Author name: highlandnews

Donegal has third highest number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance for over a year

48,000 people claiming the Jobseeker’s Allowance have been doing so for a year or more. A quarter of them are in Dublin, according to figures released to the chair of the Oireachtas Social Protection Committee, John Paul O’Shea. Cork has the next highest figure, followed by Donegal, Galway and Louth. The Fine Gael TD says

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7-year-old boy dies after getting into difficulty at Sligo beach

A 7 year old boy has died after getting into difficulty at Lissadell beach in County Sligo yesterday afternoon. He was airlifted to Sligo University Hospital by Coast Guard helicopter ‘Rescue 118’ but died shortly afterwards. The tragic incident comes just one week after two teenagers died after getting into trouble in the water in

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Police in Derry appeal for information following road traffic collision

Police are appealing for information and witnesses following a road traffic collision in Derry yesterday. Police were on patrol in the Glengalliagh Road area around 10.05pm, when they observed a white Toyota Altezza driving erratically from the Leafair Park area, in the direction of Ballyarnett roundabout. The vehicle appeared to make off from the marked

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Fire service and local farmers extinguish fire at Killahoey Beach

Tributes have been paid to the Fire Service after a fire at Killahoey beach in Dunfanaghy was brought under control this afternoon. Fire brigade units from Falcarragh and Letterkenny were helped by local farmers. It’s believed the fire may have started from a campfire. Cllr Michael McClafferty says if the fire had happened during the

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Funding cut to Echo Echo in Derry must be reversed – MLA

The Assembly has been told the future of the Echo Echo Theatre Company is in doubt following the withdrawal of funding. The company, which is based on the city’s walls, has not received anything from the Arts Council’s latest Annual Funding Programme. Calling for funding to be restored, Foyle MLA Sinead McLaughlin urged Minister Gordon

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Further calls for Gardai to be stationed full-time in rural parts of Donegal

There are further calls for Gardai to be stationed full-time in rural villages in Donegal. Councillor Pauric McGarvey says an increase in thefts and anti-social behaviour in rural parts of the county warrants additional resources being deployed. With a new policing model set to be rolled out in Donegal over the coming months, he says

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Water conservation restrictions to come into force in East Donegal

Water conservation restrictions will be in place in parts of East Donegal over the coming days. Property owners in Doneyloop, Halftown, Skelpy, Drumdoit, Calhame, Castlefinn and surrounding areas are advised of possible supply disruptions. Restrictions will be in place nightly from 10pm to 7am, beginning tonight and lasting until May 27th.

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Repairs to burst water mains ongoing in Castlefinn and North Inishowen

  Repairs to a  burst water main in North Inishowen are continuing this afternoon, with  supply disruptions possible in Ardmalin, West Town, Bamba Crown, Keenagh and surrounding areas. Works are scheduled to take place until 8pm this evening. Uisce Eireann is also investigating reports of a supply disruption to Cooley, Moville Meanwhile, repairs to a

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Mullooly believes the future of CAP is secure

Midlands North West MEP Ciaran Mullooly says the European Commission’s decision to streamline the inspection process  under the Common Agriculture Policy payments is significant, and addresses many of the concerns that farmers had been expressing about the process. In particular, he says farmers whose total CAP payment is €2,500 or less will now be exempt

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Donegal now has the joint highest number of Blue Flags in the country with 14

It’s a positive year for Donegal, with 12 beaches retaining their Blue Flags, while two marinas have also secured the designation. Rathmullan retains the blue flag it’s held for some years, while Greencastle has regained the flag it temporarily lost because of breakwater construction work. The 12 beaches to retain their Blue Flags are Bundoran,

Donegal now has the joint highest number of Blue Flags in the country with 14 Read More »

Status Orange Fire Warning in place until Monday as dry spell continues

Another Status Orange Fire Danger Notice for gorse, heather, dried grasses, and other vegetation has been issued for County Donegal, with the warning effective until midday on this coming Monday, May 19th. Landowners and the public are being urged to take all necessary precautions to prevent wildfires, and to report any unattended fires without delay.

