Author name: highlandnews

Remedial works are set to be carried out at Lettermacaward Health Centre. The HSE has confirmed that the facility will be open and available to the local community. A petition was launched earlier this year in a bid to retain GP services in the area. Breda Byrnes, member of the Lettermacaward Health Centre Action Group […]

An Inishowen Councillor believes the peninsula is being ignored when raising questions over possible gaps in the fire service. Councillor Martin McDermott asked for clarity on the number of times the Northern Ireland fire service responded to call outs in Donegal last year. However, no response has been forthcoming to date while previously, there were

Questions continue to be raised over the proposed Bridgend Bypass. The project aims to improve connectivity between Letterkenny and Derry as part of the National Development Plan. A recent public consultation revealed the preferred route option. However, there are fears the project would be detrimental to businesses in the locality. Councillor Nicholas Crossan says it

Police investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann will begin a search of a reservoir in Portugal today. Divers will look at an area around 30 miles away from where the toddler went missing in the Algarve in 2007. Suspect ‘Christian B’ is known to have camped in the area. Officers have already done a search

The Justice Minister will seek government approval to increase jail sentences for people who assault gardaí or anyone working in the emergency services. Simon Harris is proposing to increase the maximum sentence for assault from seven to 12 years. Minister Harris says the measure would also apply to hospital staff and prison officers, as well

The government is being accused of failing to grasp the seriousness of energy poverty. The Oireachtas Environment Committee will today hear about the need to address income inadequacy in Ireland. Social Justice Ireland is among those urging the government to take a more long-term view, including by increasing all core social welfare rates by €25

Serious concerns are being raised over the future of adult diabetes services in Donegal. It comes as its confirmed the new second Consultant Endocrinologist who commenced work at Letterkenny University Hospital a few weeks ago has resigned. The matter is compounded as it follows the resignation too of a Consultant Endocrinologist who had been in

Donegal County Council is being urged to secure funding to provide a footpath in Milford as a matter of urgency. Councillor Pauric McGarvey has raised concerns over the absence of adequate infrastructure on the route from the Lagg area to Lidl in the town. A previous funding application for works was unsuccessful. Councillor McGarvey says

The Taoiseach says artificial intelligence could solve GP shortages in the future. Leo Varadkar was speaking about the possible benefits and consequences of artificial intelligence, and he believes the pros outweigh the cons. The Irish College of General Practitioners last week said there is a chronic shortage of doctors. But, speaking to the ‘Leading’ podcast

€2.4 million has been paid to 820 farmers across six blanket bog Special Areas of Conservation in the North West to develop an integrated land use programme, which benefits farmers and the environment. Payments were linked to the environmental quality of the farm, looking at biodiversity, water quality and climate regulation, as well as pressures

Donegal ETB has confirmed it is amenable to the idea of relocated the Lifford Youthreach service to Strabane as a short term solution. The lease for the current premises on The Diamond in Lifford is about to run out, and as of yet, a suitable premise hasn’t been found in the area. Cllr Gary Doherty

A one thousand euro tax break for workers, is among the ideas being brought to the table ahead of the budget. According to the Irish Irish Independent, it would see workers on an average household income awarded the payment. The measure is being backed by three Fine Gael Junior Ministers – before the coalition begins

Donegal County Council is again being urged to work with Udaras na Gaeltachta and other agencies to tackle economic deprivation and high emigration in the west of the county. The call has come from Cllr Marie Therese Gallagher who tod a recent meeting of Glenties Municipal District that every economic profile highlights the fact that

Fianna Fail in Donegal say they’ve been given a commitment of progress on the Ten-10 road project this year, and a specific guarantee that the government will very carefully consider the need for a second bridge over the Swilly in Letterkenny. The commitment was given last night, when councillors and County Executive members met with

Over 60 per cent of millennials would think about moving to another part of the country. Leitrim County Council’s research by Bounce reveals over a fifth of Irish workers are fully remote. More than half of remote workers say it has a very positive impact on their work-life balance. Leitrim County Council Chief Executive, Lar

There’s fresh pressure on the DUP to restore the power sharing executive at Stormont. Former party leader Edwin Poots says the result of the local elections there are a ‘wake up and smell the coffee moment’ for unionism. Sinn Fein secured 144 seats, surpassing the DUP as the largest party in local government in the

Cllr Jack Murray is set to move a motion at the next plenary meeting to demand the restoration of all public services in Buncrana. The Sinn Fein councillor says services such as mowing and street sweeping in Buncrana have slipped back since 2014 when the Buncrana Town Council was abolished. Speaking with our reporters Cllr

Calls are being made to restore garden maintenance for older people in some housing estates. Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh called on Donegal County Council to find resources in order to help residents who are unable to keep the outside of their home. The estates include Beechwood, Glenwood, Derryveagh, Oldtown and Muckish Avenue. Cllr. Kavanagh says any

A man who attacked an 86-year-old woman before putting her into a wheelie bin has been jailed for two-and-a-half years. Alex Bailey, of Claragh, Ramelton, Co. Donegal, assaulted the woman on his way home from a night out in Dublin last September. As a result of his intoxication, his barrister told the judge his client

Doochary Development says they’re receiving significant support online after an apparent incident of vandalism which saw a ‘Welcome to Doochary’ stone destroyed. This week, the stone at the top of the Corkscrew on the Dungloe Road was found badly damaged this week. Initially, it had been thought the stone might have been hit by a

A Donegal orthodontic consultant cannot perform assessments due to a lack of resources and hasn’t done since last March. That’s according to Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle. Deputy Pringle raised the issue of long waiting times for orthodontic care in Donegal to the Tánaiste in the Dail yesterday. He said his office had received many complaints,

A warning has been issued to dog owners once again to clean up after their pets. The Cathaoirleach of the Glenties Municipal District says the issue appears to be on the rise on beaches in the West of the county. Councillor Michael McClafferty says, the irresponsibility of dog owners can result in serious health complications:

The Donegal Local Community Development Committee is urging people to participate in a consultation on the Local Economic and Community Plan 2023 -2029. LEADER and PEACEPLUS plans are also under discussion. Events are being hosted in nine venues across the county over the next week, at which people are being invited to comment on the

The Doochary Development Group is working to determine the cause of damage to a welcome stone at the top of the corkscrew in the village. There’s been a suggestion that the damage was caused by a vehicle collision but that has been questioned on social media. The group is appealing to anyone with information to