Author name: highlandnews

Taoiseach declines to comment on council decision not to livestream DCB Committee meetings

Taoiseach Michael Martin has refused to comment on Donegal County Council’s decision yesterday not to stream meetings of its Defective Blocks Committee online. The issue was raised in the Dail this afternoon by Deputy Charles Ward, who described the decision as a betrayal of homeowners. At a plenary meeting last evening, the DCB Committee Chair […]

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Andrew McGinley’s quest for more information on his children’s deaths raised in the Dail

The need for more information on the deaths of three children killed by their mother five years ago this week has been raised in the Dail today. Their father, Donegal born Andrew McGinley was in the Dail chamber today to hear the issue raised by Independent Deputy Paul Gogarty. Mr McGinley has long sought an

Andrew McGinley’s quest for more information on his children’s deaths raised in the Dail Read More »

Councils’ Irish Unity Working Groups hold their first joint meeting

Irish Unity working groups from Donegal County Council and Derry City and Strabane District Councils have held their first joint meeting. Both councils have established working groups to examine how unity might happen, and what changes might be needed in the region to facilitate it. Strabane Councill Brian Harte says it was a positive and

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Irish voluntary medical charity experiences record calls in 2025

Voluntary medical charity CRITICAL have revealed that 2025 was their busiest year yet, with a 54% increase in calls during 2025. The charity assist the National Ambulance Service in responding to emergency calls. Volunteers from the charity attended 2,022 medical and trauma emergency calls last year, up from 1,308 in 2024. One of the busiest

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Industrial action for CMPs in voluntary hospitals may begin Friday

Fórsa has said industrial action by clinical measurement physiologists (CMPs), working in HSE and voluntary hospitals, will get underway on Friday (30th January) unless agreement can be reached at talks scheduled to take place at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) tomorrow (Wednesday). Unless the parties secure an agreement at the WRC, CMPs will begin a

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Extension of DCC’s period products initiative is a positive step for women’s health – Kennedy

A Donegal Councillor has welcomed the news that period products are now available in the County Museum, The Regional Cultural Centre in Letterkenny and in every public library across the county. This development builds on the original programme launched in June 2024, which introduced free period products across Donegal’s Public Service Centres and Family Resource

Extension of DCC’s period products initiative is a positive step for women’s health – Kennedy Read More »

People invited to submit interest for projects under LEADER

Údarás na Gaeltachta and the Donegal Local Development Committee are inviting people to submit expressions of interest for community projects under the LEADER Programme. This initiative is being taken with the aim of strengthening rural communities and supporting the local economy. The grants are available to help communities develop high-quality sustainable festivals that sustain Gaeltacht

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DCC’s Service Delivery Plan should contain specific references to the border – McGowan

There have been calls for Donegal County Council’s 2026 Service Delivery Plan to acknowledge the border. The draft was by council this week, with the plan outlining how the council will deliver the budget agreed in December under the headings of Driving Growth, Delivering Services, Empowering Communities, Moving to Low Carbon Climate Resilience, and Building

DCC’s Service Delivery Plan should contain specific references to the border – McGowan Read More »

McLaughlin hits put at SF’s stewardship of the NI economy

Foyle MLA Sinead McLaughlin says Sinn Fein need to do more to boost the economy in Northern Ireland. Speaking on a Sinn Fein motion noting the ESRI’s report Assessing Economic Trends on the Island of Ireland, the SDLP Economy Spokeserson welcomed the motion and the report, but said progress on developing the All Island Economy

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Council decides not to livestream DCB Committee meetings after lengthy debate

Meetings of Donegal County Council’s Defective Concrete Block Committee will not be live streamed. A motion calling for the meetings to be streamed was brought before today’s plenary meeting by 100% Redress Councillor Tomas Seán Devine, but it was defeated. A counter-motion was then put forward by Councillor Niamh Kennedy that current streaming facilities are

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Surveillance continues following Bluetongue detection in Wexford

The Agriculture Minister says investigations and testing are continuing in County Wexford, following the outbreak of the bluetongue virus. The rare animal disease was confirmed in a cattle herd over the weekend – the first time it’s ever been identified in Ireland. Earlier today, officials from the Department of Agriculture met with stakeholders, including farming

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Assembly told there are variations in life expectancy between Ballyshannon and Belleek

The Northern Ireland Assembly has been told that variations in economic and social conditions on either side of the border mean life expectancy is different between Fermanagh and Donegal. Speaking on a Sinn Fein motion noting the ESRI’s report Assessing Economic Trends on the Island of Ireland, Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Jemma Dolan said

Assembly told there are variations in life expectancy between Ballyshannon and Belleek Read More »

Enterprise Ireland says client companies created over 12,000 jobs were created last year

Enterprise Ireland-backed companies created more than 12 thousand new jobs last year. Employment by client companies in the North West grew by 1.6% to 7,365 jobs The agency says its client firms attracted 440 million euro in overseas investment in 2025. Over one thousand over-seas contracts were secured, however companies here say costs remain high.

