Author name: highlandnews

The Minister for Foreign Affairs is in Ukraine today ahead of a meeting of the UN Security Council next week. Simon Coveney will meet with the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, to get an update on the war and territorial gains against Russia in recent days. Minister Coveney will also visit the port city of […]

A free contraception scheme for young women, aged 17 to 25, begins today. They can register for forms of birth control through their GP, while women who access contraception through a medical card can also avail of the new scheme. The cost of removing a current contraceptive device is also covered. Alana Ryan, from the

A local Councillor is calling for a permanent traffic warden to be appointed in Donegal Town. Cllr Tom Conaghan says Donegal Town is chock-a-block and it can take up to 15 minutes to get into the town centre due to traffic parked on either side of the road. He says a traffic warden needs to

Tusla has issued an urgent appeal for foster carers as the system in Donegal nears full capacity. The Covid pandemic and the arrival of Ukrainian refugees is said to have resulted in a surge in requests and in the number of children being placed into care. Of the 213 children in care in the county,

Glenties Municipal District has been told that money must be provided for flood relief and prevention in the West of the county. Cllr John Sheamais O’Fearraigh told a meeting there’s been flooding in several areas in recent weeks, and money for immediate works came from the council’s own resources. He also says the river at

People are being urged to look out for the symptoms of sepsis. Slurred speech, confusion, shortness of breath, joint pain, and a fever are among the signs being highlighted as part of World Sepsis Day. The condition, which is a life-threatening reaction to an infection, was the cause of death in 12-thousand people who died

A greater emphasis has been placed on renewable energy to lower the impact of cuts on agricultural emissions. That’s according to Environment Minister Eamon Ryan, who’s speaking at a joint Oireachtas Committee today. Ryan has referenced a ramp-up in offshore energy and green hydrogen production in achieving Ireland’s emissions targets. Minister Ryan says his department

A Glenties MD councillor is warning that if new windfarm regulations are not changed, community and family conflict will be inevitable. A provision that allowed councils declare scenic areas exempt is now being withdrawn, and Cllr Mary Therese Gallagher says if this isn’t challenged, areas such as Errigal and Magheraroarty could face applications. She says

It’s emerged that a scammer attempted to withdraw over €6,000 from a person’s bank account in the Ballyshannon area in recent days. The perpetrator was able to confirm the potential victim’s correct name and address which led them to believe it was a genuine call. On this occasion, the withdrawal was stopped in time. Garda

A man has been hospitalised after being assaulted in Stranorlar. The man was walking along Meetinghouse Street on Wednesday last at around 8:10pm when he was set upon by another man. Gardai say the injuries sustained are believed to be non-life threatening. Garda Claire Rafferty is appealing to anyone with information to come forward:

Plans are in the offing to develop Donegal’s first ever purpose-built Child and Family Hub. The €3m facility will be built on St Patrick’s Park, Carndonagh and will see the relocation of Carndonagh Football Club to a state-of-the-art facility in Carrickafoden. The development is a joint collaboration with Trustees of St Patrick’s Park, Carrick Sports

he Taoiseach is denying the waiving of school transport fees was a mistake. It’s reported Tánaiste Leo Varadkar privately told his party some sort of fee should have been maintained to avoid the service becoming oversubscribed. The Irish Daily Mail says he suggested the government should instead have looked at changing voluntary contribution schemes to

Childcare fees are set to be cut by €200 per month from next year. While direct electricity payments similar to the credit issued earlier this year, are more likely to be introduced, than a price-cap on bills. According to the Irish Examiner, there will also be a double payment of child benefit included in the

Questions have been raised over a delay in installing an odour control eliminator at Buncrana’s treatment plant. The stench is said to have been exacerbated during the recent spells of good weather. Councillor Rena Donaghey says businesses are being impacted by the smell and that she says is unacceptable:  

A Local Councillor has called on Irish Water to attend the Glenties Muncipal District meeting today to discuss the Lettermacaward boil water notice. The notice, arising out of operational difficulties at the Lettermacaward Water Treatment Plant, is in place to protect the health of approximately 2,200 customers in the Lettermacaward, Portnoo, Rossbeg, Cleangort, Doochary, Meenacross,

The Taoiseach is set to attend a special service in Belfast tomorrow, in memory of Queen Elizabeth. Micheal Martin will be joined by President Michael D Higgins in attending the service, which will be held at Hillsborough Castle. King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla will travel from Scotland tomorrow to go to the service, before

The Budget will include measures to help parents manage the cost of childcare. That’s according to the Taoiseach, who was speaking at the annual Fianna Fail Think-In in Mullingar this afternoon, where housing, healthcare and farming are top of the agenda. Micheal Martin says parents will receive immediate support with childcare costs as part of

Robert Troy says he will stand in the next election, despite the controversy surrounding his position. He quit as a junior minister last month after he failed to declare all details of his properties. Fianna Fail’s party think-in is taking place in his native Mullingar today, with housing, healthcare and farming top of the agenda.

Mica affected homeowners are escalating their call to the EU to intervene in the remediation of homes impacted by defective materials. Homeowners feel that despite significant engagement with the Irish Government, they have failed to appreciate the constraints with the proposed new remediation scheme, and have locked out a significant percentage of homeowners from accessing

A parent says she is at her wits end as the school bus debacle enters another week. Today again, seven children were left stranded at the side of the road in the Clonmany area. The students were told no seats were available for them. Speaking to Greg Hughes today, Samantha says it has now become

There’s outrage as a Donegal caravan park owner has taken the decision to ban dogs. For the past 30 years, the animals were permitted on the site, near Clonmany. George, a caravan owner says the banning of dogs which will come into force at the beginning of next season will affect 40% of caravan owners.

A Derry Councillor who was assaulted in the city in the early hours of Friday morning believes he was attacked because of his stance on abortion. Aontú Cllr Emmet Doyle was injured in an unprovoked attack in the Waterloo Street area. He believes those responsible are part of a group with opposed views. Cllr Doyle

A number of public meetings are being held next week as part of the preparation for new Local Area Plans for the Twin Towns and Buncrana. Donegal County Council is seeking to identify suitable future housing and economic development lands in Ballybofey/ Stranorlar and future housing lands in Buncrana also. A meeting will take place