Author name: highlandnews

Transition pathway from CAMHS to adult services must be made clear – McMonagle

A Donegal councillor is questioning whether there is a clear transition process for children in the care of the Donegal Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service entering mainstream mental support when they become adults. In response to a question posed at a meeting of the Regional Health Forum this week, he was told there is […]

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Defective Blocks are exacerbated the child homelessness problem in Donegal – Ward

The government is being urged to prevent further physical and psychological damage to the children of the defective concrete crisis. Speaking in the Dáil on a motion regarding Child Poverty and Homelessness, Deputy Charles Ward said hundreds of children in Donegal face homelessness, and hundreds more are living in crumbling, unsafe homes, due to the

Defective Blocks are exacerbated the child homelessness problem in Donegal – Ward Read More »

Ballybofey remains place with highest commercial vacancy rate in Ireland

Ballybofey remains the place with the highest commercial vacancy rate in the country. The commercial vacancy rate in Donegal was 20.3% in June 2025, which was higher than the national average of 14.6%. According to the latest GeoDirectory Commercial Vacancy Rates Report, that’s an increase of 0.9% when compared to the same period the previous

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Water could be restored to Lettermacaward by tonight

Uisce Éireann says it’s now expected that supply will be restored to Lettermacaward village by 8pm this evening (Wednesday). It may take longer for supply to return to surrounding villages, and in some cases it may be tomorrow morning before normal pressure levels have fully returned. Alternative Water Supplies are available this afternoon at the

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MEP Maria Walsh elected Vice-President of new EPP Farmers’ Group

Midlands North West MEP Maria Walsh has been elected Vice-President of new EPP Farmers’ Group. The group will play a central role in shaping agriculture policy in the EU, bringing together MEPs, national politicians and farming organisations. Ms Walsh says she will ensure that the voice of farmers who are facing unique challenges will be

MEP Maria Walsh elected Vice-President of new EPP Farmers’ Group Read More »

Dail told how closure of Donegal ISPCA centre is detrimental to animal welfare

The Dail has heard how the closure of the Donegal ISPCA centre is detrimental to animal welfare in the North West. It’s after last week, 14 dogs found in horrific conditions were seized by Gardai in Glenties. The ISPCA cited financial reasons for the closure of the centre in Ballyare. In response to Donegal Deputy

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Judge in Soldier F trial rules that ‘hearsay evidence’ is admissable

A judge has ruled hearsay evidence in the trial of Soldier F in connection with the events of Bloody Sunday in Derry is admissible. It means the trial will continue. 13 people were killed when members of the army’s parachute regiment opened fire on civil rights demonstrators in 1972. The former paratrooper – who can’t

Judge in Soldier F trial rules that ‘hearsay evidence’ is admissable Read More »

40% of Defective Concrete homeowners are suffering from severe depression – Ward

The Dail has been told that the Defective Concrete Scandal is a national emergency which the Government has willfully mismanaged for over a decade. Donegal Deputy Charles Ward told the Dail 40% of impacted homeowners are living with severe depression, while the Government continues to claim people are being looked after. The truth, he said,

40% of Defective Concrete homeowners are suffering from severe depression – Ward Read More »

Deputy accuses government of prioritising developer pockets over wind power potential

A Donegal Deputy has accused the government of building wind farms to line the pockets of developers, rather than create an opportunity for native renewable energy generation. Deputy Padraig Mac Lochlainn says he visited a wind farm near his own home in Co. Donegal, where half the windmills are switched off during the day. He

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Steen’s presidential campaign hinges on two signatures before midday deadline

Maria Steen has received a last-minute boost in her bid to contest the presidential election. This morning, Senator Aubrey McCarthy confirmed that he will sign her nomination papers, leaving her now just two signatures short of the 20 she needs from Oireachtas members to make it onto the ballot. The deadline to submit the paperwork

Steen’s presidential campaign hinges on two signatures before midday deadline Read More »

Letterkenny’s Kelley plays a winning hand in The Traitors Ireland finale

The Faithfuls triumphed during last night’s finale of the Traitors Ireland. Players Vanessa, Kelley, and Oyin caught the remaining Traitors Nick and Ben before deciding to end the game. The pressure was on Letterkenny girl, Kelley, who ultimately had the swing vote in Nick’s elimination from the late stages of the competition. The women now

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Oireachtas Fisheries Committee told inshore sector is being denied financial support

The Oireachtas Fisheries Committee has been told that fishers have been constantly denied financial supports from Europe on the basis that there is no provision for them in the Common Fisheries Policy, but there are supports available for other sectors such as artists. Michael Desmond. the chair of the National Inshore Fishermen’s Association told the

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Donegal councillors question HSE on progress with the promised LUH Surgical Hub

A meeting of the Regional Health Forum has been told that plans for a surgical hub at Letterkenny University Hospital are progressing well. Three Donegal members, the Forum’s Chair Councillor Gerry McMonagle and Cllrs Ciaran Brogan and Declan Meehan had raised questions, particularly after an initial HSE response concentrated on the proposed Ambulatory Care Hub

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Van seized in Letterkenny after a disqualified motorist caught drug driving

A van has been seized in Letterkenny after a disqualified motorist was caught drug driving. Gardai were on patrol on Sunday night in the Port Road area when they encountered a van being driven by a disqualified driver. The driver subsequently tested positive for cocaine. The driver has been charged to court. Gardai are reminding

