraigh has called for toilets to be located in Creeslough at the foot of Muckish, where a new car park has been developed. The car park is a joint project between Donegal County Council and the Creeslough Development Committee, and has seen

Toilets badly needed at foot of Muckish – Cllr Ó Fearraigh Read More »

Council says scum on bathing waters is organic, and not the result of pollution

Donegal County Council says a scum which has appeared on the water in some of Donegal’s beaches over the past number of days is not pollution. The council says its tests show the material is derived from decaying organic matter, such as seaweed and marine plant debris, and it is already beginning to clear in

Council says scum on bathing waters is organic, and not the result of pollution Read More »

Blaney questions Cowen’s stance on border controls

Donegal senator and European Election Candidate Niall Blaney says a call from fellow candidate and party colleague Barry Cowen for the border to be hardened to handle a serious escalation of the ongoing migration crisis is ill judged. He says while Deputy Cowen’s comments do express the genuine alarm and frustration experienced by people everywhere,

Blaney questions Cowen’s stance on border controls Read More »

Cloughaneely Junior Marching Band to receive €2,000 from department of Education

Cloughaneely Junior Marching Band in Falcaragh is one of 25 organisations in Ireland who will receive a grant under the Education department’s Non-Mainstream Music Education Bursary Scheme 2024. The group will receive €2,000 from a national pot of €100,000. The junior band has five tutors and 42 members who are under 18 years and perform

Cloughaneely Junior Marching Band to receive €2,000 from department of Education Read More »

Utilities Regulator sees sharp rise in complaints last year

The Utilities Regulator saw a huge increase in complex complaint investigations opened last year. It has released its annual report for 2023 today. The Commission for the Regulation of Utilities received over 31,500 contacts from water and energy customers last year. It opened 617 complex complaint investigations, that’s a 71% increase on the previous year.

Utilities Regulator sees sharp rise in complaints last year Read More »

Donegal Deputy brands Housing for All policy a failure

A Donegal Deputy has called the Government’s Housing for All policy a failure. Deputy Thomas Pringle says drastic change and significant investment is needed to address the housing crisis. He told the Dáil this week that there are many in Donegal facing difficult situations, some of which are worsened with the defective concrete block crisis.

Donegal Deputy brands Housing for All policy a failure Read More »

Gardaí seek out witnesses to dangerous driving in Letterkenny today

Gardaí in Letterkenny are appealing for witnesses to multiple incidents of dangerous driving that occurred in the Circular Road, Ballyraine and Woodlands areas of Letterkenny today. These incidents involved a grey 520 BMW between 2.20pm and 2.40pm. The car has blacked out windows, blacked out registration plates and it has been lowered. It also has

Gardaí seek out witnesses to dangerous driving in Letterkenny today Read More »

Ghaoth Dobhair students scoop top award at Donegal SciFest Regional Finals

Three students from Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair have taken home the prestigious EirGrid Cleaner Climate Award following their win at the SciFest@College 2024 regional competition at ATU Donegal. Fourth year students Kerry Magner, Muireann Haicéid and Áine Ní Fhearraigh impressed judges with their project that focused on demonstrating how much electricity a simple waterwheel can generate,

Ghaoth Dobhair students scoop top award at Donegal SciFest Regional Finals Read More »

Donegal students reach final Foróige Entrepreneur of the Year Finals

Four groups from Donegal competed in the finals of the Foróige Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship Programme (NFTE) ‘Youth Entrepreneur of the Year’ competition. Slans by Sasha Kolesnyk from St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar, reached the Social Enterprise final. In the Innovation final were Cozy Quills by Kira McLaughlin from Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana and R.R.R. by Rihanna

Donegal students reach final Foróige Entrepreneur of the Year Finals Read More »

HSE recruitment embargo is preventing emigrants from returning – Doherty

The Dáil has heard claims of Irish people abroad looking to come home to work in the health service – but can’t because of the HSE’s recruitment embargo. It’s as an INMO survey of its members yesterday claimed around two-thirds of nurses and midwives have considered leaving the profession in the past month due to

HSE recruitment embargo is preventing emigrants from returning – Doherty Read More »

Older People’s Councils Convention seeks to bridge technology gap

Up to 200 older people from across Ireland have gathered in Kilkenny for the Age Friendly Ireland National Older People’s Councils Convention. Top of the agenda is discussions surrounding the ‘technology gap’ experienced by older people, particularly in relation to online banking, a cashless society and automated customer service helplines. Donegal native Mairead Cranley is

Older People’s Councils Convention seeks to bridge technology gap Read More »

Doherty seeking intervention to break impasse over Carndonagh housing estate

An Inishowen Councillor is calling for a high level meeting to discusss what he’s describing as an impasse over the Cluain Darach housing estate in Carndonagh that was to have been acquired by Donegal County Council as social housing. However, we understand while a sum of money was agreed in 2021, a request for more

Doherty seeking intervention to break impasse over Carndonagh housing estate Read More »

