Author name: highlandnews

Gardai renew appeal following collision on Letterkenny to Ramelton Road

Gardai have renewed their appeal for information following a serious collision on the Letterkenny to Ramelton Road last thursday evening. The collision, involving a motorcycle and a car, occurred at around 6.50pm on Thursday at Cashelshannan. The motorcyclist was taken to hospital and remains there for treatment for his injuries. Sergeant Eunan Walsh has appealed […]

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Number of people waiting over 24 hours in Emergency Departments has tripled

The number of people waiting over 24-hrs in Emergency Departments this year has tripled. Over 24 thousand patients spent over a day waiting for a bed in the ED from January to May That includes over 8 thousand patients who were over the age of 75, according to the Examiner. Sinn Féin Health Spokesperson David

Number of people waiting over 24 hours in Emergency Departments has tripled Read More »

Fuel rationing plans being explored to cope with oil shortages this winter

Petrol stations may have to ration fuel at the pumps for only essential workers if there are oil shortages this winter. It’s one of the contingency plans being looked at by the Government’s emergency energy group. It’s meeting today to discuss how to deal with the worst-case-scenarios of low fuel stocks caused by the Russian

Fuel rationing plans being explored to cope with oil shortages this winter Read More »

Two Donegal hotels earning millions for housing Ukrainian refugees

  Two hotels in Donegal are among the ten hotels in the country earning millions by housing Ukrainian refugees. In total, the government has agreed contracts worth 99 million for private accommodation and services for Ukrainian refugees, with two hotels in Donegal earning a combined €6.1m. According to tender documents published by the Department of

Two Donegal hotels earning millions for housing Ukrainian refugees Read More »

Four priests to retire as Bishop of Raphoe announces clerical appointments

The Bishop of Raphoe has announced a number of clerical changes for the Diocese of Raphoe. The changes are to take effect from 20th/21st August. Bishop Alan McGuckian has announced that Very Rev Dean Austin Laverty, PP, Ardara is to retire and to be PE, Ardara.  Very Rev Seán Ó Gallachóir, PP, Gort a’ Choirce

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Extra €19m needed for rural development programme LEADER

The country’s 49 Local Development Companies are calling for an extra € 19 million per year for the rural development programme known as LEADER. The call is being made in the Budget 2023 submission to Government by the Irish Local Development Network which is the representative body for the 49 Local Development Companies around the

Extra €19m needed for rural development programme LEADER Read More »

Air Ambulance in North West ‘desirable’ but €2.5m funding presents difficulties

A voluntary Critical Care Doctor with the Community Air Ambulance Service says while extending the service to Donegal and the North West would be desirable, securing it would be a very difficult and complex process. Gerry Lane, a former Emergency Department Consultant at Letterkenny University Hospital, says the service is not supported in any way

Air Ambulance in North West ‘desirable’ but €2.5m funding presents difficulties Read More »

President Higgins responds to criticism over Ukraine war letter

The President of Ireland has responded to criticism of a controversial letter written by his wife, stating that he’s always condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine. A spokesperson for Michael D.Higgins told the Irish Times he’s repeatedly called for an immediate Russian withdrawal and end to the violence. However the President’s office did not explain

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Concerns raised over uncut grass “safety hazard” on Lifford-Letterkenny road

A Lifford-Stranorlar Councillor has raised the issue of uncut grass and hedges becoming a potential safety hazard on the main Lifford to Letterkenny road. Cllr Gerry Crawford says that visibility is so bad in some parts, that cars have to almost fully pull out onto the road before they can see oncoming traffic. He says

Concerns raised over uncut grass “safety hazard” on Lifford-Letterkenny road Read More »

Claims banks deliberately offer poor customer service to force customers online

The Chair of the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee says accusations banks are deliberately offering poor customer service are ‘outrageous.’ Brian Stanley has commended the Financial Services Union, which has made the claims. It says banks are deliberately slow to answer phones, delay fixing broken ATMs and are under-staffing branches to force customers online. The Laois-Offaly

Claims banks deliberately offer poor customer service to force customers online Read More »

Funeral of David Trimble taking place this afternoon

Mourners are starting to gather ahead of the funeral of former Northern Ireland First Minister David Trimble in Lisburn. Taoiseach Michael Martin and President Michael D. Higgins are among some of the key political figures attending today’s service at Harmony Hill Presbyterian. The former leader of the UUP is being remembered as a leading figure

Funeral of David Trimble taking place this afternoon Read More »

Green Party Senator “satisfied” with Agri emissions targets

A Green Party Senator says she is satisfied with the Government’s emission targets. The agriculture sector must aim for a 25 percent cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. The announcement came on Thursday, and has been met with heavy criticism from farmers across the country. Senator Pauline O’Reilly says she would have liked a

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HIQA raises concerns about quality of accommodation for Ukrainian arrivals

The State’s health watchdog HIQA is concerned about the suitability of some of the accommodation provided for Ukrainian refugees. The Health Information and Quality Authority has also warned that the influx of refugees could have major implications on some health and social care services as Government has not provided sufficient resources. Almost 42 thousand refugees