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Donegal providers still waiting on Children’s Disability Services funding

Children in Donegal are still waiting for funding to be released from the Children’s Disability Services Fund. It’s almost two years since it was announced to much fanfare that €3.6m was being sanctioned for four service providers for children with additional needs in Donegal. It led to a Donegal mother claiming her son, Jack had

Donegal providers still waiting on Children’s Disability Services funding Read More »

Shared Island Unit head outlines plans for the North West

The head of the government’s Shared Island Unit has told an Oireachtas committee funding for initiatives will be additional to money already being invested. Emer Deane, an Assistant Secretary at the Department of the Taoiseach was appearing before the Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. She outlined a number of initiatives being

Shared Island Unit head outlines plans for the North West Read More »

NI Economy Minister defends Invest NI after resignation of Kieran Kennedy

The North’s Economy Minister has defended Invest NI’s record in the North West, saying recent announcements by Seagate, EY, Fintru and others show that there is a considerable level of investment taking place. Caoimhe Archibald, herself an East Derry representative was answering questions from Foyle MLA Sinead McLaughlin regarding the resignation of Strabane businessman Kieran

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Support dog removed from Co Derry prison due to external threats

Bailey, the in-house support dog in Magilligan Prison in Co. Derry, has been removed from the premises. A Northern Ireland Prison Service spokesperson said the spaniel, named Bailey, was removed because the PSNI warned that an external source planned to harm the dog in an attempt to embarrass the Governor. The spokesperson added that Bailey’s

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Derry and Strabane PCSP welcomes NI Justice Minister’s response to calls for collective approach to domestic violence

The North’s Justice Minister has recognised the urgent need for a more robust, collective response to domestic violence, abuse, and stalking in a response to Derry and Strabane Policing and Community Safety Partnership. The group wrote to Minister Naomi Long, following the recent tragedy in Maguiresbridge. Derry and Strabane Policing & Community Safety Partnership wrote

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The Good Friday Agreement will not be undermined – Ferguson

The Stormont Assembly has been told that only the people of Ireland can decide the North’s constitutional future. The warning came from Foyle MLA Ciara Ferguson, in response to Reform Vice Chair Richard Tice, who suggested recently that the UK can withdraw from the European Court of Human Rights without in any way compromising the

The Good Friday Agreement will not be undermined – Ferguson Read More »

Exhibition celebrating work of Donegal people in Scotland to go on display in Glasgow

A travelling exhibition celebrating the work of Donegal men and women in Scotland between 1940 and 1990 will open to the public in the Glasgow City Archives this week. The ‘Working Over By: Donegal Emigrant Working Lives in Scotland 1940-1990’ exhibition and accompanying booklet highlights the occupations,working conditions and work experiences of Donegal people in

Exhibition celebrating work of Donegal people in Scotland to go on display in Glasgow Read More »

Invest NI expects ‘Ambition to Grow’ programme to create 66 new jobs in the North West

  Invest Northern Ireland says its Ambition to Grow Programme has helped create good jobs and increase external sales across its North Western and North Eastern Regional Office Networks. 40 companies have been supported, 22 of them in the North West. First launched in 2022, the Ambition to Grow programme aims to help micro, small

Invest NI expects ‘Ambition to Grow’ programme to create 66 new jobs in the North West Read More »

NI Assembly told ‘A5 is more than lines and maps or figures on a balance sheet’

The Northern Ireland Assembly has been told that the A5 is more than lines and maps or figures on a balance sheet, but rather about people in the North West. Over 50 people have died on the route since the project was first announced in 2007. An SDLP motion moved this afternoon, expressed regret that

NI Assembly told ‘A5 is more than lines and maps or figures on a balance sheet’ Read More »

Man arrested following seizure of over €17,000 of cocaine in Carrigans

Investigations are continuing following the seizure of over €17,000 in suspected cocaine in Carrigans in recent days. As part of Operation Tara, Gardaí conducted a search of a property in the village at around 7am on Friday. A man aged in his 20s was arrested in connection with the seizure. He has since been released

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Recognition of Palestine does not equate to support for Hamas – McLaughin

France is expected to join the UK, Canada and Australia in recognising a Palestinian state today. Taoiseach Micheal Martin is among world leaders attending a UN summit in New York, where a conference on a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine will take place this afternoon. However Former Israeli National Spokesman Eylon Levy says recognising

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Tús Núa will transform Carndonagh’s economy – Spraoi agus Sport

The CEO of Spraoi agus Sport in Carndonagh says the Tús Núa project will provide a huge boost to the local economy, and its benefits will be felt right across Inishowen. Helen Nolan was speaking following confirmation that the initiative has been shortlisted in three categories of the Charity Excellence Awards – Charity of the

Tús Núa will transform Carndonagh’s economy – Spraoi agus Sport Read More »

Updated primary school curriculum to be phased into schools from next year

An updated primary school curriculum will be phased into schools from next year. Language skills, Stem subjects and personal wellbeing will be among the key changes, while children will be encouraged to learn through play, inquiry and real-world experiences. There are five curriculum specifications, with schools entitled to avail of focused supports in adopting one

Updated primary school curriculum to be phased into schools from next year Read More »