Author name: highlandnews

58 people experiencing homelessness died last year in Northern Ireland

An estimated 58 people experiencing homelessness died in Northern Ireland last year. Just yesterday afternoon, a homeless man was found dead in Belfast City Centre. NISRA says the estimated death rate of all homeless deaths in Northern Ireland in 2024 was 4.11 per 100,000 population aged 15 to 74.  ar Across the 11 local government

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‘I won’t play the hero’ – Cope tells Dail he can best serve the people by voting with government on DCB bill

The latest amended defective block bill passed through the remaining stages in the Dail last night, and is now being went to the Seanad. During the debate, Donegal TD Pat the Cope Gallagher said he could vote against his party, Fianna Fail, but he believes he can serve the people of Donegal better by working

‘I won’t play the hero’ – Cope tells Dail he can best serve the people by voting with government on DCB bill Read More »

Water outages possible in several locations across Donegal

Uisce Eireann says valve repair works outside Lifford may cause supply disruptions to Toberoneill, Calhame, Ballindrait and surrounding areas today. Works are scheduled to take place until 1:45 this afternoon. Meanwhile, mains repair works in Inishowen may disrupt supplies in Greencastle, Tullyally, Clara, Ballyratten, Ballylawn, Glencrow, Cooly, Ballynally, Drumaweer, Carrowtrasna and surrounding areas until 6

Water outages possible in several locations across Donegal Read More »

Amended Remediation of Dwellings Affected by Defective Concrete Bill passed in Dail after marathon session

The Amended remediation of Dwellings Affected by Defective Concrete Bill has been passed in the Dail after a marathon debate last night that began at 6.45pm and ended at around 12.55 this morning. After dozens of opposition amendments were voted on and lost, Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy confirmed the vote had been passed….   You can

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INTO hits out at unilateral government changes to ‘Assessment of Need’ requirements

The Irish National Teachers Organisation says changes to ‘Assessment Of Need’ requirements for special classes have been announced in ‘bad faith’. The INTO says the decision was made without any consultation with teachers or their unions – adding it’s ‘grossly unfair’ for government to use vulnerable children as political footballs after failing to provide them

INTO hits out at unilateral government changes to ‘Assessment of Need’ requirements Read More »

Opposition amendments to the latest Defective Concrete Bill rejected in the Dail

A number of opposition amendments to the latest Defective Concrete Remediation Bill were lost on the floor of the Dail last night. The bill was published and presented last week, with dozens of amendments proposed in the interim. At one point during last night’s debate, Donegal Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn compared the initial rush to label

Opposition amendments to the latest Defective Concrete Bill rejected in the Dail Read More »

National Lottery winner of €500,000 in the Letterkenny area

The National Lottery has appealed to EuroMillions players in the Letterkenny area to carefully check their tickets today. This comes as a customer in Donegal won Tuesday’s top prize of €500,000 in the plus draw. XL Blaney Stores in Lagg, Milford was the location where the winning Quick Pick ticket was purchased. The winning numbers

National Lottery winner of €500,000 in the Letterkenny area Read More »

Taoiseach briefed on the need for more SNAs at St Francis NS, Barnesmore

The Taoiseach has been asked to address a shortage of SNAs at St Francis National School in Barnesmore. Deputy Charles Ward told the Dail this afternoon that there is a need for more supports at the school, but that hasn’t been forthcoming. Michael Martin promised to raise the case with NCSE, the National Council for

Taoiseach briefed on the need for more SNAs at St Francis NS, Barnesmore Read More »

Donegal TD clashes with Taoiseach over blister pack charges in pharmacies

The Taoiseach has hit back at Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty in a row over the cost of blister packs at pharmacies. At present, when community pharmacists prepare marked blister packs, particularly for older people, the cost is borne by the state. However, that’s due to change from January 1st, with people potentially facing charges of

Donegal TD clashes with Taoiseach over blister pack charges in pharmacies Read More »

Uisce Eireann continuing works in South and West Donegal

Uisce Eireann says with essential maintenance works taking place in south and west Donegal this week, some interruptions to supply are possible. The water utility says its crews are continuing with necessary cleaning works at reservoirs on the Frosses–Inver Regional Water Supply Scheme today tomorrow and Friday. Although unlikely, Uisce Eireann management say customers in

Uisce Eireann continuing works in South and West Donegal Read More »

Senator Boyle raises Killybegs dentist closure in the Seanad

Senator Manus Boyle has been speaking in the Seanad today regarding the closure of the dental practice in Killybegs last December. The practice, which closed due to not meeting new standards for infection-prevention, has remained closed following the planned retirement of the dentist earlier this year. The lack of a local service now means children

Senator Boyle raises Killybegs dentist closure in the Seanad Read More »

CIF boss says industry can build major infrastructure projects

The CEO of the Construction Industry Federation says he believes the industry has the capacity to build major projects like the Ten-T road network in Donegal, as well as building the 300,000 homes needed to address the current housing crisis. Concern had been expressed after it emerged that over 60% of the federation’s members are

CIF boss says industry can build major infrastructure projects Read More »

Two arrests for motoring and drug-related offences in Sion Mills

Police have seized an uninsured vehicle and made two arrests for drug-related and motoring offences in Sion Mills. This occurred yesterday shortly before 8:30pm when officers on patrol were alerted to a car driving erratically. The female driver, aged 28, was arrested on suspicion of offences including Driving while unfit through drink or drugs, Possession

Two arrests for motoring and drug-related offences in Sion Mills Read More »

Three arrests in Down as part of cross border probe into right wing extremism

The north’s Serious Crime Branch made three arrests last night as part of a cross-border investigation with gardai, into violent right-wing extremism. It follows searches previously carried out in County Down. A 38-year-old man was arrested in Ballynahinch, a 40-year-old woman was arrested in Lurgan, and a 48-year-old man was arrested in Kilkeel. All three

Three arrests in Down as part of cross border probe into right wing extremism Read More »

Need for urgent progress on St Eunan’s College improvements raised in the Dail chamber

The Dail has been told that promised improvements at St Eunan’s College in Letterkenny need to be expedited, as the situation there is totally unacceptable at present. Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn raised the school as a topical issue in the Dail last night, telling Junior Minister Frank Feighan that the building is over 115 years old,

Need for urgent progress on St Eunan’s College improvements raised in the Dail chamber Read More »

Two power outages in Donegal as the county escapes the worst of Storm Bram

The clean up begins today after Storm Bram, with Donegal escaping relatively unscathed. Strong winds continued to sweep northwards across the country overnight, but calmer conditions have returned this morning with all weather alerts now expired. There had been an orange weather warning in place in Donegal, but no major issues have been reported. The

Two power outages in Donegal as the county escapes the worst of Storm Bram Read More »

Letterkenny being included in the ‘Living Cities’ initiative to tackle dereliction

The Tanaiste and Finance Minister has announced that Letterkenny is one of five new towns will come under a scheme to tackle dereliction next year. The Living City Initiative, in place for areas like Cork and Dublin, will now be enacted in Letterkenny, as well as in Sligo, Athlone, Drogheda and Dundalk. The scheme provides

Letterkenny being included in the ‘Living Cities’ initiative to tackle dereliction Read More »

Gardaí appealing for information following road traffic collisions in Donegal last week

Gardaí are appealing for information following three recent road traffic collisions in the county last week. The incidents occurred in Carndonagh, Buncrana and Newtowncunningham between Tuesday and Saturday. At approximately 10.10am on Tuesday December 2nd, an ambulance was involved in a road traffic collision on the R244 at Carrickafodan, Carndonagh. The driver and passenger sustained

Gardaí appealing for information following road traffic collisions in Donegal last week Read More »

Stakeknife report finds crimes of the ‘worst possible kind’ were committed by British spy

A significant report covering the actions of a high level spy inside the IRA has found there was no collusion between the British state and Loyalist Paramilitaries in the 1974 Dublin and Monaghan bombings The Kenova report also revealed the spy committed crimes of the ‘worst possible kind’ including murder and torture. It’s widely accepted

Stakeknife report finds crimes of the ‘worst possible kind’ were committed by British spy Read More »

Non-compliances recorded in three Donegal nursing homes during HIQA inspection

A number of non-compliances were recorded at three nursing homes in Donegal. The unannounced inspections took place during the summer at Hillcrest House Nursing Home in Letterkenny, Ramelton Community Hospital and Buncrana Community Hospital. 16 residents were present during the unannounced inspection at Buncrana Community Hospital on the 7th of May, and were found to

Non-compliances recorded in three Donegal nursing homes during HIQA inspection Read More »

