Author name: highlandnews

Additional clerical changes announced by Bishop Alan McGuckian

Bishop Alan McGuckian has announced a number of clerical changes in the Diocese of Raphoe. Mevagh Parish Priest Fr Charlie Byrne will also become administrator in Fanad, where Parish Priest Fr Pat McGarvey is on sabbatical. Fr Anthony Briody leaving Stranorlar to become curate in Fanad, living in Fanavolty. Fr Vincent Finnegan, on loan from […]

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GRA and Commissioner grow further apart as special conference take place

The relationship between the Garda Representative Association and Commissioner Drew Harris has been described as irreparable. The GRA has formally requested that the date for changing rosters of the 6th of November be removed or deferred during a meeting yesterday. However, speaking ahead of the Special Delegates Conference taking place in Kilkenny today, Association President

GRA and Commissioner grow further apart as special conference take place Read More »

NWRA calls for €500 million stimulus package in Budget 2024

The Northern and Western Regional Assembly is calling for a Citizens Assembly to be set up to examine how greater levels of regional autonomy can be delivered in Ireland. According to the NWRA, a policy of positive discrimination would result in rebalancing what’s been a legacy of underinvestment in new infrastructure projects for Donegal, Sligo,

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Dail told people in Donegal have no alternatives when it comes to transport

The Dail has been told that rising fuel prices hit people in Donegal harder than in many other counties. A vote will take place in the Dail tonight on a Sinn Fein motion calling for rises in fuel prices to be deferred. Temporary reductions in excise duties are ending, and as a result, prices at

Dail told people in Donegal have no alternatives when it comes to transport Read More »

Contingency plans in place to manage impact of CDNT vacancies in Donegal

Contingency plans are in place in Donegal to manage the impact of current vacancies within Children’s Disability Network Teams in the county. Dermot Monaghan, Chief Officer for the Community Healthcare Organisation governing Donegal confirmed in response to Councillor Albert Doherty at yesterday’s Regional Health Forum meeting that contingency plans are based on the prioritised needs

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Council needs to do more to help defective block homeowners navigate scheme application – Cllr Canning

Donegal County Council needs to do much more to help homeowners affected by defective blocks work their way through the application process for the enhanced scheme which is now in operation. That’s according to Cllr Paul Canning, who says at present, the process is cumbersome and frustrating for applicants. He’s proposing a series of online

Council needs to do more to help defective block homeowners navigate scheme application – Cllr Canning Read More »

JPC warned life will be lost unless safety concerns in Kilmacrennan are addressed

Donegal’s Joint Policing Committee has been warned that a life will be lost unless work is carried out at a dangerous junction in Kilmacrennan. There’s calls for a special meeting to address serious safety issues in the town. Councillor Michael McBride says it is not a case of if someone will be seriously injured but

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Concerns over drinking water quality in Strabane as Lough Neagh crisis continues

Concerns have been raised over the drinking water quality in the Strabane area as the outbreak of algae blooms continues on Lough Neagh. It’s emerged that 40% of drinking water originates from Lough Neagh. NI Water has provided assurances that drinking water in Strabane and surrounding areas is safe to consume. West Tyrone MLA Daniel

Concerns over drinking water quality in Strabane as Lough Neagh crisis continues Read More »

Former British soldier accused of killing Daniel Hegarty in Derry dies

A former British solider, accused of killing Daniel Hegarty over 50 years ago in Derry, has died. In 2021, the Northern Ireland Public Prosecution Service announced it would not be prosecuting Soldier B. But that decision was challenged by the family and it was quashed by the Court of Appeal earlier this year. Daniel Hegarty

Former British soldier accused of killing Daniel Hegarty in Derry dies Read More »

Long-awaited upgrade works commence at Illies Water Treatment Plant

Long-awaited works have commenced to upgrade the Illies Water Treatment Plant. Uisce Éireann is to invest €8 million in the Treatment Plant. Once operational the upgraded Illies water treatment plant will improve drinking water quality, increase capacity, while ensuring compliance with the current Drinking Water Regulations. The project will also support the long-term sustainable growth

