Author name: highlandnews

Renewed calls for review of trees in Donegal following recent storm

There’s renewed calls for a review of trees along roadsides and in housing estates in Donegal following the recent Storm Amy. Councillor Tomas Sean Devine claims that in one area during the storm, residents were forced to remove damaged trees themselves before damage was caused to a parked vehicle. Donegal County Council says there is […]

Renewed calls for review of trees in Donegal following recent storm Read More »

John Breslin speaks to lead vocalist and founding member of 3 Dog Night, Danny Hutton

  Donegal born singer Danny Hutton is being honoured as one of the recipients of this year’s Tip O’Neill awards. John Breslin caught up with Danny Hutton on Around the Northwest to talk to about his life and career. Danny Hutton was born in Buncrana and is best known as a founding member and lead

John Breslin speaks to lead vocalist and founding member of 3 Dog Night, Danny Hutton Read More »

Investigations ongoing into deliberate fire at Strabane property

Investigations are continuing in Strabane into a deliberate fire which caused damage to a property. The fire broke out in the Ashbrook area between midnight and 7am on Monday, following what police have described as ‘suspicious activity’. They’re appealing to anyone with information which can help identify those responsible to come forward.

Investigations ongoing into deliberate fire at Strabane property Read More »

Planning application to be lodged for new service station next to site of Creeslough explosion

The owners of the former Applegreen store in Creeslough where ten people lost their lives in an explosion are set to lodge a planning application for a new service station close to the site. Annette and Danny Martin Lafferty are seeking permission to demolish an existing dwelling adjacent to the site of the explosion and

Planning application to be lodged for new service station next to site of Creeslough explosion Read More »

Taoiseach to host North South Ministerial Council meeting today

Taoiseach Michael Martin will host the 30th North-South Ministerial Council meeting at Farmleigh House in Dublin today. The Council, part of the Good Friday Agreement, brings together ministers from both sides of the border. It aims to strengthen all-island cooperation through regular meetings and joint initiatives. Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First

Taoiseach to host North South Ministerial Council meeting today Read More »

New safety scheme progressing for busy junction at bottom of Lurgybrack, Letterkenny

A new safety scheme is in the works for the busy junction at the bottom of Lurgybrack in Letterkenny. Councillor Donal Coyle has raised concerns that the hard shoulder on the route towards the Dry Arch Roundabout is being used as a driving lane during peak travel times. Donegal County Council says plans will move

New safety scheme progressing for busy junction at bottom of Lurgybrack, Letterkenny Read More »

Calls for workshop to discuss impact of short-term holiday lets in Letterkenny and Milford

There are calls for a workshop to be held to discuss the impact of short-term holiday lets on the provision of housing in the Letterkenny and Milford area. This week, figures emerged which showed that over the past 3 years, 18 investigations were conducted by Donegal County Council into suspected illegal short-term lets in the

Calls for workshop to discuss impact of short-term holiday lets in Letterkenny and Milford Read More »

LUH ED ‘extremely busy’ with 230 people presenting since yesterday

Letterkenny University Hospital is warning that its Emergency Department is extremely busy with 230 people presenting within the past 24 hours. All available beds in the hospital are currently in use. The Emergency Department at Letterkenny University Hospital is extremely busy with high numbers of people attending requiring admittance. As of early afternoon, there have

LUH ED ‘extremely busy’ with 230 people presenting since yesterday Read More »

Huge jump in commencement notices issued for new homes in Donegal

There’s been a huge jump in the number of commencement notices for new homes in Donegal. In September, Donegal County Council received 147 notices, the third largest figure in the country, after Dublin City and Cork County Council. Compared to figures from the same period in 2024, there’s been a 77% increase in commencement notices

Huge jump in commencement notices issued for new homes in Donegal Read More »

MEP Carberry gets support for proposal to introduce EU-wide age verification system

A Midlands- North-West MEP has garnered support for her proposal to introduce an EU-wide age verification system to protect minors online. MEP Nina Carberry, a member of the European Parliament’s Intergroup on Children’s Rights, tabled several amendments to strengthen the report’s provisions on age verification. The committee report will now go before the full European

MEP Carberry gets support for proposal to introduce EU-wide age verification system Read More »

Government majority overcomes bid by Deputy Ward to overhaul Defective Concrete Redress Scheme

A Government majority has overcome a motion by 100% Redress Party Deputy Charles Ward, which called for the overhaul of the Defective Concrete Block Redress Scheme. Deputy Ward brought forward the landmark motion yesterday, which was backed by the entire opposition. Ahead of the motion being presented, Minister for Housing James Browne put forward an

Government majority overcomes bid by Deputy Ward to overhaul Defective Concrete Redress Scheme Read More »

LUH third most overcrowded hospital in Ireland this morning

Letterkenny University Hospital is the third most overcrowded hospital in the country. According to the INMO Trolley Watch, 38 people were waiting on a bed this morning. 29 people were on trolleys in the Emergency Department, with the remaining 9 waiting on a ward elsewhere in the hospital. University Hospital Limerick is the most overcrowded

LUH third most overcrowded hospital in Ireland this morning Read More »

Public information event being held on Active Travel Project for Ballymacool

A public information event is being held by Donegal County Council in Letterkenny today about plans to develop an Active Travel Project from the bottom of Convent Road to the entrance of the Ballymacool estate. People are being urged to attend and see the plans to develop cycle lanes and new pathways. It’s understood the

Public information event being held on Active Travel Project for Ballymacool Read More »

New report finds “systemic failure” in Northern Ireland’s Schools’ Estate Management

A new report has found “systemic failure” in Northern Ireland’s Schools’ Estate Management with a bill of up to £800 million for outstanding repairs and maintenance. The Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee launched an inquiry in May this year, with officials from the Department of Education and the Education Authority giving evidence. PAC has published a

New report finds “systemic failure” in Northern Ireland’s Schools’ Estate Management Read More »

Residents in Letterkenny estate “fighting for their safety” because of some motorists’ behaviour

Residents in one estate in Letterkenny are said to be fighting for their safety because of the behaviour of some motorists. Councillor Jimmy Kavanagh has called on Donegal County Council to examine the possibility of installing additional traffic calming measures in the Ashlawn Estate. The local authority has confirmed that it has been in contact

Residents in Letterkenny estate “fighting for their safety” because of some motorists’ behaviour Read More »

60,000 people have joined electoral register ahead of Presidential election

An extra 60,000 people have joined the electoral register ahead of next week’s presidential election. Figures from An Coimisiún Toghcháin, Ireland’s independent electoral commission, also show a further 30 thousand people have updated or amended their details. It follows voter-registration drives at Electric Picnic, the National Ploughing Championships, other public events and third level campuses.

60,000 people have joined electoral register ahead of Presidential election Read More »

New Crisis Resolution Team and Solace Café announced for Donegal

A new Crisis Resolution Team and Solace Café have been announced for Donegal. The new services will be supported by recurring funding of €1.3m in Budget 2026, supporting the recruitment of ten whole time equivalent staff, led by a Consultant Psychiatrist. The Crisis Resolution Team will provide immediate outreach, and short term supports capable of

New Crisis Resolution Team and Solace Café announced for Donegal Read More »

Calls for yellow boxes to be installed at Knocknamona roundabout, Letterkenny

A Letterkenny Councillor says a roundabout is no good to anyone if it is log-jammed. Councillor Gerry McMonagle has called for yellow boxes to be added to Knocknamona Roundabout on the Kilmacrennan Road. He says the size of the roundabout cannot cope with the volume of traffic using it, particularly at peak times. Long-term plans

Calls for yellow boxes to be installed at Knocknamona roundabout, Letterkenny Read More »

Dáil passes motion of confidence in Tánaiste Simon Harris

The Dáil has passed a motion of confidence in the Tánaiste. The Government’s motion won by 29 votes this afternoon. It had been called after Aontú announced it would table a vote of no confidence in Simon Harris next week, over his handling of children’s spinal surgery waiting times. Before the vote took place, Taoiseach

Dáil passes motion of confidence in Tánaiste Simon Harris Read More »

New survey launched to explore gambling, substance use and mental health among college students

A new survey has been launched to explore gambling, substance use, and mental health among college students. AMLÉ, which represents third-level students, has teamed up with the Gambling Authority of Ireland and Ulster University to gather data on these issues. The union’s Vice President for Welfare Emma Monahan says the research will give an insight

New survey launched to explore gambling, substance use and mental health among college students Read More »