Traffic offences committed during high visibility Gardaí checkpoints

Five people in Donegal have been arrested on suspicion of drink driving offences and four arrested on suspicion of Drug driving, over the past week. This comes as Gardaí carry out high visibility checkpoints, Mandatory Intoxicant Testing checkpoints, and patrols. From the nine drivers, three had previously been disqualified. Alongside this, 21 vehicles have been

Traffic offences committed during high visibility Gardaí checkpoints Read More »

Inishowen councillors express frustration at draft publication for remediation of social housing

  Councillors in Inishowen have been left frustrated at the draft publication for the remediation of social housing A recent meeting of Inishowen Municipal District heard frustrations that the area was being left behind in the wake of the Pyrite remediation scheme in Leinster and Dublin. There were also concerns about the time it is

Inishowen councillors express frustration at draft publication for remediation of social housing Read More »

Man charged to court in Omagh following breach of sexual offences prevention order

A 27-year-old man has been charged to court in Omagh with two counts of breach of a sexual offences prevention order. The man was arrested in Maguiresbridge yesterday and is due to appear at Omagh Magistrates’ Court today. The man was also arrested on suspicion of possession of a class A controlled drug and being concerned

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Donegal woman to face trial in 2030 after being arrested on suspicion of attempting to bring drugs into the UK

A Donegal woman is due to stand trial in 2030, after being arrested on suspicion of attempting to bring drugs into the UK. It’s reported the arrest took place at Heathrow Airport on November 7th last, when she was found in possession of an undisclosed amount of cocaine, and was later charged with the alleged

Donegal woman to face trial in 2030 after being arrested on suspicion of attempting to bring drugs into the UK Read More »

Weather alert caused by Storm Bram updated for the entire country

The weather alert caused by Storm Bram has been upgraded. The entire country will now come under an orange alert for wind. It’s already in place in Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wicklow, Wexford and Waterford, lasting until 3pm. It will extend to Cavan, Monaghan, Clare, Dublin, Kildare, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath

Weather alert caused by Storm Bram updated for the entire country Read More »

Final report into activities of ‘Stakeknife’ due to be released later today

The final report into the activities of the British army’s top spy in the IRA during the Troubles is due to be released later. He was codenamed “Stakeknife”. The investigation’s cost around 40 million pounds sterling- and an interim report’s already found the use of the agent probably resulted in “more lives being lost than

Final report into activities of ‘Stakeknife’ due to be released later today Read More »

Police concerned for missing Derry man who fled from hospital

Police in Derry have expressed their concern for missing person James Bell. The 29-year-old left Altnagelvin Hospital without receiving treatment on Saturday. He is described as 5″8′, slim build, and was last seen wearing a cream knitted hat, grey and cream knitted zip up cardigan and jeans. Any with information is being asked to contact

Police concerned for missing Derry man who fled from hospital Read More »

Letterkenny Lions Club Launches Online Charity Auction to Support Donegal Foodbanks

The Letterkenny Lions Club, supported by Donegal Local Development CLG (DLDC), in partnership with Highland Radio, is hosting its annual online charity auction to raise vital funds for families across Donegal facing financial pressure. The auction opens at midday on Friday, 5th December and runs until midnight on Friday, 12th December 2025, with live coverage

Letterkenny Lions Club Launches Online Charity Auction to Support Donegal Foodbanks Read More »

Cllr calls for action on beds in the face of an ageing population

  Now is the time to prepare for an aging population, not ten years down the line when it becomes a crisis. Cllr Ali Farren has called on his Inishowen colleagues to band together to see more hospital beds across the peninsula. Cllr Farren raised difficulties being experienced by one family in particular who could

Cllr calls for action on beds in the face of an ageing population Read More »

Minister does not rule out public inquiry into Creeslough

Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan has not ruled out a public inquiry into the Creeslough tragedy, but he would like to see a criminal investigation completed first. The Minister held a private meeting with families during a visit to Donegal on Friday. Ten lives were lost in the tragedy, including 14-year-old Leona Harper; her mother, Donna,

Minister does not rule out public inquiry into Creeslough Read More »

Orange wind warning issued for Donegal as Storm Bram approaches

A Status Orange wind warning has been issued for Donegal as Storm Bram prepares to make landfall. The warning is valid tomorrow from 10am until 6pm, with Clare, Limerick, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo falling under the same warning. Donegal County Council says there is the possibility of flooding in low-lying coastal areas, especially during

Orange wind warning issued for Donegal as Storm Bram approaches Read More »