Author name: highlandnews

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 […]

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,

Police have issued a warning after a helicopter pilot reported a near miss with a drone in the vicinity of Foyle Bridge in Derry yesterday afternoon. The drone was operating at an altitude of 1000 feet, which is both illegal and extremely dangerous for the aircraft and any occupants. Drone users are reminded that a

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,

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

Donegal is the cheapest county for housing while Dublin remains the most expensive place in Ireland to buy a house. The figures contained in the Irish Independent/REA Average House Price Index show the national average price of a three bed semi detached is around €308,000. Average prices in Donegal are €162,500, up 1.6% in the

Efforts are continuing to recover a sperm whale washed up on a beach in Glencolmcille. The large whale was discovered deceased on Saturday evening on ‘The Big Beach’. The Irish Dolphin and Whale Group has been notified of the incident.

Six people were arrested in Donegal for drug driving within the space of 48 hours over the weekend. The Letterkenny Roads Policing Unit had an extremely busy weekend as they carried out checkpoints and patrols. They say cocaine was the most prevalent drug detected. Gardai are appealing again to all drivers not to risk their

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

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

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

  Simon Harris has officially been named as the new leader of Fine Gael. The Higher Education Minister was the only nomination to replace Leo Varadkar. He becomes the 12th leader of Fine Gael, and will become the youngest ever Taoiseach on April 9th.

  The Higher Education Minister Simon Harris is expected to be announced as the new leader of Fine Gael within the next hour Nominations to replace Leo Varadkar closed earlier this afternoon, with Minister Harris believed to be the only candidate. If that is the case, he’ll become the 12th leader of Fine Gael, as

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,

  Four people have died in a single-car collision in County Armagh. The PSNI say the crash happened shortly after 2am this morning on the Ballynahonemore Road. The driver and three passengers, were pronounced dead at the scene. Police currently remain at the scene, and the road will remain closed for most of the day.

    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

  Charles Ward has been announced as the 100% Redress Party’s fourth candidate that will run in the local council elections this June. Mr. Ward, hailing from Arranmore Island and now living in Drumkeen, will contest the election in the Lifford-Stranorlar Electoral Area.   Press release in full: 100% Redress Party announces its first candidate

  A man in his 20s who was arrested in Derry on Thursday evening has since been released on bail to allow for further police enquiries. The man had been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, driving without insurance, no driving licence, failing to stop for police and possession of a Class A controlled drug.

A 21 year old man has been charged to court following a report of a serious assault in the Donald’s Way area of Limavady on Monday the 4th of March. He has been charged with grievous bodily harm with intent, possessing an article with a point or blade in a public place, attempted grievous bodily

  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.

  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.

  A new task force has been created to realize the expansion of the Ulster University campus at Magee in Derry. Funding has been received to build a new teaching and student services building and to support the graduate entry medical school. SDLP Leader and Foyle MP Colum Eastwood has welcomed the establishment of a

Revenue officers have seized €340,000 of contraband some of which was destined for Donegal. Revenue officers examining parcels at premises in Dublin, Athlone and Shannon Airport made the discovery this week. Firstly in Dublin, officers seized 9.3 kgs of herbal cannabis, 72.7 grammes of cannabis resin, 1.8 kgs of cannabis edibles and 5.1 kg of

A man has been arrested following a police chase in Derry last night. At 11:45pm, police observed a silver Audi swerving across lanes of traffic on the Clooney Road dual carriageway, almost colliding with the police vehicle. The driver failed to stop for police with the car found abandoned a short time later and a

Of the 165 new Gardai sworn in today just 12 will be allocated to the North West region. Six Donegal natives are among the newly sworn in Gardai. Three of them will be stationed in Donegal while the remaining will take up roles in Navan and Monaghan.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald is visiting the North West. She was in Derry today for a number of engagements including a meeting with Derry Chamber to discuss the challenges for business in the region including the management of balanced regional development. Deputy McDonald will visit Donegal tomorrow.

There’s been a significant increase in house commencements in Donegal. According to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, in the first two months of this year, there were 62 commencement notices for homes in the county. That’s an 88% jump on figures from the same period the previous year. The Department says the

Fine Gael TD Josepha Madigan is resigning from her ministerial position, and will not contest the next general election. She says she told outgoing Taoiseach Leo Varadkar of her decision last summer, and despite many conversations, she won’t change her mind. She had been serving as Junior Minister for Special Education and Inclusion since 2020,

  A private company has been hired by Derry City and Strabane District Council to provide enforcement services within their car parks from 1st April 2024. A cashless system will be in operation at all Council pay and display carparks in the areas and users are encouraged to download the ‘RingGo’ app. Users will still

Donegal is to benefit from over €63,000 in funding to protect and restore good water quality. The announcement comes on World Water Day under the Local Authority Waters Programme to support the delivery of projects and initiatives to enhance local water bodies and benefit water quality and biodiversity. 11 projects in the county will receive