Food Equality Initiative launched to tackle hunger in Donegal

A new €200,000 ‘Food Equality Initiative’ has been launched to tackle hunger in Donegal. The county-wide project is supported by PEACEPLUS and is being delivered by the Donegal Local Development Company. It aims to address the growing issue of food poverty, the lack of access to sufficient, nutritious food, and its impact on health, culture,

Food Equality Initiative launched to tackle hunger in Donegal Read More »

Gardai warn of bogus tradesmen operating in Donegal

Gardai are warning people to be vigilant following reports of bogus tradesmen operating in Donegal. It’s understood the group in question was in Inishowen yesterday and has been spotted in Letterkenny today. They are also believed to be selling generators. Sergeant Fergus McGrory, Divisional Crime Prevention Officer in Donegal, is urging people to alert Gardai

Gardai warn of bogus tradesmen operating in Donegal Read More »

Government accused of ‘gaslighting’ DCB homeowners as landmark motion comes before Dail

The Government has been accused of gaslighting defective block homeowners. 100% Redress Deputy Charles Ward brought a landmark motion before the Dail today, backed by the entire opposition, which called for reform of the Defective Concrete Block Redress Scheme. Ahead of the motion being presented, the Government put forward an amended text. Deputy Ward laid

Government accused of ‘gaslighting’ DCB homeowners as landmark motion comes before Dail Read More »

Lack of transport said to be ‘main issue’ with student accommodation provision in Letterkenny

Members of the Letterkenny Milford Municipal District are set to meet with Local Link in the coming weeks to discuss the possible expansion of the service. Councillor Donal Coyle says a recent call out for student accommodation by the Atlantic Technological University highlighted the lack of bus links to the outskirts of Letterkenny. He says

Lack of transport said to be ‘main issue’ with student accommodation provision in Letterkenny Read More »

SF says Government must recognise they’ve failed people with disabilities

Sinn Fein says Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil must recognise they’ve failed people with disabilities. The party has hit out at what it says was a paltry Budget for people with disabilities. During a Dail debate last night, Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty said the €10 disability allowance increase is pitiful and will be eaten up

SF says Government must recognise they’ve failed people with disabilities Read More »

Donegal County Council warned it’s only a matter of time before tragedy strikes defective block homeowners during extreme weather events

Donegal County Council has been told that it is only a matter of time before there is a tragedy among defective block homeowners during extreme weather events. Councillor Tomas Sean Devine is urging the local authority to prepare and open community centres as a place of shelter when a status orange weather alert is issued,

Donegal County Council warned it’s only a matter of time before tragedy strikes defective block homeowners during extreme weather events Read More »

Fáilte Ireland hosting Tourism Business Clinics across Donegal next month

Fáilte Ireland will be hosting five Tourism Business Clinics across Donegal in November. The joint initiative with Donegal County Council and the Local Enterprise Office marks a further collaboration between the three bodies to assist both new and existing businesses to diversify into the tourism industry. The project offers opportunities to discuss ideas for tourism

Fáilte Ireland hosting Tourism Business Clinics across Donegal next month Read More »

Letterkenny Councillor calls for Active Travel Project in the town to be scrapped

A Letterkenny Councillor has called for an Active travel project ongoing in the town to be stopped. Works on the Kilmacrennan Road today led to serious traffic delays in and around the town with traffic restricted to one lane to facilitate works. Councillor Donal Mandy Kelly fears this is a sign of the impact the

Letterkenny Councillor calls for Active Travel Project in the town to be scrapped Read More »

Minute’s silence held during Letterkenny Milford MD for father of Chair Cllr Ciaran Brogan

A minute’s silence was held at the start of today’s meeting of the Letterkenny Milford Municipal District in tribute to the father of MD Chair, Councillor Ciaran Brogan. Councillor Donal Coyle, spoke of the late Phil Brogan as the inspiration for his son, Cllr Brogan’s interest in politics. Cllr Coyle says Mr Brogan was involved

Minute’s silence held during Letterkenny Milford MD for father of Chair Cllr Ciaran Brogan Read More »

Funding secured to progress Carndonagh Garda Station

Funding has been secured to progress a new Garda Station in Carndonagh. Announcing details of his department’s spend for Budget 2026, Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan identified Carndonagh as one of two towns for funding under the National Development Plan. The other is in Castleroy, Co. Limerick. Welcoming the announcement, Donegal

Funding secured to progress Carndonagh Garda Station Read More »