Author name: highlandnews

HSE West and North West says mental health services will be on hand over Bank Holiday weekend

The HSE West and North West is advising people to be aware of where they can seek care for their mental and physical health this June Bank Holiday weekend. They say while Bank holiday weekends can represent relaxation for some, for those struggling with their mental health they can be challenging. The HSE West and […]

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Cllr Meehan calling for expansion of free patient bus service from Donegal to Sligo

The HSE’s Regional Health Forum West has been briefed on the provision of a patient bus service from Letterkenny University Hospital to University Hospital Galway three days a week, with plans for the service to be reviewed and possibly extended. Sligo Councillor Marie Casserly asked why passengers south of Donegal Town are excluded, while Cllr

Cllr Meehan calling for expansion of free patient bus service from Donegal to Sligo Read More »

Homeowners undergoing an appeal in DCB scheme unclear if they can avail of technical review option – Cllr Beard

There is confusion around whether or not those who are undergoing the appeals process under the defective concrete block grant scheme will have the opportunity to avail of a technical review. In November, it was determined that those who received a less extensive remediation option can opt for a technical review, although it is yet

Homeowners undergoing an appeal in DCB scheme unclear if they can avail of technical review option – Cllr Beard Read More »

Tánaiste commits to applying more pressure to see justice for Private Sean Rooney

Tánaiste Simon Harris has committed to applying more pressure to the Lebanese Government to see justice for the family of a Donegal soldier who was killed while on a peacekeeping mission. Private Sean Rooney was shot and killed when his convoy came under fire in 2022. The commitment came following a question from Deputy Catherine

Tánaiste commits to applying more pressure to see justice for Private Sean Rooney Read More »

Donegal Deputy hits out at Government’s inability to deliver ‘most basic needs’

A Donegal Deputy has hit out at what he says is the Government’s inability to deliver ‘the most basic needs’. Uisce Eireann yesterday told the Infrastructure Committee that it needs an extra €2 billion to deliver the water services capacity needed to reach the Government’s revised housing targets. It’s feared that thousands of social and

Donegal Deputy hits out at Government’s inability to deliver ‘most basic needs’ Read More »

Water conservation order remains in place in Milford, Kerrykeel and Ramelton

People in Milford, Kerrykeel, and Ramelton continue to be encouraged to conserve water. A water conservation order implemented on May 6th remains in place in a bid to safeguard water supplies. Uisce Eireann says despite heavy rainfall in recent days, water levels at Lough Colmcille remain lower than normal. The utility anticipates that water levels

Water conservation order remains in place in Milford, Kerrykeel and Ramelton Read More »

High Court dismisses legal challenge by Donegal based Garda

The High Court has dismissed a legal challenge by a Donegal based Garda over the handling of a disciplinary investigation and his ongoing suspension. Garda Keith Harrison, who has been suspended since 2021, is accused of entering into a sexual relationship with a vulnerable woman, who reported a crime to him. The breach of discipline

High Court dismisses legal challenge by Donegal based Garda Read More »

Calls for funding for filling stations to expand EV charging infrastructure in rural areas

A Donegal Senator is calling for filling stations to be utilised in efforts to expand EV charging infrastructure, particularly in rural areas. Senator Manus Boyle believes the lack of adequate charging ports right across the country could possibly force motorists to revert to diesel and petrol-powered vehicles. He is urging the Government to support and

Calls for funding for filling stations to expand EV charging infrastructure in rural areas Read More »

€1.4m announced for digital learning for Donegal schools

€1.4 million has been allocated to Donegal schools for digital learning and minor works. Primary schools in the county are set to receive €871,838, with post-primary schools getting €527,890. The allocation is part of a €65 million investment package announced by Education Minister Helen McEntee. Welcoming the announcement, Minister of State Charlie McConalogue says the

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Man hospitalised following attempted robbery in Letterkenny

A man has been hospitalised following an attempted robbery in Letterkenny yesterday evening. Gardaí were alerted to the incident at around 6:30pm in the Main Street area. The man in his 20s was taken to Letterkenny University Hospital for treatment to what Gardai say are non-life threatening injuries sustained during the robbery. Investigations are ongoing.

