Author name: highlandnews

It’s emerged that Tory Island did not receive a doctor today because of a mix up over transport which left the doctor waiting for a helicopter which had been cancelled. It comes as the island is set to be without a nurse for two weeks because a nurse due on the island from today is

The first sod will be turned tomorrow in Donegal Town at the site of the new Gaelscoil na gCeithre Maistrí. The school has been based in pre-fabs since it opened, and the new school building was to have started some months ago, but was delayed at the 11th hour as part of a public expenditure

A national fodder survey has been ordered by Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue as drought conditions begin to bite on farms. Met Éireann has confirmed such widespread and prolonged dry conditions have not been recorded since 2018, when farming suffered a severe drought and fodder crisis. The Irish Farmers Journal is reporting this morning that grass

  The world’s oceans are facing irreversible and catastrophic consequences unless urgent measures are taken to reduce global emissions. The warning comes on World Ocean Day with latest UN data showing the oceans have absorbed about 90 percent of the heat generated by rising emissions. Figures from the World Meteorological Organisation show global mean sea-level

The Children’s Rights Alliance is launching the second Child Poverty monitor this morning. The monitor analyses child poverty in Ireland across a number of different metrics, including income, education and health. It will also outline key recommendations to drive the change that is needed. Mike Allen from Focus Ireland says the monitor gives an overall

A West Donegal councillor says once again, the people of Tory Island will be without a nurse from this afternoon because the nurse who is normally based on the island will be away for a number of weeks. Cllr Micháel Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig says once again, the HSE hasn’t made provision for a replacement

A Donegal TD says he believes the success of Donegal Local Development in recent years is a vindication of the changes that were made to the administration of the Leader programme a number of years ago. Deputy Joe McHugh was speaking after the opening of DLDC’s new offices this week by Minister Heather Humphries. In

The ISPCA has launched an emergency appeal for support because it says Ireland is swamped with unwanted dogs. Charity inspectors have taken in almost 700 dogs in the first quarter of 2023 alone. It says the four shelters in Wicklow, Donegal, Longford and Mallow have reached full capacity – and it’s renting space elsewhere. Denise

The Tánaiste is in Belfast today for meetings with the parties of Northern Ireland. It’s Michael Martin’s first visit since Sinn Féin secured the most seats in last month’s local council election. Andrew Muir from the Alliance Party was the first to meet with him today:

Councillor Martin Harley says more firefighters need to be employed. However, he believes there needs to be a change to employment terms and conditions. Councillor Harley says efforts must be made to make joining the fire service more attractive:

The Government’s failure to address the Retained Fire Service recruitment and retention crisis is putting the lives of firefighters and the public at risk. That’s according to Donegal Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn who is calling on the Government to immediately intervene. Members of the retained fire service commenced industrial action yesterday. SIPTU said the organisation will

There’s calls for a change in regulations governing septic tanks and water well grants. As it stands, to avail of the septic tank grant, it must have been registered by February 2013. Councillor Michéal Naughton says this leaves many at a disadvantage. He is calling on the relevant Ministers to overhaul the regulations to protect

A three year action plan to boost Ireland’s island communities is being launched today. The Minister for Rural and Community Development will outline 80 commitments to support employment, remote working and boost tourism. Minister Heather Humphreys will launch the national policy on Arranmore Island today. She says the ‘Our Living Islands” will improve a range

4,807 students are due to sit State exams in Donegal today. 2,066 pupils will sit the Leaving Cert, 170 Leaving Cert Applied and 2,571 students will face their Junior Cert in the county. Nationally, a record 135,000 pupils have registered to sit the exams. Both Junior and Leaving Certs will sit English papers from 9.30

A Donegal Deputy says the root causes of crime must be addressed. While welcoming legislation to make recruiting a child to commit a crime an offense, Deputy Thomas Pringle says the rise in the involvement of young people in crime is very concerning. Figures show 400 drug offences were committed by children and adolescents in

There is fears some day care centres in Donegal may close due to a lack of committee volunteers. The Donegal Local Development Company has launched a campaign in a bid to increase the numbers. Martin McDevitt is the Assistant Community Development Manager at the DLDC. He says the public aren’t aware that such facilities are

Letterkenny Community Childcare are kicking off fundraising efforts this Sunday in a bid to buy a new premises. Following the presentation of a number of cracks, testing was undertaken for defective concrete block. The results showed a compromise of 35%. Geraldine Burke, manager of the childcare facility says one crack is on a load bearing

Gardaí are seeking information regarding an alleged assault in Malin Head, near Banba’s Crown. It’s reported that the incident took place on Saturday morning last at around 10.45am when a man and a woman met a man, woman and two teenagers who had two dogs with them. The woman alleges she was assaulted by the

The arrest of a leading member of the Kinahan cartel is being heralded as “the beginning of the end” for the crime gang. Liam Byrne was detained in Majorca on Sunday after travelling from his base in Dubai. UK authorities are trying to extradite him to face charges there, after investigations involving Gardaí and a

On-call firefighters have been staging industrial action since the early hours of this morning. SIPTU says local authorities have failed to address the recruitment and retention crisis in the brigade. Firefighters won’t be attending training drills or testing their life saving equipment like breathing apparatus. Kevin McKinney, SIPTU Organiser says a meeting is taking place

The current stalemate over the stalled Stormont parliament will be discussed in Washington today. The Sinn Fein leader in the North, Michelle O’Neill, will tell US politicians the DUP no longer has the mandate to prevent the Assembly from functioning. Her visit comes ahead of a similar trip to the US capital this week by

A new campaign’s being launched today for those finding it difficult to repay their loans, credit cards or mortgages. The Banking and Payments Federation is joining forces with MABS to encourage anyone in difficulty because of the cost-of-living crisis, to speak to their lender. A new website, DealingWithDebt.ie, has information for anyone in trouble meeting

An Inishowen Councillor wants Malin, Carndongh and Culdaff to feature more on signage in the North. Councillor Albert Doherty says while signs are in place for those travelling via the A2 through Derry for Letterkenny, Buncrana and Moville, others areas of importance have been omitted. Councillor Doherty says Donegal County Council needs to be more

Relay for Life 2023 has come to a close. It’s expected that over €100,000 has been raised as a result of the event. Chairperson Robert O’Connor is stepping down after 12 years. He believes fresher ideas means only positive things moving forward: