Author name: highlandnews

Hotel bookings in Donegal still below 2019 levels – IHF

The Irish Hotels Federation says while the Easter season was a relatively positive one for the hotel and hospitality sector in Donegal, summer bookings still haven’t returned to pre-pandemic levels in Donegal. Local spokesperson Paul Diver says while the domestic market remains strong, the international market still hasn’t returned to 2019 levels, and as of […]

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ERNACT says NW is well placed to become a leader in ‘disruptive technology’

The cross border digital project ERNACT says it’s presence makes the North West a prime location for disruptive technologies which explore new areas of innovation. The EU backed initiative, which is run by Donegal County Council and Derry City and Strabane District Council, has secured €6.6 million in the past six months for the digitisation

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Dependence on natural gas from the UK is short-sighted – Seán Kelly MEP

An MEP says people opposed to natural gas storage in Ireland are divorced from reality. Ireland South rep, Seán Kelly, says people need to get real about energy security in this country. Mr Kelly believes our dependence on natural gas from the UK is short-sighted. He said he is proud of Ireland’s record in moving

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Early childhood sector struggling to recruit & retain staff

Childcare facilities across the country are struggling to recruit and retain staff. A new SIPTU study found more than 90% of managers reported that recruitment challenges are negatively impacting services. The Government increased funding to the sector by an extra €173 million last year. SIPTU’s Darragh O’Connor says more money is needed to attract people

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Donegal man denies involvement in attack at repossessed Roscommon farm

A Donegal man has denied his involvement in an attack on a number of security guards at a repossessed farm at Falsk, Co Roscommon in 2018. 44 year old Patrick Sweeney of High Cairn, Ramelton is currently on trial along with three other men. Patrick Sweeney is charged with false imprisonment of and assault causing

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Uisce Eireann says work is due to get underway on Buncrana Sewerage Scheme

Uisce Eireann says work will begin on the Buncrana Sewerage Scheme in the coming weeks, with works to reduce overflows during storms and eliminate non-compliant overf;pws into Lough Swilly set to take place. Meanwhile, work is already well underway on the Ballybofey/Stranorlar Sewerage Scheme, with both projects set to be complete by the end of

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New round of Brexit Adjustment funding announced for fishers

The Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine has today announced a new round of funding under the Brexit Inshore Fisheries Business Model Adjustment Scheme. Up to €3.5 million is being made available in short-term funding for the sector. The funding, Minister Charlie McConalogue says will bridge the gap for the inshore sector, while longer

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Taoiseach defends his leadership of Fine Gael

Leo Varadkar has defended his leadership of Fine Gael after another TD said they won’t be contesting the next election. John Paul Phelan confirmed he won’t seek re-election – joining Brendan Griffin, Donegal Deputy Joe McHugh and Eoghan Murphy in leaving since election 2020. Speaking this evening Leo Varadkar defended his party’s performance in the

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People in border areas could be affected by UK Emergency Alert System test on Sunday

People in border areas could be affected by the new UK Emergency Alert System this Sunday. Those with Irish mobile phone connections won’t get an alert. However, anyone whose phone is roaming onto a tower operated by a UK network will get the message between 3pm and 4pm. A statement on the Department of the

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Perspective must be maintained when looking at Strep A figures – Dr. Armstrong

There have been around 200 reported cases of Strep A this year in Ireland. Dr. Paul Armstrong says he’s seen more cases in recent times. However speaking on this morning’s Nine ’til Noon show, Dr. Armstrong added that although there is an increase of Strep A, it’s important to note the number of fatal cases

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Dail told government isn’t taking house vacancy levels in Donegal seriously enough

The Dail has been told that there are over 7000 vacant homes in Donegal, many of them in the possession of banks, but Donegal County Council isn’t being given the resources to address the issue. Donegal Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn said this morning there is a crisis in the county, but the government appears to be

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Delay in compensation for fishermen described as scandolous

The delay in compensating fishermen impacted by Brexit has is scandalous, according to the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation CEO, Seán O’Donoghue. Mr. O’Donoghue says a report issued yesterday by Bord Iascaigh Mhara highlights the issues faced by fishermen as exports fell by 13%, mainly due to the lower quotas of mackerel and blue whiting as a

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Council echos Orange Fire Warning as dried gorse and grass poses major risk

