Author name: highlandnews

Lough Swilly tasked to assist boat that developed mechanical problems

Lough Swilly RNLI were tasked to assist a small boat with three people onboard yesterday evening. At around 9.40pm, Malin Head Coast Guard asked them to help the vessel that had developed mechanical problems The Atlantic 85 Inshore Lifeboat was quickly launched, and the crew made their way to the vessel. When they arrived on […]

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Convicted rapist who previously resided in Donegal to serve additional time for breaching terms of suspended sentence

A convicted rapist, who previously resided in Donegal and was handed an 11-year sentence last month for harassing three female journalists, has been told he will spend an extra ten months in prison. 53-year-old Mark McAnaw, previously of Letterkenny, was before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court today for breaching the conditions of a suspended sentence. He

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Red forest fire warning ahead of this weekend’s hot weather

The Department of Agriculture has issued a rare condition red forest fire warning ahead of this weekend’s hot weather. People are being urged not to light barbecues or campfires in forests, parks, beaches, or open land. Over 4,300 hectares of land, including more than 300 hectares of forest, have already been damaged by fire this

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Derry City and Strabane District Council officially adopts Local Development Plan 2032

Derry City and Strabane District Council has officially adopted the Local Development Plan 2032. It follows an extensive process involving widespread public and stakeholder engagement. Each Council across Northern Ireland was tasked with the delivery of a bespoke development plan for their area, in consultation with the local community and reflecting the vision, objectives, growth

Derry City and Strabane District Council officially adopts Local Development Plan 2032 Read More »

Woman arrested in connection with attempted murder of Lifford man

A woman has been arrested by Gardaí investigating the attempted murder of Charles Dooher in Lifford at the start of this year. Charles and his father were hospitalised in the North following the incident at a house on Coneyburrow Road on January 20th. Charles aged in his 20s suffered life-threatening injuries, while his father, aged

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Government must do more to help Gaza children come to Ireland – Ogra FF Chair

  The Chair of Ógra Fianna Fail in Donegal says more should have been done to resolve the situation regarding a group of children from Gaza who will not now be allowed travel to Ireland because of Visa issues. Speaking on today’s Nine til Noon Show, Ben Harkin also expressed concern that children in need

Government must do more to help Gaza children come to Ireland – Ogra FF Chair Read More »

Almost 2,000 arrests in NI since non-fatal strangulation became a specific offence

It’s been revealed almost 2,000 arrests have been made for non-fatal strangulation in Northern Ireland since it became a specific criminal offence two years ago. Police figures show over 10 per cent of reporting domestic abuse victims have experienced it. Detective Superintendent Lindsay Fisher says the crime has a huge impact on victims………………

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Extreme risk of gorse and forest fires as Met Eireann warns of high weekend temperatures

The Department of Agriculture has issued a red warning denoting extreme risk of gorse and forest fires until next Monday. People are being warned to take extreme care as temperatures reach up to 29 degrees today. 14 counties come under a yellow warning for high temperatures from midday, that will be extended to Donegal and

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HSE and Health Minister urged to address staffing issues at Killybegs Community Hospital

The Health Minister and HSE are being urged to address staffing issues at Killybegs Community Hospital which a local councillor says have led to 13 short-term beds being closed at the facility. Cllr Jimmy Brogan says he first raised this in March, and was told at the time that a number of beds had been

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School secretaries and caretakers to strike over pensions from August 28th

The Oireachtas Committee on Education and Youth has been told a strike involving school secretaries and caretakers will get underway on August 28th. Fórsa, which represents more than 2,300 school secretaries working in primary and secondary schools, as well as 500 school caretakers, told the committee the mandate for indefinite strike action follows the union’s

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Letterkenny Youth Club should be included in Urban Regeneration Plans – McMonagle

Donegal County Council’s Regeneration Team has begun engaging with the Donegal Youth Service as part of what official are calling a capacity testing exercise. The issue was raised at a municipal district meeting this week, by Cllr Gerry Mc Monagle, who praised the work done by Letterkenny Youth Club at the former Devlin Hall site.

Letterkenny Youth Club should be included in Urban Regeneration Plans – McMonagle Read More »

Donegal becomes first to launch Suicide Crisis Assessment Nurse Underage service

Donegal has become the first county in Ireland to launch a Suicide Crisis Assessment Nurse Underage service. The service for teenagers within Primary Care is offered following referral from GPs under the National Clinical Care Program for Self-Harm and Suicide Related Ideation. Under the new scheme, named SCAN U, GPs will be able to refer 16

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Tusla seeks to recruit more foster carers as figures show 218 children were in foster care in Donegal last year

  Tusla’s Chief Regional Officer in the West and North West says their priority is to ensure that as many children in care as possible are placed with foster carers, and they’re always on the lookout for more people to fulfil that vital role. The child and family agency’s annual report published this week shows

