Author name: highlandnews

ATU campuses achieve 75% recycling waste reduction

ATU campuses have achieved a 75% recycling waste reduction as part of a sustainability drive to be greener. The ATU’s Sligo and Letterkenny campuses have made significant changes by “greening” their canteen facilities in a commitment to eliminate single-use items on campus and significantly increase waste recycling levels. The initiative has already seen the canteen […]

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Council urged to carry out repairs on Letterkenny housing estate fence

Donegal County Council is being urged to carry out repair works on a broken fence at a housing estate in Letterkenny which is said to be facilitating anti-social behaviour as well as posing serious safety issues. The boundary fence at Cashel Park Estate was previously in place to protect against a large drop into nearby

Council urged to carry out repairs on Letterkenny housing estate fence Read More »

Farm machinery drivers urged to take care on roads as silage season gets underway

The Irish Farmers’ Association is calling on drivers of farm machinery and cars to be careful on the roads, as the silage-cutting season gets underway. There’s expected to be an increase in tractors and trailers on the roads, with the association asking farmers to be aware of traffic building up behind them. The IFA’s Farm

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Defective block campaigners to present issue to highest level of EU Commission

Defective block campaigners are set to present the issue which is impacting thousands across Donegal at the highest level of the EU Commission next month. The visit will mark an escalation of the EU campaign and will be an opportunity to appeal to the EU Commission directly to intervene to ensure those impacted are provided

Defective block campaigners to present issue to highest level of EU Commission Read More »

Funding secured for third phase of Derry railway line expansion

Funding has been secured to further expand the Derry railway line. The works will eventually see train speeds from the city to Belfast increased. The North’s Department for Infrastructure has confirmed today that funding has been awarded for Phase 3 of the Derry rail line. The works will see essential track engineering upgrades between Derry

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Gardai appeal for witnesses to arson at building designated for refugees in Buncrana

Gardaí are continuing to investigate an incident of arson in Buncrana on Thursday night last at a proposed centre for Ukrainian refugees. The fire broke out at the building within a business park in the Lisfannon area at around 11:55pm. The premises was unoccupied at the time but was significantly damaged. The scene was preserved

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‘No political ambition in current Government to deliver proper redress’ – MAG Chair

There is no political ambition within the current Government to deliver a proper redress scheme for defective block homeowners. That’s according to the Chair of the Mica Action Group. Last week, campaigners met with Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien where 13 amendments to the revised scheme were put to them. Lisa Hone says it is just

‘No political ambition in current Government to deliver proper redress’ – MAG Chair Read More »

Casey believes Buncrana fire was started deliberately

Former Presidential candidate and entrepreuner Peter Casey says he has no doubt that a fire at a Buncrana property he is developing for use by Ukranian refugees was started deliberately. The building, a former residence for older people, was badly damaged in the blaze. Gardai say officially that the fire is still under investigation, but

Casey believes Buncrana fire was started deliberately Read More »

More families struggling to put food on the table – Food Response Network

More and more working families are struggling to get enough groceries to last the week. That’s according to a Donegal food bank. Food poverty has emerged as a daily issue for the Donegal Food Response Network. Sally Boyce works with Cloughaneely Food Bank and she says working families presenting in need is becoming more common

More families struggling to put food on the table – Food Response Network Read More »

Retained firefighters to embark on industrial action after talks break down

Members of the Retained Fire Service across the country have voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action, up to and including strike action, in a dispute which they say stems from the failure of management to address a worsening recruitment and retention crisis. Discussions between representatives of the Local Government Management Agency and the National

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Human Rights group says government is putting migrants’ lives at risk

The government’s failure to provide accommodation, is putting migrants’ lives at risk, according to Doras. The human rights’ group hopes new centres to accommodate homeless asylum seekers and refugees will help the situation, following a recent attack in Dublin. Tents were burned and violent protests took place in Dublin’s inner city over the weekend. CEO

Human Rights group says government is putting migrants’ lives at risk Read More »

Ballyshannon conference hears call for shared radiotherapy unit in Enniskillen

A weekend cancer conference in Ballyshannon has been told that South Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim need a shared treatment arrangement similar to the one which sees radiotherapy patients from Letterkenny University Hospital go to Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry. Conference Chair Tommy Gorman told the event that the South West Hospital in Enniskillen would be a

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Medicine shortages are impacting lives – IPU

The number of medicines out-of-stock in Ireland remains high at 241. The latest Medicine Shortages Index shows shortages of 30 antibiotic medicines, and many eye drops including those used for allergies. It will have serious implications for patients who rely on medicines for their health and well-being. Irish Pharmacy Union spokesperson, Kathy Maher wants Health

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Donegal rent prices for first quarter up 16 percent on 2022

