Author name: highlandnews

Nearly 14,000 children could face surgery delays of up to 10 months after funding for operations at Children’s Health Ireland was suspended. According to the Irish Independent, the National Treatment Purchase Fund had been covering around 480 procedures weekly. However, support was pulled last week amid serious concerns about CHI’s internal practices, including reports of

From September, childcare fees for parents paying the highest rates will be capped at €295 per week. With the National Childcare Scheme subsidy, many parents will effectively pay around €198 weekly, closer to the national average of €197. The cap applies to full-day care of 40 to 50 hours and follows a fee freeze introduced

Donegal festival, Sea Sessions will not go ahead this year. The annual music festival, which takes place along Bundoran Beach, is usually held in late June. Silence about the event this year has led to speculation about its future, and organisers have now confirmed the festival has been pulled. A statement on social media says:

A convicted rapist who previously resided in Donegal has been jailed today for 11 years for threatening and harassing three female Sunday World journalists. 53-year-old Mark McAnaw, previously of Letterkenny, refused to enter a bond before a sitting of Dublin Circuit Criminal Court which would have suspended the final 12 months of the sentence imposed

**The road has since reopened Part of the road between Glenties and Fintown is closed following a crash this afternoon. It’s understood a lorry has gone off the road at Currynanerriagh. Gardai are currently at the scene. Motorists are urged to avoid the area at this time. Diversions are in place via Doochary.

Derry Magistrate’s Court heard today that no address has yet been obtained for a priest to mount a bail application. Edward Gallagher, aged 58 of Orchard Park in Lifford, is charged with attempted sexual communication with a child on dates between April 2 and April 17 2025. At today’s sitting of the court, defence barrister

Malin Head recorded its sunniest spring in 11 years of records. Met Éireann has released its Provisional Weather Statement for Spring 2025. The weather station at Malin Head recorded 649.7 hours of seasonal sunshine, the highest number of daily sunshine hours at 15.2 hours on Sunday, 18th May, and the highest mean wind speed at

138,000 carers across the country are receiving their Carers Support Grant from today, with 5,664 of those located in Donegal. It’s paid to those who care full-time for an older person or those with a disability. The annual payment is rising to €2,000 this year, its highest ever level. Over 16,000 people are providing care

A report into concerns at a hospital run by Children’s Health Ireland is to be referred to the gardaí. The unpublished report has caused shock in the Government over concerns about waiting list irregularities. This report, which has yet to be published, concluded that a root and branch review is needed of the National Treatment

The Prior of Lough Derg has issued an apology to the victims of a former employee who was today jailed for four years for a range of sexual assault offences carried out at the retreat. 42-year-old, Thomas Gallagher of Rathanlacky, Dunkineely was sentenced to five years with the last 12 months suspended after he pleaded

The Government has agreed to allow for retrospective payments to be made under the Defective Concrete Blocks Scheme. It was agreed at Cabinet today that legislation will now be prioritised to ensure homeowners who have incurred costs since March 29th 2024 can benefit from the increased grant amounts announced last year. The period to complete

The Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council has proposed that the Freedom of Donegal be awarded to Enya. The singer, Eithne Pádraigín Ní Bhraonáin, a native of Gweedore, is held in great acclaim due to her musical talents. Councillor Niamh Kennedy says Enya’s music continues to be a source of peace and inspiration across the world.

The victim of a fatal weekend crash in Milford is to be laid to rest later this week. Susan Hamilton from Manorcunningham, who was in her 70s, died following a collision at Bunlin Bridge on Friday evening. Her requiem mass will take place on Friday morning at 11am in Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Inch

Donegal is to see seven more charging hubs for electric vehicles. It’s part of a €8 million funding injection to see 53 hubs installed nationwide. In this county, the hubs will be located along the N15 and N13 in Grange, Laghey, Ballyshannon, Ballybofey, Burt, Bridge End, and Lifford.