Author name: highlandnews

A growing reluctance to test for Covid-19 is contributing to rising infection rates, according to a rural GP. Dr. Illona Duffy says 60 percent of patients at her clinic say they’ve had Covid in the past few weeks. However official daily figures have remained stagnant over the period at between 12 and 14 thousand, suggesting […]

Postmasters have called an emergency meeting to discuss whether to take industrial action. It’s due to changes An Post plans to make to postal order and foreign exchange services. The Irish Postmasters Union says this would involve extra work for their members – for no extra pay. Ahead of next Monday’s meeting about industrial action,

A 12 million euro scheme to encourage tillage farmers to grow more crops will go before cabinet today. It’s due to the war in Ukraine, which has had an impact on agriculture and supply chains. Farmers will get 400 euro for each additional hectare of grain grown this year. Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue says the

Donegal County Council has issued a warning to dog owners to keep them under control during lambing season. Much concern has been raised in recent weeks particularly in West Donegal over dogs straying into fields and causing distress to sheep with farmers threatening to take matters into their own hands. The local authority is asking

The Finance Minister says the government won’t be able to fully protect people from the rising cost of living. The ESRI is now expecting prices to increase by up to 7 per cent this year – and another 5% next year. It says the government may have to do more to insulate households from the

Ukranian refugees have begun arriving in Donegal, with several expected in Letterkenny in the coming days where they will be based in McGettigans Hotel. Over 100 have already arrived in Bundoran, where they are settling in. On today’s Nine til Noon Show, local Cllr Michael McMahon said a lot of work has gone in to

The number of Covid patients in hospitals has increased by 25 percent in the past week. There’s 1,308 people with the virus today – the highest in more than 13 months. Latest figures for Letterkenny University Hospital show 83 infected patients, one of them in intensive care. Nationally, latest figures show 49 people in ICUs.

A Dublin based senator says it’s time to start a conversation about a Derry-Dublin rail route. Senator Marie Sherlock, a frequent visitor to Donegal, says while she supports long term plans for the expansion of the A5 and also supports the idea of a rail link from Letterkenny to Dublin, she believes with express trains

Almost half of children with Down Syndrome have had no vital early intervention services in the past year, according to a new report. Down Syndrome Ireland also says 40 per cent had no communication from the HSE in the last 12 months. Almost one third of survey respondents received zero speech and language therapy sessions,

The Tree Council of Ireland is emphasizing the importance of trees in Ireland’s sustainable future. National Tree Week takes place this week, with a number of events taking place around Donegal. This year’s theme is ‘More Forests for a Greener Future’, which aims to raise awareness of the many benefits of forests and the important

Mica homeowners will be represented at a European Parliament webinar on defective blocks tomorrow, with representatives from Donegal and Mayo presenting their knowledge and approach to an international audience. The webinar, hosted by the Left group in the European Parliament, will also feature speakers from the USA and Canada, where defective block issues have also

40 business leaders attended a Donegal Business Breakfast in the London Borough of Islington at the weekend as part of a series of Irish Community events organised by the area’s Donegal born Mayor Troy Gallagher. The business event was coordinated by Donegal County Council’s head of Economic Development Ann Marie Conlon, who says it was

The Taoiseach has said he doesn’t see Dr Tony Holohan or Paul Reid sitting in a witness chair to explain the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. Micheál Martin says there will be an investigation into the response of Government and civil servants, with details due to be announced in the coming weeks. Taoiseach Micheál Martin

A public health expert thinks masks should still be worn on public transport, to slow the rise in Covid-19 infections and hospitalisations. Covid-19 case numbers are climbing in hospitals, with 1,175 people with the virus in hospitals today – that’s the second day in a row the highest number of hospitalisations in over 12 months

A former leader of the British Labour Party has described the Mica crisis as “absolutely scandalous”. Jeremy Corbyn was speaking to Greg Hughes at Highland Radio’s broadcast from Islington in London yesterday, celebrating links between Donegal and London. The former Labour leader says that the Mica scandal is wholly the responsibility of the Irish Government

A Donegal Deputy has criticised the government for missing opportunities to manage rising energy costs. In a statement, Independent TD Thomas Pringle said that failure to intervene in time has now left people struggling financially. He has also criticised Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan for not stepping in early enough to stop electricity and

The Taoiseach is coming under pressure to support a public inquiry into nursing home deaths during the pandemic. Many families who lost loved ones in nursing homes say they are still looking for answers, almost two years on from the first wave of Covid-19 here. The calls from the campaign group Care Champions, come ahead

Census 2022 takes place in just over two weeks’ time. The national survey on Sunday 3rd of April is the first in six years, after last year’s census was cancelled due to the pandemic. Vital information gathered by the Central Statistics Office will be used for the planning of public policy and services. Eileen Murphy

Protests are about to get underway at Larne port in Northern Ireland, as well as other ports across the UK, over the mass sacking of P&O Ferries workers. 800 people from the company were let go with immediate effect via a video call yesterday. The mass layoffs have also led to the temporary pausing of

All covid-related travel requirements have been dropped for people coming into Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK today. Coming back from a holiday will now be less of a headache, with no additional forms to fill out or tests to organise. Joanne Stewart from the Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance says it’s hugely important

SDLP MLAs in Derry and Tyrone say it’s unacceptable that the Clinical Response Model discussed for the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service in 2017 has still not been delivered. West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan said there’s a need to recruit and train 325 paramedics and other staff, while Foyle MLA Mark Durkan said in some instances,

The Taoiseach’s meeting with US President Joe Biden at the White House today will go ahead virtually after the Taoiseach tested positive for Covid-19. The two leaders were ar an Ireland Funds Dinner in Washington last night, when Micheal Martin received the news of his positive result. He had been sitting next to the 82-year-old

Gardai are appealing to motorists to drive carefully over the Bank Holiday weekend, which begins with St Patrick’s Day today. A special joint appeal with the Road Safety Authority has been launched for the long weekend. There’s a particular focus on drink driving, the RSA says it is a particular risk even the morning after

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation say overcrowding is resulting in an increased number of people being diagnosed with Covid in hospital. The INMO is calling for out of hospital diagnostics to be prioritised and for step-down services to be increased so patients can be discharged quicker. The HSE says the health service is under

Housing Association, Clúid has agreed to meet with members of the Glenties Municipal District to discuss plans to demolish 16 apartments in Dungloe. It’s after grave concern and strong opposition was expressed towards the demolition of any units. The onsite meeting is to be held on March 29th at the Cois Locha Apartments,Gweedore Road. Councillor