Author name: highlandnews

RNLI reminds public to never forget lifeboat volunteers in remembrance ceremony

Olympic medallist Annelise Murphy is helping the RNLI remember a lifeboat crew, lost at sea on Christmas Eve, 1895. She’s taking part in a special ceremony at the East Pier in Dun Laoghaire, County Dublin, to give thanks to the 15-person crew, who went down in a storm, while assisting the SS Palmé of Finland.

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Over 400 cars detected speeding on roads since yesterday’s National Slow Down Day

408 cars have been detected speeding on the roads since yesterday’s National Slow Down Day, including two drivers in Donegal. A driver was caught driving at 149 kilometres an hour in a 120 k Zone on the M6 at An Carn Mór, Thiar Órán Mór, in Galway. Gardaí are appealing to drivers over the Christmas

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Elderly woman sleeping on sofa while awaiting OT assessment – McMonagle

A Letterkenny Councillor and Regional Health Forum Member is urging the HSE to seek a special derogation to allow it employ more Occupational Therapists. Cllr Gerry Mc Monagle is the latest councillor to call action to address a shortage locally which is leading to delays in processing Housing Adaptation Grants, bacaujse OTs cannot be secured

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Dail committee told Filipino priest based in Derry couldn’t go on bus trip to Donegal

The Derry based Chief Executive of one of Northern Ireland’s main industry representative bodies has told a Dail committee that the rules governing the Common Travel Area agreement between Ireland and the UK. Stephen Kelly of Manufacturing NI told a recent meeting of the Good Friday Implementation Committee the agreement was drawn up at a

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Countdown to Christmas event cancelled in Derry due to weather conditions

Derry City and Strabane District Council have cancelled their Countdown to Christmas event in Guildhall Square today due to weather conditions. In a statement they apologise for any inconvenience caused but say that public safety is paramount. The windy conditions means that some of the infrastructure associated with the event can not be safely erected.

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Voters should have a say on immigration policy – Rural Independents

Voters should be allowed to have a say on immigration policy, according to the Rural Independents. The group has called for a referendum on the issue, and believe it should take place on March 8th alongside two other votes. However, it has stopped short of suggesting what any wording could look like. TD Mattie McGrath

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Charlie McConalogue urges dog owners to be responsible this Christmas

Donegal Minister Charlie McConalogue and Minister Heather Humphries have urged dog owners to be responsible this Christmas. The government’s issued a new leaflet today to raise awareness about the responsibilities of dog ownership. The Agriculture Minister and the Minister for Rural and Community have joined forces to issue the Christmas message about the responsibilities involved

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Fundraising goal will see repatriation of Zimbabwe woman

A Go Fund Me to see the mother of a Letterkenny University Hospital nurse’s body repatriated to Zimbabwe has reached its goal of €10,500 Valerie’s mum, Mavis travelled to Letterkenny to spend Christmas with her around two weeks ago. Sadly, she passed away suddenly within 24 hours. Valerie’s friend Faith organised the drive, and said

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Donegal production among notable investments for Western Development Commission

A Donegal production is among the most notable investments in a landmark year for the Western Development Commission. The WDC secure an additional €11 million in EU funding for regional development. An investment of €200,000 to Magamedia for the Obituary TV series filmed in Ballyshannon.  

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Free online mental health support over Christmas

Turn2Me is providing help for anyone struggling with issues over Christmas. It’s offering free support groups and up to six free one-to-one counselling sessions on Turn2Me.ie Services will be provided across the festive season, including on Christmas Day. Turn2Me CEO Fiona O’Malley says people can face difficulties with unhealthy family dynamics:

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Government needs to stop reaching for legislation – Martin Kenny TD

Increased penalty points for driving offences on a Bank Holiday are not part of the new Road Traffic Bill. Cabinet this week approved the publication of the bill targeting speeding, intoxicated driving, not wearing a seatbelt, and distracted driving. Having differing penalty point punishments for different days was proposed a number of months ago by

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Brogan hails deal reached on CPOs between IFA and TII

A Donegal councillor has a deal on Compulsory Purchase Orders concluded this week between IFA and Transport Infrastructre Ireland, saying as projects under the Ten-T Programme proceed, we’re getting to the points where CPOs will be on the table. This new agreement will apply to land compulsorily acquired for national road developments between Jan 1st

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More funding needed for upkeep of Donegal bridges – Cllr McBride

A hole in the middle of the road has left the Letterkenny to Trentagh road in Garrowcarry is closed until the new year. It is located beside Bradley’s farmyard. Local diversions are in place meanwhile those travelling from West Donegal to Letterkenny are asked to use alternative routes. Cllr Michael McBride says extensive works will

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NoWDOC urges patience as management anticipate a busy Christmas period

The NoWDOC service, which provides an urgent GP family Doctor service to patients in Donegal has issued its Christmas/New Year opening hours. The service is expected a high volume of calls over the holiday period, with management stressing it’s designed to provide urgent GP care to patients, is not a substitute for the Emergency Ambulance

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Youth Activist urges politicians to take young people more seriously

A Youth Activist in Donegal says politicians need to take young people more seriously. Cassie Lambe, Regional Officer with the Irish Second Level Students Union says the response of the political establishment to young activists can be very patronising. On today’s Nine til Noon Show, she told Greg Hughes the response to her presentation to

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Go-Slow Day taking place tomorrow as Christmas Road Safety campaign continues

181 people have died on Irish roads so far this year, ten of them in Donegal. Gardaí are urging motorists to be vigilant and reduce their speed when heading home for Christmas to avoid further fatalities. A national enforcement operation for the Christmas and New Year period is underway, with a Go Slow Day taking

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Fears over future of mental health residential centre in Inishowen

There’s fears over the future of a mental health residential and respite centre in Inishowen. As part of the planned reconfiguration of the Donegal Mental Health Service, the closure of the Radharc na Sleibhte facility has been proposed. Major refurbishment works are required at the centre. However, Councillor Albert Doherty is urging the HSE to

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Calls for immediate halt to talks which would grant Iceland access to Irish fishing waters

Donegal fishermen are calling for an immediate halt to talks which would grant Iceland sizable access to Irish fishing waters. The Irish Fish Producers Organisation says if given the go ahead, there are no plans in place for adequate compensation to be granted by Iceland or the EU. IFPO Chief Executive, Aodh O’Donnell says he

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ATU receives €8.5m from Technological Sector Advancement Fund

A new €50 million Technological Sector Advancement Fund will see the Atlantic Technological University receive €8.5 million. The fund replaces the Technological Sector Transformation Fund, which focused on the establishment of Technological Universities and moves now to embed the five TUs in the regions they serve. The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Simon Harris

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