Author name: highlandnews

A Donegal Councillor has raised issues with Donegal County Council’s planning process, after long-awaited funding for a bridge in Bunbeg was granted last week. Michael Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig says that while it’s great news that €130,000 has been granted for the works – he has questioned why so much money is required for the

Roughly 44,000 people won’t be able to travel overseas from next week under new EU travel rules which are set to take effect from the 1st of Feburary. Anyone who has not received a booster dose of a Covid-19 vaccine will see their EU covid cert for travel expire after 9 months. The Sunday Times

The Taoiseach says there should be no amnesties for killings that took place during the Troubles. Speaking at a memorial event to mark the anniversary of Bloody Sunday, Micheal Martin said the law must apply equally to everyone. Today marks 50 years since 14 peaceful protesters were killed by British soldiers in Derry in 1972,

The British Foreign Secretary’s refused to rule out triggering Article 16 if there’s no progress on Brexit talks with the EU. Liz Truss says there’s a “deal to be done” on rules governing trade in Northern Ireland, and hopes there’ll be “significant progress” in negotiations regarding the Northern Ireland Protocol by the end of next

A moment’s silence has been held today in Derry, as part of a ceremony remembering the victims of Bloody Sunday on its 50th anniversary. British soldiers opened fire on a civil rights march in city, killing 14 unarmed protesters. The victims’ names were read out as part of the memorial service, which also saw the

Sinn Fein’s Justice spokesperson says that Bloody Sunday was “one of the most seismic events in world history”. Those comments come as events to mark the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday are taking place in Derry across this weekend, to commemorate the 13 people that were shot dead by British soldiers at a civil rights

  Events to mark the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday are taking place in Derry this weekend. The former leader of Britain’s Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, will give a lecture there today – and Taoiseach Micheál Martin will attend an event tomorrow morning. It’s to commemorate 13 people being shot dead by British soldiers at

A vaccines expert believes the country’s ‘in a very good place’ regarding Covid-19. UCC Professor Liam Fanning is hopeful the numbers will decrease even further in March by the time we get to St. Patrick’s Day. Yesterday 9,591 new Covid cases were recorded, as the number of people in intensive care has dropped to 69

The Donegal Centre for Independent Living has launched a strategic plan for the next three years. The launch event was told the centre remains focused on supporting and empowering people with disabilities in Donegal to actively participate as equal citizens in society. Among the priorities in the plan are an extension to the existing building,

Motorists are being warned of record fuel prices at the pumps due to the Russian-Ukraine border crisis. Crude oil has risen above 90 dollars a barrel for the first time in eight years. Some petrol stations have added two cent on to the price of petrol and diesel overnight, meaning motorists could be paying around

  It’s been claimed that families in Donegal are finding it incredibly difficult to get an appointment with CAMHS. Local Businessman Leonard Watson who has a child with complex needs has been sharing his personal experience with the service on today’s Nine Til Noon Show. It’s understood that it took CAMHS seven months to contact

  Some patients have been waiting over four years for a hospital procedure, according to a leading HSE official. The target is for outpatient lists be down to 18 months by December – and a year for inpatient procedures. Just under 700,000 people are waiting for one of these consultations at the moment. Tony Canavan,

There’s calls for the HSE to prioritise the restoration of Day services at Carndonagh Community Hospital. The service was withdrawn almost two years ago and it was confirmed in November last year that the HSE property management team were tasked with finding a suitable alternative facility in Carndonagh. Councillor Albert Doherty, who is a member

  Culdaff businessman Johnny McGuinness has been officially selected by Fine Gael to serve on Donegal County Council in the North Inishowen area. He is set to replace his late father Bernard who sadly passed away last August at the age of 77. Johnny McGuinness had been widely tipped to fill the vacancy with Fine

  A 50th anniversary Mass in memory of the victims of Bloody Sunday is taking place in Derry this evening. 13 people died after British soldiers opened fire at a civil rights march in the city on January 30th, 1972. No one’s ever been convicted – and the British government wants to ban any further

  The Ombudsman for Children’s Office says the school closures during lockdowns impacted children’s rights. Children with mental health difficulties, homeless children, children in Direct Provision, children with disabilities and Traveller and Roma children were most affected. Its new report shows school closures had a mainly negative effect on a child’s right to education in

  The number of Covid patients in public hospitals has fallen to the lowest level this year. The figure dropped to 678 last night – over a fifth less than a week ago. It exceeded 1,000 at the peak of the Omicron wave earlier this month. Dr Denis McCauley, from the Irish Medical Organisation, says

Talks between representatives from the Irish Fishing Industry and the Russian Ambassador have been described as “extremely positive”. The two sides met this morning so that fishermen could raise their concerns over the impact Russian Navy drills may have on their sector, when they get underway next week. A “buffer zone” is being considered, so

  It’s anticipated that the return of jobseekers payments to post offices will ensure the viability of many rural facilities in Donegal. The changes will initially apply to all new jobseeker applicants, before being extended to other jobseekers over the coming months. When public health restrictions were introduced in 2020, people in receipt of social

A Community Worker in Buncrana says a survey carried among ethnic minorities last year shows the need for more communication and understanding. Ruth Garvey-Williams is a volunteer with the Exchange Community Centre, and was involved in the survey which spoke to over 100 people from different ethnic backgrounds who have moved to Buncrana within the

  The government needs to do more to ensure the country’s child mental health services are fully staffed and resourced. That’s according to Mental Health Reform, which says a report detailing serious clinical oversight in south Kerry raises concerns about other CAHMS services. The review found 227 children were exposed to risky treatment, and 46

A Bill to make stalking a standalone criminal offence will move one step closer to becoming law today. The Fianna Fáil proposal will move to Committee stage later, before going through the Dáil, and may be enacted within weeks. A person convicted of stalking could face a maximum prison sentence of 10 years. Senator Lisa

  The government’s being warned against any plan to reduce the national herd, ahead of a meeting of farmers in Dublin later. Climate’s set to dominate discussions at the Irish Farmers Association’s AGM, which will be attended by the Taoiseach and Agriculture Minister. The farming sector has a target of reducing emissions by between 22

Donegal County Council is to examine whether regeneration funding could be secured for Moville and Greencastle. The issue was raised at a recent Municipal District meeting by Cllr Martin Farren, who says the success of other towns in Inishowen and further afield can be repeated. He says while they are separate towns in their own

  The Taoiseach says Government will work to ensure the Mica Redress Scheme is operational as quickly and as effectively as possible. It’s emerged in recent weeks that despite being unveiled to much fan fare, affected homeowners won’t be able to access the scheme for many months yet. Donegal Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn told the Dail