Author name: highlandnews

Claims patient files found in St Conal’s Hospital, Letterkenny were ones that had been transferred to the abandoned building in the aftermath of the flooding of Letterkenny University Hospital in 2013 have been refuted. A video was circulated on social media this week by a man who had gained access to St Conal’s Hospital and […]

The Government has to accept there’s a problem with staff shortages in primary schools across the country, according to Labour. The party’s Education spokesperson Aodháin Ó Ríordáin says there are around 800 posts unfilled across the primary school system. Primary schools are facing staffing and financial challenges. Deputy Ó Ríordáin is ‘extremely concerned’ the Department

The Health Minister is to visit Letterkenny University Hospital next week. Minister Stephen Donnelly is expected to meet with GP representatives, hospital staff representatives and hospital management on Friday. It’s on the back of concerns raised by Donegal GPs and hospital consultants over patient safety in the Emergency Department. A previous meeting with Minister Donnelly

Donegal County Council’s Housing SPC has been told that the authority is open to the use of modular homes, particularly ones with a long term guarantee. Members were also told the council has met with two providers who are interested in providing modular homes, one of whom is interested in exploring the possibility of establishing

The Government’s vacant property refurbishment grant scheme has failed to deliver, according to Sinn Fein. Figures from the Department of Housing show 4,640 applications have been made for the grant, with 1,975 being approved since the scheme came into effect in July 2022. However only twenty-one grants have been drawn down, with 16 being provided

A Health and Social Care Recruitment and Education Fair will take place in Buncrana on Tuesday of next week. The event, the first of its kind, will highlight numerous opportunities that are available within the HSE locally from entry level positions to more professional roles. There will also be advice and presentations on education and

Scotland’s health secretary’s admitted a huge roaming bill for his parliamentary iPad was down to his children watching football during a holiday in Morocco. Michael Matheson says he’s repaid the over 12-thousand euro fee. In a statement to MSPs, he’s explained why he made no mention of his family using the device during his initial

The PSNI and An Garda Síochána are teaming up today – for a first of its kind cross border road safety operation to tackle speeding. The aim is to reduce the number of road deaths. Garda Superintendent David Kelly’s at a checkpoint straddling Donegal and Derry. He explains what’s involved in today’s road safety operation:

Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty clashed with Finance Minister Michael McGrath in the Dail this afternoon over Ireland’s decision not to refer Israel’s actions in Gaza to the International Criminal Court. Deputy Doherty contrasted that the Ireland’s referral of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year, accusing the government of adopting double standards. Minister McGrath denied that,

The Co-Chair of the Irish Palestinian Solidarity Campaign in Donegal has expressed his disappointment that a motion seeking the expulsion of the Israeli Ambassador to Ireland was rejected by the majority of TDs. The Social Democrats’ put forward a motion demanding that the diplomatic credentials of Dana Erlich be revoked. Eyad, speaking on today’s Nine

It’s unclear what the release of a man accused of the killing of Private Sean Rooney will mean for the upcoming trial into the death of the 23 year old. Private Rooney, who had been living in Donegal was killed on December 14th 2022 after a convoy he was travelling in came under fire in

Letterkenny University Hospital is seeking a two storey modular extension for it’s Emergency Department. Councillor Gerry McMonagle confirmed the plans at this week’s meeting of the Letterkenny Milford Municipal District. It will provide alternative access for children and people with mental health issues attending the ED. This has been welcomed by the Cathaoirleach of the

A major report on the proposed changes to pub licensing laws is being published today. The Oireachtas Justice Committee has been examining the changes being proposed by Minister Helen McEntee. There are suggestions to stagger and extend opening hours for nightclubs and late bars. Member of the Committee PA Daly says there would have to

The OPW is being urged to urgently identify and construct an access site to facilitate the launch of boats by emergency services onto the River Swilly in Letterkenny. As it stands, rescue services have to travel to Ramelton to gain access to the river via boat when deployed during a search and rescue operation. Councillor

Donegal County Council is being urged to take matters into their own hands to tackle serious safety concerns at a junction in Kilmacrennan. There has been yet another crash at the junction where the road through Kilmacrennan intersects with the N56. Councillor John O’Donnell has warned that people’s lives remain at risk while the Council

As the Dail debates a motion from the Social Democrats calling for the Israeli ambassador to be expelled, a Donegal councillor has erected two Palestinian flags outside the Public Services Centre in Dungloe. Having successfully moved a motion at a meeting yesterday about raising the Palestinian flag, Cllr Michael Cholm MacGiolla Easbuig was told the

  Residents of Omagh say they’ve been hearing a mysterious humming noise for several weeks. Locals have been complaining about the issue, saying it’s getting in the way of their sleep at night. Fermanagh and Omagh District Council says it may have to call in noise experts to try to determine the cause and source,

Momentum is needed to see agriculture align with climate goals. That’s one of the key messages as 500 agri-food delegates meet today for a conference on the latest climate policy developments. One focus is on the use of science and technology to help reach the 2030 51 per cent emissions reduction targets. Agriculture Minister Charlie

John McGinley Coach Travel in Magheroarty, Co. Donegal, have just placed a major order for 10 new state-of-the-art coaches from Volvo. This new deal, worth over €4 million, will see the family-run company add ten new custom built Volvo coaches to their fleet in the Spring. It is one of the largest individual custom orders

A number of Irish citizens are believed to have left Gaza through the Rafah crossing into Egypt. Tánaiste Micheál Martin travelled to Cairo overnight, where he says he’ll continue to work to help more citizens to leave. It’s reported 20 to 30 of the 40 Irish citizens who are trapped in Gaza will be leave

Gardaí are warning the public to be extra vigilant of where they’re investing money, following a substantial rise in investment fraud. There’s been a 77% increase in reports of investment fraud this year, with almost 70% of victims aged over 40. Gardaí say, from January to September, €18.6 euro had been stolen from victims, up

A group has been formed in Donegal Town on the back of calls for a new traffic management plan to be stopped. A one way system has been introduced in the town which has resulted in a high volume of traffic being forced into the Diamond area. There’s calls for the plan to be revised.

It’s hoped progress will be made for all Irish citizens in Gaza over the coming days. The Táinaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin arrived in Cairo overnight. It’s thought that between 20 to 30 of the Irish citizens there will be able to make the crossing into Egypt today. Agriculture Minister Charlie McConologue says

A Letterkenny Councillor says there has been somewhat of a ‘frenzy’ around the introduction of traffic lights on the Polestar roundabout in Letterkenny. Commissioning works have been carried out on the newly installed lights and improvements have been noted, particularly on the Ramelton Road which was proving problematic. Donegal County Council says works are also

Schools are starting to drop subjects and limit enrolments because they don’t have enough teachers. A survey from the Teachers Union of Ireland carried out in September and October found 64% of schools have teacher vacancies. 77% have not had a single applicant for roles they have advertised in the last 6 months. General Secretary

The Education Minister is being urged to take action to end what’s been described as the unfair treatment of school transport bus escorts. Donegal Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn told the Dail that these workers escort children with special needs and disabilities to and from school every day on the bus, but their pay and conditions do

ICTU’s Public Services Committee will meet within the next 24 hours to respond to an invitation to talks on a new pay deal. Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe’s inviting unions to talks, facilitated by the Workplace Relations Commission. The current public sector pay deal, Building Momentum, is due to expire at the end of the