Author name: highlandnews

Gardaí issue advice to farmers and road users ahead of summer

Gardaí in Donegal have urged motorists to be aware of agricultural vehicles, especially around this time of year. They have also encouraged farmers to be safety conscious. Full advice from Gardaí: At this time of year, there is usually an increase in the volume of agricultural vehicles on the roads. If you are travelling behind […]

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Local election candidate calls for improved services for older people

  The country is failing older people. That’s according to Jimmy Brogan, an Independent election candidate in the Donegal local electoral area. He says it’s clear decisions in terms of respite and home help care are being made without considering the needs of rural communities. Mr Brogan says there are many issues facing the older

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RSA calling for emergency laws to increase penalty points for motoring offences

Emergency laws are needed to double the penalty points for speeding or using a mobile phone while driving. The demand is being made by the Road Safety Authority to combat a continued increase in road deaths this year. According to the Irish Times briefing documents from the RSA shows it wants a doubling of the

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Gardai reportedly conducting security assessments of some polling stations

Its reported Gardaí are conducting security assessments of some polling stations ahead of this week’s local and European elections. There are concerns protests could be staged, something which could deter people from coming out to vote on Friday. The Irish Daily Mail reports there may be a heightened Garda presence at polling stations to protect

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Taoiseach not focusing on opinion polls ahead of this week’s election

  The Taoiseach says he’s not focusing on opinion polls and there’s only one poll that matters this week. Simon Harris was on the campaign trail at the weekend, calling for people to support Fine Gael candidates in the Local and European elections. A Sunday Independent poll found his party’s popularity rose by 3 points

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Irish Hotels Federation calls on election candidates to show support for pro-tourism policies

The Donegal branch of the Irish Hotels Federation are calling on election candidates to show support for their pro-tourism policies ahead of the upcoming local elections. Tourism enterprises support over 270,000 livelihoods in every town and county, including some 8,000 in Donegal. Aisling Arnold, Chair of the IHF Donegal branch, says she hopes tourism will

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Cabinet discusses the ban of National Children’s Hospital from State project applications

The Cabinet has met to discuss plans to ban the developers of the National Children’s Hospital from applying for State projects. The hospital has been hit by delays and cost overruns, with reports it may not open for patients until 2026. The Irish Mail on Sunday reports BAM’s liable for over 20 million euro in

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636 units of self catering accommodation in Donegal are under threat from new EU law – ISCF

There are 636 self-catering houses and apartments in Donegal under threat from a new piece of EU legislation. That’s the warning from the Irish Self Catering Federation, which says the issue is what it describes as the Irish government’s poorly thought out implementation of European Union legislation on short -term rental data collection and sharing

636 units of self catering accommodation in Donegal are under threat from new EU law – ISCF Read More »

Donegal International Rally preview: competitors and officials expecting great event

This year’s Wilton Recycling Donegal International Rally looks set to be one of the most competitive ever. The event takes place from June 21st to June 23rd. The official launch took place at Diver’s Hyundai garage in Letterkenny. Looking forward to the event, Highland Radio’s Chris Ashmore spoke with chair of the Donegal Motor Club,

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10 new ED beds and new Children’s Treatment Rooms announced for LUH

Letterkenny University Hospital’s Emergency Department is to be provided with 10 extra beds under the Health Capital Plan for 2024. Minister Charlie McConalogue says the project is one of 22 earmarked for funding in Donegal. The increase of capacity at LUH’s Emergency Department will involve the relocation of the existing Acute Medical Assessment Unit and

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People returned to the bog because they had no other choice – Pringle

The Dail has been told that many people in Donegal returned to cutting turf in recent years because they couldn’t afford to pay to hear their homes. Deputy Thomas Pringle was speaking on a Sinn Fein motion on Local Authority Housing Maintenance and Repair, which calls for a comprehensive retrofitting programme. Deputy Pringle supported the

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Saolta and LUH welcome promise of 72 new beds for LUH between 2029 and 2031

Letterkenny University Hospital and the Saolta University Health Care Group welcome the announcement of 72 new beds for the hospital. The HSE says this is part of an ambitious plan to develop adult acute inpatient beds over the course of the next seven years. The new beds in Letterkenny will be provided between 2029 and

Saolta and LUH welcome promise of 72 new beds for LUH between 2029 and 2031 Read More »

Footage of the final moments of Lyra McKee’s life shown at the trial of her alleged killers

Footage of the final moments of Lyra McKee’s life have been shown at a trial of three men accused of her murder. The 29-year-old journalist died after being struck in the head by a bullet in April 2019, while observing a riot in the Creggan area of Derry. 56 year-old Paul McIntyre, Peter Cavanagh, 35,

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NW Homelessness figures unchanged, but national figures once again break records

