Author name: highlandnews

Foy upbeat ahead of tough test for Castlefin Celtic in FAI Junior Cup

Castlefin Celtic will be in action against Limerick side Ballynanty Rovers in the last 32 of the FAI Junior Cup on Sunday. Ballynanty have reached the final of this competition on three occasions. Speaking to Chris Ashmore, Castlefin manager Raymond Foy (pictured) knows it will be a stern test, but his side has been in

Foy upbeat ahead of tough test for Castlefin Celtic in FAI Junior Cup Read More »

HSE briefs Oireachtas members and Regional Health Forum on NoWDOC talks

The HSE has been meeting with elected representatives and members of the Regional Health Forum in light of concerns about the out of hours GP service in Donegal and Leitrim. At present, it’s operated by NoWDOC, but Carlow based company ‘Caredoc’ is in discussions with the HSE with a view towards taking the service over.

HSE briefs Oireachtas members and Regional Health Forum on NoWDOC talks Read More »

Taoiseach and Labour leader hope progress on protocol can be made

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and the leader of Britain’s Labour Party Keir Starmer have expressed hope that progress can be made on the Northern Ireland Protocol. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar told Mr Starmer the Irish economy is still benefiting from growth – but inflation is impacting people and business. Kier Starmer was also briefed about a new

Taoiseach and Labour leader hope progress on protocol can be made Read More »

Water issues in West Donegal must be addressed – Gallagher

It’s claimed houses in West Donegal are now suffering water interruptions on a daily basis due to issues at various water plants in the area. A months long boil water notice was imposed on the Lettermacaward Water Treatment Plant last year while there’s reports of ongoing problems at Ardsbeg Treatment Plant after it was hit

Water issues in West Donegal must be addressed – Gallagher Read More »

Call for introduction of flights to Scotland or Edinburgh from Donegal Airport

A local Councillor believes the reintroduction of flights to Glasgow or Edinburgh from Donegal Airport is vital for the county’s tourism. Sinn Féin Councillor John Shéamais Ó Fearraigh says the reintroduction of flights from Donegal Airport would be extremely beneficial to the county’s tourism and economy while it would also benefit local students travelling to

Call for introduction of flights to Scotland or Edinburgh from Donegal Airport Read More »

Data to be collected on mica homes in Derry and Strabane

Derry City and Strabane District Council has started a data collection exercise to quantify the number of residents in the Council area whose properties have MICA. Elected Members at the Full Council meeting recently voted in favour of a Notice of Motion calling on Council to examine the potentials problems associated with defective blocks in

Data to be collected on mica homes in Derry and Strabane Read More »

A drop in number of people presenting with respiratory infections

The HSE is reporting a drop in the numbers of people presenting with respiratory infections. Nationally, there were 1,836 new confirmed COVID19 cases reported during week two of 2023. This is a decrease of 47.2% compared to 3,474 confirmed COVID-19 cases notified last week. 105 cases of Covid-19 were reported in Donegal last week.  

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Day of Action tomorrow outside Letterkenny University Hospital

The organisers of a national Day of Action against hospital overcrowding are urging people to turn out for a demonstration outside Letterkenny University Hospital tomorrow. The event at 1 o’clock is one of over 20 simultaneous protests taking place outside acute hospitals. Local Organiser Mary T Sweeney says one of the key issues being highlighted

Day of Action tomorrow outside Letterkenny University Hospital Read More »

Donegal Deputy calls on Coillte to halt sale of land

A Donegal Deputy has called on the Coillte to halt the sale of thousands of hectares of private land in rural communities. Sinn Fein Deputy Pearse Doherty voiced his opposition to a proposed afforestation agreement between Coillte and the UK-based private investment fund Gresham House. The proposed agreement would see Coillte manage up to 12,000ha

Donegal Deputy calls on Coillte to halt sale of land Read More »

