Author name: highlandnews

SF will not endorse Catherine Connolly’s presidential bid – O’Rourke

Sinn Fein will not endorse Catherine Connolly for the Presidency, according to one of its TDs. The Independent Candidate has the support of opposition parties including the Social Democrats, People Before Profit and Labour. Sinn Fein TD Darren O’Rourke says branch meetings have taken place around the country, to discuss a bid for the Áras.

SF will not endorse Catherine Connolly’s presidential bid – O’Rourke Read More »

Focus Group says Department of Housing has questions to answer over late payments

The Banking and Insurance Defective Block Focus Group says the Government needs to revisit its proposed 0% working capital solution. The proposal was previously turned down by Government on the basis that the payment process was being streamlined. However, homeowners are still waiting up to 12 weeks for payments under the Defective Concrete Block Grant

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Bereaved woman doesn’t believe tougher sentences will prevent road fatalities

A Donegal woman who lost her sister to a hit-and-run driver says she doesn’t believe harsher sentences for people who cause death through dangerous driving will lessen the number of fatalities on Irish roads. This week, singer Roman Keating called for tougher sentences after the man responsible for his brother’s death in County Mayo received

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Uisce Eireann dealing with burst water mains in the Lagan Valley and Lifford

Uisce Eireann says it’s dealing with a burst water main in the Lagan Valley. Asa a result, they say there may be supply disruptions at Ballyholey, Slievebuck, Doorable, Galdonagh and surrounding areas in Co. Donegal. Works are scheduled to take place until 4pm this afternoon. Meanwhile, repairs to a burst water main in Lifford may

Uisce Eireann dealing with burst water mains in the Lagan Valley and Lifford Read More »

Tanaiste promises more engagement with the fishing industry during visit to Killybegs

The government is promising more direct engagement with the fishing industry to explore the potential for growth. Tanaiste Simon Harris made the commitment while in Killybegs this week for a series of meetings. He said more can be done at an EU level, and that’s something he wants to pursue. Mr Harris, who holds the

Tanaiste promises more engagement with the fishing industry during visit to Killybegs Read More »

Public invited to take part in consultation for Three Trees to Carndonagh Greenway Project

Donegal County Council are inviting residents, members of the public and other interested parties to participate in the third non-statutory public consultation on the Emerging Preferred Route Corridor for the Three Trees to Carndonagh Greenway Project. The Council says the delivery of the project will provide a great recreational facility and social support for local

Public invited to take part in consultation for Three Trees to Carndonagh Greenway Project Read More »

Mairéad McGuinness pulls out of Presidential race on health grounds

Mairead McGuinness is pulling out of the Presidential race on health grounds. Full statement from Fine Gael below: Thursday, 14th August 2025 Statement from An Tánaiste, Simon Harris Mairead McGuinness has made an incredible contribution to public life in Ireland and in Europe. It was our clear view in Fine Gael and the view of

Mairéad McGuinness pulls out of Presidential race on health grounds Read More »

Local Link services delayed yesterday after cars “abandoned” at Stroove beach

  Cathaoirleach of the Inishowen Municipal District says something needs to be done about the parking at Stroove Beach. It’s after cars were parked on either side of the road on the way to the beach yesterday, which caused obstructions for other drivers and Local Link to suspend their services. Speaking to Michaela Clarke on

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Over €700,000 being invested in outdoor recreation and trails in Donegal

Just over €706,000 is being invested in 18 outdoor recreation projects in Donegal. Among the projects being funded are the Dungloe River and Cope Mountain Looped Walk, Creggan Woods in Stranorlar, the Lough Dhún Lúiche Trail Development, the Tory Island Trail and a blueway scheme for the smaller Donegal islands Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher

Over €700,000 being invested in outdoor recreation and trails in Donegal Read More »

No non-compliances found during HIQA inspections at three West Donegal centres

No non-compliances were found at three Donegal centres for adults with disabilities when they were inspected in May of this year. HIQA reports published have been published today in respect of Teach Inisfree, Teach Owey and Teach Inishal. Each of the centres had 4 residents on-site at the time of the inspection. Teach Inisfree The

No non-compliances found during HIQA inspections at three West Donegal centres Read More »

Assistant Commissioner says assessment of roads policing makes ‘difficult reading’

A significant number of gardai working in the Road Policing Unit have deliberately ignored offences, according to a damning report. An independent review engaged with 100 gardai involved in road policing across six divisions. Researchers found the majority of gardai were productive but say a significant cohort were disinterested and have a poor worth ethic.