Rent prices in Donegal over the first quarter were 16 percent higher than that of 2022 according to the latest Rental Report by Daft.ie This figure was higher than the national average increase of 11.7% which was the sixth consecutive quarter of double digit increases. The average market rent nationwide between January and March was

Donegal rent prices for first quarter up 16 percent on 2022 Read More »

Research will prove demand for a more frequent Donegal Glasgow air service – O’Fearraigh

A series of meetings will take place in the coming weeks to discuss the further expansion of flights between Donegal sand Glasgow. It’s been confirmed Loganair will operate a weekend service on Saturdays and Sundays between July and September. Cllr John Sheamais O’Fearraigh says that’s positive, but he believes there’s a need for a more

Research will prove demand for a more frequent Donegal Glasgow air service – O’Fearraigh Read More »

Mc Conalogue to lead the first post pandemic trade mission to China

The Minister for Agriculture,  Charlie Mc Conalogue, is set to lead the first Ministerial trade mission to China since the Covid pandemic. The Donegal Minister hopes to promote Irish meat dairy seafood and beverages in the Chinese market and in particular the re entry of Irish beef. Last year, dairy exports to China amounted to

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Donegal people encouraged to talk about cancer following Ballyshannon cancer conference

The organiser of a cancer conference in Ballyshannon yesterday has stressed the importance of communication, particularly by men. ‘Let’s Talk About Cancer’ was the theme of the event, which included presentations from a number of high profile cancer survivors, Sligo based Consultant Martin Caldwell, and the Irish Cancer Society. Paul McLoone, who has himself had

Donegal people encouraged to talk about cancer following Ballyshannon cancer conference Read More »

Peter Casey tweets following fire at his Ukranian Accommodation Centre in Buncrana

Peter Casey has spoken following a fire on his Donegal property this week. Gardai and fire brigades were called to the “not for profit” Ukrainian centre in Buncrana on Thursday night. Mr Casey tweeted a commitment to repair and rebuild adding “these actions do not reflect the people of Donegal” Gardai say no one was

Peter Casey tweets following fire at his Ukranian Accommodation Centre in Buncrana Read More »

Gardaí appeal for information following fatal road collision in Leitrim

A motorcyclist has been killed in a crash in County Leitrim. The man, in his late 50s, was pronounced dead at the scene, following the single-vehicle collision shortly after 8.40 yesterday morning on the Drumcong to Ballinamore Road at Aghacashlaun. A technical examination of the scene has been carried out by Gardaí and the road

Gardaí appeal for information following fatal road collision in Leitrim Read More »

Banks must do more to support defective block homeowners – Pringle

A Donegal TD says the government must make sure banks play their role in the Defective Blocks Redress Scheme. Deputy Thomas Pringle told the Dáil the Defective Block Homeowner Working Group has shown that as mortgage owners, the banks are equal shareholders in the problems faced by homeowners, and they need to be held to

Banks must do more to support defective block homeowners – Pringle Read More »

Calls for speed survey outside St. Columba’s National School, Ballylast

A meeting of Lifford-Stranorlar Municipal District heard the concerns for the safety of students attending St. Columba’s National School in Ballylast. Cllr. Gary Doherty has called for a speed survey to be staged outside the school. He says while there is a county-wide speed review to take place, a pro-active approach must be taken:

Calls for speed survey outside St. Columba’s National School, Ballylast Read More »

62% of people on inpatient/ day case waiting list at LUH waiting longer than Sláintecare maximum wait times

62% of people on an inpatient/ day case waiting list at Letterkenny University Hospital are waiting longer than the Sláintecare maximum wait times. According to latest figures from the National Treatment Purchase Fund, 2,283 patients are awaiting an inpatient/ day case appointment at the hospital. 861 of them have been seen within the 12 week

62% of people on inpatient/ day case waiting list at LUH waiting longer than Sláintecare maximum wait times Read More »

Government considering additional supports for tourism and hospitality sector

The Minister for Tourism and Hospitality says the Government will look at providing additional supports to help the sector. It’s after a leaked Government memo revealed earlier this week estimated the tourism sector could lose around 1 billion euro this year. Minister Catherine Martin says several options are being considered:

Government considering additional supports for tourism and hospitality sector Read More »

88 overseas nurses and midwives joined LUH since 2022

88 overseas nurses and midwives have taken up roles at Letterkenny University Hospital since the beginning of 2022. Those employees were supported with an adaptation and preceptorship programme. In total, since the start of last year over 550 new overseas nurses and midwives joined the Saolta hospital group. The figures have been released today on

88 overseas nurses and midwives joined LUH since 2022 Read More »

Work to start on new school building for Gaelscoil na gCeithre Máistrí in Donegal Town

