Author name: highlandnews

    Proposed variations to the County Development Plan 2024-2030 will go to public consultation from the first week of January. The four week consultation will allow people comment on the changes which are being suggested, along with the associated Environmental Report, Natura Impact Report, Strategic Flood Risk Assessment Report and Local Transport Plans.

FRS have confirmed that Declan Gillen is the Deer Management Unit co-ordinator for Donegal. The Ballyshannon native will be in charge of co-ordinating the deer management strategy in the county, and liaising with local hunters, farmers, landowners, and other stakeholders in relation to deer sightings and hunting. The Donegal unit is one of 15 set

Two men have been arrested in Derry for a variety of suspected drug and road traffic offences after they were detected in a wooded area of Gransha by a police dog. Police say after a loud bang was heard by officers on an unrelated call, parts of a vehicle were located in the Skeoge Link

The cost of home-heating oil is surging as the winter sets in. A thousand litres is now around €80 more expensive than a month ago. The surge comes as Social Justice Ireland reports the impact of rising everyday living costs is having a serious effect on low-income families and older people, particularly in the area

There are almost 10,000 learners in Donegal, according to Freedom of Information figures obtained from the Road Safety Authority by the Irish Road Hauliers Association. Over the past six months, the national figure has risen by over 12,000 to just over 394,000. 3,120 learner permit holders in Donegal are aged between 17 and 20, 60

  The new Finance Minister is set to sign off on laws protecting people’s access to cash today. The legislation, which was passed by the Oireachtas in May, will ensure members of the public and businesses have guaranteed and sustained access to cash. The Central Bank was asked to compile data around ATM cover across

Donegal ATU will formally launch its new veterinary programme this afternoon. Further and Higher Education Minister James Lawless is due to visit the college for the event. The programme has been developed in a bid to tackle the shortage of veterinary professionals, particularly in rural communities.

ESB crews are working across Donegal to restore power in response to four faults that have left over 1,600 customers without electricity. It’s hoped that power will be restored for 1,470 premises in Ballyshannon in the next few minutes , 17 customers in Laghey by 3:30pm, a further 15 premises in Glenties by 4:15pm, and

Met Eireann has issued a status yellow rain warning for Donegal and other North West counties. Heavy or thundery rain is expected tonight and tomorrow in Donegal, Leitrim, Mayo, and Sligo. Some hail showers are also possible, with the chance of some localised spot flooding and difficult travelling conditions. The warning will be in place

The National Parks and Wildlife Service has confirmed that a species of whale, never before recorded in Ireland, washed up in Donegal last weekend. The initial discovery was made by a family walking along Sweet Nellies Beach on the Inishowen Peninsula who reported the sighting of a small, stranded 2-3m whale or dolphin to the

HIQA has posted reports following inspections of two centres for people with disabilities in Donegal. Sliabh Glas Community Group Home was found to be compliant and substantially compliant, while Ard Clochar Community Group Homes recorded no non-compliances. There were six residents at Sliabh Glas Community Group Home when the unannounced inspection took place in July.

A driver has been charged to court after crashing through a roundabout in Letterkenny and knocking down a tree. Gardaí responded to a report of a road traffic collision on Wednesday night, where they inspected the vehicle involved and it was found to have extremely bald front tyres. The driver also failed a roadside breath

A man has died following a road traffic collision in Derry yesterday morning. The two-vehicle crash between a lorry and van occurred on the Windyhall Road between Limavady and Coleraine shortly after 9.45am. Emergency services attended the scene, where the driver of the van was confirmed deceased. Investigations are ongoing and Police are asking anyone

The newly established Donegal Local Safety Partnership held its first meeting this week, with Cllr Gerry McMonagle elected as chair. Donegal County Council says the partnership, which replaces the former Joint Policing Committee, will be act as a forum for discussion, develop local community safety plans every three years, and provide views on local policing

Donegal County Council meets today to consider its Draft Revenue Budget for 2026. The budget provides for expenditure of almost €224,035,000 for the year ending 31st December 2026. In his introduction, Chief Executive John McLaughlin says the Council has not raised commercial rates since 2018. but a 5% increase is now necessary. Mr McLaughlin says

It’s reported one person has died and two others were seriously injured a plane crashed in County Waterford. RTE says the plane was flying between Sligo and Beziers, in France, when it turned around off the south coast of Ireland and headed back towards Waterford Airport before the crash. The collision happened at around 10

Visiting restrictions are in place on three wards at Letterkenny University Hospital. The HSE says due to outbreaks of Norovirus, also known as the winter vomiting bug, and flu, infection control measures have been put in place. In a statement to Highland Radio News this afternoon, management have confirmed that visiting restrictions are in operation

68 patients were waiting on trolleys in North West hospitals this morning. That’s according to figures published by the INMO Trolley Watch. 22 patients were waiting on a bed at Letterkenny University Hospital, while 46 were without one in Sligo. Cork University Hospital is the most overcrowded hospital in the country, with 53 people on

A woman’s facing charges in connection with an investigation into alleged online threats made against the Tanaiste Simon Harris and his family. A woman in her 30s is due before the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin this morning. It’s after Gardai were alerted to a social media post which contained a threat in recent

Gardaí in Donegal are urging motorists in the county to take care on the roads today. They say the roads are in poor condition this morning. Drivers are being asked to drive slowly and leave extra distance between vehicles, avoid over-steering, harsh braking and acceleration. Motorists should use the highest gear possible to avoid wheel