Author name: highlandnews

Nearly 20,000 children have been languishing on hospital waiting lists for over a year and a half. 860 of those are waiting 18 months on an outpatient appointment at Letterkenny University Hospital. A total of 2,201 children and 16,942 adults are awaiting an outpatient appointment at Letterkenny University Hospital, according to latest figures from the

A sleep-out will take place tonight across the country in an attempt to ‘Shine A Light’ on homelessness. Focus Ireland is calling on businesses and others to take part, after homeless figures reached a record 10,805 people. It’s hoping to raise 1-point-5 million euro this year, the funds will go towards ‘sustainable and long term’

Just half of waters in Ireland are in a satisfactory condition. The water quality of Donegal’s rivers is good or moderate. However, the catchment of Donagh-Moville recording one of the lowest percentage of satisfactory river water bodies in the country. In terms of coastal waters, Killybegs failed the environmental quality standard. Lough Swilly was found

The group Women for Election is urging women in Donegal with an interest in politics to consider taking training courses to prepare them for potential election campaigns. The group says nationally, only 26% of local authority members are women, and with only four women occupying Donegal County Council’s 36 seats, the percentage here is much

More than three-quarter of a million euro has been raised for the Creeslough Community Support Fund. The money is being managed by the Irish Red Cross, and donations can be given nationally at post offices and at Applegreen outlets. A separate Go Fund Me account has raised more than 405 thousand euro for the victim’s

Every household will get the 600 euro worth of payments regardless of income. Critics have said the measures should be more weighted towards those who need them most. But Taoiseach Micheál Martin says that’s not a runner………..

The funeral is taking place this afternoon of Leona Harper aged 14, who died in last Friday’s tragedy in Creeslough. At her funeral mass, parish Priest Fr Michael Carney described her as a little lady with a big heart, who lived a full life. He said she was at that point in life where she

Martina Martin has been remembered as a very special person who was at the heart of the Creeslough community working in the petrol station. The 49 year old was working in Lafferty’s at the time of last Friday’s explosion. Fr John Joe Duffy at Martina’s funeral today, spoke of how a matter of seconds last

49 year old Martina Martin’s funeral mass will be held this morning at 11am in St Michael’s Church, Creeslough. She is one of ten people to have died in an explosion at the petrol station in the village on Friday last. She was working in the shop at the time. You can view Martina’s funeral

People in Creeslough and surrounding areas are being urged to prioritise their mental health in the aftermath of the explosion last Friday. Free counselling services are being made available from specialist support teams. A dedicated helpline to provide direct access to professional support and advice has also been set up. Anyone seeking help can call

Students nationwide will stage a ‘walkout’ at 11 minutes past 11 in protest of the cost-of-living crisis. They are calling on the government to prioritise the cost of third level education and the effects of rising inflation. Beth O’Reilly, President of the USI, says students want to show they they have had enough:

Passport waiting times have now returned to pre-pandemic levels, according to the Foreign Affairs Minister. Simon Coveney says it only takes 10 working days for an adult to get the document, if they apply online – and 15 days for a child. 2022 will be the first year ever that over 1 million passports will

The Dail’s been told that more radiation therapists need to be appointed in Galway University Hospital. South Donegal TD Marian Harkin said notwithstanding the North West Radiotherapy Centre in Derry, most cancer patients from the region go to Galway for treatment, and that’s being compromised because of staff shortages. She was told a review will

Foyle MP Colm Eastwood has urged Northern Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris to follow through on the commitment to have 10,000 students on Ulster University’s Magee campus within five years. Speaking during the Westminster debate on the Identity and Language Bill, Mr Eastwood said it’s important that legislation is passed and implemented. However, he said there are

The Finance Minister is considering all submissions made following the announcement of a Defective Blocks Levy in last month’s budget. During exchanges in the Dail, Sinn Fein’s Matt Carthy told Minster Michael McGrath that there have been rumours about what may or may not happen with the levy, and they need to be addressed. He

President Michael D Higgins paid tribute to the community in Creeslough today after attending two funerals. He told journalists outside St Michael’s Church that the example of the people is one that will resonate around the country…… President Higgins also paid tribute to the Emergency Services, saying he will be speaking to them and to

The funeral has taken place in Creeslough this afternoon of 39 year old Catherine O’Donnell and her 13 year old son James, both of whom died in Friday’s tragedy. Speaking to the congregation, Fr John Joe Duffy urged everyone present who needs support to avail of it, particularly at Mulroy College, where James was a

President Michael D Higgins, who is in Creeslough to attendthe remainder of the funerals, says the families of the victims are an inspiration to the country………… In the House of Commons in the UK, politicians have been sending solidarity to the victims of the Creeslough tragedy. Labour leader Keir Starmer and DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson

James O’Flaherty’s son, Hamish today at the end of the funeral mass bravely remembered his father fondly. The 12 year old was in his dad’s car at Lafferty’s Petrol Station on Friday when the explosion took place but survived. He thanked the emergency services who attended the scene. Hamish finished his tribute to his dad

The funeral mass of James O’Flaherty has heard how he was inseparable from his wife and son. Gifts brought to the altar during the funeral mass of the 48 year old, a native of Sydney was a copy of Roald Dahl’s ‘Going Solo’, the last book he read to his son Hamish before he was

A soup kitchen will open this Friday in Letterkenny. Free Soup Friday’s will be a weekly event at the Open Door Centre, Letterkenny from 12pm to 2pm. It’s in response to an increase in people availing of a foodbank run by the Letterkenny Baptist Church. Steven Wilson, Pastor of the Letterkenny Baptist Church says as

48 year old James O’Flaherty will be laid to rest today. He is one of ten people who have died following an explosion in Creeslough on Friday last. You can view his funeral mass here It is available also on Kieran Roarty Funeral Director’s Facebook page

An Inishowen Councillor has expressed his disappointment at the lack of progress on delivering respite services in the peninsula. Councillor Albert Doherty says Inishowen is melting fast in terms of respite care. He recently issued a plea to HSE officials to ensure the return of respite care to Riverwalk House. Councillor Doherty says it is