Donegal County Council has issued an Orange Fire Danger Notice in respect of gorse, heather, dried grasses, and other vegetation. It will remain in place until Saturday evening. Donegal County Council is urging landowners and members of the public to take all necessary measures to prevent the occurrence of wildfires, and report any unattended fires

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Donegal ECI settings raise €10,500 on National Pyjama Day

Early Childhood Ireland has today announced that 32 of its member settings in Donegal contributed over €10,500 to a national total of almost €350,000 raised on National Pyjama Day. The funds raised will benefit two projects: AsIAm’s Child and Family Support Programme and The Reggio Children Project 2023. Teresa Heeney, CEO, Early Childhood Ireland says

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‘Government has done very little to contribute to peace in NI’ – Deputy Pringle

A Donegal Deputy claims the Irish Government has done very little to contribute to peace in Northern Ireland. Speaking in the Dail last evening, Deputy Thomas Pringle expressed concerns over the Government’s proposed review of Ireland’s neutrality. He believes a forum due to be set up to discuss neutrality should instead focus on restoring peace

‘Government has done very little to contribute to peace in NI’ – Deputy Pringle Read More »

Conference to take place to mark contribution of major cross border project

A conference is taking place in East Donegal tomorrow to mark the significant contribution a major cross border project has made to restoring water quality in three cross border river catchments. CatchmentCARE project aimed to improve freshwater quality in the Finn, Blackwater and Arney river catchment areas. The €14m project included the installation of fifty

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MIT innovators to gather in Donegal for two-day conference in May

A world-leading technology conference that showcases Europe’s brightest young tech stars will be hosted in Donegal next month. On May 11th and 12th, MIT’s Innovators Under 35 will bring Europe’s most aspiring young innovators to Gaoth Dobhair, to showcase their work and demonstrate how they are already helping to make the world a better place

MIT innovators to gather in Donegal for two-day conference in May Read More »

‘Evil’ man who killed Jasmine McMonagle to be sentenced on May 22nd

A man, who has been found guilty of the manslaughter of his partner in Donegal four years ago, has been described as “evil” by the victim’s family. The sentencing hearing of 31 year old Richard Burke began today at the Central Criminal Court. 28 year old Jasmine McMonagle was beaten and then strangled to death

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Shortage of Bean an Tís is a concern for Irish Colleges – TG4

There’s concern over a shortage of Bean an Tís and host families for Irish colleges. The latest figures from the Department of the Gaeltacht, show the number of host families providing accommodation to students has fallen by almost a third in the past four years. TG4 reports 495 families provided places to stay in the

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Martin backs calls for GFA reform, but says Stormont return should come first

The Tánaiste says there should be reform of the Good Friday Agreement. He has called for the return of power-sharing at Stormont on the second day of a conference marking the 25th anniversary of the peace deal. Michael Martin acknowledged the calls for reform have grown louder…………… Meanwhile, police in Derry say people may experience

Martin backs calls for GFA reform, but says Stormont return should come first Read More »

Gardai investigate criminal damage incidents in Castlefinn and Letterkenny

  Gardaí are investigating a criminal damage incident that happened in the Emmet Park area of Castlefin at approximately 1 0’clock  on Sunday morning last, April 16th. A resident was asleep in bed when they heard glass smashing, and it transpired that the two glass panels in the front door of the house had been

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Resident finds burglar at rear door of their home over the weekend

Gardaí are investigating a burglary in which a resident returned home to find an intruder at their rear door, in the Gortlee Road area of Letterkenny on Saturday afternoon last at approximately 4.45pm. The resident discovered the unknown male who then fled in the direction of Whitehorn. He was described as being quite tall, with

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Gardai investigate suspected arson incident in Sessiaghoneill area of Ballybofey

Gardaí are investigating a suspected criminal damage incident after a fire was reported at a vacant house in the Sessiaghoneill area of Ballybofey in the early hours of Saturday last, April 15th. Between 1am and 2am, the Fire Services attended the scene and extinguished the flames but there was substantial damage caused. Nobody was injured.

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CAKE awarded €5,000 under Local Authority Waters Programme

Crossroads and Killygordon Enterprise have been awarded €5,000 under the Local Authority Waters Programme. The funding came as part of a national fund of €500,000. The money will be used to carry out a professional feasibility study into the potential benefits of the River Finn, and its tributaries and how they could benefit the local

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