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Donegal water supplies under pressure as good weather set to last

As the good weather continues, the people of Donegal are being urged to conserve water. Uisce Eireann have identified Letterkenny, Buncrana, the Twin Towns, Carrigart, and Downing as under pressure areas. While Milford, Kerrykeel and Ramelton remains under a hosepipe ban. Below average rainfall levels since last September has compounded the strain on reservoirs. Uisce

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Market Square, Buncrana discovered littered with glass and bottles

A Buncrana Councillor says it is everyone’s responsibility to take their rubbish home. It’s after the Market Square area of Buncrana was discovered littered with bottles, glass and other items of rubbish on Sunday morning. Councillor Joy Beard has hit out. She says it is utterly unacceptable that the area was left in such a

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Questions raised over DCC’s representation on national islands committee

Donegal County Council’s representation on a national islands committee was the subject of a discussion this week at a Glenties Municipal District meeting. The council’s representative on the committee is Cllr Anthony Molloy, with Cllr Michael Cholm McGiolla Easbuig, who unsuccessfully contested the nomination, claiming it was a decision based on politics rather than who

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Concerns raised over school traffic warden cover in Lettkenny-Milford MD

Donegal County Council have confirmed that there is no facility to provide cover for school traffic wardens who are on leave. Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh put the question forward in a meeting of Letterkenny Milford Municipal District, as two schools are now without. One vacancy is as the result of leave, however the latter is following

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Mayor describes arson at Derry play park as ‘senseless act of vandalism’

The mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council has described an arson attack at Strathfoyle Play Park in Derry as a senseless act of vandalism. Investigations are continuing into the blaze which broke out at around 1:30pm last night, causing significant damage to the slide area of the park. The Council says it is

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Every day the A5 is delayed is a day where lives are needlessly risked – MLA Brogan

Every day the A5 is delayed is a day where lives are needlessly risked. That’s according to West Tyrone MLA Nicola Brogan, who told the Northern Ireland Assembly that while the £1.5 billion investment will be significant for the region, which has suffered years of underinvestment, she says it will ultimately save lives. She paid

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Three people rescued after boat breaks down off St John’s Point

Three people have been rescued after their boat broke down off St John’s Point in Donegal last night. Bundoran RNLI were tasked at 10.08pm to a vessel experiencing engine failure approximately five miles east of St John’s Point. The lifeboat, launched swiftly into a 0.5 metre swell within 10 minutes. Upon arrival, three people were

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Neurorehabilitation waiting list over four months in Donegal

The waiting list for an appointment with the neurorehabilitation community team in Donegal is over four months. The team based in Ballybofey currently only serves Donegal. However, concern has been raised that the lack of support across the North West is having a negative impact on patients’ health. In 2019, the Government committed to fully

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Donegal has the state’s highest rent increases, but the lowest rate for new renters

The Residential Tenancies Board has released its Director’s Quarterly Update for the year, with the figures showing Donegal has the lowest average rent for new renters at €987 per month. However, for existing tenancies, the highest growth rates in average rents were seen in Donegal at 11.1%, followed by Cavan at 10.8% and Longford at

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Highland Radio, Logo, Letterkenny, Donegal

Highland Radio remains the North West’s most listened to radio station

New listenership figures have cemented Highland Radio position as the North West’s most listened to radio station. The latest JNLR figures show that 78% of the population choose Highland Radio on a weekly basis with 67,000 people tuning in every day, representing 58% of the adult population. The station’s market share, a key indicator for

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Glenties MD briefed on the crossing needs of people who are visually impaired

Glenties Municipal District has been briefed on how to better design road crossings in line with the needs of those who are visually impaired. Liam O’Leary, an instructor with Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, has spent the past number of weeks in Dungloe, training guide dog Rian, who has been allocated to a local

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