Author name: highlandnews

Two motorists arrested, vehicle seized and penalty notices issued as Donegal Gardai crackdown on road safety

Gardai are out in force in Donegal this Easter Bank Holiday weekend. Two drivers have already been arrested. In the early hours of this morning, a drug driver was apprehended in the Letterkenny area after testing positive for cannabis while a disqualified driver was arrested by the Letterkenny Roads Policing Unit yesterday. Meanwhile, a truck

Two motorists arrested, vehicle seized and penalty notices issued as Donegal Gardai crackdown on road safety Read More »

Hospitality sector jobs at risk due to rise in minimum wage

  It’s claimed jobs are being put at risk due to the rise in the minimum wage. The Restaurants’ Association says 70 restaurants or food-led businesses closed down in February, with the loss of 1,400 jobs, which it’s blaming on increases to the minimum wage. Restaurants’ Association Chief Executive Adrian Cummins says the sector is

Hospitality sector jobs at risk due to rise in minimum wage Read More »

New interim leader of DUP describes charges against Donaldson as “devastating revelation”

  The new leader of the DUP has described charges of historical sex offences against Jeffrey Donaldson as a “devastating revelation”. He quit as leader and has been suspended from the party pending the outcome of the judicial process. Last month Jeffrey Donaldson brought the group back into power-sharing after nearly two years. Gavin Robinson

New interim leader of DUP describes charges against Donaldson as “devastating revelation” Read More »

The Big Donegal Clean-Up launched this week

  Donegal County Council are supporting individuals, groups, businesses and organisations in arranging their own clean-up events for the Big Donegal Clean-Up, part of An Taisce’s National Spring Clean. The campaign, launched at Dunfanaghy pier this week by county councillors and members of the Dunfanaghy Tidy Towns group, aims to get communities to come together

The Big Donegal Clean-Up launched this week Read More »

Calls for facilities to open earlier on Tory Island for tourists

People are now visiting Tory Island during the winter, therefore the lack of facilities must be addressed. That’s the view of Marjorie Uí Chearbhall, a member of Donegal County Council’s Island Committee. She has requested the provision of toilets in particular remain open so tourists have what they need when visiting:

Calls for facilities to open earlier on Tory Island for tourists Read More »

Paramilitary Crime Task Force seize items and arrest woman in Derry

Officers from the Paramilitary Crime Task Force conducted searches in the Brandywell and Creggan areas of Derry area today. As a result, a number of items were seized, which will be taken away for further forensic examination. A 38 year old woman was arrested and subsequently released with an adult caution. The searches are part

Paramilitary Crime Task Force seize items and arrest woman in Derry Read More »

Four hospitalised and man arrested following Dungloe crash this afternoon

Four people have been hospitalised and a man arrested following a two car crash in Dungloe this afternoon. It happened at approximately 1.10pm on the N56. The driver of the first car, and the three female passengers, one aged in their 50’s and 60’s are being treated for non-life-threatening injuries in Letterkenny University Hospital. The

Four hospitalised and man arrested following Dungloe crash this afternoon Read More »

Irish consumers to brave price hikes on Monday

A number of broadband and phone providers are increasing charges on Monday. Eir and Vodafone bills face an inflation linked rise. Other providers are set to increase their prices in the coming weeks. Personal Finance Editor with the Irish Independent, Charlie Weston, says other countries are trying to stop these types of increases: Meanwhile, consumers

Irish consumers to brave price hikes on Monday Read More »

Social Democrats see 230% increase in followers since 2022

The Social Democrats have seen the largest increase in social media followers among political parties since 2022. The party has grown its following by 230% since September 2022 – adding 126,000 followers across all platforms. Sinn Féin is leading the way with a total of 934,000 followers. The analysis, by Mulley Communications, found Sinn Féin

Social Democrats see 230% increase in followers since 2022 Read More »

Smoking rate in Ireland dropped to 18% since smoking ban introduces 20 years ago

The Tánaiste says the introduction of the smoking ban twenty years ago today paved the way for other countries to follow suit. Ireland became the first country in the world to ban smoking in indoor public spaces back in 2004. Smoking here has reduced from 27% to 18% since, and 74 other countries have followed

Smoking rate in Ireland dropped to 18% since smoking ban introduces 20 years ago Read More »

Take care socialising & traveling this Easter bank holiday weekend – An Garda Síochána

  An Garda Síochána are advising citizens to take care whilst socialising and traveling this Easter bank holiday weekend. They are urging people to drink alcohol responsibly and to not drive whilst under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. They advise to ensure that cars are locked and parked securely in well lit areas, with

Take care socialising & traveling this Easter bank holiday weekend – An Garda Síochána Read More »

Two more people declare their intention to contest local elections in Donegal

Two more people have declared their intention to contest this year’s local elections in Donegal. Convoy woman Selina O’Donnell who is now living in West Donegal will run as an independent in the Glenties local electoral area. She says local business, the fishing industry and rural services will be some of the issues she will

Two more people declare their intention to contest local elections in Donegal Read More »

People urged to stay away from EDs unless absolutely necessary this weekend

People are being urged to stay away from hospital emergency departments unless absolutely necessary this weekend. The HSE is instead asking the public to consider all other options like pharmacies, out of hours GP services and minor injury clinics. Its expecting a busy bank holiday weekend at hospitals which are already ‘extremely busy’, but the

People urged to stay away from EDs unless absolutely necessary this weekend Read More »

