Author name: highlandnews

Government facing backlash on cost of living measure announcement

There has been widespread backlash on comments made by the Taoiseach yesterday that cost of living measures are to be dropped in Budget 2026. The Taoiseach has indicated there won’t be energy credits, which were in place to deal with high electricity prices. Emma Gohva is a family carer of five and known as ‘The […]

Government facing backlash on cost of living measure announcement Read More »

Calls made for DCB information day for professionals engaging in scheme

Donegal County Council is being urged to take the lead on hosting an information day for professionals and builders engaging with the Defective Concrete Block Grant Scheme. Chair of the Council’s DCB Committee, Councillor Martin McDermott says there are repeat issues with forms being submitted which in turn is causing delays in payments for those

Calls made for DCB information day for professionals engaging in scheme Read More »

Donegal Catch recalled due to possible peanut contamination

A food safety alert’s been issued overnight for Donegal Catch salmon fillets which may be unsafe for consumers with a nut allergy. It applies to three batches of Donegal Catch ‘4 Atlantic Fillets’ in a Barbeque Spiced Marinade – which may contain peanuts not declared in the list of ingredients. The affected batch numbers are

Donegal Catch recalled due to possible peanut contamination Read More »

Assembly told political parties must lead the way in supporting PSNI after weekend attacks

The Assembly has been told that attacks on police in Derry and Strabane over the weekend show the extent t0 which they are treated differently to other emergency services. In total, nine police officers were attacked in a number of incidents, with a number of people arrested in connection with them. So far, four people

Assembly told political parties must lead the way in supporting PSNI after weekend attacks Read More »

Government considering amendments to DCB legislation, but no timetable given in Dail reply

Housing Minister James Browne has said the government is considering the deliver of the 10% cap increase to all defective block homeowners, but legal advice has confirmed legislation needs to be changed. He was answering a written Dail question from Donegal TD Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, who says this must be progressed without delay. Deputy Pádraig

Government considering amendments to DCB legislation, but no timetable given in Dail reply Read More »

Net job loss recorded in Údarás na Gaeltachta supported companies in Donegal

A Donegal TD says it’s concerning that end of year figures from Údarás na Gaeltachta show a net job loss in Donegal, while there were increases in other gaeltacht counties across the country. Údarás client companies had a total of 2,647 employees in Donegal by the end of 2024, a net reduction of 93 jobs

Net job loss recorded in Údarás na Gaeltachta supported companies in Donegal Read More »

All roads on Donegal County Council’s Winter Programme to be gritted tonight and tomorrow morning

All roads on Donegal County Council’s Winter Programme will be gritted from 7pm tonight and again from 6am tomorrow morning Met Eireann say it will be cold tonight with frost setting in where skies clear. While there will be a lot of dry weather, patchy outbreaks of rain and drizzle will occur with the odd

All roads on Donegal County Council’s Winter Programme to be gritted tonight and tomorrow morning Read More »

DUP MLA urges Taoiseach to hold a parallel public inquiry into the Omagh Bombing

The Stormont Assembly has heard a call for a parallel and public Omagh Bombing Inquiry in the Republic, which questions those believed to have been involved in planning and executing the 1998 attack. West Tyrone MLA Tom Buchanan told the Assembly that while the Irish government is promising full cooperation, the reality is that those

DUP MLA urges Taoiseach to hold a parallel public inquiry into the Omagh Bombing Read More »

Draft Net fishers opposing proposed restrictions on Loughros Mór estuary

Draft Net salmon fishers on the Loughros Mór Estuary are holding a public meeting tonight at Crannógbuí National School, Loughros Point, Ardara to highlight the fact that once again, their fishery is restricted to just three weeks in July, while the national fishery is from May to July. They say the restriction, which began four

Draft Net fishers opposing proposed restrictions on Loughros Mór estuary Read More »

Stimga surround DEIS schools must be addressed – TUI

Teachers feel the negative stigma surrounding DEIS schools is undermining the confidence of their students. A new survey by the Think-tank for Action on Social Change also found poor facilities and big class sizes are holding students back from acheiving their goals. The programme provides additional supports to about 260,000 students in 360 schools in

Stimga surround DEIS schools must be addressed – TUI Read More »

Man due in court today linked with serious assault in Limavady

A 34-year-old man is due in Coleraine Magistrates Court today following the serious assault of a 22 year old man in Limavady on Saturday, the 1st of February. He is charged with grievous bodily harm with intent, theft and driving-related offences, including driving whilst disqualified. As is normal procedure, the charges will be reviewed by

Man due in court today linked with serious assault in Limavady Read More »

Letterkenny woman awarded €230,000 after breaking wrist on wet dancefloor

A Letterkenny woman has been awarded €230,000 in damages by the High Court after she slipped on a wet dancefloor and broke her wrist. The Irish Daily Mail reports that Carmel Duddy had to leave her job as a hospital cleaner after she fell while jiving at the Allingham Arms Hotel in Bundoran in February

Letterkenny woman awarded €230,000 after breaking wrist on wet dancefloor Read More »

This week marks 60th anniversary of Derry-Portadown railway line closure

This Friday marks the 60th anniversary of the closure of the Derry-Portadown railway line, which led to the closure of all remaining stations in Donegal and Tyrone. The restoration of this line was a key recommendation in the All-Island Strategic Rail Review. Campaign group Into the West have announced they will use this week’s anniversary

This week marks 60th anniversary of Derry-Portadown railway line closure Read More »

