Author name: highlandnews

It could be over a year before LUH ED extension is delivered

There’s fears people will continue to face long wait times at Letterkenny University Hospital’s Emergency Department as the proposed extension to the ED is facing delays. An application has already been submitted for a two storey modular extension to the hospital’s Emergency Department however, it’s understood it could be the end of next year before […]

It could be over a year before LUH ED extension is delivered Read More »

Renewed calls for tax breaks for defective block homeowners

There’s renewed calls for defective block homeowners to be granted tax breaks. Councillor Paul Canning believes if VAT was scrapped the Enhanced Defective Concrete Block Grant Scheme would go a long way in remediating affected properties. He’s calling on the Department to consider the move. He says there is existing legislation that could be rolled

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President hits out at ‘propaganda campaign against the United Nations’

President Michael D Higgins has hit out at what he called, “a propaganda campaign against the United Nations.” In a statement, the President called on countries to follow the lead of Canada and Sweden, who recently resumed aid to UNRWA, the UN’s Palestinian refugee agency Funding to UNRWA had been withdrawn by several countries after

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Police in Derry and Strabane responded to 140 calls over weekend

Police in Derry City & Strabane responded to a total of 140 calls over the weekend. Officers dealt with a wide range of calls between Friday and this morning including domestic-related incidents, concern for safety calls, assault, and burglary. In one driving incident highlighted, officers worked with Garda colleagues. A number of officers were assaulted

Police in Derry and Strabane responded to 140 calls over weekend Read More »

Calls for Health Minister to intervene as NW and West has highest cancer mortality rates

The highest cancer mortality rates are in the North West and West. That’s according to the director of the Saolta Cancer Network. It’s led to calls for the Health Minister to intervene to deal with the two-tier cancer system that leaves patients in the region with poorer services. Professor Michael Kerin has previously called for

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Motorists in ROI could soon be travelling across the border for cheaper fuel

Motorists in the Republic of Ireland could soon be travelling across the border to get cheaper petrol and diesel. Last week, the UK Governments decision to extend the reduced fuel excise duty rate for a year will mean that fuel prices in the North will not be increasing anytime soon. However from April 1 petrol

Motorists in ROI could soon be travelling across the border for cheaper fuel Read More »

€6.5 million paid in grant payments since roll out of Enhanced Defective Concrete Block scheme

An update on the status of transitional applications was presented to a meeting of the Enhanced Defective Concrete Block Grant Committee this morning. Over €6.5 million has been made in grant payments to date to 129 applicants since the introduction of the enhanced scheme in July. The total value of grants paid to date, including

€6.5 million paid in grant payments since roll out of Enhanced Defective Concrete Block scheme Read More »

Water outages in Castlefinn and Carndonagh

Uisce Eireann are dealing with a number of water main issues in Donegal today. In the area around Castlefinn, supply interruptions are possible in Doneyloop, Ringsend, Ballybun, Cloughfin, Ballylast, Corcullion, Gortnamuck and surrounding areas. Uisce Eireann says it hopes to have the issue resolved by 2.30. Meanwhile, in Carndonagh, supplies are being interrupted in Tiernaleague

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Local community seeks reopening of health centres in Churchill and Kimacrennan

A petition has been launched in Kilmacrennan and Churchill to have local health centres reopened. The Churchhill centre closed during the Covid 19 pandemic, and the Kilmacrennan centre closed recently, with a bus service bringing patients who have appointments to the Health Centre in Milford. However, Cllr Michael McBride says that’s not acceptable to the

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Donegal Minister in hot water for breaking strict referendum guidelines

Donegal Minister Charlie McConalogue has found himself in hot water for breaking strict guidelines in using public funds to advocate for a Yes vote in the referendum. That’s according to this morning’s Irish Independent. The press release was titled “Minister McConalogue advocates ‘Yes’ vote ahead of March 8th referendums” however, it was made unconstitutional to

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Calls for meeting to develop East Donegal tourism plan

There’s calls for a specific meeting to develop a tourism plan for East Donegal. Councillor Patrick McGowan says previous efforts to promote tourism efforts have fallen by the wayside due to a lack of support. Donegal County Council has agreed to an initial meeting with Councillors in the Lifford Stranorlar MD. Cllr McGowan has proposed

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St Vincent de Paul provided over €307,000 in support to families in Letterkenny in 2023

St Vincent de Paul spent over €307,000 last year assisting families in Letterkenny. The majority of the money went towards providing food and groceries to those in need. The Society of St Vincent de Paul spent a total of €307,496 assisting families in Letterkenny in 2023. The majority of the money, €227,310 went towards the

St Vincent de Paul provided over €307,000 in support to families in Letterkenny in 2023 Read More »

Pressure mounting on Housing Department to ensure defective block homeowners are reimbursed