Government accused of ‘unmitigated failure’ in solving housing crisis

The government is being accused of an unmitigated failure when it comes to solving the housing crisis. The Labour Leader says the latest homeless figures are not just statistics, but represent real lives devastated by government inaction. Department of Housing figures show 13,841 people were in emergency accommodation in February, which included 4,170 children. In

Government accused of ‘unmitigated failure’ in solving housing crisis Read More »

The North West is entering a new economic chapter – North’s Economy Minister

The North West is entering a new economic chapter. That’s according to the North’s Economy Minister Conor Murphy who attended Derry Chamber of Commerce’s President’s Annual Lunch yesterday. Greg McCann, the Derry Chamber President says the new era will allow for greater cross border opportunities. He says education is vital for a thriving region:  

The North West is entering a new economic chapter – North’s Economy Minister Read More »

Councillors call for more garda resources in Inishowen

An Inishowen councillor is calling for more garda resources in Donegal, namely for the status of rural garda stations to be re-instated. Cllr Terry Crossan and Cllr Albert Doherty moved similar motions at a plenary meeting of Donegal County Council pertaining to the greater need for garda services in the area. Cllr Crossan highlighted the

Councillors call for more garda resources in Inishowen Read More »

National leakage reduction works benefit three more Donegal communities

Three more communities have benefitted from the Uisce Eireann National Leakage Reduction programme. Dunfanaghy, Toberkeen and Straid from the replacement of almost 2km of old and damaged cast iron water mains. Works are also ongoing in Liscooley to Castlefinn, Pluck to Manorcunningham, and Coole Upper to Cranford. Uisce Eireann says these will ensure the provision

National leakage reduction works benefit three more Donegal communities Read More »

Two Donegal beneficiaries as McEntee announces extra funding for DSGBV services

Two services in Donegal are to benefit after Justice Minister Helen McEntee today confirmed details of additional funding for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence services. Donegal Rape Crisis Centre receives just over €142,000, and Donegal Womens Refuge receives an extra €59,000. It’s part of a €6.3 million national funding package which sees 43 groups around

Two Donegal beneficiaries as McEntee announces extra funding for DSGBV services Read More »

Almost 165,000 people visited OPW owned sites in Donegal in 2023

Almost 165,000 people visited OPW sites in Donegal last year. There has been an 11% rise in the number of people travelling to Donegal’s OPW owned sites. They are Doe Castle, Donegal Castle, Glebe House and Gallery, Grianán of Aileach and Newmills Corn and Flax. Figures from the Office of Public Works show Donegal Castle

Almost 165,000 people visited OPW owned sites in Donegal in 2023 Read More »

Need for the restoration of day services at Carndonagh Community Hospital back in spotlight

The need for the restoration of day services at Carndonagh Community Hospital is back in the spotlight this week. Councillor Albert Doherty welcomed a working group meeting taking place to develop a schedule of potential accommodation and to prioritise services within the grounds of Carndonagh Community Hospital. At a meeting of the Regional Health Forum this

Need for the restoration of day services at Carndonagh Community Hospital back in spotlight Read More »

Buncrana man announces intention to run as independent candidate in local elections

Buncrana man Adrian McMyler has thrown his hat into the ring to contest this year’s local elections. He will run in the Buncrana local electoral area as an independent. Mr McMyler says through his community work it is clear that Buncrana and South Inishowen need a new independent candidate.

Buncrana man announces intention to run as independent candidate in local elections Read More »

Task for Simon Harris is to secure his own party’s trust – Cllr Brogan

Donegal County Council’s Fianna Fail Whip believes the difficult task for Simon Harris as he prepares to take on the role of Taoiseach will be gaining the trust of his own party. The current Minister for Further and Higher Education was confirmed as the new Fine Gael leader at the weekend. He’s expected to be

Task for Simon Harris is to secure his own party’s trust – Cllr Brogan Read More »

Searches carried out in connection with €4m cocaine packages found washed up on Donegal beaches last year

Gardai have seized a number of items today as part of an ongoing investigation after packages containing over €4 million worth of cocaine washed up in Donegal last year. This morning Donegal Gardaí assisted by Louth Gardaí have carried out searches at a number of locations in Dundalk. Items of potential evidential value to the

Searches carried out in connection with €4m cocaine packages found washed up on Donegal beaches last year Read More »

Over €267,000 to develop and upgrade nine outdoor recreation projects in Donegal

Over €267,000 in funding has been announced to develop and upgrade nine outdoor recreation projects in Donegal. It’s part of a €4.1 million fund unveiled by the Minister for Rural and Community Development today. Donegal County Council, the Inishowen Development Partnership and the Donegal Local Development Company will receive a share of the funds for

Over €267,000 to develop and upgrade nine outdoor recreation projects in Donegal Read More »

100% Redress Party announce another local election candidate

The 100% Redress Party has announced another local election candidate. Joy Beard will contest June’s elections for the party in the Buncrana electoral area. She has been a defective concrete block campaigner for over seven years and was one of the co-founders of the Redress Focus Groups. Ms Beard says while the defective block crisis

100% Redress Party announce another local election candidate Read More »

‘Leave the creation of official documents to relevant bodies’, warns Donegal Gardai as car seized

A car has been seized in Donegal after the driver was suspected of having a fraudulent driving licence and insurance disk. On Tuesday, while on patrol the Letterkenny Roads Policing Unit were alerted to a vehicle having no insurance. The car was subsequently stopped and the documents inspected and it emerged they were fraudulent. The

‘Leave the creation of official documents to relevant bodies’, warns Donegal Gardai as car seized Read More »