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Second teenager who drowned in Lough Swilly to be laid to rest this week

The second teenager who drowned in Lough Swilly earlier this month is to be laid to rest this weekend. 18-year-old Matt Sibanda, of St Mary’s Road Buncrana, a native of Zimbabwe and 16-year-old Emmanuel Familola, who was originally from Nigeria, are believed to have entered the water to retrieve a football on May 11th A

Second teenager who drowned in Lough Swilly to be laid to rest this week Read More »

Renewed calls for planning objection fee to be increased in Donegal

There’s renewed calls for the planning objection fee to be increased. Councillor Michael McClafferty has called for the cost to rise from €20 to €500. It was argued by Councillors Micheal Choilm MacGiolla Easbuig and Declan Meehan at this week’s plenary meeting of Donegal County Council that increasing the fee to such an amount would

Renewed calls for planning objection fee to be increased in Donegal Read More »

Harris Tweed reps visit Donegal as part of ongoing efforts to train weavers

Harris Tweed representatives from the Shetland Islands have been visiting Donegal as part of an ongoing programme to train weavers in the county. Cllr Martin Harley says the visit is doubly important because it highlights the campaign to secure designated EU status for Donegal Tweed. He says the Protected Geographic Recognition would bring economic benefits

Harris Tweed reps visit Donegal as part of ongoing efforts to train weavers Read More »

Justice Minister to bring forward proposals to reform terrorism and organised crime legislation

The Justice Minister will bring forward proposals to reform legislation which deals with terrorism and organised crime. Jim O’Callaghan will work towards implementing the recommendations from the majority report of the Independent Review of the Offences against the State Acts. These recommendations include the repeal of the current legislation to re-enact select elements in replacement

Justice Minister to bring forward proposals to reform terrorism and organised crime legislation Read More »

Long ED wait times at Altnagelvin Hospital are highlighted at Stormont

The Northern Ireland Assembly has been told that the Department of Health is continuing to fail staff and patients at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry, particularly in terms of Emergency Department wait times. Foyle MLA Padraig Delargy said on May 15th, average Ed wait times were almost 10 hours, three times higher than the Northern Ireland

Long ED wait times at Altnagelvin Hospital are highlighted at Stormont Read More »

DCC should establish a team to facilitate early decisions on significant housebuilding proposals – Canning

  A Donegal councillor says the county is at a crossroads when it comes to housing, and developers won’t build houses if the council continues to treat them as they are being treated at the moment. Cllr Paul Canning told a special housing meeting that if a developer approaches the council with plans for a

DCC should establish a team to facilitate early decisions on significant housebuilding proposals – Canning Read More »

Ward raises issues facing wheelchair users in the Dail chamber

Taoiseach Michael Martin says the feasibility of a special payment for wheelchair users in October’s budget is being looked at. It’s after Donegal Deputy Charles Ward highlighted the daily challenges experienced by Donegal wheelchair users. It follows a meeting he had with members of the Irish Wheelchair Association who protested outside the gates of Leinster

Ward raises issues facing wheelchair users in the Dail chamber Read More »

Jury in Adams defamation case expected to begin deliberations tomorrow

The jury in Gerry Adams’ libel case against the BBC is expected to begin deliberations tomorrow. It’s hearing a summary of the evidence in the case today. Gerry Adams is taking this legal action against the BBC over claims it made in an episode of its current affairs programme Spotlight, and an online article, that

Jury in Adams defamation case expected to begin deliberations tomorrow Read More »

Tanaiste hits out at criticism of Occupied Territories Bill

The Tánaiste’s hit out at criticism of the Occupied Territories Bill. The drafting of the bill was approved by Cabinet yesterday, and aims to ban the importation of goods from the Israeli occupied territories of Palestine. However, there are calls for the ban to include services. Speaking in the Dail chamber, Tanaiste Simon Harris said

Tanaiste hits out at criticism of Occupied Territories Bill Read More »

Over €22m invested in retrofitting of properties in Donegal since 2021

Over €22 million has been invested in retrofitting social homes in Donegal over the past four years. In 2021, €935,000 was spent retrofitting 52 properties in Donegal, installing heat pumps and replacing doors and windows, under the Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme. 141 properties were retrofitted the following year at a cost of €3.7 million. In

Over €22m invested in retrofitting of properties in Donegal since 2021 Read More »

Man arrested in connection with road-related incident in Strabane

A man has been arrested in Strabane as part of investigations into a road-related incident in the town yesterday afternoon. Police were alerted to a White Vauxhall Astra being driven erratically on Berryhill Road, towards Artigarvan at around 12:25pm. The vehicle was later located on Great Northern Link Road. The 28-year-old was subsequently arrested on

Man arrested in connection with road-related incident in Strabane Read More »

Schoolchildren with special needs in Letterkenny facing ‘intolerable’ traffic delays

Schoolchildren in Letterkenny with special needs are said to be facing intolerable delays travelling to and from school due to the town’s traffic congestion. Anotú representative, Rebecca McDaid who works as an SNA on a school bus says parents are extremely worried about the knock on effect the delays are having on their children who