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High levels of Cannabis growhouse seizures in North West last year

The North West region had the second-most cannabis growhouses seized by Gardaí in the last year. New figures show 182 cannabis growhouses containing drugs worth 4 million euro were discovered in Ireland in the past year. The most were located in the South of the country, with Cork and Kerry accounting for one-third of the

High levels of Cannabis growhouse seizures in North West last year Read More »

Long-term funding needed to solve homelessness – Focus Ireland

Focus Ireland says the shortage in social and affordable housing is driving up homelessness. It says most emergency homeless accommodation is now full, leading to a rise in ‘hidden homelessness’ which isn’t reflected in the latest figures. 10,500 people accessed emergency accommodation in June, the second highest figure on record. Focus Ireland spokesperson Conor Culkin

Long-term funding needed to solve homelessness – Focus Ireland Read More »

Energy providers should not be exploiting cost crisis to make super-profits – Deputy Doherty

A Donegal Deputy has appealed to energy providers to stop exploiting the increasing costs crisis to make super-profits. It comes as prices from Electric Ireland are set to increase on Monday by 11 percent for electricity and 29 percent for gas while Panda also announced price increases. Bord Gais’ profits have also reportedly increased by

Energy providers should not be exploiting cost crisis to make super-profits – Deputy Doherty Read More »

CAP Strategic Plan formally resubmitted to European Commission for approval

The Agriculture Minister’s confirmed Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 has been formally resubmitted to the European Commission for approval. Minister Charlie McConalogue says the updated plan takes account of the observations received from the European Commission in March. He says it reflects the outcome of extensive discussions with the European Commission at official and Ministerial

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Insurance payouts fall, but premiums are still too high – Doherty

The Personal Injuries Assessment Board says a reduction in awards and their value should make insurance premiums cheaper for consumers and businesses. Compensation paid out by the board fell by almost a quarter last year, while the Courts Service reports that personal injury actions were down 12 per cent. Sinn Fein says serious questions will

Insurance payouts fall, but premiums are still too high – Doherty Read More »

Fishing decommissioning scheme is a ‘mortal sin’ – MacLochlainn

A Donegal TD is urging Agriculture and Marine Minister Charlie Mc Conalogue to abandon the fishing vessel decommissioning scheme announced by the EU yesterday as a response to Brexit. Deputy Padraig Mac Lochlainn, Sinn Fein’s Marine Spokesperson,  says the €80 million scheme to reduce the size of the Irish fishing fleet by another 60 vessels

Fishing decommissioning scheme is a ‘mortal sin’ – MacLochlainn Read More »

DCSDC asks British Government for £90 million to replace lost EU funds

A motion calling on the British government to replace £90m in local community funding has been passed by Derry City and Strabane District Council. Last night, Sinn Fein Cllr John McGowan tabled a motion at the Council’s monthly meeting calling for the replacement of vital European funding lost as a result of Brexit. He told

DCSDC asks British Government for £90 million to replace lost EU funds Read More »

Agriculture Minister expects national herd to remain ‘stable’

The Agriculture Minister says he sees the national herd remaining ‘stable’ over the coming years. A major talking point in carbon emissions cuts was whether there would need to be a reduction in the total number of cattle in the State. The government agreed a cut of 25 percent reduction in emissions for the agriculture

Agriculture Minister expects national herd to remain ‘stable’ Read More »

Urgent calls for water infrastructure to be upgraded in North Inishowen

There’s urgent calls for Irish Water to upgrade infrastructure in North Inishowen. Some works have already been carried out on the line from the Eddie Fullerton Dam. However, Councillor Martin McDermott says not enough has been done as homes and businesses in the area are still being subjected to supply outages and low reservoir levels.

Urgent calls for water infrastructure to be upgraded in North Inishowen Read More »

Motorcyclist in critical condition after crash on Letterkenny-Ramelton road

A motorcyclist is in a critical condition following a serious crash on the Letterkenny to Ramelton road yesterday evening. The two vehicle collision involving a car and the motorcyclist occurred shortly before 7pm at Cashelshanaghan. The man in his 20s was transferred to Letterkenny University Hospital where he remains at this time. No other injuries

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People asked to consider all care options before ED visit

The HSE’s calling on people to consider all care options before attending Emergency Departments. There’ve been record numbers of patients presenting at EDs this year for care and treatment. It includes those who are then discharged without needing hospital admission, when they could have gone to other healthcare services. National Ambulance Service Clinical Director, Professor

People asked to consider all care options before ED visit Read More »

Residential vacancy rate in Donegal over double national average

The residential vacancy rate in Donegal is over double the national average. According to figures contained in the latest GeoDirectory Residential Buildings Report, almost 10% of residential properties in the county are vacant. Donegal has recorded a notably high residential vacancy rate of 9.7% as of June. The county has the lowest occupancy rate in

Residential vacancy rate in Donegal over double national average Read More »