Long-awaited upgrade works commence at Illies Water Treatment Plant Read More »

Man appears in court charged in connection with hit and run that claimed life of 9 year old

A 23-year-old man has appeared in court, charged in connection with a hit and run in Donegal over the weekend. He was arrested on Sunday after the incident in Bundoran in which 9-year-old Ronan Wilson died. Ronan Wilson, from Tyrone, was struck by a vehicle on the Atlantic Way in Bundoran at around twenty past

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A busy few days for Gardai in Buncrana with a car seized, drug drivers detected and speeding notices issued

It’s been a busy few days for the Buncrana Roads Policing Unit. A vehicle was seized after a disqualified driver was detected and stopped and upon investigation it emerged the tax on their vehicle had been expired for 3,500 days. Meanwhile, two motorists were arrested on suspicion of drug driving. A number of motorists were

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Buncrana Gardai praised for efforts in rescuing young man from the water

Three Donegal Gardai have been praised for their actions in rescuing a young man from the water in the early hours of September 17th. They’ve been described as the ultimate team. Shortly after 3am on Sunday, September 17th Gardaí on overnight duty in Buncrana received a call from a young woman in distress. Her friend

Buncrana Gardai praised for efforts in rescuing young man from the water Read More »

Number of businesses in Drumkeen targeted in theft incidents

A number of business premises were the victims of theft in Trentaboy, Drumkeen. It’s believed three men entered the buildings between the hours of 9.45pm and 11.45pm on Tuesday the 19th of September. Motor vehicle batteries were stolen as a result. Gardaí are asking that anyone who believes they witnesses suspicious activity around that time

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Gardaí appeal for sightings of car involved in Letterkenny collision

Gardaí are making an appeal to members of the public who were in the area of Oldtown Road, Letterkenny on Friday afternoon last between 12pm and 12:15pm. It related to a collision that occurred around that time. There is an interest in sightings of a dark coloured car with a possible partial registration of ‘161D’

Gardaí appeal for sightings of car involved in Letterkenny collision Read More »

Donegal childcare providers travel to Dublin to protest

A number of Donegal childcare providers have closed their doors this morning as part of a three-day protest, calling for an increase in government funding. A demonstration gets underway at 12 o’clock by members of the Federation of Early Childhood Providers outside Leinster House. The group is urging the government to increase the current funding

Donegal childcare providers travel to Dublin to protest Read More »

Gardaí appeal for information following two lives lost on Donegal this week

Gardaí are appealing for information regarding two road fatalities that occurred during the week in Donegal. The first occurred in Moville on Friday morning on the when a lorry and a car collided. Mary Whitters Borland, who was driving the car lost her life. Sargent Charlene Anderson made the following appeal: The second happened on

Gardaí appeal for information following two lives lost on Donegal this week Read More »

Tar dumping in Doochary has been a problem for years – Cllr. Mac Giolla Easbuig

Repeated incidents of tar dumping in Doochary has sparked outrage among locals. In a video shared online, mounds of tar can be seen on either side of the road, with some beside a tourism information board. Cllr. Michael Cholim Mac Giolla Easbuig spoke to Donal Kavanagh on this mornings Nine ’til Noon Show. He says

Tar dumping in Doochary has been a problem for years – Cllr. Mac Giolla Easbuig Read More »

Businesses in North West struggling with rising employer costs

Businesses in the North West are struggling with rising operating costs. That’s according to Ibec. Concerns were raised at a Budget Briefing meeting hosted by the organisation in Donegal Town in which businesses and TDs were in attendance. The issues outlined included the need for Government to support businesses with the increase of employer costs

Businesses in North West struggling with rising employer costs Read More »