Campaign to tackle domestic violence being rolled out in Donegal

A campaign to tackle domestic violence is being rolled out in Donegal. An event has been organised for Good Friday at An Grainain Theatre, Letterkenny in a bid to reduce the stigma and raise vital funds to enhance refuge facilities for people fleeing violence in the home in Donegal. Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council Councillor

Campaign to tackle domestic violence being rolled out in Donegal Read More »

Government criticised for ‘taking holidays’ during Storm Éowyn

The government is being criticised for ‘taking holidays’ while the country was being hit by a record-breaking storm. While power has been restored to over 764 thousand homes, farms, and businesses, the impact of Storm Éowyn is still being felt by 2 thousand customers now 17 days without electricity supply. Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan

Government criticised for ‘taking holidays’ during Storm Éowyn Read More »

9 police officers injured over 2 days in Derry and Strabane

Nine police officers were injured over a 48-hour period in Derry and Strabane. In some cases, officers endured racial and sectarian abuse. On Friday evening while apprehending and arresting a man who was wanted for driving-related offences, an officer was punched to his face. Four officers were also assaulted while responding to two separate disturbances

9 police officers injured over 2 days in Derry and Strabane Read More »

Councillor praises work of ESB crews in restoring power to Killygordon

A local councillor has praised the work of the ESB in restoring power to Killygordon last night. Investigations are continuing after a lorry struck an electricity pole, leaving 96 properties without power. Electricity has now been restored to the village after crews fast-tracked works that were due to be completed later this year. Cllr Patrick

Councillor praises work of ESB crews in restoring power to Killygordon Read More »

Fine Gael senator resigns from party after being arrested while intoxicated

Fine Gael senator Martin Conway has resigned from the party after being arrested while intoxicated last month. The incident happened on Dublin’s O’Connell Street in the early hours of January 22nd, and he was detained at Store Street Garda Station, before being released without charge. He claims his “state” was “due to the consumption of

Fine Gael senator resigns from party after being arrested while intoxicated Read More »

Taoiseach says increased spending needed for Irish Defence

Taoiseach Micheál Martin says “we no longer get to sit on the sidelines” when it comes to Ireland’s stance on neutrality. Following the European Leaders meeting in Brussels last week, Micheál Martin says we need to increase defense spending, to align with our neighbouring countries. Currently, Ireland spends 0.2 per cent of GDP on Defence

Taoiseach says increased spending needed for Irish Defence Read More »

Investigations continuing after driver failed to remain at the scene of Killygordon collision

Investigations are continuing following a road traffic collision that occurred in Killygordon yesterday evening. Gardaí attended the scene of the  single-vehicle road traffic collision involving a lorry and an ESB pole at approximately 7.55pm. The driver failed to remain at the scene and investigations are ongoing. Meanwhile, 96 properties in Killygordan remain without power following

Investigations continuing after driver failed to remain at the scene of Killygordon collision Read More »

ESB says cost of Storm Éowyn damage repairs won’t be passed on to customers

The ESB says the cost of repair work for damage caused by Storm Eowyn won’t be passed on to customers, this year at least. There’s been uproar in recent days after comments from the utilities Chief Executive indicating the cost would have to be partly covered by price hikes. However in a statement last night

ESB says cost of Storm Éowyn damage repairs won’t be passed on to customers Read More »

Donegal childminders urged to apply for equipment grant

Donegal childminders are being urged by Minister Norma Foley to apply for the 2025 Childminding Development Grant. The grant provides up to €1,000 for registered and unregistered childminders to improve their services, including buying toys, safety equipment, and IT. Manager of Donegal County Childcare Committee, Trish McLaughlin outlines what unregistered means:

Donegal childminders urged to apply for equipment grant Read More »

Donegal buoy records 18-Metre waves during Storm Éowyn

A buoy off the west coast of Donegal reached heights of 18 metres during Storm Éowyn, the Irish Marine Institute has said. The five buoys situated around the coasts of Ireland recorded the intense weather conditions brought by Storm Éowyn. The buoys collect weather and ocean data, including wind speed and direction, atmospheric pressure, air

Donegal buoy records 18-Metre waves during Storm Éowyn Read More »

Two Donegal FG members secure Taoiseach’s nomination for Seanad seats

Two members of Fine Gael have been nominated to the Seanad by Taoiseach Michael Martin. Senator Nikki Bradley will return to her position, to which she was previously nominated to by now Tánaiste Simon Harris. She says this time round she will have the gift of time on her side: While in a shock decision

Two Donegal FG members secure Taoiseach’s nomination for Seanad seats Read More »

Donegal routes to be gritted this evening and tomorrow morning

Donegal Winter Maintenance designated gritting routes will be treated this evening at 7 pm. The routes will be gritted again at 6 am tomorrow morning. Drivers are urged to assume that no road is ice free by Donegal County Council. The Donegal gritting route index as follows: 01: National Primary North 02: National Primary Central

Donegal routes to be gritted this evening and tomorrow morning Read More »

Donegal launches €7.6m PEACEPLUS Action Plan

Donegal County Council and the PEACEPLUS Partnership Committee have launched their co-designed Local Community PEACEPLUS Action Plan. Securing €7,635,396 in funding, the plan will deliver 32 peacebuilding projects over the next two years. Supported by the Special EU Programmes Body-managed PEACEPLUS programme, the initiative aims to foster positive relationships and bring about real change in

Donegal launches €7.6m PEACEPLUS Action Plan Read More »