Assistant Commissioner says assessment of roads policing makes ‘difficult reading’ Read More »

100% Redress Party pays tribute to MAG and pledges to keep up the fight

The 100% Redress Party has paid tribute to the Mica Action Group which has dissolved this week. The party says it wants to publicly recognise and thank MAG for their extraordinary commitment, dedication, and tireless efforts on behalf of homeowners across Donegal and beyond. In its final statement last night, MAG said it’s time to pass

100% Redress Party pays tribute to MAG and pledges to keep up the fight Read More »

55 Pre-School facilities in Donegal included in new school meal scheme

Children at 55 pre-school facilities in Donegal will be included in ‘Bia Blasta, a pre-school nutrition programme designed to provide daily lunches for pre-school children in disadvantaged areas. Children’s Minister Norma Foley says around €4.2 million in funding will be provided nationally to ensure that 25,000 children in areas with the highest concentration of disadvantage

55 Pre-School facilities in Donegal included in new school meal scheme Read More »

Calls for heavy vehicle ban and safety review on Oldtown Bridge

Donegal County Council is being urged to restrict the movement of heavy vehicles on Oldtown Bridge in Letterkenny until a full safety review is completed, and repairs are carried out. The call has come from Aontu representative Mary T Sweeney, who believes lives are potentially being put at risk due to serious structural cracks on

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Cannabis seized in Coleraine and three other locations during a coordinated PSNI search operation

Update – Five people have been charged. The PSNI have carried out five searches and made five arrests as part of an investigation into the cultivation of cannabis. Suspected cannabis with an estimated street value of £500,000 was seized across four locations, including one in Coleraine. The others were in Templepatrick, Tandragee and Lurgan. **********************

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IFA claims CCPC is scapegoating farmers for rising food prices

The IFA is hitting out at the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, claiming it’s scapegoating farmers for rising grocery prices. It’s after CCPC published a report last week, which found a key driver of recent food cost rises is the “increase of some agricultural product prices.’ It also says output costs in agriculture have shown

IFA claims CCPC is scapegoating farmers for rising food prices Read More »

Vodafone AI platform being trained to understand the Donegal accent

Nearly half of men have a very good grasp of what AI can do, while one in 3 people believe the technology can understand Irishisms. Data from Vodafone Ireland reveals Gen Z and Dubliners are the most confident with AI, with it understanding terms like ‘grand’ or ‘c’mere to me.’ However, Irish accents, such as

Vodafone AI platform being trained to understand the Donegal accent Read More »

Public realm enhancement and public artwork installation completed in Bundoran

Donegal County Council has announced the completion of significant public realm enhancements and the installation of public artwork in Bundoran. In 2020, Fáilte Ireland launched its Destination Towns Capital Investment Scheme, with the aim of supporting local authorities nationwide to increase the attractiveness and tourism appeal of towns across Ireland. Under the scheme, Donegal County

Public realm enhancement and public artwork installation completed in Bundoran Read More »

HSE statement regarding HIQA inspection at Abbey Village Community Group Homes, Donegal

Following a HIQA inspection at the Abbey Village Community Group Homes, Donegal, the HSE has issued the following statement: Media Statement Abbey Village Community Group Homes – OSV-0005250 welcomes publication of HIQA inspection report 13 August 2025 HSE West and North West welcomes the publication of a report by Health Information Quality Authority (HIQA) following

HSE statement regarding HIQA inspection at Abbey Village Community Group Homes, Donegal Read More »

Teachers Union of Ireland warns profession is becoming “unaffordable”

Teachers are warning the profession is becoming unaffordable. The Teachers Union of Ireland is calling on the government to introduce a number of measures to address the recruitment and retention crisis. It says a shortage of staff will see students miss out on subject options, with just one in four new second level teachers receiving

Teachers Union of Ireland warns profession is becoming “unaffordable” Read More »

Six people interested in Presidential Election nominations from DCC

Donegal County Council has confirmed there’s been contact from six individuals who have indicated that they would be looking to seek a presidential election nomination. A spokesperson indicated however that the council can only give consideration to nominating a candidate following the making of the presidential election order.