Government funding announced for 45 Donegal sports clubs

45 Donegal clubs are set to receive over €1.32 million in equipment-only grants under Sports Capital. The funding was announced by the Minister for Sport, Thomas Byrne. Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue welcomed the announcement, saying the government funding will be a massive help to the clubs concerned.  He also thanked

Government funding announced for 45 Donegal sports clubs Read More »

Two premises in Letterkenny included on FSAI’s latest closure order list

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland says 21 Closure Orders were served on food businesses in April, the highest level of closure orders so far this year. Two orders were issued in Letterkenny, both have since been lifted. On April 17th, a closure order was served on Payless Grocery and Meat at 46 Port Road,

Two premises in Letterkenny included on FSAI’s latest closure order list Read More »

Donegal Railway Museum secures cross border funding for heritage project

Donegal Railway Museum has been awarded funding for two cross-border conferences in Donegal Town and Derry and the production of a booklet.  The museum was one of 35 cross-border projects to benefit from the Shared Island Civic Society Fund, which was awarded by Tanáiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin. The project aims to

Donegal Railway Museum secures cross border funding for heritage project Read More »

CFP flies in the face of what the European project is supposed to be – MacLochlainn

The Dail has been told that the case of teenager Muireann Kavanagh, who cannot fish on Arranmore Island typifies everything that is wrong with the Common Fisheries Policy, and should be at the heart of an Irish government effort to have the policy changed. Her case was highlighted once again in the Dail during statements

CFP flies in the face of what the European project is supposed to be – MacLochlainn Read More »

How to access the video recordings of yesterday’s Oireachtas Committee hearing on Defective Blocks

Here’s how to access the full recordings of yesterday’s joint Oireachtas Committee meeting at which government officials and Central Bank representatives were questioned. Click on the following link –  https://www.oireachtas.ie/hourly/     Click on Committee 3, and then click on Wednesday May 8th 2024 Click on the line which indicates ‘last modified’ at 12:50, click

How to access the video recordings of yesterday’s Oireachtas Committee hearing on Defective Blocks Read More »

DCC briefed on progress being made on flagship housing projects in Letterkenny

Donegal County Council has been told that preparatory work is continuing on two flagship housing projects in Letterkenny which are set to deliver a total of 340 houses. On of the sites is at Ballymacool, opposite O’Donnell Park, the other is on High Road, behind Letterkenny Fire Station. The first 130 houses should be complete

DCC briefed on progress being made on flagship housing projects in Letterkenny Read More »

Extension to Finn Valley College will further delay the opening of a long awaited path to Drumboe Woods

It’s emerged that the planned development of a pathway to Drumboe Woods beside Finn Valley College in Stranorlar will be deferred for at least twelve months, until a new extension to the college is constructed and opened. Cllr Patrick McGowan’s been told that while the lease of the land, from Donegal ETB to the council,

Extension to Finn Valley College will further delay the opening of a long awaited path to Drumboe Woods Read More »

Committee told BPFI proposal stalled because of demand for state guarantees

A Joint Oireachtas Committee has been told that a proposal from the Banking and Payments Federation of Ireland to provide up front loans to homeowners affected by Defective Concrete Blocks stalled because BPFI wanted state guarantees. Aileen Gleeson, a Principal Officer in the Department of Finance told the committee this raised questions as to the

Committee told BPFI proposal stalled because of demand for state guarantees Read More »

Uisce Eireann carrying out works in Bridgend and Ballybofey

Pump installation works may cause water supply disruptions around Bridgend this morning. Uisce Eireann say Dundrean, Drumadooey, Birdstown Demesne, Drumhaggart, Elaghbeg and surrounding areas may be affected between 9am and midday. Meanwhile, as part of the National Leakage Reduction Programme, mains repair works may cause supply disruption to Trusk Road, Ballybofey and surrounding areas from

Uisce Eireann carrying out works in Bridgend and Ballybofey Read More »

Council signs contract for acquisition of 21 apartments in Letterkenny

Donegal County Council and Mc Hugh Bros have signed a turnkey acquisition contract for the construction of 21 social homes at Windyhall, Letterkenny. This scheme comprises 12 1-bedroom apartments, 1 2-bedroom apartment and 8 3-bedroom apartments. It’s expected the development will be completed by the end of next year. Pictured at the signing of Contracts

Council signs contract for acquisition of 21 apartments in Letterkenny Read More »

42 year old man detained in relation to Caldwell shooting outside Omagh

A 42 year old man has been arrested by police investigating the attempted murder of Detective Inspector John Caldwell in County Tryone. He was shot several times at a sports complex in Omagh in February last year, and suffered ‘life changing’ injuries in the attack. The PSNI say the suspect presented himself to Musgrave Police

42 year old man detained in relation to Caldwell shooting outside Omagh Read More »

New evidence on deleterious materials may not be fully assessed until early next year

An Oireachtas Committee has been told today that it will could be several months before the standards governing the Defective Block Redress Scheme are changed. Derek Rafferty of the Department of Housing told the Joint Finance Committee this afternoon that the department is aware of the recent evidence which questions the IS 465 standard, and

New evidence on deleterious materials may not be fully assessed until early next year Read More »