Pressure is mounting on the Housing Department to ensure defective block homeowners with outstanding fees are reimbursed. Some homeowners who had engaged with the previous redress scheme remain out thousands of euros. A commitment was given by the Housing Department before Christmas that the issue would be resolved. Councillor Martin McDermott however, says it’s time

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Gardai warn there is no hiding drug driving after multiple arrests over the weekend in Donegal

Gardai in Donegal have warned that there is no hiding drug driving. Four people have been arrested for the offence over the weekend. On Friday, two drivers were arrested on suspicion of drug driving with one road user testing positive for cocaine and the other testing positive for cannabis. Also, on Saturday two further arrests

Gardai warn there is no hiding drug driving after multiple arrests over the weekend in Donegal Read More »

Serious concern over road safety on approach to Clady Bridge

There’s serious concern over road safety on approach to Clady Bridge. Overhanging trees on the route from the N15 are hampering travelling conditions for motorists. Councillor Gary Doherty said he himself had a number of near misses. A request for additional lighting at the junction off the Castlefin Road was previously requested. Councillor Doherty says

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‘Results of referendum a clear sign that Government needs to go’ – Dr Joe Kelly

The referendum results are a clear sign that a change of Government is needed. That’s according to Dr Joe Kelly. Meanwhile, an ‘Ireland Thinks’ exit poll – published today in the Sunday Independent – reveals high levels of anger behind the ‘No’ vote – with voters citing a ‘lack of clarity’ and ‘mistrust in Government’

‘Results of referendum a clear sign that Government needs to go’ – Dr Joe Kelly Read More »

Institute win to stay in promotion hunt – Strabane’s intermediate cup dreams are over

Donegal man Shane McGinty was among the scorers as Institute defeated Knockbreda 3-0 away to stay in contention for promotion in the Irish League Championship. However, struggling Dergview were beaten 3-0 away by Newington. Meanwhile, Strabane Athletic – who have been going really well of late – bowed out of the Irish Intermediate Cup as

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McBrearty wins schools cross-country title, McCready is fastest woman in Derry Ten Miler

A number of Donegal athletes were to the fore in a variety of competitions on Saturday, with pride of place going to St. Columba’s College Stranorlar student Odhran McBrearty who won the intermediate under-17 title at the schools cross-country championships in Dublin. His fine run will mean that he is selected for the Irish schools

McBrearty wins schools cross-country title, McCready is fastest woman in Derry Ten Miler Read More »

Eamon Ryan admits Government’s case ‘didn’t win’ in referendums on Family and Care

The Green Party leader has admitted the case the Government presented to the public ‘didn’t win’ in the referendums on Family and Care. Minister Eamon Ryan initially said there was still a long way to go, but has now conceded it looks like both referendums will be defeated. Speaking at the Dublin City count centre

Eamon Ryan admits Government’s case ‘didn’t win’ in referendums on Family and Care Read More »

Gardai and PSNI say they’re committed to cross border crime prevention

  An Garda Síochána Donegal state that they are committed to keeping people safe in the border areas. This was mentioned at an event yesterday where An Garda Síochána Chief Superintendent Goretti Sheridan, Superintendent Shaun Grant and Garda colleagues joined the Area Commander Chief Superintendent Gillian Kearney and her colleagues from the PSNI, to meet

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Early indications suggest Donegal will return a ‘No’ vote in both referendums

Early indications suggest Donegal will return a ‘No/ No’ vote in both referendums. Counting is well underway now at the Donegal Count Centre at the Aura Leisure Centre, Letterkenny. Final turnout figures in Donegal range from 38% in Stranorlar, to 41.5% in the Donegal Local Electoral area to under 50% in Buncrana. Tallies carried out

Early indications suggest Donegal will return a ‘No’ vote in both referendums Read More »

Government urged to address ‘unacceptably high electricity prices’

The Government is being urged to urgently address what’s been described as Ireland’s ‘unacceptably high electricity prices’. The call from Sinn Fein comes as profits at the ESB surged by 30% to €868 million for 2023. Energy prices are 66.4% higher than the average in other EU member states, while residential gas bills are over

Government urged to address ‘unacceptably high electricity prices’ Read More »

Over 16,000 on waiting lists at Letterkenny University Hospital

The latest National Treatment Purchase Fund Hospital Waiting List data is out. As of the end of February, there were around 689,500 patients on the active hospital waiting lists in Ireland. 16,052 are in Letterkenny University Hospital, with over 14,700 of those being outpatients. 12,736 are adults, while 1,990 are children. In adults the longest

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Red Hugh O’Donnell link could see Lifford twined with Spanish village

It’s been proposed the Lifford Stranorlar Municipal District twin with Spanish village Simancas to mark the connection with Red Hugh O’Donnell. The Council in Simancas has already passed a motion to twin with the area in recognition of Lifford being the birth place of Red Hugh O’Donnell and there his place of death. Cathaoirleach of

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