Author name: highlandnews

Over €1.5 million being paid to 1,451 beef farmers in Donegal

Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue has confirmed payments under the Beef Sector Efficiency Programmes have commenced. In total, the department has begun issuing payments totaling over €42 million to some 30,000 participating farmers nationwide. Of that, over €1.5m is being paid to 1,451 farmers in Donegal. Statement in full – Minister McConalogue confirms over €1.5m in

Over €1.5 million being paid to 1,451 beef farmers in Donegal Read More »

Chief Superintendent Terry McGinn to retire after 40 years service

Donegal’s most senior Garda Chief Superintendent Terry McGinn is set to retire next week after 40 years in the force. A replacement has not yet been announced. At today’s meeting of the Joint Policing Committee, a presentation was made to Superintendent Sean Grant on behalf of Chief Superintendent McGinn. Chief Superintendent McGinn is absent from

Chief Superintendent Terry McGinn to retire after 40 years service Read More »

Cllr believes there is an onus of business owners to prevent use of drugs on premises

A Donegal Councillor believes there is an onus on business owners to engage with Gardaí to prevent drugs being used on their premises. Speaking at today’s meeting of the JPC, Cllr Michael Naughton, who is manager of the Clanree Hotel, Letterkenny raised concerns about what businesses can do if they suspect drugs are being used

Cllr believes there is an onus of business owners to prevent use of drugs on premises Read More »

Slight increase in number on Live Register in Donegal

There’s been a slight increase in the number of people of the live register in Donegal. 9,488 people in the county registered for Jobeseekers Benefit or Allowance last month. Nationally, the seasonally adjusted live register went up by 0.5%, to 184,700. There were 19,500 people benefiting from the EU’s Temporary Protection Directive included in the

Slight increase in number on Live Register in Donegal Read More »

Police in Strabane warning of circulation of counterfeit notes

Police in Strabane are urging business owners and employees to be vigilant when handling money following recent reports of counterfeit notes being used in the area. Sergeant Johnny Wilders says it’s important staff have the right tools and knowledge to detect fake notes in order to protect businesses. He says there are a number of

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Breakdown in communication over redress scheme ‘unacceptable’

A Defective Blocks Campaigner says the apparent breakdown in communication between Donegal County Council and Government is unacceptable with affected homeowners all the while living in uninhabitable properties. It comes as the Council told protesters outside the County House on Monday that they were awaiting the go-ahead from Central Government to fast track grants for

Breakdown in communication over redress scheme ‘unacceptable’ Read More »

Donegal business owner believes the county offers great potential

A Donegal business owner believes despite the county being viewed on a different level to other parts of the country that it does offer great potential. Claire McDonagh, a member of Letterkenny Chamber says the people of Donegal should not be punished and that it’s up to people residing in the county to stand up

Donegal business owner believes the county offers great potential Read More »

Anti-Ukraine graffiti in Kilmacrennan condemned

The appearance of anti-Ukraine graffiti just outside Letterkenny has been condemned. A pro-Russian symbol has been spray painted on a sign in Kilmacrennan in recent days. It comes following similar acts of vandalism in Letterkenny last month. Councillor Micheál Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig who himself spray painted over the graffiti has hit out at those

Anti-Ukraine graffiti in Kilmacrennan condemned Read More »

EU Commission President comments on NI protocol ‘strong and helpful’ – Deputy MacLochlainn

A Donegal Deputy says comments made by the European Commission President around the Northern Ireland protocol were very “strong and helpful”. Ursula von der Leyen addressed the Houses of the Oireachtas yesterday to mark 50 years of Ireland’s membership of the European Union. She’s ‘confident’ a protocol deal can be reached if there is the

EU Commission President comments on NI protocol ‘strong and helpful’ – Deputy MacLochlainn Read More »

Post-mortems to be carried out on bodies of two men found in Monaghan

Post-mortem examinations are to be carried out today on the bodies of two men found in Co Monaghan. A 37-year-old from Co Armagh died after he was hit by a car at the Ballynacarry Bridge on the Castleblayney to Dundalk Road yesterday morning. Separately, a man in his 60s was discovered with stab wounds at

Post-mortems to be carried out on bodies of two men found in Monaghan Read More »

Searches carried out in Strabane as investigation into attempted murder of officers continues

Searches have been carried out in Strabane as part of the investigation into the attempted murder of two police officers in the town on Thursday November 17th. Last evening, detectives from the Terrorism Investigation Unit conducted a search at a property in the Innisfree Gardens area. A number of items were seized and taken away

