Author name: highlandnews

The Minister for Agriculture & the Marine, Charlie Mc Conalogue has announced the establishment of a Common Fisheries Policy Review Group. The group will be chaired by Mr John Malone, former Secretary General of the Department of Agriculture who will be assisted by a steering committee. The Group will involve representatives of stakeholders, including Producer

A new Garda recruitment campaign is being launched today. It’s part of a number of initiatives to mark this year’s 100th anniversary of An Garda Siochana. The budget provides for the recruitment of up to 800 Gardai and 400 staff this year. Justice Minister Helen McEntee’s encouraging members of new Irish communities, women, and people

The Government will announce a package of measures aimed at easing the cost of living this evening. Cabinet Ministers will sign off on a number of inflation tackling measures. Having accepted budget moves to tackle inflation haven’t worked, a new suite of measures will be announced this evening. It’s expected they will include an increase

The Department of Health has reported an additional 63 deaths in the past week. The total death toll from the Covid pandemic in the Republic now stands at 6,291. Meanwhile, 11,255 new covid cases have been added today. 627 patients are receiving treatment in hospital and 68 of them are in ICU.

  An extension for Carndonagh Community School has received initial project approval. The project, under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme, will consist of two new SEN bases. The project will consist of two new SEN bases. Minister Charlie McConalogue stated “this progress is positive news for the community and for the staff, students, and parents

  If Donegal is to retain Blue Flag status on its beaches, Donegal County Council has to comply with new criteria set out by An Taisce. As a result, new rules are coming into force which include restricting access for dogs and other pets, other than assistance dogs, to blue-flag beaches or in the blue-flag

A status yellow snow-ice warning has been issued for Donegal. Met Eireann is warning of wintry showers and icy conditions from 5pm this evening. The alert will remain in place until 11am tomorrow morning.

We’re in for a cold few days with temperatures dropping to as low as minus 3 degrees. Met Éireann says the north and northwest is expected to see sleet and snow showers tonight. Frost and ice are also expected over the next few days before the weather becomes milder again over the weekend.

An Garda Síochána has announced a number of national and local events to mark the centenary of the force. Today marks 100 years since Michael Collins formed a committee to establish a police force for the 26 counties of Ireland. The inaugural meeting, which took place at the Gresham Hotel in Dublin 100 years ago

The man accused of murdering Ashling Murphy is due back in court this morning. Jozef Puska, with an address at Lynally Grove, Tullamore, Co Offaly, has been in custody since he was charged with the school teacher’s murder. Ashling Murphy died after being attacked while out running along the grand canal in Tullamore on the

Gardai have made a fresh appeal on the 10th anniversary of the murder of Andrew Allen. The 24 year old was murdered by a group of individuals at his home in at Links View Park Buncrana on February 9, 2012. Andrew Allen was shot in front of his partner at approximately 9.20pm and pronounced dead

  This year’s Leaving Certificate will begin on Wednesday June 8th. The State Examinations Commission has released the timetable for the tests, which will run until June 28th. The Minister for Education has previously announced major adjustments to the exams, in place to recognise the disruption in class time caused by Covid 19. The Junior

  The Emergency Department at Letterkenny University Hospital is very busy this evening. Management say that there is on-going pressure on bed availability in the hospital and as a result patients are facing long delays being admitted from the Emergency Department to a bed on a ward. There are currently 19 patients on trolleys in

9,365 new cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed today. There are 3,780 PCR-confirmed cases, while 5,585 people registered a positive antigen test through the HSE portal. 646 patients are in hospital, which is an increase of three on yesterday. 72 are in ICU, which is down from 76.

  A feasibility study for phase 3 of the Derry railway line has been completed. The study was ordered to get the improvement works on the Derry to Coleraine rail line back on track and has ring-fenced funding so the work can take place as soon as viably possible. Funding has also been allocated for

A number of motorists have been caught speeding in Letterkenny. Gardaí conducted a speed checkpoint on the Leck Road in the town yesterday in response to recent reports of vehicles travelling in excess of the speed limit in the area. A number of vehicles were detected travelling in excess of the 60KPH speed limit –

  A life ring has been stolen from Moorlough, Donemana. The theft is believed to have occurred between Wednesday 2nd February and Saturday 5th. In a statement, police say that these are a vital piece of life saving equipment and should not be removed unless for an emergency. People are being urged to contact police

Investigations are continuing into a number of criminal damage incidents across Donegal. In the Glentain Manor area of Letterkenny a resident discovered that two tyres had been slashed on their vehicle which was parked at their home overnight on Tuesday night last. Elsewhere in Letterkenny, between 1:15am and 1:30am on Saturday, a front window at

Gardai are investigating a burglary in Letterkenny last night. Between 9.30pm and 10pm the door of an apartment at the Sunnyside Apartments on the Port Road was forced open and entry was gained. A black Alcatel mobile phone, a BOI card and a small sum of cash was stolen from the property. Gardai are appealing

Junior Minister Sean Fleming says it was not his intention to imply that people shouldn’t complain. He’s issued a statement following controversial remarks he made yesterday, when he said that people should shop around rather than complain about the cost of living. It led to accusations that the Minister of State was out of touch.

Police have reported an increase in reports of sexual offences in Northern Ireland last year. They have, in part, attributed this to more victims’ having the confidence to come forward. Sexual offences’ reporting in Northern Ireland has been steadily increasing over the past five years, with 3,864 incidents reported in 2021, an increase of 16%

Coalition leaders met last night to look at further ways of addressing the rising cost of living. It comes ahead of an expected announcement on the issue later this week. An increase to the €100 energy credit’s believed to be among the measures being considered.

A range of measures aimed at supporting a recovery in the tourism industry will be announced later this morning which will include an increase in marketing spend to encourage staycations. Failte Ireland will also outline findings of research which will point to the difficulties experienced by businesses who are trying to recruit staff. It’s understood

  Donegal County Council is to initiate High Court proceedings against one of its members after its monthly meeting was adjourned today for a second week without any business being done. The council is now seeking an order enforcing the suspension of Cllr Frank McBrearty which was agreed last week. There were gardai present in

  8,453 new cases of Covid 19 are being reported today. NPHET’s also published weekend figures, showing 8,736 new cases yesterday. On Saturday, there were 10,977. As of 8am today, 643 patients were in hospital with the disease, 76 are in ICU.