Another deadline for restoration of Stormont passed without a deal

Yet another deadline for the restoration of power-sharing in the north passed at midnight last night without a deal. Technically that should trigger fresh elections, however Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton Harris has said he won’t set a date just yet. Efforts are continuing between EU, Irish and UK officials over the Brexit protocol, which

Another deadline for restoration of Stormont passed without a deal Read More »

More severe weather funding needed for Donegal’s roads – MacGiolla Easbuig

Donegal County Council is being urged to apply for additional Severe Weather Funding in the wake of this week’s cold snap. Cllr Michael Choilm MacGiolla Easbuig says there is already visible damage on the Back of Errigal Road and other routes in Donegal, and with a thaw expected to kick in at the weekend, more

More severe weather funding needed for Donegal’s roads – MacGiolla Easbuig Read More »

‘Epidemic of small offences being overlooked’ – Cllr Crossan

There’s an epidemic of small offences being overlooked. That’s according to Inishowen Councillor Nicholas Crossan who says people using a mobile phone while driving, misusing fog lights and pedestrians not wearing high visibility clothing while small are becoming more prevalent. He says those out on the roads have a responsibility:

‘Epidemic of small offences being overlooked’ – Cllr Crossan Read More »

Dail told of ‘huge hurt’ in Donegal over defective apartments redress

There is huge hurt in Donegal. That’s the view of Donegal Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn who’s been responding to the announcement of a multi billion euro 100% redress scheme for defective apartment owners. Deputy MacLochlainn has repeated calls for defective block homeowners in Donegal to be afforded fairness. He’s urging the government to amend the defective

Dail told of ‘huge hurt’ in Donegal over defective apartments redress Read More »

Minister Donohoe accused of not answering questions once again

The Public Expenditure Minister has once again been accused of avoiding answers over his 2016 election expenses. Minister Paschal Donohoe addressed the Dáil last night, claiming he was unaware postering staff were being paid by Mr. Michael Stone. Donegal Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn last night labelled Minister Donohoe’s response to fellow Deputies an ’embarrassment to democracy’.

Minister Donohoe accused of not answering questions once again Read More »

Government should use Cuban doctors as part of solution to health crisis – Pringle

A Donegal TD has accused the government of failing to take on board a measure which could help alleviate the overcrowding crisis in Irish hospitals. Speaking during a debate on the crisis in the health service, Deputy Thomas Pringle said he’s written to Minister Stephen Donnelly on a number of occasions suggesting that the government

Government should use Cuban doctors as part of solution to health crisis – Pringle Read More »

HSE urge people to get booster vaccine as concerns rise over Kraken variant

The HSE is advising people to top up their immunity ahead of the Kraken variant of COVID-19 becoming the dominant strain of the virus in the country. Kraken, a more transmissible derivative of the omicron strain, has taken hold in the United States and is expected to become the dominant variant in Ireland in the

HSE urge people to get booster vaccine as concerns rise over Kraken variant Read More »

Better HGV signage needed at Letterkenny’s Market Square – Kavanagh

Donegal County Council is being urged to erect better signage advising HGVs and large vehicles not to drive down the Market Square in Letterkenny. Officials say there are two signs in place, but Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh says there is a need for earlier signage. He outlined a recent case where a lorry driver from Northern

Better HGV signage needed at Letterkenny’s Market Square – Kavanagh Read More »

Gardaí liaising with Coroner to reach conclusion in Creeslough tragedy

The Garda Commissioner has confirmed that Gardaí are continuing to liaise with the coroner in a bid to reach a conclusion in the investigation into the Creeslough tragedy. 10 people died following the explosion at a shop in October last. In the aftermath, the scene remained closed for a number of weeks as Gardaí and

Gardaí liaising with Coroner to reach conclusion in Creeslough tragedy Read More »

Hopes Donegal will benefit from tourists visiting ‘Home of Derry Girls’ exhibition

It is hoped that Donegal will benefit from the new ‘Home of Derry Girls’ exhibition in the Tower Museum and Derry Girls trail taking in key filming locations. Members of Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Business and Culture Committee approved the plans as funding of £80,000 had been secured for the project. The exhibition,