Searches carried out in Strabane as investigation into attempted murder of officers continues Read More »

First of its kind conference taking place at ATU on Monday

A first of its kind conference is taking place at the Donegal campus of the ATU next week. The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Conference will see representatives of industry and government support agencies explore how the North West can lead the way in innovation, technological development, entrepreneurship teaching and research and public-private co-creation to sustain and

First of its kind conference taking place at ATU on Monday Read More »

Council backs calls for further research on mental effect of defective block crisis

Donegal County Council has backed calls for more research into the effects of the defective blocks crisis on the mental health of people in Donegal, with a particular focus on children. The issue was raised by Cllr Albert Doherty on foot of a conference in Letterkenny last month co-hosted by the Donegal ATU campus and

Council backs calls for further research on mental effect of defective block crisis Read More »

Calls for Alan Dukes to apologise over comments about people in border counties

Justice Minister Heather Humphreys has called on former Fine Gael leader Alan Dukes to apologise for comments about people living in border counties. Mr Dukes suggested people in those counties were quicker to resort to violence than others, in a documentary about businessman Sean Quinn. Cavan-Monaghan TD Heather Humphreys says those communities stood against violence

Calls for Alan Dukes to apologise over comments about people in border counties Read More »

‘Brexit won’t be a barrier to reconciliation in Ireland’ – von der Leyen

Brexit won’t be a barrier to reconciliation in Ireland, according to the European Commission president. Ursula von der Leyen has been addressing a joint sitting of the Dáil and Seanad to mark 50 years since Ireland joined the EU. The commission president said there would be no return to a hard border in Ireland –

‘Brexit won’t be a barrier to reconciliation in Ireland’ – von der Leyen Read More »

Milford Reformed Presbyterian Church gifts building to MDRC

  The Milford Reformed Presbyterian Church has gifted their former Church building to the Milford and District Resource Centre. Transfer of ownership of the property on the Kilmacrennan Road has been completed. While significant repairs are needed to bring the building into full use, Manager of Milford and District Resource Centre, Declan Meehan says it

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Letterkenny public information event being held on Monday

A Letterkenny Public Information Event will take place on Monday. Information, plans and drawings will be available to view for a number of regeneration projects, housing, waste management and roads projects as well as planned investment for the town. People will be updated on projects progressing in the town including; the Letterkenny 2040 Regeneration Strategy

Letterkenny public information event being held on Monday Read More »

Children and young people with special needs and disabilities are being failed – Deputy Doherty

Children and young people with special needs and disabilities are being failed in Ireland. Thats according to Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty who called on the government to do more to provide life changing services to children and young people. Responding Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said the government is committed to providing adequate services with the

Children and young people with special needs and disabilities are being failed – Deputy Doherty Read More »

HIQA find issues at Donegal residential centres for older people

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published three inspection reports on residential centres for older people in Donegal. Eight non-compliances were identified at Ramelton Community Hospital while Beach Hill Manor Private Nursing Home, which was only inspected for Infection Control was found to be non-compliant. St Joseph’s Hospital which was also inspected for

HIQA find issues at Donegal residential centres for older people Read More »

Plans for major town centre development a ‘gamechanger’

A Letterkenny Councillor has welcomed plans for a major new town centre development as a gamechanger for the town. Plans have been submitted for the construction of six-storey and four-storey buildings that will include 154 student bedrooms and 13 apartments at a site close to the Station Roundabout. The plans include the demolition of Gleneany

Plans for major town centre development a ‘gamechanger’ Read More »

HSE under mounting pressure to deliver centre for Donegal diabetes patients

The HSE is facing mounting pressure to deliver a Centre of Excellance for people with diabetes in Donegal. The Chair of the Regional Health Forum West says with the large number of people with Type 1 diabetes in the county, it warrants an enhancement of treatment services at Letterkenny University Hospital. It’s been confirmed that

HSE under mounting pressure to deliver centre for Donegal diabetes patients Read More »

New working group needed to examine possibility of rebuilding rail network in Donegal

A Cross Directorate Working Group needs to be established by Donegal County Council to examine the possibility of re-establishing a rail network in Donegal. The issue’s been raised this week by Cllr Niamh Kennedy, who says there is huge potential for movement in the context of the current emphasis on cross border and shared island

New working group needed to examine possibility of rebuilding rail network in Donegal Read More »

New roadside drug driving test to be used over Christmas period

A new roadside drug driving testing device, which can detect a greater range of drugs will be rolled out as part of the Road Safety Authority and An Gardai Christmas and New Year road safety appeal. The device works like an antigen test and can detect Cannabis, Cocaine, Benzodiazepines and Opiates, unlike its predecessor, it

New roadside drug driving test to be used over Christmas period Read More »

New law to protect tips received by workers to come into effect today

A new law designed to protect tips received by workers will come into effect today. The Payment of Wages (Tips and Gratuities) Act 2022 will see employees given legal rights over the payment of tips. The legislation will force employers to display their policy on mandatory charges and the distribution of cash and card tips.