Six people interested in Presidential Election nominations from DCC Read More »

Reservoir interruptions being implemented in Lifford, Raphoe and Convoy

Reservoir interruptions being put in place in parts of East Donegal for the next ten days. Uisce Eireann says there may be supply disruptions in Raphoe, Lifford, Convoy, Edenmore, Rossgier, Coolatee, Sixty Acres, Porthall, Carrickmore, Mongalvin, White Cross, Ballylennan, Feddyglass and surrounding areas. The reservoir interruptions are scheduled to take place nightly from 10pm until

Reservoir interruptions being implemented in Lifford, Raphoe and Convoy Read More »

SSE launches 2025 Meentycat and Culliagh Community Fund

SSE has launched the 2025 Meentycat and Culliagh Community Benefit Fund, with online applications being accepted until Friday September 12th. The funding is open to projects within 20km of the wind farms, with priority given to those within 5km. This year, the fund will distribute over €160,000 to initiatives that promote environmental sustainability, improve safety

SSE launches 2025 Meentycat and Culliagh Community Fund Read More »

End of an era as Mica Action Group announces it is standing down

The Mica Action Group  has announced it is standing down after 11 years. Deputy Chairperson Tricia Sullivan told Michaela Clarke on today’s Nine til Noon Show that the 100% Redress Party has secured the election of four councillors and a TD, and they are now best placed to take the campaign forward. Tricia Sullivan says

End of an era as Mica Action Group announces it is standing down Read More »

Bundoran Lifeboat comes to the assistance of injured casualty in the diving boards area

Bundoran RNLI launched just before 4 o’clock yesterday afternoon following reports of an injured casualty at the diving boards area of Bundoran beach. They found the casualty in the care of Donegal County Council Lifeguards, along with Bundoran Fire Brigade and the National Ambulance Service. Because of the restricted location, the casualty was transferred by

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€4.17 million in Dormant Accounts funding to be invested in sport – McConalogue

Junior Sports MInister  Charlie McConalogue, has announced that €4.17 million in Dormant Accounts Funding is to be invested in community sports and physical activity initiatives.  Sport Ireland’s network of Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) play a crucial role in implementing the National Sports Policy and increasing participation levels in sport and physical activity particularly in underrepresented

€4.17 million in Dormant Accounts funding to be invested in sport – McConalogue Read More »

Two men due in court in connection with the attack on DCI John Caldwell

Two men will appear in court in Tyrone today as part of the investigation into the attempted murder of Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell. The PSNI officer was shot multiple times after coaching a youth football team in Omagh, County Tyrone in February 2023. Two men, aged 45-years-old and 25-years-old, were arrested on Monday and

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Leniency of some sentences in the Pte. Sean Rooney murder trial to be appealed

The Tanaiste is welcoming an appeal into the sentences received by people involved in the attack which killed Private Sean Rooney. Simon Harris wrote to the Lebanese Government following the trial to express his disappointment at the leniency shown to some of the defendants. The main defendant at the military tribunal in Beirut last month

Leniency of some sentences in the Pte. Sean Rooney murder trial to be appealed Read More »

Donegal had the second highest number of seal deaths in 2023

Donegal had the second highest number of seal deaths in 2023. The Journal Investigates is reporting this morning that 69 seals died off Donegal coasts, behind Wexford 103. Nationally, 430 dead seals were reported to the National Parks and Wildlife Service in 2023, compared to 201 in 2020. Seal Rescue Ireland (SRI) says they’ve also

Donegal had the second highest number of seal deaths in 2023 Read More »

Public encouraged to participate on public consultation for Carrigans to Lifford Greenway Project

Donegal County Council is inviting residents, members of the public and other interested parties to participate in the third non-statutory public consultation on the Emerging Preferred Route Corridor for the Carrigans to Lifford Greenway Project. The project aims to provide an attractive trail between the border at Carrigans and Lifford, mainly to be used for

Public encouraged to participate on public consultation for Carrigans to Lifford Greenway Project Read More »