Author name: highlandnews

19 motorists have been arrested in Donegal for driving under the influence over the Christmas and New Year period. 12 drivers were arrested for drink driving and 7 for drug driving over the past two weeks. Six of the arrests occurred between New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. A number of other road traffic

Guarantees have been given that works started on Portsalon Pier will be completed. A public meeting was told last year that works at the pier had to be finished by October 31st to ensure funding from the Brexit Adjustment Fund could be drawn down. While works commenced in July, they are still ongoing. However, the

House prices rose last year, but by the smallest margin since 2019. The end of year report by Daft.ie shows the average house price nationally in the closing months of last year was just over €320,000, 14% lower than at the peak of the Celtic Tiger. In Donegal, prices in the final three months of

The number of Gardaí working in roads policing in 2023 was at its lowest in 6 years. Department of Justice data analysed by the advocacy group Parc and published in the Irish Times, shows there were 641 Gardaí assigned to roads policing at the end of November, 47 less than at the start of last

122,879 people were without hospital beds in 2023, according to new figures from Irish Nurses’ and Midwives’ Organisation. The figures also reveal that 3,494 children were admitted to hospital during last year without a bed. Letterkenny University Hospital saw the number of people waiting on a bed there drop 22% last year. 5,448 admitted patients

A Vigil for Palestine will take place today at noon at the Courthouse on Omagh High Street. Members of the public are encouraged to attend the event which aims to show solidarity with the people of Gaza. Anton McCabe is the Press Officer for the Palestine Solidarity Campaign Omagh branch. He says that the Omagh

The traditional New Year’s Day Swim will take place along the country’s coastlines tomorrow. Participants will gather at iconic locations such as, the Forty Foot in Dublin’s Sandycove, Rathmullan Beach in Donegal and beaches all around the country. The event, symbolises the start of new beginnings, among those who brave the cold to welcome the

Donegal is to benefit from a tax break as the country is to receive a major break in taxes from tonight. Measures introduced in the budget will kick-in overnight – in a bid to counter the cost-of-living crisis. Fine Gael Deputy Alan Dillon says it will put a lot more money back into peoples’ pockets.

  An Irish animal rescue charity is calling on the Government to introduce a huge ‘neutering’ programme in the New Year. ‘My Lovely Horse Rescue’ says they’ve never seen such a year for animal cruelty with the number of abandoned old dogs and puppies reaching new records. The charity’s co-founder, Martina Kenny, says the cost-of-living-crisis

Anyone heading out tonight is being reminded of the dangers of fireworks. Health experts are warning people can lose fingers and limbs when handling dangerous fireworks and bangers. The National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management is reminding all homeowners to make sure they’ve a working smoke alarm. Mark Doyle from Dublin Fire Brigade says

Leo Varadkar says he would like to see the position of Taoiseach rotated again after the next General Election. Three years ago, when the current Government was elected, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin was first elected Taoiseach. While the current Taoiseach Leo Varadkar took the reins halfway through the coalition’s current term.

New rules for long-time learner drivers are to take effect next year. Plans are underway for all provisional drivers to have to show they’ve sat a test, before they can renew their license. Government hopes the measure can be brought across the line by year end – in an effort to target the some 30

The HSE says it’s seeing an increase in people with respiratory illnesses attending emergency departments. It’s urging the public to attend the ED only for major health emergencies, and to use all other options in non-emergency situations. Cases of flu and RSV are up, while there are 347 people in hospital with Covid-19 today, 14

A New Year’s Eve Vigil for Palestine will be held tomorrow at 3pm in the Market Square in Letterkenny. A number of vigils will take place nationwide for Palestine tomorrow afternoon, including a solidarity event in Buncrana. Marian Killeney is a member of the Irish Palestine Solidarity Campaign. She says that the aim of the

Clean Coasts is urging all homeowners to ‘Think Before You Pour’ as it aims to deter people from dumping fats, oils, and greases into the sink. They can cause blockages in wastewater pipes, overflows from sewers into homes and businesses, and can also cause environmental impacts and public health hazards. Mariana Colman from Clean Coasts

A road in Annagry has reopened following its closure this morning due to an incident where a driver was almost hit by a fallen tree. The Glen Road in Annagry (Anagaire) has been the location of a number of incidents where trees have fallen onto the main road. Sharkey Waste and a number of locals

Businesses are being urged to put some thought into the new “on the spot fines” for failing to pass on tips to workers. The new rules are a welcome relief for employees who need the extra cash to top up their wages, but it could cost small firms up to 1500 euro for breaches if

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service is asking the public to give the gift of blood this Christmas. High demand from hospitals and a lack of available supply has seen Ireland importing blood from the UK in recent years. Director of Operations at the IBTS, Paul McKinney, says they are desperate for new donors:

The Tánaiste says the Government will have to keep looking at ways to accelerate house building in 2024. It’s estimated over thirty thousand houses have been built this year. However, unpublished research by the Housing Commission says Ireland may need up to 62,000 homes built every year until 2050 – almost double the annual target

The HSE is warning that an increase in flu and Covid-19 is expected in the coming weeks. Increasing rates of the viruses have been recorded in Donegal with Letterkenny University Hospital dealing with 9 outbreaks of respiratory illnesses. The number of people attending Emergency Departments with flu and Covid within the Saolta Hospital Group jumped

Tributes are being paid today to Donegal County Councillor Noreen McGarvey who has sadly passed away. The Fianna Fail Councillor died yesterday. The Tanaiste has expressed his condolences describing Councillor McGarvey as a conscientious and caring public representative, always putting people and their concerns first. Fianna Fail leader, Micheal Martin says she was a true

The Taoiseach is insisting that Dublin is safe when compared to many other European cities. The capital has been the subject of many disturbing headlines in 2023 with the Parnell Square stabbing, the subsequent rioting and attacks on a number of tourists. However Leo Vardakar says most people have positive experiences in Dublin:

A children’s charity is making an appeal for unwanted Christmas gifts. Barnardo’s is calling on the public to donate any excess toys, clothes, shoes and books to its shops across the country. All money generated will go towards the charity’s work supporting children and families in 2024. Bernadette Harrington, who is retail manager at Barnardo’s,

Stormy weather has been battering parts of the country overnight, and another status yellow rainfall warning has been issued for Donegal, Leitrim, North Mayo and Sligo. The latest warning is in place until 9pm tonight. Cathal Nolan of Ireland’s Weather Channel says more flooding can be expected today:

Donegal County Councillor Noreen McGarvey has sadly passed away. The Fianna Fail Councillor died yesterday in the Donegal Hospice. She was the Leas Cathaoirleach of the Glenties Municipal District having been first elected in 2019. Councillor Michael McClafferty, Cathaoirleach of the Glenties Municipal District says the constituents of West Donegal were always at the fore