New law to protect tips received by workers to come into effect today Read More »

‘Atlas for a City Region’ launched at latest meeting of NWSGP

The latest meeting of the North West Strategic Growth Partnership had a special focus on the North West City Region’s connectivity to the island in terms of roads, rail, and air infrastructure. The ‘Atlas for a City Region’ project was also launched at today’s meeting. Members attending today’s meeting were updated on the economic growth

‘Atlas for a City Region’ launched at latest meeting of NWSGP Read More »

Government urged to ensure restoration of Health Centre services in Dunkineely

The Government is being urged to ensure Dunkineely Health Centre services are restored. Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle has told the Dail that people are extremely worried about the future of the centre and the future of their town. He says he is awaiting a response from the HSE on the matter. Deputy Pringle told Taoiseach

Government urged to ensure restoration of Health Centre services in Dunkineely Read More »

Ibec hopes Regional Development Monitor will assist in addressing regional deficits

Data from the Regional Development Monitor must be used to address regional deficits. That’s according to Ibec. The online interactive data platform will monitor a wide range of socioeconomic indicators across place making, climate action and economic development. It will then provide unique insights allowing Ibec to better understand the strengths and weaknesses of regions

Ibec hopes Regional Development Monitor will assist in addressing regional deficits Read More »

HSE hosts first self-advocacy event for Donegal in Jackson’s Hotel

Self-advocacy in the disability sector will be be highlighted at an event hosted by the HSE in Donegal on Thursday, the 1st of December 2022. It will be the first event of it’s kind to reach the county. It is being held in Jackson’s Hotel, Ballybofey. Attendees will include self-advocates, persons accessing disability services, key workers,

HSE hosts first self-advocacy event for Donegal in Jackson’s Hotel Read More »

Cautious welcome to social housing income eligibility threshold increase

There’s been a cautious welcome to the increase in the social housing income eligibility threshold for Donegal. Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien announced a €5,000 increase in the threshold for the county meaning those who are seeking social housing can now earn up to €30,000. The figure however, is still €10,000 behind other counties. Councillor Michael

Cautious welcome to social housing income eligibility threshold increase Read More »

Donegal Gardaí involved in a major crack down on human trafficking

Donegal Gardaí were recently involved in a major investigation into the Sex Trade in the country. On Thursday and Friday last, the Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB) ith the support of divisional Protective Services Units and local Detectives, conducted intelligence led operations across 16 Garda Divisions. These included Donegal, Waterford, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Longford,

Donegal Gardaí involved in a major crack down on human trafficking Read More »

Letterkenny University Hospital third most overcrowded during November

Letterkenny University Hospital was the third most overcrowded hospital in the country during November. Throughout November, 1,108 patients  were without a bed in Letterkenny University Hospital according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation’s TrolleyWatch figures. This is the worst November on record for hospital overcrowding with over 12,624 people without beds in the country. Over 563

Letterkenny University Hospital third most overcrowded during November Read More »

Frustration as Rossbracken residents without water once again

Residents in the Rossbracken area of Manorcunningham have been left without water once again. The residents have been plaqued with water supply problems caused by burst pipes over the past year. Irish Water are expected to fix the issue today however Cathaoirleach of Letterkenny-Milford Donal ‘Mandy’ Kelly says a permanent solution is required. He says

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HSE to contact 113,000 people impacted by last year’s cyber attack

The HSE says it will contact 113-thousand people whose details were accessed during last year’s cyber attack. The health service was targeted by major ransomware attack in May of last year. The HSE says 80 per cent of its IT systems were impacted. National Director of Operational Performance and Integration with the HSE, Joe Ryan,

HSE to contact 113,000 people impacted by last year’s cyber attack Read More »

‘Very high proportion’ of Irish households living in energy poverty

A very high proportion of Irish households are now living in energy poverty. That’s the warning from the ESRI, which says it’s now become a key policy issue, in light of record inflation. However, people are missing out on financial supports because there’s no official definition for energy poverty in Ireland. Senior research officer with

‘Very high proportion’ of Irish households living in energy poverty Read More »