Author name: highlandnews

23 patients on trolleys in Letterkenny University Hospital this morning

301 admitted patients are on trolleys in Irish hospitals this morning. 212 of those are in emergency departments while 89 are in wards, according to the INMO. 23 patients were waiting for a bed in Letterkenny University Hospital. University Hospital Galway accounts for the largest number of people on beds, with 43, followed by 29

23 patients on trolleys in Letterkenny University Hospital this morning Read More »

New Local Community Safety Partnership meets for the first time – AUDIO UPDATE

The newly established Donegal Local Safety Partnership held its first meeting this week. Donegal County Council says the partnership, which replaces the former Joint Policing Committee, will be responsible for bringing all the relevant state services and the community together at local authority level and will play a pivotal role in addressing some of the

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HIQA publishes two reports on disability centres in Donegal

HIQA has posted reports following inspections of two centres for people with disabilities in Donegal. Sliabh Glas Community Group Home was found to be compliant and substantially compliant, while Ard Clochar Community Group Homes recorded no non-compliances. There were six residents at Sliabh Glas Community Group Home when the unannounced inspection took place in July.

HIQA publishes two reports on disability centres in Donegal Read More »

Drunk driver arrested after car crashes through roundabout and knocks tree down in Letterkenny

A driver has been charged to court after crashing through a roundabout in Letterkenny and knocking down a tree. Gardaí responded to a report of a road traffic collision on Wednesday night, where they inspected the vehicle involved and it was found to have extremely bald front tyres. The driver also failed a roadside breath

Drunk driver arrested after car crashes through roundabout and knocks tree down in Letterkenny Read More »

Gardaí seize almost €2 million linked to international money-laundering network

Gardaí have seized almost €2 million euro linked to an international money-laundering network. The operation stretches beyond Ireland, involving UK investigators and a Russian crime group. Gardaí say the cash was recovered during several actions this year targeting couriers linked to a Russian network suspected of laundering drug money, including funds connected to the Kinahan

Gardaí seize almost €2 million linked to international money-laundering network Read More »

Man dies following two-vehicle collision in Derry

A man has died following a road traffic collision in Derry yesterday morning. The two-vehicle crash between a lorry and van occurred on the Windyhall Road between Limavady and Coleraine shortly after 9.45am. Emergency services attended the scene, where the driver of the van was confirmed deceased. Investigations are ongoing and Police are asking anyone

Man dies following two-vehicle collision in Derry Read More »

New Local Community Safety Partnership meets for the first time

The newly established Donegal Local Safety Partnership held its first meeting this week, with Cllr Gerry McMonagle elected as chair. Donegal County Council says the partnership, which replaces the former Joint Policing Committee, will be act as a forum for discussion, develop local community safety plans every three years, and provide views on local policing

New Local Community Safety Partnership meets for the first time Read More »

Donegal County Council meets today to consider Budget 2026

Donegal County Council meets today to consider its Draft Revenue Budget for 2026. The budget provides for expenditure of almost €224,035,000 for the year ending 31st December 2026. In his introduction, Chief Executive John McLaughlin says the Council has not raised commercial rates since 2018. but a 5% increase is now necessary. Mr McLaughlin says

Donegal County Council meets today to consider Budget 2026 Read More »

Government urged not to abandon early starters on the DCB scheme

The Tánaiste and Finance Minister has been urged to ensure that 43 families who may be excluded from the revised Defective Blocks Scheme because they were early starters are not left behind. Donegal Deputy Charles Ward criticised the government’s decision to waive pre-legislative scrutiny of the Defective Concrete Bill, saying there are issues that mneed

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Restrictions in place following norovirus and flu outbreaks at LUH

Visiting restrictions are in place on three wards at Letterkenny University Hospital. The HSE says due to outbreaks of Norovirus, also known as the winter vomiting bug, and flu, infection control measures have been put in place. In a statement to Highland Radio News this afternoon, management have confirmed that visiting restrictions are in operation

Restrictions in place following norovirus and flu outbreaks at LUH Read More »

Deputy Doherty says fuel poverty figures are ‘shocking’

