Author name: highlandnews

  A public health expert says there should be a renewed message for people to wear masks in shops and on public transport. The number of people in hospital with Covid has increased by nearly 60 per cent in the last two weeks. More than 950 patients are being treated compared to just over 600

  There are calls on both the Government and Donegal County Council to explore the use of holiday mobile homes to house both Mica families and Ukrainian refugees. Many people affected by Mica will inevitably need to be relocated while their homes are being rebuilt or repaired. Meanwhile a significant number of Ukrainian refugees will

The price of a litre of fuel at Irish petrol stations could hit 2 euro 60 by the end of next month according to the head of an Irish oil firm. Petrol and diesel topped 2 euro recently prompting a cut in excise duty. Paddy Comyn from the AA says prices have come down significantly

  The Irish Red Cross is to start contacting some of those who’ve offered to take in Ukrainian refugees this week. More than 20 thousand pledges of accomodation have been made to date. Over 5,500 people have already arrived here after fleeing the war in Ukraine. Lorcan Sirr, housing lecturer at TU Dublin, thinks holiday

Health and Safety Authority inspectors will be conducting surprise quarry safety inspections over the next two weeks. Inspectors will also check that safe work practices and proactive measures are in place to reduce the risk of serious or fatal injury. Assistant Chief Executive Mark Cullen says it can be dangerous working in a quarry:

  The Taoiseach will travel to Washington DC this afternoon for a five day diplomatic trip to mark St Patrick’s Day. Micheál Martin will meet President Joe Biden on Thursday and will meet cultural and business groups during the visit. While the war in Ukraine will dominate discussions, issues like the undocumented Irish will also

Social Welfare recipients will see an additional payment in their weekly rate from this morning. The government’s one off Fuel Allowance payment of 125 Euro comes into effect today, with up to 372,000 recipients. However, Labour Party TD Duncan Smith feels the Government isn’t doing enough

There are further calls for the Donegal to Glasgow flight route to be reinstated. Cllr Michael Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig is bringing a motion to this week’s meeting of the Glenties Municipal District Council, and he says it’s vital that the air link is renewed. The status of the flight has been in doubt ever

Industry experts say they expect volatility in the price of fuel to continue for another 4 to 6 weeks. This week an emergency measure to cut excise duty on petrol and diesel was brought in, as drivers witnessed record prices at the pumps. However, costs are still in the region of 2-euro a litre despite

Letterkenny University Hospital has the joint-highest number of Covid-19 patients of any hospital in the Republic of Ireland. As of 8 o’clock last night, there were 78 Covid positive patients admitted to LUH – a level only matched by Beaumont Hospital in Dublin. 895 people are in hospitals nationally with the virus, a drop of

The Taoiseach says Ireland has welcomed 5-and-a-half thousand Ukrainian refugees. Micheal Martin has been questioned about the policy by British media during his visit to London. However the Taoiseach says this is an EU wide decision, and it is simply the right thing to do – to help people flee a vicious war. Micheal Martin

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission received 83 complaints in relation to fuel prices over the past week. The Dail heard claims retailers had increased prices, ahead of an emergency vote on Wednesday night to cut to excise on petrol and diesel – something they’ve denied. Prices are still in the region of 2-euro a

Letterkenny University Hospital now has the second-highest number of Covid-19 hospitalisations in the Republic of Ireland, according to the latest HSE data. There were 79 Covid-19 patients admitted at LUH as of 8pm last night – that’s up from 42 just a week ago, a rise of 80%. The current national figure for Covid hospitalisations

Donegal County Council is being urged to install electronic speed signage on approach roads to Carrigart in a bid to slow down traffic. Councillor Gerry McMonagle is calling for additional safety measures to be put in place on the roads from Milford and Creeslough. It follows a recent public meeting during which concerns were raised

There are calls for island piers and harbors to be included in Brexit relief funds. Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle has told Government that there is a need for Ireland’s offshore islands to be included in the rollout of the Brexit Adjustment Reserve funding and to be funded significantly. The €5.4 billion Brexit Adjustment Reserve has

Listen back to the main evening news, sport, nuacht & obituaries for Friday March 11th:

  A Donegal Deputy believes that accommodating Ukrainian refugees here will begin with the school community. A number of primary schools in Donegal have already written to the Education Minister highlighting their willingness to help young Ukrainians arriving to the county. It’s estimated that around 100,000 refugees will be housed nationwide. Speaking in the Dail,

Politicians in Northern Ireland have been publicly apologising to survivors of historical institutional abuse. It’s five years since a public inquiry found shocking levels of mistreatment at 22 children’s homes between 1922 and 1995. Education Minister Michelle McIlveen promised victims they have been heard:

  EU leaders have been meeting today to discuss European security and the fuel crisis caused by the war in Ukraine. The Taoiseach is in Versailles for the informal EU summit before he heads to London later. Micheál Martin wants more flexibility on the tax on fuel in the hopes something can be done to

An Inishowen Cllr is calling for more supports for farmers if they are to proceed with the Governments crop growing plans. Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue is asking farmers to plant more grains as the invasion of Ukraine has sparked fears about food security in Europe as both it and Russia are major exporters. But Cllr

It’s been claimed that fire service provision in Letterkenny is on a knife edge. Councillor Gerry McMonagle raised concerns at the latest meeting of Donegal County Council’s Economic Development SPC over adequate provision of fire service personnel in Letterkenny. It’s believed that there are currently 15 personnel attached to the station with the full complement

The fallout of the war in Ukraine has been witnessed in Donegal. A Ukrainian captain docked in Lough Foyle received news in recent that his wife, daughter and mother had been killed by a Russian bomb. It’s believed repairs were being carried out on the ship after it experienced mechanical issues. The captain is expected

The Dail has heard that the Government’s attempts to tackle the cost of living crisis won’t even begin to alleviate the pain and suffering in Donegal. Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle says action is also needed on rents too and is calling for maximum flexibility in HAP payments. HAP is a form of social housing support

The Donegal ETB is being urged to consult with Donegal County Council as it relates to its proposed expansion plans. The facility is exploring the idea of extending the FAS facility on the Ballyraine Road however it’s thought that nearby Council-owned land would be the ideal location. Local Cllr Michael McBride believes it would make

The twin-sister of one of Ireland’s longest missing children, is pleading with the public to end her family’s ‘torture’. It comes ahead of the 45th anniversary of Mary Boyle’s disappearance. The six-year-old vanished from her grandparents’ house in Ballyshannon, Co Donegal, on March 18th, 1977. Ann Doherty believes Mary was killed because she was threatening

Plans to increase the amount of non-Catholic schools have been announced. The Department of Education has identified eight towns and cities that have no multi-denominational primary school. It will engage with schools in these regions with view a changing their ethos. Education Minister Norma Foley acknowledges the contribution the Catholic church has made – but

The Taoiseach will attend day two of an EU summit today, before beginning his St. Patrick’s Day visit to London this evening. The heads of the EU 27 member states are gathering in Versailles to discuss Europe’s reliance on Russia for energy, and how to further sanction Vladimir Putin. Micheál Martin will travel to the

Survivors of historical institutional abuse in Northern Ireland will finally receive a public apology this lunchtime. Stormont ministers will say sorry – five years after a public inquiry into 22 children’s homes found shocking levels of mistreatment between 1922 and 1995. Margaret McGuckin was just three when she and her siblings ended up at Nazareth