Hopes Donegal will benefit from tourists visiting ‘Home of Derry Girls’ exhibition Read More »

50 per cent increase in the number of people killed on Irish roads so far this year

There’s been a 50 per cent increase in the number of people killed on Irish roads so far this year. Figures obtained by the Irish Independent show nine people lost their lives in the first three weeks of January. Four were pedestrians, three were drivers and two were passengers. The Road Safety authority told the

50 per cent increase in the number of people killed on Irish roads so far this year Read More »

Support needed for defective block homeowners who are struggling with mortgage repayments

The Housing Minister has been pressed once again to provide support to defective block homeowners who are under pressure to keep up with mortgage payments. Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle has told the Dail that homeowners are under severe pressure from banks in relation to worthless homes that they have mortgages out against. Minister Darragh O’Brien

Support needed for defective block homeowners who are struggling with mortgage repayments Read More »

Confirmed schools and services closures

A number of schools and services have announced that they will remain closed today. Schools: Sessiaghoneill NS Ballybofey  will remain closed tomorrow Thursday 19th January 2023. Dromore National School Killygordon Dooish NS is closed today Crana College Scoil Mhuire Scoil Íosagain, St. Mary’s Road, Buncrana St. Orans NS in Cockhill, Buncranna Carndonagh community school is

Confirmed schools and services closures Read More »

Irish Water must meet with councillors to discuss issues – Mayor

Letterkenny Milford Mayor Cllr Donal Mandy Kelly there’s an onus on Irish Water to meet with members in the council chamber and discuss the real concerns they have, including the cost of new connections, the number of leaks and outages in places like Rossbracken, and the future of Group Water Schemes. Earlier, outgoing councillor Ian

Irish Water must meet with councillors to discuss issues – Mayor Read More »

Donegal Deputies hit back at Minister Donohoe as he makes Dail statement

There was much ruckus in the Dail this evening following a statement from Minister Paschal Donohoe in relation to the incorrect filing of election expenses. The Public Expenditure Minister says he didn’t know campaigners were paid for working for him during the 2016 election. As Minister Donohoe attempted to respond to questions raised by Deputies,

Donegal Deputies hit back at Minister Donohoe as he makes Dail statement Read More »

Doherty quizzes Taoiseach on prospect of Donohoe taking Dail questions on SIPO

  Sinn Féin says the credibility of Minister Paschal Donohoe lies in tatters over his failure to declare election expenses. The Public Expenditure Minister will make a statement to the Dáil this evening about his declarations to the Standards in Public Office Commission. He failed to declare payments made to campaign staff by a businessman

Doherty quizzes Taoiseach on prospect of Donohoe taking Dail questions on SIPO Read More »

GRA President says Templemore fitness tests shouldn’t be made easier

The Garda Representative Association says the recruitment process for the force needs to be improved, and there should be no lowering of standards. Fianna Fail TD Jim O’Callaghan says the fitness test should be made easier after new figures show one in six recent candidates failed the fitness and physical competency tests to enter the

GRA President says Templemore fitness tests shouldn’t be made easier Read More »

Defective Block campaigners in four counties seek updates from government

In a joint statement this afternoon, homeowner representatives in Donegal, Mayo, Clare and Limerick say they met with Department of Housing officials in November the 22nd, following which they expected a number of updates in early December. That included a timeline for the roll out of the Enhanced Defective Concrete Block scheme. However, they say

Defective Block campaigners in four counties seek updates from government Read More »

HIQA carries out inspections at six centres for people with disabilities in Donegal

HIQA has published reports on six inspections carried out at designated centres for people with disabilities in Donegal. In total, the centres catered for 17 residences at the time of the inspections in August, September and October of last year. The six inspections in the county were part of a review of all such centres

HIQA carries out inspections at six centres for people with disabilities in Donegal Read More »