Author name: highlandnews

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has confirmed a second person in Ireland has contracted measles. The person in question is based in the west of the country, and public health teams are taking all necessary public health actions in relation to the case. It’s the second confirmed case of the infection here this year, with […]

Donegal County Council carried out two inspections week after reports that traces of home heating oil were found at Rossnowlagh Beach. A spokesperson says that both inspections did not identify any evidence of home heating oil and that the issue appears to occur in a periodic fashion. This has led investigators to believe that a

The European Central Bank has decided to leave interest rates unchanged. It has acknowledged the rate of inflation has declined further since its last meeting in January. It has re-iterated its determination to ensure inflation returns to 2%. However, the pace of reduction in inflation could open the door for interest rate cuts later this

Letterkenny Municipal District Members visited the former ESB site at the Port Road this week  to receive a briefing on demolition works that have now commenced. Donegal County Council says the development of the site forms a key foundational component of the wider  ‘Letterkenny 2040’ urban regeneration programme. As part of this regeneration programme for

The President is due to return to Aras an Uachtarain today following a stay in hospital. Michael D Higgins was admitted last week after experiencing a ”mild transient weakness.” He’s expected to attend a scheduled meeting with the Taoiseach tomorrow but has been told to limit his public engagements so he can recuperate.

An Oireachtas Committee is to recommend that laws are introduced for assisted dying. It would only be allowed if the person has a terminal illness and short time to live. The Joint Committee on Assisted Dying was set up last year to consider laws around a person’s right to end their life. A majority of

Plans to replace a coal fired boiler plant in the Maydown area with a gas turbine system hopes to improve the air quality. The move was approved by Derry City and Strabane District’s Planning Committee. When complete, the site on Clooney Road will produce 50,000 less metric tonnes of CO2 annually.

    The green light has been given for two planning applications for redevelopment at the former Ebrington barracks site in Derry. It is in the latest phase in the regeneration of the site which has already undergone a major transformation over the past ten years. Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Planning Committee granted

Independent Cllr. Pauric McGarvey says he will contest the upcoming local elections in June. He was co-opted to replace his uncle Ian McGarvey who retired in January of last year, at the age of 92. Cllr. McGarvey will be looking to defend his seat in the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District, saying it was an honour to

A man has been arrested following a large drugs seizure in County Tyrone. Police officers searched a property in the Coalisland area and discovered suspected herbal cannabis plants inside the house. A 34 year old man was arrested on suspicion of drug related offences and remains in custody this evening.

  Investigations are continuing into last night’s fatal crash on the A5 between Omagh and Ballygawley. The two vehicle collision involving a white BMW and blue Scania lorry occurred on the Curr Road shortly before 7:30pm. The driver of the BMW, a 30-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene. He’s been named locally as

PSNI in Strabane and Derry say last night was a busy one, with two officers assaulted. While responding to call outs, one officer was kicked, while another had a lit cigarette thrown in their face. The Police Service have deemed the behaviour as simply unacceptable and confirmed that arrests have been made.

Police officers in Eglinton carried out searches yesterday afternoon leading to the seizure of suspected drugs. The District Support Team say they are suspected to be of Class B grade. A man will be reported to the public prosecution service as a result. PSNI say they will have a visible presence in the district today

A man has died following a crash on the A5 between Omagh and Ballygawley. The two vehicle collision involving a white BMW and blue Scania lorry occurred on the Curr Road shortly before 7:30pm yesterday evening. The driver of the BMW, a 30-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene. The road remains closed at

Major new changes are being proposed for the primary school curriculum. It includes teaching about sex and consent at an earlier stage and less time on religion. Foreign languages would also be taught in primary school along with a greater focus on other people’s cultures. The changes, which were drafted by the National Council for

The Main A5 road between Omagh and Ballygawley remains closed off this morning. It follows a serious crash at the Curr Road last night. Police say the road is expected to remain closed for several hours. Motorists are advised to use alterntive routes.

Motorists are told to leave extra time on their journey, as road resurfacing works are underway today and tomorrow on the R-251, Glenveagh Road. They are to start at 7am and last until 7pm in the evening. There will be a traffic management plan in place, with only one lane in operation.

Meta has fixed a problem that broke Instagram and Facebook. An issue caused login issues for users earlier this afternoon. Meta’s Communications Director says it has resolved a “technical issue.” The company has apologised for any inconvenience caused.

Cllr Christopher Jackson has been reappointed to the LPHC Board. Northern Ireland’s Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd made the announcement, outlining the councillors statutory duty to improve, maintain, regulate, and manage the Foyle Port to facilitate the development of the harbour. It will be Cllr. Jacksons second four-year term, meaning he will hold the position until

A number of routes will be gritted in Donegal this evening. Donegal County Council ask road users to assume no road is ice free. Treatment of the routes will commence at 7pm. The routes are as follows: 01: National Primary North 02: National Primary Central 03: National Primary South 04: Inishowen South 05: Inishowen East

Terence O’Rourke is the new Chairperson of the Board of RTÉ. His appointment follows the recent departure of Siún Ní Raghallaigh. Media Minister Catherine Martin says she intends to meet him in the coming days. Terri Moloney and Neasa Hardiman have also been confirmed as board members. Minister Martin says all three “bring with them

It’s been confirmed that Cllr. Albert Doherty will seek to keep his seat this June in Inishowen. The Carndonagh councillor was selected as the Sinn Féin candidate at a meeting of local party members. He will be running with one other party member.

Some social media apps owned by Meta seem to be down. Instagram pages will not load for users, and Facebook will not allow people to log in. Hundreds of reports have been logged with the website Down Detector in the last while.

The official opening has taken place of Gaelscoil Cois Feabhail’s new school building in Moville. Unveiling a plaque marking the event, Minister Charlie McConalogue congratulated all those involved in achieving a new state of the art premises for the school, which first opened 23 years ago. Minister McConalogue recognised the hard work of parents, teachers

Donegal County Council is carrying out an online survey in respect of the Local Authority Affordable Housing Scheme. The scheme is intended to help people on moderate incomes to buy new homes at an initially reduced price, with the council taking an equity stake in the property. The Affordable Housing Scheme is designed to make