Author name: highlandnews

  The Health Minister turned the first sod at the site of the new Letterkenny Community Hospital on Kilmacrennan Road. The net construction cost of the facility is €52 million, and it is anticipated that the new Community Hospital will be operational in early 2026. Dermot Monaghan is Head of Services is is over seeing

The long awaited meeting between GPs and Health Minster Stephen Donnelley took place at Letterkenny University Hospital today. Last month, both groups wrote to Minister Donnelly outlining their concerns for patient safety and wellbeing, particularly in the Emergency Department. Dr Pádraig McGuinness, GP in Fanad said it was an honest conversation about the niche challenges

A Castlefinn councillor says more must be done for those who earn too much to qualify for social housing but not enough to qualify for a mortgage. Cllr. Gary Doherty says those who fall into this category say they are stuck in a cycle of hopelessness. It is believed that early next year Donegal County

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelley is visiting Letterkenny today. This morning, Minister Donnelley turned the first sod at the site of the new Letterkenny Community Hospital on Kilmacrennan Road, and met with GPs and Consultants who wrote to him, outlining concerns for the safety and wellbeing of their patients, particularly in the Emergency Department. Speaking

Nightly road closures that were in place along the L1551 from Clonmany Fireplace Centre to St. Columba’s Church in Straid have been lifted three weeks early. It was closed to see works complete under Uisce Éireann’s leakage reduction programme. Cllr. Martin McDermott now says a light system will be in place, but the road will

A warning’s going out the cost of flying is set to soar. Midlands North West MEP Colm Markey says the price will go up unless there’s a massive scale-up in producing sustainable aviation fuel. He’s hosting a conference with airline executives including Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary in County Meath today. MEP Markey says there’s a long

Calm has been restored to Dublin city centre after rioting on the streets last night. Gardaí have branded the violence as ‘gratuitous thuggery’ after public transport was attacked , Garda vehicles damaged and some businesses looted. The violent scenes followed a stabbing incident outside a school on Parnell Square yesterday afternoon. A five year old

The government is being urged to intervene to ensure that ensure that homes affected by defective blocks will be mortgageable once remediation work has been completed. This week, the Banking and Insurance Focus Group expressed concern at the lack of clarity on the issue, saying it created another level of worry for affected homeowners. In

  Health Minister Stephen Donnelly is in Letterkenny together for a number of engagements and meetings. This morning, he’ll turn the first sod at the site of the new Letterkenny Community Hospital on KIlmacrennan Road, and later he’ll have a series of meetings at Letterkenny University Hospital. As well as meeting hospital management and senior

The National Inshore Fishermen’s Association has delivered a letter to Agriculture and Marine Minister Charlie McConalogue’s office requesting immediate financial support for the sector. The letter says the current situation with the ongoing war in Ukraine has left them with unprecedented rises in operating costs at a time when the prices received for their catches is

Sinn Fein is accusing the government of compromising Irish neutrality by planning new legislation to change Ireland’s policy on its so-called ‘triple lock’ mechanism on overseas deployments, prompting angry exchanges in the Dail.. The system means any Defence Force mission requires a UN mandate, which would then need Government approval and if it involves more

The Minister for People with Disabilities Anne Rabbitte has revealed measures which she hopes will speed up recruitment to the CDNT services in Donegal. Panels are to be reformed which means that people wishing to work in Donegal can express an interest. She is also working with Minster for Higher Education Simon Harris to have

Local Gardaí are taking part in Movember – a no shave charity initiative aimed to raise awareness for men’s health and well being. Superintendent David Kelly joined Greg Hughes on this morning’s Nine ’til Noon Show. He says he hopes more conversations can be opened via Movember as men struggle to reach out to loved

The Redress Focus Group for Banking and Insurance is urging homeowners affected by defective blocks to contact their lender before proceeding with any remediation works under the scheme to ensure the works will restore the home to a “Mortgageable Condition”. It’s the group’s belief that this principle should have been at the heart of Government’s

A Donegal Senator has opposed a European proposal which could see drivers over the age of 70 having to undergo refresher courses. If the European Commission gets its way it would mean motorists over 70 would have be required to have regular medical tests and courses to renew their driving licence. Fianna Fail Senator Niall

The Tanaiste and Defence Minister has told the Dail that he met this week with the mother of Private Seán Rooney, after a man charged with his death in South Lebanon last year was released on bail. Michael Martin said he became aware of the release through media reports while he was in the Middle

There were furious scenes in the Dail this evening as two Independent TDs clashed during a debate on Irish foreign policy. Kerry Deputy Danny Healy-Rae expressed concerns about unvetted immigration, and he then interrupted Donegal TD Thomas Pringle as he was about to speak. Deputy Pringle was not happy about being interrupted…………… You can hear

A row has erupted in the Dail between the Government and Sinn Fein over what the pension age should be. The Government has signed off on a plan to increase PRSI over five years to replenish the Social Insurance Fund. This decision will see hikes in PRSI rates for employers, employees and the self-employed. These

A Killybegs restaurant owner says the response to the war in Ukraine has made trading very difficult. Gary Anderson is the co-owner of Killybegs seafood shack and Andersons Boathouse Restaurant. He says the shortage of hotel accommodation means his typical customers have nowhere to stay. The statement comes in response to the Governments announcement of

It’s hoped additional funding will be made available to alleviate ongoing flooding in the Trentagh area of Letterkenny. Some improvement works have already been carried out in the area, and Donegal County Council has confirmed an application for funding to extend the works is to be submitted for Climate Adaption funding. Councillor Ciaran Brogan says

A minister has agreed to look into claims that most of the renewable energy created in Donegal is being dumped because there is nowhere for it to go. The claim was made by Senator Niall Blaney, who told the Seanad that power created in Donegal is being dumped because there is nowhere for it to

The Health Minister has been told that Letterkenny University Hospital is underfunded by 45 million euro, receiving 25% less than is needed to meet the facility’s needs. Speaking during a debate on a Sinn Fein motion calling for the abandonment of plans for a health recruitment freeze, Deputy Padraig MacLochlainnn said the underfunding has also