The Dail is hearing calls to tackle rising energy costs before the height of winter. Sinn Fein says the growing number of households in arrears on their energy bills is ‘a flashing warning light’. It follows an Oireachtas Committee on Housing earlier this week, which revealed over 550,000 households are living in fuel poverty. Sinn

Deputy Doherty says fuel poverty figures are ‘shocking’ Read More »

Serious concerns raised after investigation into reported illegal sale of antibiotics for animals in Brazil

A Midlands-North-West MEP says an investigation from the Irish Farmers Journal and the Irish Farmers’ Association into the reported illegal sale of antibiotics in Brazil has raised serious concerns. The investigation revealed prescription-only antibiotics were sold over the counter without any prescription, ID or herd number. It also documented the use of banned growth promoters

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Renewed calls to see Donegal Animal Rehabilitation building in Ballyare restored

There have been renewed calls to see the Donegal Animal Rehabilitation building in Ballyare restored. The centre closed in September after the ISPCA said it has faced a number of serious financial challenges over recent years due to the need to meet an overwhelming crisis in animal cruelty cases and pressure on facilities. The building

Renewed calls to see Donegal Animal Rehabilitation building in Ballyare restored Read More »

Senator Boyle says more must be done to protect communities from coastal erosion

A Donegal Senator says the Office of Public Works and Donegal County Council must ensure work is done to protect communities from coastal erosion. Senator Manus Boyle highlighted Inver, who was allocated €45,000 under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme in April this year, but has not seen the work completed. Minister

Senator Boyle says more must be done to protect communities from coastal erosion Read More »

Woman (30s) facing charges in connection with alleged online threats made against Tanaiste and his family

A woman’s facing charges in connection with an investigation into alleged online threats made against the Tanaiste Simon Harris and his family. A woman in her 30s is due before the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin this morning. It’s after Gardai were alerted to a social media post which contained a threat in recent

Woman (30s) facing charges in connection with alleged online threats made against Tanaiste and his family Read More »

Gardaí in Donegal urging motorists to take care on the roads today

Gardaí in Donegal are urging motorists in the county to take care on the roads today. They say the roads are in poor condition this morning. Drivers are being asked to drive slowly and leave extra distance between vehicles, avoid over-steering, harsh braking and acceleration. Motorists should use the highest gear possible to avoid wheel

Gardaí in Donegal urging motorists to take care on the roads today Read More »

WURI say they’re more confident than ever about North West rail progress

Representatives of the West Ulster Railway Initiative say they’re confident of progress after a meeting this month with Junior Transport Minister Sean Canney to discuss advancing rail connectivity in the Northwest. Describing the meeting as ‘positive and constructive’, spokesperson Charles Bradley says Minister Canney agreed to engage with Northern Ireland’s Minister for Infrastructure, Liz Kimmins,

WURI say they’re more confident than ever about North West rail progress Read More »

Donegal ETB urges parents to participate in a survey on the future of primary education

Donegal ETB is urging parents of children aged under 12 to participate in a survey to assess to assess the appetite for multi-denominational, co-educational, and Irish-medium education. At present, the ETB says, there is only one multi-denominational national school in Co Donegal. The vast majority – 95% – fall under the patronage of religious bodies,

Donegal ETB urges parents to participate in a survey on the future of primary education Read More »

Man charged with murdering his mother and causing harm to his father in Cork

A man charged with the murder of his mother and assault causing harm to his father is due to appear before Cork District Court again next week. 25-year-old David Gallagher of Shrewsbury Downs, Ballinlough, Cork, appeared at Cork District Court this afternoon. Det Sgt Niall Hayes of Blackrock Garda Station said the accused made no

Man charged with murdering his mother and causing harm to his father in Cork Read More »

All routes on DCC’s gritting programme to be treated this evening and tomorrow morning

Donegal County Council has confirmed all routes designated under the authority’s Winter Maintenance Programme will be gritted from 5 o’clock this evening, and again from 6 o’clock tomorrow morning. A yellow snow and ice alert is in place across Donegal at the moment, and will remain in effect until midday tomorrow. *************************************** ALL Donegal Winter

All routes on DCC’s gritting programme to be treated this evening and tomorrow morning Read More »

SVP reporting a significant increase in the number of new callers seeking help

The Society of St Vincent de Paul says it’s seeing a spike in calls from middle income earners who have never required help from the charity before. That reflects a comment made by the organisation’s Donegal president last year that some people seeking help had been contributors a short few years earlier. Volunteer Cormac O’Sullivan

SVP reporting a significant increase in the number of new callers seeking help Read More »

Ward co-signs bill seeking immediate enactment of the Occupied Territories Bill

The Government is being accused of cowardice and of making ‘a farce’ of the Dáil over its handling of the Occupied Territories Bill. Opposition parties have submitted a motion for the bill, which would ban trade with illegal Israeli settlements in Palestinian Occupied Territories, to be enacted before Christmas. They are also calling for services

Ward co-signs bill seeking immediate enactment of the Occupied Territories Bill Read More »

Burst water mains repairs causing disruptions across Donegal

Uisce Eireann have said mains repair work may cause supply disruption to Tullyally, Ballyrattan, Ballylawn, Glencrow, Cooly, Ballynally, and the surrounding areas. Traffic management will be in place for works scheduled to last until 6pm this evening. Meanwhile repairs to a burst main will cause disruption to Dram, Cragart, Cranford, Umlagh, Kinnalargy, Devlinreagh and surrounding

Burst water mains repairs causing disruptions across Donegal Read More »

Woman hospitalised following collision on Ramelton road

A woman was hospitalised following a road traffic collision in Letterkenny yesterday. The single-vehicle crash took place on the Ramelton Road at approximately 3:40pm. The driver of the car, a woman aged in her 70s, was taken to Letterkenny University Hospital as a precaution following this incident. The Ramelton Road is currently open for use.

Woman hospitalised following collision on Ramelton road Read More »

More time to be given in Leaving and Junior Cert exams for students with additional needs

More time will be given in the Leaving and Junior cert exams for students with additional needs. Campaigners had long called for extra time allocations for pupils with dyslexia, dyscalculia and other learning difficulties. Cathal Crowe who is Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Education and Youth, says the measure under the RACE scheme will

More time to be given in Leaving and Junior Cert exams for students with additional needs Read More »

New Education Minister insists Fine Gael is ‘up for it’ following Cabinet reshuffle

The new Education Minister insists Fine Gael is ‘up for it’ following a Cabinet reshuffle. There’s been a change in faces following the resignation of Paschal Donohoe as Finance Minister. It now means several Fine Gael Ministers who are sitting at Cabinet haven’t been there long. Hildegarde Naughton has been promoted to a senior role

New Education Minister insists Fine Gael is ‘up for it’ following Cabinet reshuffle Read More »

Body-worn cameras being trialled at Derry hospitals following increase of abuse and violence

Body-worn cameras are to be trialled for three months at two Derry hospitals following an increase in incidents of abuse and aggression towards staff. 4,627 instances of physical and verbal abuse towards staff were recorded by the Western Health and Social Care Trust between September 2024 and September 2025, a 6% increase from the previous

Body-worn cameras being trialled at Derry hospitals following increase of abuse and violence Read More »

Donegal Deputy welcomes Government commitment to restore funding to Derry-Dublin air link

A Donegal Deputy has welcomed the news that the Government will restore funding for the Derry to Dublin air link. Deputy Padraig Mac Lochlainn was speaking in the Dáil last night, highlighting its importance to Donegal. The Minister for Transport confirmed it’s hoped services will commence October next year, earlier if feasible. Deputy Mac Lochlainn

Donegal Deputy welcomes Government commitment to restore funding to Derry-Dublin air link Read More »

Brexit continues to devastate businesses in the North West – McLaughlin

The Northern Ireland Assembly has been told that businesses across the North, and particularly in Derry, are being forced to shoulder the consequences of Brexit. Speaking during  an Assembly debate on the Windsor Framework, Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin said small and medium-sized businesses are fighting to survive because of a disastrous Brexit deal championed by

Brexit continues to devastate businesses in the North West – McLaughlin Read More »