Author name: highlandnews

Another wind warning is in place for Donegal today. Strong and gusty west to southwest winds are expected to hit the county. Met Eireann is warning of the potential of falling branches and trees and loose debris leading to difficult driving conditions The status yellow alert is in place until 1pm this afternoon.

A warning has been issued after life saving water safety equipment was damaged in Strabane. Over the weekend, throw-lines were vandalised and thrown into the water at Strabane Canal. The Derry & Strabane Policing and Community Safety Partnership is reminding people of the potentially fatal consequences of misusing life-saving equipment at waterways across the district.

The Education Minister is suspending plans to have parts of the Leaving Cert assessed by teachers. Norma Foley says it’s because of the growth in AI. Teacher-based assessment was to be introduced as part of major reforms for the Leaving Cert. But this is now being scrapped with the Education Minister citying a growth in

New data shows existing tenants are paying less than new tenants. An ESRI study, funded by the Residential Tenancies Board, found the average rent for new tenancies was 214 euro, or 16 point 4 per cent, more than existing ones. The largest gaps were found in the north-west, west and parts of the midlands, with

TDs will return to Leinster House today. The Dáil will resume following the summer recess. A Sinn Féin motion regarding mortagage interest relief is among the topics up for debate on day one of the new term.

The 2023 Green Flag Awards were announced today by An Taisce Environmental Education, recognizing Ireland’s best managed Public Parks and Green Spaces. Two of the 101 awardees through out Ireland are Donegal based. Barrack Hill Town Park in Carndonagh received a flag and The River Walk Dungloe was also awarded in the Community Category. Of

Atlantic Technological University has welcomed over 4,630 new full-time first year students across its eight campuses in Donegal, Galway, Mayo, and Sligo. This brings the total student body to around 24,000. There are 1,137 new first year students joining ATU Donegal, making up a total of over 24.5% of the new starts across all of

Direction has been given regarding inspections at a Donegal quarry over defective concrete blocks for next month. At a hearing of the Commercial Court of the High Court this morning, Mr. Justice Denis McDonald has directed that the preliminary inspection at Cassidy’s quarry at Gransha, Buncrana is to take place in the week commencing October

PSNI in Derry are becoming increasingly concerned for missing man James Purtill who is believed to be in the city. James has links to Dungiven and Limavady. He is described as 47 years old, bald and with a dark goatee beard. It is unknown what James was wearing at the time of his disappearance however

Officials have given a timeframe in which essential renovation works at Falcarragh Community Hospital should be completed. The HSE Estates Department are advising that the initial phase of works are due to finish by the first quarter of 2024. This is with a view for the overall project to be completed by Q4 of the

Tributes were paid at this afternoon’s meeting of Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District to Damien Blake, the former town councillor who died last week at the age of 41. He was elected onto the former Letterkenny Town Council in 2004, and was elected Mayor a year later, becoming the youngest ever mayor of the town. Cllr Gerry

Gardaí in Milford are appealing for information about a criminal damage incident at Pound Street, Ramelton between 7pm on Tuesday evening and 11.15 on Wednesday morning last. The back windscreen of a car that had been parked there was smashed. Nothing was taken from the car. Anyone with information or dash cam footage is asked

Saolta says the Emergency Department at Letterkenny University Hospital has been extremely busy over the past few days with high numbers of people attending. Yesterday, 181 people attended the ED, many of them very sick, frail, and elderly who needed to be admitted to the hospital for treatment. As a result, management says there is

Gardaí in Buncrana are investigating an arson attack at Parkmore, Buncrana on Sunday evening last. Shortly after 7 o’clock, a lorry that had been parked in a business yard was set alight. The fire services attended the scene and extinguished the fire. Gardai are urging anybody who travelled in that area between 6.30pm and 7.30pm and

Almost €70,000 has been donated to 49 community groups across Donegal over the past year. The wind farm community funds provides support in terms of energy efficiency, safety and sustainability projects to local groups, sports organisations and schools. In Donegal, the funds are generated by the Meentycat Community Fund. The Lenalea Community Benefit Fund is

There was an attempted arson attack on a business in Burnfoot in the early hours of this morning. Gardai in Buncrana are investigating the incident that occurred at a premises on Main Street, Burnfoot between 2.20am and 2.45am. They say a window was smashed and an attempt is believed to have been made to start

Gardaí are appealing for information after a pedestrian was injured in a crash in Milford on Wednesday morning last. The collision involving a pedestrian and a vehicle occurred at around 9:10am in The Lagg area. The pedestrian was taken to Letterkenny University Hospital for treatment to injuries sustained which are not believed to be life

Gardaí are investigating a burglary at the Lough Mourne Water Treatment Plant in Meencrumlin, Ballybofey, between 7 o’clock on Friday night and 10 o’clock on Saturday morning last. Gardai say entry was gained to the site after the fence was damaged and two industrial generators were stolen from the site. They are appealing to anyone

Northern Ireland’s Secretary of State says he hopes the Irish government, and others, will support a new Troubles Truth Recovery Body – now that the UK government’s Legacy Bill has become law. The controversial bill was given Royal Assent yesterday. Despite widespread opposition, the bill has now been put into law. It contains provisions for

Gardai in Donegal are urging homeowners to take preventative measures to avoid the theft of heating oil in response to high fuel costs. People are advised to check oil levels frequently, arrange smaller but more frequent oil deliveries, install automatic movement sensor security lighting around the tank, install lockable gates and fencing around tank. Gardai

  Thousands of businesses in Donegal will be getting letters this week advising them of new valuations for rates purposes. Walk-in information sessions will take place in a number of venues in Donegal in the first week of October, and revaluations can be challenged on or before October 19th. Earlier this year, the Valuation Office

A 34-year-old man has been charged with a number of offences to appear before Derry Magistrates Court next month following an incident in the city last night. The charges include dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, driving with excess alcohol in breath, possession of a class A controlled drug, possessing an article with a

The rate at which property prices increased across the country slowed to 1.5% in the 12 months to July. That’s down from 2.1% in the year to June. The border region which covers Donegal, Cavan, Leitrim, Monaghan and Sligo bucks the national trend with property prices up 2.2%. CSO figures show the median house price

A status yellow warning for rain has been issued for Donegal. Met Eireann is warning of heavy rain, persistent at times with accumulations of 30 to 60mm tomorrow. The rain is expected to ease off for a time in parts tomorrow before heavy spells return in the evening. The forecaster says there is the potential