Author name: highlandnews

A local Councillor has called on Oireachtas members to ‘sing from the same hymn sheet’ and keep the pressure on government over the defective block crisis. Cllr Martin Farren says in some cases, the defective block scandal has been falling on deaf ears. It is hoped that the new enhanced redress scheme will be up […]

GPs are being asked to extend hours and open on Saturdays as the health system finds itself under unprecedented strain. The Irish Daily Mail report that the HSE and Irish Medical Organisation have made the request, but that some GPs say they are already “overworked and under-resourced.” Over 700 people are currently in hospital with

Parents are being urged to consider the welfare of any pets they may be purchasing this Christmas, as many are often discarded with in the weeks following the holiday season. That’s the message from the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. It says pets can be a novelty when first purchased but

The Taoiseach says he could have worded his comments better when he told young people planning to emigrate that “the grass isn’t always greener”. His remarks were in response to an opinion poll last month that showed that two-thirds of Irish 18-24 year olds were considering moving abroad due to the cost of living in

An Inishowen Councillor is hopeful that access to a grave at Fr Hegarty’s Rock in Buncrana will be provided. Councillor Nicholas Crossan says currently gaining access to the area is difficult for some. He believes steps could have been put in place when other works were being carried out in the area:

A Glenties Councillor wants more assurances that the Foróige services in Dungloe will remain in the area. On Thursday, Tusla, who fund the service, said that all Foróige services will remain in place in Dungloe following widespread speculation that it was to be winded down, due to funding issues. Cllr Micheál Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig

The Taoiseach insists the Government is prepared to deal with overcrowding in hospitals this Winter. Hospitals have been seeing high attendance levels in recent weeks. Letterkenny University Hospital has seen a 17% rise in the number of people waiting on a bed at the hospital this year. Figures published by the INMO earlier this week

The impact of the Creeslough tragedy was also reflected by the Catholic Bishop of Raphoe Alan McGuckian and the Church of Ireland Bishop of Derry and Raphoe Andrew Forster when they spoke to Greg Hughes on the Nine til Noon Show’s Christmas Special today. Both spoke of the deep personal friendship they share, with Bishop

In his Christmas message, President Michael D Higgins has extended his deepest sympathies to the people of Creeslough following the terrible tragedy in October. The President says he hopes this coming year will bring healing. Ten people died in the explosion at a service station and apartment building in the village on October 7. President

The HSE is warning that hospitalisations for Covid-19 and flu could reach over one thousand each this Christmas. A National Crisis Management Team has been set up to allocate resources to emergency areas of the health service. Today, senior health officials will meet with the Taoiseach and Health Minister over a spike in viral infections.

An East Derry MLA is calling on the UK government to reconsider the impact its Nationalities and Borders Act could have on tourism in Ireland. Caoimhe Archibald says the act introduces the possibility of visa requirements for certain people travelling across the island, a prospect she says which is unacceptable, and an affront to the

An Inishowen Councillor has condemned the vandalisation of the Glengad Football Club’s pitch at Crua. The incident happened on Wednesday night, where it’s believed a car rammed through the gate of the pitch, before going on to damage the playing surface significantly. Local Councillor Martin McDermott is also the Chairman of Glengad FC – he

Private Sean Rooney has been laid to rest in Newtowncunningham today with full military honours. The funeral of Private Rooney who died while on a peace keeping mission in Lebanon last week took place in Dundalk this morning. His cortège then traveled through Northern Ireland where assistance was provided by the PSNI. Private Rooney was

Minister for Agriculture and the Marine Charlie McConalogue has welcomed the announcement of Ireland’s fishing quota for 2023, as well as the outcome of negotiations between the European Union and the UK on a shared fish stock. Industry representatives have raised concerns with the deal, calling on the Government to address the disparity between Ireland’s

A Glenties councillor has welcomed the news that a boil water notice affecting areas in West Donegal has been lifted today. The boil notice has been in place for the last week, but local residents have been notified that the notice has now been removed. Local councillor Micheál Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig has welcomed the

The County Donegal Heritage Office has begun the process of preparing a new heritage plan for the county, in association with Donegal County Council and the Donegal Heritage Council. They’re asking people to submit their views on what a five year plan to identify, protect and promote Donegal’s heritage should entail. Joe Gallagher is Donegal

The funeral mass of Private Sean Rooney in Dundalk has concluded and the funeral cortege is making its way to Donegal. The cortège will stop at Aiken Barracks in Co Louth where he was stationed before travelling on to Newtowncunningham where he will be buried with full military honours. Hundreds have gathered to say their

The HSE says it has sourced a suitable location for Day Care Services in the Carndonagh catchment area and is working closely with a local community centre group regarding the reopening of Day Care Services in the Glengad Community Centre. Local people say the service closed during COVID-19 and never reopened, leaving many elderly people

The New Frontiers entrepreneur development programme is seeking prospective new start ups to participate in its next online programme, which starts on January 12th. Over three phases, the programme examines an idea’s feasibility, and if that is successful, it helps develop and implement a business plan, with potential funding of up to €22,000. Geraldine Beirne

There’s been a major breakthrough in the delivery of a new community hospital for Lifford. Following talks between the HSE and Donegal County Council, a 3.5 acre site on the outskirts of the town has been identified. Plans include a new community hospital as well as a Primary Care Centre and 177 car parking spaces.

A €50,000 winning Lotto ticket has been sold in Lifford. The Old Daly’s Filling Station and Diner was informed last night that they sold the winning EuroMillions ticket. The lucky winner is not believed to have come forward yet. Sharon Neeson, store manager says customers have been lucky in recent times:

Donegal Airport is reminding people of the dangers of flying drones in and around the facility. The airport is protected with a Control Zone within which it is illegal to fly a drone at any time unless permission has been granted by air traffic control at the airport. Eilis Doherty, Managing Director of Donegal Airport

There’s been a cautious welcome to confirmation from Foróige that they will continue to provide services to young peole in Dungloe and Killybegs. There was much upset after claims emerged yesterday that the service was to close. In a statement, Foróige says, in line with Tusla’s plans to extend the availability of Tusla funded youth