Author name: highlandnews

Energy costs are biggest risk factor for North West businesses

The Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce today published results from their first business survey of the year, the Business Sentiment Survey. The findings show that uncertainty over rising costs is a cause of concern for business owners. Fionnuala Rabbitt, president of the Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce and CEO of Highland Radio says energy costs has left

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8 people arrested for alleged stalking in Strabane and Derry in 12 months

Police in Strabane and Derry say eight people have been arrested for alleged stalking in the first year since it became an offence in Northern Ireland. National Stalking Awareness Week begins in Northern Ireland today. The PSNI have released figures revealing since laws have come into force, 88 people have charged with stalking offences and

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Cllr. Brogan calls for traffic light system for draft County Development Plan

Donegal County Council continues to discuss the draft County Development Plan, which will govern the county’s development until 2030. Members must decide whether or not to publish the plan as is, or make amendments before doing so. The plan will then go out to pubic consultation. Among the issues being discussed are zoning and the

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Renewed appeal for information as metal frame of stolen Doochary heritage sign dumped

A renewed appeal for information relating to the theft of a heritage sign in Doochary has been made. Since an earlier appeal issued by Gardaí two days ago, the metal frame of the sign has been found dumped by the embankment of the Owennamarve river. However the information board is still missing. The Doochary Development

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Inland Fisheries reminds of importance of draft net fishing quotas after Donegal fisherman sentenced

Inland Fisheries Ireland is reminding fishers of the importance of draft net fishing quotas. It’s as a former Donegal salmon draft net licence holder was found guilty of two breaches of fisheries legislation after being found in possession of 13 untagged salmon in the boot of his vehicle on July 10th 2017. Dr Milton Matthews,

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Member of Letterkenny Sudanese community says humanitarian situation is ‘devastating’

A member of the Sudanese community in Letterkenny says the humanitarian situation in the country is devastating. 150 citizens have registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs to be evacuated, as 12 members of the Defence Forces make their way to the country. Of those, 50 Irish people been removed with the aid of Spanish

Member of Letterkenny Sudanese community says humanitarian situation is ‘devastating’ Read More »

‘Strategy needed to tackle youth gaming addiction’ – MEP Markey

A Midlands North West MEP is calling for a strategy to tackle youth gaming addiction. Colm Markey believes a comprehensive strategy on video games needs to be implemented by Government to ensure that the gaming industry is regulated and held accountable for any harmful practices. He says ‘loot boxes’ are a huge concern:

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Decision on Draft Letterkenny Plan and Transport Plan deferred

Donegal County Council has deferred a decision on the Draft Letterkenny Plan and Local Transport Plan. The Chief Executive’s Report on the submissions received during the pubic consultation on the, plan was to have been considered. A decision must be taken before May 10th, so another workshop will take place on May 4th, with a

Decision on Draft Letterkenny Plan and Transport Plan deferred Read More »

HIQA idenifies required improvements at centres for people with disabilities in Donegal

HIQA inspectors have made a number of recommendations following inspections at centres for people with disabilities in Donegal. Unannounced inspections were carried out at Moville Residential Group Home, Abbey Village Group Homes and Teach Iarnroid. HIQA reports that at Moville Residential Group Home, overall there was improved leadership and management arrangements however, some areas required

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GRA President believes isolation of Gardai in Donegal warrants arming with tasers

The President of the Garda Representative Association believes the isolation of Gardai in Donegal warrants the arming of members with tasers. Due to an increase in attacks against Gardai, the GRA says greater protection is vital. Donegal based Garda Brendan O’Connor says Gardai in Donegal are particularly vulnerable:

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LUH manager apologises over data breaches

The General Manager of Letterkenny University Hospital has apologised to all patients affected by a number of data breaches at the hospital. Two incidents at Letterkenny University Hospital are among over 500 data protection breaches recorded by the HSE last year. It’s reported that a worker inadvertently discussed a patient’s health data with another patient

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Government urged to introduce immediate support to tackle crippling mortgage interest rates

The Government is being urged to immediately provide support for homeowners hit by crippling mortgage interest increases. A Sinn Fein motion is to be debated in the Dail tomorrow which calls for a time-limited mortgage interest relief of up to €1,500 to be introduced. Some mortgage holders have experienced numerous mortgage hikes. The party’s Finance

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Work finally gets underway on delivery of Dunfanaghy Primary Care Centre

Work has finally commenced on the construction of the new Primary Care Centre in Dunfanaghy. The €2.5 million project has faced numerous delays after planning permission was granted in April 2019. Donegal Deputy Joe McHugh in welcoming the moving forward with the project says the development will go far in serving the people as the

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Gardai appeal for information on Doochary heritage sign theft

