Author name: highlandnews

There were 10,500 fewer patients on hospital waiting lists in the North West at the end of 2023. That’s according to Health Minister Stephen Donnelly in an update released on progress made to address hospital waiting lists across the region. There was a 13% reduction in the number of patients on outpatient waiting lists at […]

Just short of 33,000 new housing commencement notices were received by relevant authorities last year. That’s the highest on record and is up more than a fifth on 2022. Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien described the figures as impressive and says they indicate housing supply continues to increase. In Donegal, the number of notices received was

Petrol and diesel prices have dropped by 4c per litre this month. January is the fourth month in a row costs have decreased. The AA says, on average, it costs €1.68 for a litre of either petrol or diesel. EV owners will pay €967 per year, compared to the December average of 975.

Many public services have ground to a halt in Northern Ireland as around 150,000 workers are on strike. Hospitals, schools and transport are all being badly hit. PSNI in Derry say Fountain Hill in the Waterside area of the city is closed to traffic due to ice and snow. Those are travelling are asked to

The Marine Section of Donegal County Council is to review the safety of the ferry slipway in Rathmullan. The issue’s been raised by Cllr Pauric McGarvey, who believes when the Lough Swilly Ferry to Buncrana isn’t operating, a new barrier or gate is necessary on the ferry slipway. Cllr McGarvey says he fears the tragedy

Gardaí in Donegal say people should only travel if it’s necessary as roads around the county remain in treacherous condition. They urge the public to stay safe and check in on vulnerable neighbours, family members & friends. A national low temperature alert is in place until midday as the latest cold-snap continues. A yellow alert

Planned ESB Network outages in Donegal are not going ahead today. Outages were to take place in Letterkenny and St Johnston to allow works to go ahead. ESB say these will be arranged for a future date and apologise for any inconvenience caused.

‘Landmark’ reforms of the child maintenance system are being brought before the Dáil today. Over 16,000 lone parents are expected to benefit from the changes including the exclusion of maintenance payments from the social welfare means tests for the first time. It means parents on reduced pay rates will see their payment increase and others

Tusla says it is committed to working with the Raphoe Diocesan Pastoral Services to maintain counselling services in Letterkenny. Senior officials from the Child and Family Agency met with the service this week. Following what has been described as a productive meeting, Tusla has committed to continue to work with the counselling service to help

A man in his 30s has been arrested in connection with the discovery of 14 people in a container at Rosslare Europort in Wexford last week. He was taken into custody in Rosslare this afternoon for an alleged offence under the Criminal Justice (Smuggling of Persons) Act 2021 – and is being questioned at a

The green light has been given to resume Irish beef exports to China. They had been suspended after an isolated case of atypical BSE was detected in November. The resumption of exports was announced following high level discussions between the Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar today. The Chinese leader is leaving Ireland

The gritters will be back out again this afternoon and tomorrow morning. All Donegal Winter Maintenance designated gritting routes will be treated from 4 o’clock today and 5am tomorrow morning. Donegal County are urging drivers to assume no road is ice free. The following routes are to be treated: 01: National Primary North 02: National

Donegal County Council has been shortlisted for a number of LAMA All Ireland Community and Council Awards. The Inishowen Rivers Trust has been nominated under the Best Green Sustainable category and the Disrupt by the Sea project has been nominated as Best Enterprise & Start-Up Hub. Meanwhile, #BuyDonegal23 is listed as a nominee in the

Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Refuse collection services continues to be affected as result of the snow and icy conditions today however householders are advised to leave out their bins as normal and Council will endeavour to service them when it is safe to do so. A number of our Cemeteries including the City

The number of new cars licensed in Ireland 2023 rose by 16% compared to the previous year. 2,539 of those were in Donegal, a marginal increase of 1.6% for the county. This year also seen an increase of 4% for the country in terms of the number of those new cars which were electric.

Donegal County Council’s Environment team has confirmed drones are now being used in the fight against illegal dumping in the county. In reports to members at municipal district meetings this week, the team says waste and litter staff have been trained, licences are in place, and drone work is now in progress. The team says

  PLEASE NOTE THESE ARE CLOSURES  WHICH WE HAVE CONFIRMED, AND THE LIST IS BY NO MEANS EXHAUSTIVE. McGettigans Buses are not operating today. Travelmaster bus and coach in Buncrana is not operating today. Gaelscoil Adhamhnáin in Letterkenny is closed today. Educate together in Letterkenny is closed today. Scoil Colmcille in Letterkenny is closed today.

A Donegal TD says the Government must ensure there’s adequate GP and hospital services in areas with large numbers of asylum seekers. Independent Deputy Thomas Pringle says a lack of medical services is the main concern of communities dealing with new international protection applicants. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced yesterday extra resources in health, education and

  Difficult driving conditions are being reported across the region this morning, with snow falling on top of ice on many of Donegal’s roads. Gardai say main rotes are passable with care, and are advising motorists to allow extra time for their journeys and slow down. Donegal, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo will remain under a

The Stormont Assembly is to be recalled later, for a final bid to elect a new Speaker before the deadline expires. It collapsed in early 2022 as a result of the DUP’s protest over post-Brexit trade rules for Northern Ireland. The institution have been stagnant for 23 months now, and if the assembly doesn’t return,

The Atlantic Technological University has joined the International Alliance in a bid to combat the escalating crisis of plastic pollution in the Atlantic Ocean. The Blue Point project also aims to establish a Blue Circular Economy. The Blue Point project is an ambitious initiative aimed at establishing a Blue Circular Economy, uniting 13 partners from

The Inishowen Municipal District received the highest number of planning applications in Donegal last year. Figures up to the end of December 2023 reveal the MD also had the highest number of invalid applications. Of the 539 planning applications received, 75 were deemed invalid. Meanwhile, Letterkenny had the largest amount of planning applications granted at

Two men have been arrested in Dublin in connection with a number of criminal damage incidents and a car hijacking in Bridgend on Sunday. The two men, aged in their 20s are currently being detained at a Garda station in Dublin. The stolen vehicle has since been recovered. Investigations are continuing.

  The Student Council at St Eunan’s College Letterkenny penned a two page Letter to the Minister for Education, local TDs and councillors to highlight their concerns regarding delays to the construction of their new school building. In the letter they outline the difference of the needs of the school now, compared to 50 years