Author name: highlandnews

School principals say they need more support implementing fee school book scheme

  School principals say specialist admin help is needed with the free school books scheme. The Department of Education says it’s offering guidance and has made a grant available to hire help. However, as the scheme is due to cover Junior Cycle students from September, principals have asked for additional support. Director of the National […]

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IFA Regional Chair addresses plenary meeting of Donegal County Council

The IFA today made representations to a Plenary Meeting of Donegal County Council. Frank Brady, the Ulster Regional Chairman said that farmers are not respected and called for the farming community to stop being treated as second class citizens. He highlighted the importance of food production in Ireland as well as the quality of the

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Derry PSNI treating criminal damage in the Fountain and Irish Street as sectarian hate crimes

Police in Derry are investigating criminal damage caused at a number of locations in the Waterside and Cityside areas on Friday night. Graffiti was daubed on walls and murals at locations in the Irish Street and Fountain Estate areas. A number of murals have been damaged as well as a wall of a community centre

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Calls for public consultation revamp in light of active travel plan confusion

Public consultation should not be a ‘tick the box exercise’. That’s what Letterkenny Cllr Ciaran Brogan told the Lifford Chamber at a meeting of Donegal County Council as discussions around proposed active travel works on the Kilmacrennan Road from the Hospital Roundabout to Knocknamona got underway. Several objections were made by members from Letterkenny Municipal

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241% jump in blackmail and extortion offences in Donegal

The number of blackmail and extortion offences in Donegal has increased drastically. According to figures released today from the Central Statistics Office, there was a drop in the number of sexual offences and criminal damage incidents. CSO figures have revealed there were 41 incidents of blackmail and extortion offences in Donegal in 2023, representing a

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Public meeting to hear public representatives’ views on ‘The People’s Document’

Responses from political representatives to a new document on the defective concrete block crisis is the focus of a public meeting being held tomorrow. The People’s Document, compiled from the experiences of those impacted by the crisis, was circulated to all politicians following a meeting held on March 4th. It sets out what they believe

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Two arrested and over €26,000 worth of drugs seized in Donegal

Over €26,000 worth of drugs has been seized in Letterkenny and Ramelton. A person was detained by the Donegal Divisional Drugs Unit in Letterkenny yesterday for the purpose of a search. A quantity of Cannabis was subsequently found. While a follow-up search in the Ramelton area saw €25,000 worth of Cannabis seized, €840 of MDMA,

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Car found stripped of its parts in Donegal after being stolen in Strabane

A car stolen in Strabane has been found in Donegal stripped of its parts. It’s after what police have described as a well-planned and organised theft. The white Audi Q7 was stolen after a property in Bracken Gate was entered and the keys of the vehicle taken yesterday between 12:30am and 1am. Working with Gardai,

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HSE confirms some physiotherapy services may return to St Joseph’s Hospital, Stranorlar

The HSE has confirmed some physiotherapy services may return to St Joseph’s Hospital, Stranorlar. There were fears earlier this year that the HSE was attempting to reduce services at the community hospital as physiotherapy services were withdrawn and relocated to Lifford and Donegal Town. It was part of a temporary measure in light of recommendations

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Dog owners reminded of responsibility as lambing season continues

Gardai in Donegal are reminding dog owners of their responsibility as lambing season continues. They say this time of year brings issues with sheep kills with dogs attack livestock. Dog owners are urged to keep their dog secured, under effectual control and ensure it is microchipped. Members of the public are advised that if they

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Recruitment and retention set to dominate AGSI annual conference

Recruitment and retention are set to dominate as the 46th Annual Conference of Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors gets underway today. 170 delegates representing 31 AGSI Branches will gather in Westport, Co. Mayo this evening. This year’s conference comes off the back of the Dublin Riots, roster disputes, and issues with burdensome red tape

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First response teams should be established to help fire service – Mac GiollaEasbuig

A West Donegal councillor is calling for the establishment of First Response teams to support the Fire Service in areas of the county which are susceptible to gorse fires. Cllr. Micheal Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig says in the warmer weather there is more risk of wildfires such as those which were seen in Annagry a

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People in social housing affected by defective blocks need answers

  There are people living in social housing that are affected by defective blocks who have growing worries surrounding the future of their homes. Cllr. Liam Blaney says a number of years ago such houses were patched up and there has been a lack of communication since. He requested an update at the latest meeting

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Tanaiste says a general election now would mean important new legislation is lost

Tanaiste Michael Martin says there are a number of important pieces of legislation going through the system that would be lost if a general election were to be called now. Michael Martin was responding to ongoing calls for the government to go to the people following Leo Varadkar’s resignation last week, and his replacement yesterday

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Third man due in court in relation to Dungiven incident

A 17-year-old man arrested in County Derry at the weekend by detectives from the Terrorism Investigation Unit is due in court in Coleraine today. He is charged with professing membership of a proscribed organisation, possession of a firearm or imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, and possession of an offensive weapon in

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Maria Walsh and Nina Carberry to contest European Election for FG

Sitting MEP Maria Walsh and former champion jockey Nina Carberry have been selected by Fine Gael to contest the forthcoming European Election in the Midlands North West constituency. The selection convention took place this afternoon at the Sheraton Athlone Hotel. Maria Walsh told the convention she is proud to stand as a progressive candidate, with

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Colm Markey withdraws from FG European selection convention

Outgoing MEP Colm Markey has withdrawn his name from today’s Midlands North-west selection convention. Colm Markey has served as an MEP for three years, having been coopted into the European Parliament after Mairead McGuinness was appointed an EU Commissioner. Since then, he’s been serving alongside the constituency’s other Fine Gael representative, Maria Walsh. Last week,

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Creative Schools 2024 welcomes applications for €4,000 grant

    The Creative Schools 2024 programme welcomes applications from Primary and Secondary schools and Youthreach centres across the country. Each school that participates in the two-year programme will receive a grant of €4,000 and a Creative Associate to support them to develop and implement their own bespoke Creative School Plan. Applications can be made

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Glenties Councillor calls for more amenities in Donegal tourism spots

  There must be more amenities available for those who visit county Donegal. That’s according to a Glenties Councillor. Cllr. Anthony Molloy says facilities such as toilets and benches should be available in areas such as Ardara which attract many visitors. He says if people have a positive visit where their needs are met, it

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Mothers of stillborn babies need maternity leave, regardless of the pregnancy length – Mary T Sweeney

Maternity leave must be given to women who have stillborn babies, regardless of the length of the pregnancy. That is the view of Donegal Aontu representative, Mary T Sweeney. The party are resubmitting a Bill to have all stillborn babies included on the national register. At current, the register only covers stillborn babies which are

Mothers of stillborn babies need maternity leave, regardless of the pregnancy length – Mary T Sweeney Read More »

Basic amenities need to be made available for tourists in West Donegal

There must be more amenities available for those who visit county Donegal. That’s according to a Glenties councillor. Cllr. Anthony Molloy says facilities such as toilets and benches should be available in areas such as Ardara which attracts many visitors. He says if people have a positive visit where their needs are met, it will

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Successful day for Finn Valley AC at the European Masters Indoor Championships and the SIAB International

Finn Valley AC’s Catriona Devine has won silver in the W50 1500 metre race at the European Masters Indoor Championships in Poland in a time of 5:04.71.  She was beaten in the last few metres by Sonia De La Calle Gomez from Spain, who won the gold medal with a time of 5:04.41. Also at

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Mary Lou MacDonald visits Donegal today and calls for general election amid FG ‘chaos’

The Sinn Fein leader is visiting Donegal today. She plans to meet with candidates who are running for the local elections in June. According to Deputy Mary Lou MacDonald Sinn Fein have put forward 18 candidates. While speaking to Highland Radio News, Deputy MacDonald was asked about last nights revelation that Junior Education Minister Josepha

Mary Lou MacDonald visits Donegal today and calls for general election amid FG ‘chaos’ Read More »

Two men released without charge in relation to Creeslough tragedy

  The two men that were arrested yesterday in relation to the Creeslough tragedy have been released without charge. The investigation led by Donegal Gardaí is ongoing with the intention of submitting a file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. An Garda Síochána have no further information available at this time.

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Fermanagh and Omagh Council welcomes funding confirmation for Strule Campus

  Fermanagh and Omagh District Council has welcomed confirmation from the Northern Ireland Executive that £150 million is to be provided over the next three years to enable construction of the Strule Shared Education Campus to proceed. Six Omagh schools will be brought together onto a shared site on a former military base in Omagh.

Fermanagh and Omagh Council welcomes funding confirmation for Strule Campus Read More »