Gardai have issued an appeal for information relating to the theft of a heritage sign in Doochary. On Friday last, the Doochary Development committee released a statement to say that their future is uncertain following this latest in a string of incidents targeting the work of the group. The sign worth around €600 is believed

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GSOC

Calls for Justice Minister to initiate independent inquiry into GSOC officer

There’s a call on the Justice Minister to start an independent inquiry into the GSOC officer who resigned. The officer is alleged to have attended a house party which Gerry Hutch also attended after he was acquitted of the Regency Hotel murder, a week ago. Labour’s Justice spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has written to Minister

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Taoiseach and Environment Minister to attend North Sea Summit today

The Taoiseach and Environment Minister Eamon Ryan will be in Belgium today for the North Sea Summit. Leo Varadkar says he’s set for Ireland to become energy independent within a generation and wants to break the link with fossil fuels. The aim is to accelerate the development of offshore wind in the North Seas. He

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Improvements to the student grant scheme highlighted

Minister of Education Simon Harris has today encouraged students to apply for new student supports. Applications for the 23/24 academic year are now open with a number of important improvements for students. Changes to the student grant scheme introduced in Budget 23 will take effect this September. These include a reduction in the contribution fee

Improvements to the student grant scheme highlighted Read More »

South Donegal Deputy calls for immediate action on HSE’s operation of Cross Border Healthcare Directive

A South Donegal Deputy is calling for immediate action on the HSE’s operation of the Cross Border Healthcare Directive. A recent Ombudsman report criticised the roadblocks being faced by some patients when trying to claim reimbursement from the HSE. Deputy Marian Harkin says the government must get rid of the red tape and bureaucracy that

South Donegal Deputy calls for immediate action on HSE’s operation of Cross Border Healthcare Directive Read More »

PSNI, Police, Northern Ireland

Man in Derry released following questioning into the New IRA activity

A 41-year-old man arrested under the Terrorism Act in the Creggan area of Derry has been released following questioning. The arrest by Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Terrorism Investigation Unit (TIU) was part of their investigation into New IRA activity. The investigation continues. The man was also released on police bail pending further enquiries for

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Two Donegal drivers used as examples of those putting people at risk on the roads

Two motorists caught spending in Donegal yesterday were among those pinpointed by gardai to be putting themselves and others at risk. A list published this morning following National Slow Down Day names 36 examples of speeding, the list included drivers detected travelling above the speed limit in east and south of the county. One motorist

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Doochary Development Committee believe same individuals are behind theft of sign

The Doochary Development committee believe the latest in a string of theft and vandalism incidents are related and are being carried out by the same individuals. A heritage sign worth around €600 has been stolen in recent days. In a statement, the Committee says they have been in contact with Gardai about the matter and

Doochary Development Committee believe same individuals are behind theft of sign Read More »

Donegal driver caught almost 30km/h over the speed limit on National Slow Down Day

Several motorists have been detected speeding across the country on National Slow Down Day. One motorist was detected doing 87km/h in a 60km/h zone on the R267 at Portnason, Ballyshannon. There have been 52 deaths on our roads in 2023, and Gardaí are asking everyone to comply with speed limits.

Donegal driver caught almost 30km/h over the speed limit on National Slow Down Day Read More »

Donegal residents with roaming mobile phones may receive UK Emergency Alert text on Sunday

People in the border counties are being reminded that the UK Emergency Alerts system will send a test message across Britain and Northern Ireland on Sunday afternoon at 3pm. Some mobile phone customers near border areas in the Republic of Ireland who roam onto a UK mobile phone network may inadvertently receive the message, unless

Donegal residents with roaming mobile phones may receive UK Emergency Alert text on Sunday Read More »

Almost €9,700 awarded to Donegal community and voluntary groups

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, and Minister of State, Joe O’Brien TD, have today announced a further tranche of successful applicants to the Community and Voluntary Energy Support Scheme. Almost €9,700 has been awarded to community and voluntary groups in Donegal. The 9 Donegal groups were among 128 nationally, who

Almost €9,700 awarded to Donegal community and voluntary groups Read More »

MacSharry says having four counties in one Dail constituency disenfranchises voters

The stitching of several counties into one Dáil constituency should be abandoned. That’s according to Deputy Marc MacSharry, whose constituency is called Sligo-Leitrim, but also includes parts of South Donegal and North Roscommon. Deputy MacSharry has told his constituents in Donegal, including the towns of Ballyshannon and Bundoran, that he will represent them as best

MacSharry says having four counties in one Dail constituency disenfranchises voters Read More »

Letterkenny business owners losing out due to traffic problems

A Letterkenny business owner says she has lost customers due to chronic traffic congestion in Letterkenny town. The traffic issues have been a growing concern for business owners in the town for an ongoing period of time. Speaking on this mornings Nine ’til Noon Show, Maria Rushe of Rushe Fitness, explained how people aren’t willing

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