Author name: highlandnews

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 […]

The Garda Commissioner is urging people who may be the subject of intimidation for so called drug debts in Donegal to contact Gardaí. Speaking during a visit to the county on Monday, Drew Harris says he is concerned over the number of incidents of intimidation of people and their families. Donegal’s Chief Superintendent, Aidan Glackin

Senior HSE officials in the region are to meet with North West Oireachtas members and Regional Health Forum members on Friday to discuss the future of NoWDOC. Confirmation of the meeting comes as Donegal County Council prepares to write to the HSE seeking clarification on the future of the service. Cllr Donal Coyle said it’s

MEPs are voting on new rules aimed at ensuring kids are better protected against the possible harms of online video gaming. It follows the publication of a report calling for better parental control tools. Developers are also being asked to avoid manipulative game design that can lead to addiction, isolation and cyber-harassment. The Midlands-North-West MEP,

Donegal’s Road Safety Officer is warning that vehicles do not have automatic right of way on the road at pedestrian crossings. It comes as a change in road traffic regulations comes into force. Four High Visibility Crossings were installed in the Twin Towns last year which Brian O’Donnell says have been well received by the

There needs to be a major increase in the resources allocated to the Letterkenny Municipal District during inclement wintry weather, particularly in terms of estates and footpaths. Cllr Gerry McMonagle says yesterday, Letterkenny town centre was extremely quiet because people were not leaving their homes as a result of treacherous footpaths and difficulty leaving their

A Donegal Councillor says the updated regulations for the defective block scheme is taking ‘far too long’. Campaigners were previously promised clarification on the regulations prior to Christmas, but the information has not yet been released. Cllr Martin McDermott says the regulations are an essential part of getting the scheme up and running. He is

Questions have been raised once again over the number of Gardai based in Donegal. Currently, there are 448 Garda personnel employed in the county with just 15 additional Gardai introduced in the Donegal division over the past 10 years. Councillor Paul Canning says in particular, there are difficulties in patrolling border areas. He wants cross

More than 500 flights took off or landed at Donegal Airport with less than 10% of their seats full in three years. Figures from 2019 to 2021, released after a parliamentary question from Green TD Neasa Hourigan, show 11,000 so-called ‘ghost flights’ took off or landed in Ireland during that period. 265 such flights were

Ian McGarvey is attending a council meeting for the last time this afternoon. The 92 year old has been a member of Donegal County Council for 18 years, and this afternoon, he introduced members of Letterkenny Milford Municipal District to his nephew Pauric, who he expects to be co-opted onto Donegal County Council at its

Concerns have been raised over emergency calls being dealt with by Gardai at a call centre in Galway when the new policing model for the North West is implemented. The North West Assistant Commissioner, Michael McElgunn says the current system is outdated and in a bid to reassure people says training is underway to deal

A Midlands North West MEP believes food prices in the shops could be brought down if the EU helps farmers. Members are worried the rising food prices are putting pressure on families and contributing to inflation. The issue will be discussed in the European Parliament with the Agriculture Commissioner this afternoon. MEP Colm Markey says

A Donegal GP says some of the promises being made under the all party Slaintecare model cannot be achieved, but it seems no politicians are willing to challenge the model. Dr Denis McCauley, who chairs the Irish Medical Organisation’s GP committee, told Greg on today’s Nine til Noon Show that thjere are elements of the

The head of the HSE is defending its leadership in the middle of the ongoing hospital trolley crisis. 561 people were awaiting beds in Irish hospitals this morning, according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, 47 of them in Letterkenny University Hospital. Of those, 27 were on Emergency Department trolleys. Yesterday, Letterkenny had the

Gardai in Donegal are urging anyone feeling suicidal or depressed to get in touch with them or seek help elsewhere if they are in need of support. In an online initiative this week prompted by the designation of the third Monday in January as ‘Blue Monday’, gardai say their own District Offices are open 24/7,

Oakfield Park is moving to source a sustainable fuel source for the train that operates through the estate. At present, the train runs on coal, and Estate Manager David Fisher says they could seek an exemption to allow them continue doing so. However, on today’s Nine til Noon Show, he told Greg Hughes that would

Gardai in Inishowen are sweeking two men involved in a robbery at a business premises in Bridgend onSunday night. They’re also seeking information about a Northern Ireland registered car that may have been in the area. Sergeant Charlene Anderson made this appeal during the Community Garda Information Slot on today’s Nine til Noon Show………

The HSE is expected to tell an oireachtas committee today the current situation facing hospital emergency departments is not acceptable. Senior officials will answer questions from TDs and senators relating to the record numbers seen on hospital trolleys in recent weeks at the meeting this morning. Yesterday morning, there were 66 admitted patients awaiting beds

There may not be enough Doctors to provide free GP care for all if the scheme was to be rolled out here by 2026. Free GP visits for all is one of the key recommendations of the all party Slaintecare plan. The ESRI’s been examining the demand and cost-implications of extending free GP care to

Widespread snow showers are making driving conditions very difficult for motorists this morning. Gardai say all main routes are passable with care, but there are reports of cars going off the road in a number of areas. A yellow low temperature and ice warning remains in effect until midday. Alan O’Reilly from Carlow Weather says

A Donegal Hotelier has joined calls for the 9% VAT rate on tourism to be maintained. The 9 percent VAT rate is currently set to expire in February, which would see it increase to 13.5%. The Irish Hotels Federation says such an increase would be disastrous for the tourism sector, especially at a time of

The Garda Commissioner has been told that some Garda stations in Donegal are not fit for purpose. Councillor Michael McMahon told that Garda Commissioner during his attendance at yesterday’s meeting of the Donegal Joint Policing Committee that working conditions for some members of the force is unacceptable. Commissioner Harris agreed that some stations are not

The Garda Commissioner expects the new policing model for the North West to be progressed and implemented this year. The new model will see Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim combined in one region with its headquarters to be located in Galway with a divisional headquarters in Letterkenny. Commissioner Drew Harris appeared before the meeting of the

The Finance Minister says Paschal Donohoe should continue in his role as Public Expenditure Minister. It follows controversy surrounding Minister Donohoe’s recent declarations in relation to his General Election campaign in 2016. It was revealed that he did not disclose a payment of €1,057 on public records at the time of the elections. Opposition parties