Tusla seeks to recruit more foster carers as figures show 218 children were in foster care in Donegal last year Read More »

Principal of St Bernadette’s School tells Oireachtas Committee redesignation would be a disaster

The Principal of St Bernadette’s Special School in Letterkenny has told an Oireachtas Committee that it will be a disaster if schools like his are redesignated. John Haran was one of four principals who addressed the Committee on Education and Youth this morning to express concern at a department suggestion that parents would no longer

Principal of St Bernadette’s School tells Oireachtas Committee redesignation would be a disaster Read More »

Greenway needs to be developed from Ballymacool towards Churchill and Gartan – Kelly

Donegal County Council is being urged to work on developing a greenway from Letterkenny out past Conwal and Newmills, to link up with the greenway coming in from Burtonport via Churchill and Gartan. Cllr Donal Mandy Kelly told a meeting of Letterkenny Milford Municipal District that there is huge potential there to develop one of

Greenway needs to be developed from Ballymacool towards Churchill and Gartan – Kelly Read More »

Woman is fifth person to fall on uneven Castlefinn footpath since Christmas

A woman who fell in Castlefinn marks the fifth person to do so at that location since Christmas. Cllr Martin Scanlon is calling for works to be carried out to see the footpath levelled. The footpath is located near the local post office, meaning footfall includes pensioners. Cllr Scanlon says something needs to be done

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Visas rejected for Palestinian children due to visit Donegal next week

The organisers of a GAA trip for Palestinian children say they are devastated to see their visas have been rejected. GAA Palestine say their applications were turned down by the Irish Immigration Service due to “insufficient documentation”. 47 people from the West Bank, including 33 children, were due to arrive here for the visit next

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Calls for Garda Commissioner to approve Community CCTV system for Letterkenny

Donegal County Council is calling on the Garda Commissioner to approve the Community CCTV system in Letterkenny as quickly as possible. The issue was raised by Cllr Thomas Sean Devine, who again said he’s anxious to see improved coverage in the vicinity of the Polestar Roundabout. It was also noted that the new Community Safety

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Taoiseach denies surgical hub for Sligo was part of Government formation deal

The Taoiseach has denied that a surgical hub for Sligo was part of a Government formation deal. During an interview on Highland Radio, Minister of State Marian Harkin claimed the decision to locate the North West surgical hub in Sligo formed part of her negotiations during the Programme for Government. Micheal Martin says Minister Harkin

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West Donegal Councillor hits out over condition of public toilets in Magheroarty

A West Donegal Councillor says it would be better to shut public toilets than allow them to operate in their current state. Councillor Denis McGee was speaking after he witnessed a young family with a wheelchair user attempt to use the temporary toilets at Magheroarty without success. Much concern has been raised over the condition

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United Against Racism Donegal says ‘the burning of effigies is a precursor to the burning of people’

United Against Racism Donegal says ‘the burning of effigies is a precursor to the burning of people’. It’s as effigies of migrants in a boat was placed on top of a loyalist bonfire in Co Tyrone. The structure in Moygashel includes mannequins dressed in life jackets, along with a sign which reads “stop the boats.”

United Against Racism Donegal says ‘the burning of effigies is a precursor to the burning of people’ Read More »

Uisce Eireann continues to appeal to people in Donegal to be mindful of water use

Uisce Eireann continues to appeal to people right across Donegal to be mindful of their water use. A Water Conservation Order, introduced in May, remains in place in Milford; meanwhile, the utility says Buncrana, Carrigart-Downings, Milford, Ballybofey, Stranorlar, and Letterkenny are experiencing an increased demand. Uisce Eireann says water levels at Lough Colmcille, which supplies

Uisce Eireann continues to appeal to people in Donegal to be mindful of water use Read More »

‘People are being fleeced by high grocery costs’ – Deputy Doherty

A Donegal Deputy says people are being fleeced by the high cost of groceries. A motion calling for large supermarkets to publish their yearly financial accounts has been debated in the Dail today. Most families are now spending €3,000 more a year to put food on the table. Deputy Pearse Doherty says the Government has

‘People are being fleeced by high grocery costs’ – Deputy Doherty Read More »

PSNI say they’re aware of boat placed on loyalist bonfire in Co Tyrone

The PSNI say they’re aware of an item placed on a loyalist bonfire in the Moygashel area of County Tyrone – and enquiries are underway. A boat has been placed on top of the structure, with mannequins dressed in lifejackets, along with a sign which says “stop the boats”. It comes ahead of bonfire night

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gofundme page set up to support family of Donegal native killed in California

A GoFundMe page set up to support the family of a Killygordon native killed in California on Sunday has raised almost 84 thousand dollars. Damien O’Brien, who was struck by a car, is survived by his wife Michelle, and their two young sons, Oscar and Luke, with another baby boy due in September. The gofundme

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