The State has released its emergency accommodation statistics this afternoon. Figures in the North West are virtually unchanged, with 172 adults accessing homelessness services in the region at the end of April, the same as in March. Of those, 69 were in Donegal, down one. There were 23 families registered at the end of last

NW Homelessness figures unchanged, but national figures once again break records Read More »

Burst water main to cause supply disruptions in East Donegal

Repairs to a burst water main may cause supply disruptions to Leaght, Killygordon, Scotland, Kildoney, Meenahoney, Magheraboy, Blairstown, Liscooley and surrounding areas in Co. Donegal. Works are scheduled to take place until 2pm this afternoon. Uisce Eireann recommend that you allow 3-4 hours after the estimated restoration time for your supply to fully return

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Water safety advice issued ahead of Bank Holiday weekend

Lough Swilly RNLI have shared water safety advice in conjunction with the Coast Guard and Water Safety Ireland ahead of the bank holiday weekend. Those looking to enjoy water-based activities are advised to check the local forecast, including tide times and sea conditions for coastal activities. As well as this acclimatise to cold water temperatures

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Public meeting on judicial review into IS465 taking place in Raphoe this evening

A public meeting is taking place at 7 o’clock this evening, hosted by the Justice 4 Donegal Defective Concrete Home & Properties Organisation. The group is made up of 16 defective concrete home and property owners. It will see a discussion surrounding a judicial review of the testing standard IS465. A spokesperson from the group

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Donegal Deputy says transcriptions of recent Dáil meetings on defective concrete ‘disturbing’

A Donegal Deputy has branded the findings of the Dáil’s Finance and Housing Committees which discussed the Enhanced Defective Block Grant Scheme in recent weeks as disturbing. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, speaking in the chamber yesterday said the process as it stands does not work, and in particular the testimony from Engineers Ireland was cause

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Taoiseach frustrated that suspects in killing of Private Sean Rooney remain at large

The Taoiseach has expressed frustration that suspects in the killing of peackeeper Private Sean Rooney remain at large. The 24 year old, from Donegal, was killed in an attack near the south Lebanon border in December 2022. Simon Harris spoke to the Prime Minister of Lebanon today about a range of issues, including the work

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226 children remain on waiting list for assessment of needs in Donegal

A parliamentary question has revealed that 226 children in Donegal remain on disability assessment wating lists, leaving families in limbo in terms of receiving appropriate health and educational supports. Letterkenny LEA candidate Michael McLaughlin says it’s devasting to learn. Of the children on the list, 196 have been over due their appointment by longer that

226 children remain on waiting list for assessment of needs in Donegal Read More »

Deputy Pearse Doherty says Government is ‘asleep at the wheel’ when it comes to National Children’s Hospital delay

Exchanges in the Dail got heated once again between Deputy Pearse Doherty and Tanaiste Micheal Martin. It was in relation to the delay in the completion of the National Children’s Hospital. The Dáil’s Public Accounts Committee has heard that it’s now expected the site at St. James’s Hospital in Dublin won’t be finished until February

Deputy Pearse Doherty says Government is ‘asleep at the wheel’ when it comes to National Children’s Hospital delay Read More »

Podcast: Simon Harris Interview and Local Election Debate 10 – Lifford/Stranorlar Pt2

The Nine Til Noon Show  is broadcast live weekdays 9am til 12noon! If you missed Wednesday’s live show, you can listen to the podcast below! In the first hour we have an exclusive interviews with Taoiseach Simon Harris covering a range of issues including health care, defective blocks and support for the county in homing

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DACC welcomes confirmation that new Amyloidosis drug will be funded by the HSE

  Donegal Action for Cancer Care is welcoming confirmation that a drug to treat Amylidosis, a rare cancer that has higher rates in Donegal than elsewhere in Ireland, is to be funded by the HSE. The manufacturers announced last evening that Vutrisiran will be made available by the HSE for adults who have Amyloidosis with

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Dail told it will be August next year before the new Children’s Hospital accepts patients

Patients will not be admitted to the new National Children’s Hospital until August 2025 – at the earliest. The Dáil’s Public Accounts Committee has been receiving updates from the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board this morning, which confirmed the new facility won’t be completed until next February. TDs have been questioning the board and the

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Taoiseach offers to intercede on behalf of Childcare facilities affected by defective blocks

Letterkenny Community Childcare is to lead a picket outside the Donegal County Council offices in Letterkenny tomorrow week, June 7th as people are voting in the European and Local Elections. It’s to highlight the fact that they, and 22 other services from all over the County, are affected by Defective Concrete blocks. LCC Manager Geraldine Burke says this means

Taoiseach offers to intercede on behalf of Childcare facilities affected by defective blocks Read More »