It’s been confirmed work will begin at the end of the month on a new school building for Gaelscoil na gCeithre Máistrí in Donegal Town. Works on the much-needed new school building were due to get underway earlier this year, when the Department of Public Expenditure called a halt to construction pending a review of

Work to start on new school building for Gaelscoil na gCeithre Máistrí in Donegal Town Read More »

Former LUH consultant questions Saolta’s commitment to Donegal

  A former Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon at Letterkenny University Hospital has today questioned the political emphasis on cross border health cooperation, saying in the aftermath of Brexit, he does not believe that is the answer to Letterkenny University Hospital’s problems. On today’s Nine til Noon Show, Dr Peter O’Rourke said the hospital is not receiving

Former LUH consultant questions Saolta’s commitment to Donegal Read More »

Lady’s Bay, Buncrana ranks as one of three ‘poor’ bathing water quality locations in Ireland

Lady’s Bay in Buncrana was one of three bodies of bathing waters that was classified as ‘Poor’ across Ireland, along with Front Strand Beach in Dublin and  Trá na mBan in Galway. The poor quality status remains from 2021. That’s according to the Environmental Protection Agency who have today published the Bathing Water Quality in

Lady’s Bay, Buncrana ranks as one of three ‘poor’ bathing water quality locations in Ireland Read More »

Monkeypox outbreak no longer global health emergency – WHO

An outbreak of monkeypox is no longer considered a global health emergency by the World Health Organisation. The WHO says progress had been made in the response to the multi-country outbreak, and there was a “further decline” in the number of reported cases. There have been 228 confirmed cases of monkeypox in Ireland to date,

Monkeypox outbreak no longer global health emergency – WHO Read More »

Warning issued to rural businesses in Donegal over operation of organised crime groups

A warning has been issued to rural businesses in Donegal over the presence of Organised Crime Groups operating in the area. Owners of shops and filling stations, particularly are advised that the groups will conduct surveillance and will likely have visited the premises ahead of carrying out the attack. The perpetrators are believed to be

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Wheel Chair,

Wheelchair users in South Donegal left to use road due to inaccessible footpath conditions

Wheelchair users in South Donegal have been left to use the road due to poor and inaccessible footpath conditions. Cllr Barry Sweeney raised the accessibility and safety concerns in the meeting of Donegal Municipal District. He says due to budgeting and resources restraints, footpaths tend to be less of a priority. He says this must

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People need more time to check land zoning as RZLT looms – Crossan

Donegal County Council is asking that more time be given for farmers on the outskirts of larger towns to check the zoning of their lands. It’s after members expressed concern that because of the zoning of their lands, some farmers may find themselves liable for the Residential Zoned Land Tax, even though they have no

People need more time to check land zoning as RZLT looms – Crossan Read More »

Emerald Airlines pilots being balloted on industrial action

Pilots at Emerald Airlines, the carrier which operates the Donegal Dublin air service, have commenced a ballot for industrial action in response to an ongoing trade dispute with the airline. The pilots are members of IALPA, the professional association which represents pilots within Ireland, and a branch of Fórsa trade union. The electronic ballot of

Emerald Airlines pilots being balloted on industrial action Read More »

Rory Gallagher issues statement in response to abuse allegations

Former Donegal manager Rory Gallagher has responded to allegations of domestic abuse from his estranged wife. Nicola Gallagher in recent days took to social media detailing 20 years of alleged abuse. The now, Derry GAA manager says he is aware of his estranged wife’s post and says there are ongoing issues within the family since

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JNLR figures show Highland Radio’s listenership continues to increase

  The Latest Joint National Listenership figures have just been released, with Highland Radio registering an increase in listenership, equivalent to 1,000 extra listeners each day with a reach of 68,000 listeners daily. The figures show an average weekly listenership of 79.4%, and a daily market share of 68.43%. These figures just cover Donegal, and

JNLR figures show Highland Radio’s listenership continues to increase Read More »

Draft Defective Concrete Block Regulations ‘disappointing but not surprising’ – Lisa Hone MAG

The chairperson of the Mica Action Group says the amendments to the Defective Concrete Block scheme are disappointing but not surprising. Over 350 submissions were made to Government regarding the revised scheme. Just 13 amendments were put to campaigners during a meeting with Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien yesterday. Lisa Hone says the Government continues to

Draft Defective Concrete Block Regulations ‘disappointing but not surprising’ – Lisa Hone MAG Read More »

Calls to widen Carrygawley bridge amidst safety concerns

A Letterkenny Councillor is calling for funding to be sought to repair and widen Carrygawley Bridge. Speaking in the Letterkenny Milford Municipal District Meeting, Cllr. Donal Coyle highlighted safety concerns with the bridge which crosses a very deep ravine. He added the traffic that uses this narrow bridge has grown significantly due on going works

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