Schoolchildren with special needs in Letterkenny facing ‘intolerable’ traffic delays Read More »

Buncrana Tidy Towns Initiative writes to Council highlighting ‘lack of basic services’

Buncrana Tidy Towns Initiative has written to Donegal County Council and Councillors to highlight what they say is a lack of basic services in the town. The letter, signed by the group and local businesses, calls for the road sweeper service in the town to be reinstated on a five-day-a-week basis. Buncrana Tidy Towns Initiative

Buncrana Tidy Towns Initiative writes to Council highlighting ‘lack of basic services’ Read More »

Calls for three-part strategy to support Tidy Towns groups in Donegal

There’s calls for a three-part strategy to be implemented to support the efforts of Tidy Towns groups in Donegal. Councillor Joy Beard has proposed a rollout of a targeted awareness campaign, additional signage, and a pilot project targeting the disposal of pizza boxes. Donegal County Council’s Director of Water and Environment, Michael McGarvey confirmed that

Calls for three-part strategy to support Tidy Towns groups in Donegal Read More »

Ireland off track to meet 2030 climate targets according to EPA

Progress is significantly off track for meeting the 2030 climate targets, according to a new report from the Environmental Protection Agency. It’s warning that Ireland is set to exceed emission goals in nearly every sector. Today’s EPA report paints a worrying forecast for Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions. Last year, it predicted Ireland could achieve a

Ireland off track to meet 2030 climate targets according to EPA Read More »

Road surfacing works to be carried out on the Binroe to Ballyloughan road today and tomorrow

Road surfacing works are to be carried out on the Binroe to Ballyloughan road today and tomorrow. The road will be closed between 8am and 6pm both days. All traffic will be diverted onto the N56 at Bruckless and Carricknagore. Donegal County Council apologies for any inconvenience caused.

Road surfacing works to be carried out on the Binroe to Ballyloughan road today and tomorrow Read More »

N15 must not be ignored when it comes to road investment – McGowan

There have been calls for a major push to secure funding for improvements on the N15 from McClay’s Corner in Stranorlar to Killygordon, Castlefinn and Lifford. Speaking at a meeting of Lifford Stranorlar Municipal District this week, Cllr Patrick McGowan said the road had previously been included in a plan along with the long awaited

N15 must not be ignored when it comes to road investment – McGowan Read More »

79% of Donegal cancer patients met treatment start targets in March and April

The HSE’s Regional Health Forum Wes has been told there’s been a significant improvement in the wait times for people beginning their cancer treatments. Cllr Declan Meehan had raised the issue in February, to be told that 31% of patients were seen within the target of 15 days. Now, he’s been told the number who

79% of Donegal cancer patients met treatment start targets in March and April Read More »

Hospital manager says walk-in unit planned for LUH would be better than a Surgical Hub

A meeting of the HSE’s Regional Health Forum has been told that the Ambulatory Care Facility being proposed for Letterkenny University Hospital has the potential to be better than a Surgical Hub, because it will be planned to meet the specific needs of the hospital.   It’s after Donegal Councillor Gerry McMonagle told the meeting

Hospital manager says walk-in unit planned for LUH would be better than a Surgical Hub Read More »

Tanaiste given approval by Cabinet to begin drafting Occupied Territories Bill

Tanaiste Simon Harris has been given approval from the Cabinet to begin drafting the Occupied Territories Bill. However, the scope of the Government’s version will only cover goods – not services. It comes as Israel’s efforts to allow a small amount of aid into Gaza have been described as ‘cynical optics’ by Unicef. Simon Harris

Tanaiste given approval by Cabinet to begin drafting Occupied Territories Bill Read More »

Deputy Ward pushes for timeline on when defective block homeowners can expect to receive retrospective payments

A Donegal Deputy has said the recent visit by Housing Minister James Browne to Donegal was a ‘positive step’ forward for those impacted by the defective concrete block issue. Deputy Charles Ward says the meeting showed a commitment from the Minister in amending the bill to improve the IS465 scheme to reflect necessary changes. He

Deputy Ward pushes for timeline on when defective block homeowners can expect to receive retrospective payments Read More »

Three members of the board of Children’s Health Ireland resign

Three members of the board of Children’s Health Ireland have resigned. Dr Gavin Lavery, Brigid McManus and Catherine Guy tendered resignation letters to the Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill this morning. It comes in the wake of further delays to the delivery of the National Children’s Hospital and revelations about low thresholds for approving hip

Three members of the board of Children’s Health Ireland resign Read More »