Defence and Health Minsters bring plans to Cabinet today

A report setting out reform in the Defence Forces over the next 18 months will go before the Cabinet this morning. Defence Minister Micheál Martin will publish the plan in response to the Independent Review Group findings, which outlined a culture of bullying and harassment in the Defence Forces. The Independent Review Group highlighted serious

Defence and Health Minsters bring plans to Cabinet today Read More »

The Alley Arts & Conference Centre and Strabane Visitor Information Centre relaunched in tourism campaign

The Alley Arts & Conference Centre and Strabane Visitor Information centre has been relaunched as part of a campaign to promote the town and the wider Sperrins area. Tourism Manager with the Council, Margaret Edwards says there is much to offer visitors, in terms of cultural, historical and environmental experiences. She says when considering the

The Alley Arts & Conference Centre and Strabane Visitor Information Centre relaunched in tourism campaign Read More »

Housing identified as most important issue to be addressed by Council

Housing has been identified by members of Donegal County Council as the most important issue to be addressed by the authority. A lengthy discussion at the September meeting began with officials seeking clearance to borrow almost €7.5 million for land acquisition. Two motions were also moved, with Cllr Ciaran Brogan seeking to have housing returned

Housing identified as most important issue to be addressed by Council Read More »

European Parliament delegation to visit Donegal to witness defective block crisis first hand

A delegation from the European Parliament is to visit Donegal next month to gather information about the defective blocks crisis in the county and see some of the buildings that have been affected. It follows a submission to the EU Petitions Committee in 2021, and a follow up visit in June of this year. Joe

European Parliament delegation to visit Donegal to witness defective block crisis first hand Read More »

Commercial net licence suspended after fisherman caught fishing illegally in Donegal

A commercial net fisherman has had his licence suspended for one year after being caught illegally fishing in Donegal. The Loughs Agency says it remains dedicated to preserving the marine environment. On June 30th 2022 , fishery protection officers patrol the waters near Redcastle witnessed a small white boat near the shore. Two men were

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Health, voluntary and community sector workers to strike on October 17th

Thousands of health, voluntary and community sector workers will go on strike from October 17th. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions says it’s over Government “failure” to address issues over funding and recruitment. SIPTU, Fórsa and the INMO reported high levels of participation in ballots, and “overwhelming” support for strike action. In total, 18 health

Health, voluntary and community sector workers to strike on October 17th Read More »

Pat the Cope Gallagher officially opens group home units in Dungloe

Former Leas-Cheann Comhairle Pat the Cope Gallagher, has officially opened  group homes in Fair Hill, Dungloe orchestrated by County Donegal Parents and Friends with Intellectual Disabilities Housing Association. Three houses will be in effect which will each cater to four people, enabling an independent way of living. The €2.2million project has a kitchen and living

Pat the Cope Gallagher officially opens group home units in Dungloe Read More »

HIQA publishes report on Letterkenny Nursing Home inspection

HIQA has today published the report of an unannounced inspection of Hillcrest Nursing Home, Long Lane, Letterkenny. The inspection was carried out on March 22nd of this year with 31 residents present. 7 non compliances were noted. These were in the areas of Staffing, Training and staff development, Records, Governance and management, Contract for the

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Letterkenny University Hospital third most overcrowded in Ireland today

Letterkenny University Hospital is the 3rd most overcrowded in the country today. There are 39 patients waiting for beds according to this mornings INMO figures. 12 are situated in the emergency department while 27 are elsewhere in the hospital. Cork University Hospital is the second most over crowded at 56 while University Hospital Limerick has

Letterkenny University Hospital third most overcrowded in Ireland today Read More »

Donegal Town Garda Station must be open to public – Cllr Micheal Naughton

Donegal Town’s new Garda station is being perceived as a ‘white elephant’. There’s claims locals when ringing the station’s doorbell are not receiving assistance with the door closed. Superintendent Karen Duffy however, says cover is provided there on a 24-7 basis. Councillor Micheal Naughton says Donegal Town is a busy area and a hub for

Donegal Town Garda Station must be open to public – Cllr Micheal Naughton Read More »