Author name: highlandnews

Irish passport applications from Northern Ireland have tripled in the space of three years. In the first 6 months of 2019, there were over 20,000 applications, but that skyrocketed to almost 57,000 in 2022. The figures were released by the Department of Foreign Affairs. The Irish Daily Mail reports the three-fold increase is due to

A new report claims that at least 11 newly uncovered instances of sexual abuse at the Ard Greine Court Complex in Stranorlar have been referred to An Garda Síochana for investigation. The report from the Independent claims that the abuse cases, which are believed to have occurred between 1991 and 2002, are to be referred

  Gardaí say a woman in her twenties was taken to hospital following a crash in the Raphoe area last night. Gardaí say they attended the scene of a single vehicle road traffic collision that occurred at approximately 11:10 pm last night in the Tullyrap area, with local reports stating the accident occurred on the

Buncrana Gardaí say they’ve arrested a driver for speeding and driving under the influence of cannabis. They say a vehicle was detected travelling at 98 kp/h in a 60 kp/h speed zone last night by the Buncrana Roads Policing Unit. The driver then subsequently tested positive for cannabis and was arrested. Gardaí are urging the

A government oversight over an oil levy means a fuel cut promised in the budget has been scrapped, costing motorists a total of an additional €20 million euro. A report in today’s Irish Independent says Department of the Environment sources have confirmed the promised cut of 1 cent per litre is not now going ahead.

Anglers are being warned to look out for sightings of Pacific pink salmon which was previously found in Donegal. Concerns about their presence in Irish waters has been raised after an explosive growth in their stocks was observed in northernmost Norwegian rivers in 2021. Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has issued an alert for reports of

The Irish Hospital Consultants Association says years of underinvestment have led to unacceptable hospital waiting lists and long waiting times for patients. It comes as the latest figures show almost 902,000 people were on waiting lists last month at hospitals across the country. At Letterkenny University Hospital that figure was just over 19,000. 16,503 people

A new review has found at least 40 intellectually disabled residents in a HSE run centre in Donegal were subjected to ongoing sexual assaults, by up to 10 different residents for over a decade. Today’s Irish Times reports that the assaults, dating back to 1991, occurred in the now closed Sean O’Hare Unit in St

A new electoral commission will have powers to order social media companies to take down posts spreading misinformation during elections. Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien has added a number of amendments to the Electoral Reform Bill after advice from the Attorney General. The commission will be able to monitor and investigate misinformation being spread online. Some

The North’s Police Ombudsman has found that four young men arrested in Derry in 1979 were subjected to coercion and oppression before “confessing” to terrorist crimes. The statements related to five terrorist incidents including the murder of a 22-year-old soldier, Lieutenant Stephen Kirby, who was shot dead by the PIRA at Carlisle Terrace in Derry

  There’s further calls for an enhancement of toilet facilities at beaches in Donegal. Councillor Micheal Cholm Macgiollaeasbuig says particularly at Blue Flag Beaches, people deserve more modern facilities. He says the use of portaloos is sub-standard and more funding is required to put the changing places concept in place…

People can expect showers and warm conditions to continue this weekend, as an ex-tropical storm travels across Ireland. Met Éireann says Storm Alex is also set to bring winds of up to 50 or 60 kph in coastal areas. The former storm is currently making its way across the Atlantic, and is the first of

The COVID-19 Testing Centre at the Cleary Centre in Donegal town is to close. The centre opened on September 27th, 2020, and since then has carried out an estimated 33,701 swabs. It will cease testing on this day week,June 17th. The HSE says as Covid moves from pandemic to endemic status this means the Community

The mother of Danielle McLaughlin who was killed in Goa five years ago says she is hopeful of a quick conclusion to the trial of the man accused of her rape and murder. It follows a high level meeting in India between Goa’s Chief Minister, and two high level diplomats from Ireland and Britain. Danielle

A teenage boy has died following a crash involving a car and lorry in Co. Cavan. The 17 year old was seriously injured during the collision. He was taken to Cavan General Hospital where he later died. A woman in her 50s and man in his 40s were also taken to Cavan General Hospital to

Police in Derry and Strabane say they are aware of a number of incidents in which fake IDs have been used to gain access to licensed premises. They are warning that using a fake ID is fraud. Police say they are continuing to work with door staff and carry out checks at licensed premises in

The Atlantic Technological University has received a €3.7 million investment in projects aimed at improving public understanding of science, technology, engineering and maths. The funding focuses of encouraging diversity and inclusion in STEM, while also targeting a wide range of ages including young children, teens and adults. A total of 47 projects at the ATU