Enterprise Ireland says client companies created over 12,000 jobs were created last year Read More »

Council rejects draft Public Lighting Policy

A proposed public lighting policy was opposed at today’s plenary meeting of Donegal County Council, as it would have restricted public lighting to urban speed-zone areas. Cllr Martin McDermott said that, as Donegal is a largely rural county, many townlands would be excluded under the proposals. He also expressed concern for rural dangerous junctions, schools,

Council rejects draft Public Lighting Policy Read More »

Works at Dry Arch roundabout set to be extended by an extra day

Donegal County Council have said works are continuing to identify and resolve the fault affecting a section of the public lighting network at the Dry Arch Roundabout. Due to the complexity of underground services in the area, repairs are taking longer than anticipated. It is expected that the works will take at least a further

Works at Dry Arch roundabout set to be extended by an extra day Read More »

DCB demonstrations take place at Council meeting

Two homeowners affected by defective concrete are demonstrating outside Donegal County Council offices in Lifford this morning, as the first plenary meeting of the year gets underway. Kathleen Bryant and Mary Connors say access to such meetings is vital to keeping homeowners informed about progress on the scheme. They say in particular that homeowners with

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64 admitted patients awaiting beds at LUH this morning

64 admitted patients were awaiting beds at Letterkenny University Hospital this morning with 26 in the Emergency Department, the third highest figure in the state. That is according to figures from the INMO. At Sligo University Hospital the figure stood at 63. The highest single figure was at University Hospital Limerick where 101 patients were

64 admitted patients awaiting beds at LUH this morning Read More »

Donegal Railway Heritage Museum to receive €7,200 in funding

Donegal Railway Heritage Museum has received €7,200 in funding from the Shared Island Civic Society Fund for the Reconnecting Through Culture project. This project is in association with the Alley Theatre, Strabane. The project aims to take a creative approach to re-establishing cross-border connections through a shared exploration of how transport technologies have effected economic,

Donegal Railway Heritage Museum to receive €7,200 in funding Read More »

94% of Pharmacies nationwide sign up to Common Condition Service

94% of pharmacies across the country have now signed up to the Common Conditions Service. It allows pharmacists to diagnose and prescribe treatments for eight minor illnesses. It’s designed to alleviate pressure from GP and primary care services. Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill says it’s a no brainer, particularly for patients:

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Bishop Coll expresses hope that faith is growing among younger generations

The new Bishop of Raphoe has expressed his hope that faith is being restored among the younger generation. He was officially installed during a ceremony in St Eunan’s Cathedral yesterday. Bishop Coll is a native of St. Johnston and was previously ordained Bishop of Ossory in Kilkenny three years ago. During his Homily for yesterday’s

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Donegal still has the highest number of Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant applications

Figures published this morning show that Donegal Council continues to have the highest number of applications received under the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, with 1,430 applications received since the scheme began. Of those, 1085 of those have been approved and 396 paid out, at a cost of €22.4 million. Nationally, Minister James Browne says €247

Donegal still has the highest number of Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant applications Read More »

PSNI concerned for missing girl with links to Fermanagh, Tyrone and Derry

Police are becoming increasingly concerned for the safety of Yasmin Carroll, who has been reported missing. She is known to have links to Fermanagh, Newtownstewart in Tyrone and Derry. Yasmin was last seen in the Enniskillen area at 2.40pm yesterday. She is described as being approximately 5 ‘ 2 “, of a slim build and

PSNI concerned for missing girl with links to Fermanagh, Tyrone and Derry Read More »

Bishop Niall Coll officially installed as Bishop of Raphoe

Bishop Niall Coll has officially been installed as Bishop of Raphoe. During a ceremony in St. Eunan’s Cathedral this afternoon, his new role became formally effective after his appointment was confirmed on November 13th last year. Bishop Coll is a native of St. Johnston and was ordained Bishop of Ossory in Kilkenny three years ago,

Bishop Niall Coll officially installed as Bishop of Raphoe Read More »

Searches continuing in the investigation of Wayne Reid’s murder

Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Major Investigation Team, investigating the murder of Wayne Reid in Derry, are continuing to carry out enquiries and searches in the local area. Today, officers are conducting searches in Coleraine’s Lisnablagh Road and surrounding areas. Mr Reid was pronounced dead at an address in the Society Court

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Board game based on The Troubles described as ‘crass’ and ‘insensitive’

A board game based on The Troubles is being condemned for being crass and insensitive. The game allows players to take on the roles of the British Forces, the IRA, loyalist paramilitaries, and other key actors in the Northern Ireland conflict, which occurred between the 1960s and 1998. Bill Thomas, founder of Compass Games –

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Dromore Killygordon footbridge closed due to structural issues

The Dromore Killygordon footbridge has been closed immediately due to structural issues. Temporary traffic lights will be in operation on the main road bridge to allow a pedestrian walkway. Donegal County Council say the Roads Office will update local councillors and the public next week. They are asking the public to allow extra time when

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