Author name: highlandnews

‘We will resist the reintroduction of water charges through the back door’ – Mac Lochlainn

Sinn Féin in Donegal say they will stand with communities to oppose any attempts by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to introduce domestic water charges by the back door, now, or in the future. It follows reports that the government is still considering a charge for excessive use of water, a claim denied this week […]

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Letterkenny premises closed for two days last month by the Food Safety Authority

A restaurant and café in the Courtyard Shopping Centre in Letterkenny was closed for two days in February by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland on foot of an inspection by the HSE. During the inspection at Tank and Skinny’s, No Six, The Courtyard in Letterkenny on February 18th, it was found that there wasn’t

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Two men charged with drug offenses after Derry and Strabane raids

Two men are scheduled to appear before Derry Magistrates’ Court today following a series of searches across Derry City and Strabane yesterday. Suspected Class C drugs, cash, drug-related paraphernalia, fireworks, and other items were seized during the operations. A 40-year-old man faces multiple drug-related charges, as well as possession of criminal property. A 35-year-old man

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Council can help acquire land and plan for an extension at Little Angels – Devine

A Letterkenny councillor says there is much the council can do to help secure a resolution to the crisis at Little Angels School in Letterkenny. It’s emerged that a new school building which hasn’t even opened yet is too small to accommodate at least nine pupils. Cllr Thomas Sean Devine asked at a meeting Letterkenny

Council can help acquire land and plan for an extension at Little Angels – Devine Read More »

Care delay for Charles Dooher due to address error

The family of Charles Dooher, a 26-year-old man severely injured in an assault, claims a clerical error is hindering his medical care. Dooher, who suffered significant head injuries, including skull fractures, after being attacked in Lifford on January 20th, is awaiting surgery to replace a portion of his skull. However, a mistake in his medical

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Gola Island water repairs highlight wider issues

Long-awaited works to repair water supply issues on Gola Island have been welcomed. However, a West Donegal Councillor has stated that the issue is symptomatic of a broader problem requiring attention. Councillor Michael Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig believes the disparity between island and mainland infrastructure must be addressed. He further emphasised that, while the islands

Gola Island water repairs highlight wider issues Read More »

Concerns raised again over potential issue with Ballyraine Active Travel Scheme

A meeting of Letterkenny Milford Municipal District has been told there is a potential issue with the Ballyraine Active Travel Scheme. When public consultation started regarding the proposal in 2020, the two cycle lanes were not included in the documentation that was presented. Cllr Ciaran Brogan says he has professional advice that strongly suggests this

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Calls for establishment of task force to ensure all children who need place at Little Angels school have one

Donegal County Council is being asked to set up a task force to ensure that all children who need a place in Little Angels School will have it. While a formal task force wasn’t formed, members of the Letterkenny Mllford Municipal District say they will do all they can to help resolve the situation, with no place

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Heated scenes as Letterkenny Milford MD meeting hears of firefighters anger

The Mayor of Letterkenny Milford Municipal District says firefighters are angry at a statement issued by management this week in response to concerns they raised last week. Cllr Gerry McMonagle says the firefighters’ statement was not self serving, but was born of a concern for public safety. Cllr Declan Meehan claims there is a long

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Six men arrested and £54,000 worth of drugs seized in Derry and Strabane

Six men have been arrested in Derry and Strabane and £54,000 worth of drugs seized. It was part of an operation today during which planned searches were carried out in the Waterside area as well as Strabane. Others items sezied include drug-related paraphernalia, electronic devices, a quantity of fireworks and a number of high-end designer

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Elective procedures cancelled at LUH due to lack of bed capacity and pressures on site

A number of elective procedures have been postponed at Letterkenny University Hospital due to pressures on site and a lack of bed capacity. 186 people attended the ED yesterday. Meanwhile, 113 people are currently in the Emergency Department with 23 patients waiting to be admitted. All available beds in the hospital are in use while

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Woman and two children hospitalised following East Donegal crash

A woman and two children have been hospitalised following a crash this afternoon between Killygordan and Ballybofey. Emergency services attended the scene of the collision at Carricknamanna at around 2:45pm. Gardai say the woman who is in her 20s and the two children were brought to Letterkenny University Hospital as a precaution. The road has

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LUH extends mobile endoscopy unit lease as permanent build awaits approval

Letterkenny University Hospital, which initially leased a mobile endoscopy unit in 2021, has extended the rental agreement for three years, with the option for further extensions. This decision comes as the hospital’s plan to construct a permanent endoscopy building with increased capacity remains pending approval under the National HSE Capital Programme. While a timeline for

LUH extends mobile endoscopy unit lease as permanent build awaits approval Read More »

Donegal Community Centres to share €1.33 million in funding

22 Donegal projects have secured a total of €1.33 million under the latest tranche of the Community Centres Investment Fund which was announced this afternoon. The Donegal allocations are spread across the county from Bundoran to Greencastle. Welcoming the announcement, Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher says the key role of community centres came to the

Donegal Community Centres to share €1.33 million in funding Read More »

Gaeltacht communities protest housing crisis amid depopulation fears

Gaeltacht communities across Ireland held protests yesterday, as part of the TINTEÁN campaign, demanding immediate action to address the Gaeltacht housing crisis. In Donegal, protestors gathered at Roinn na Gaeltachta in Gaoth Dobhair to highlight the ongoing depopulation and displacement of the Gaeltacht, caused by the struggle to secure housing and the resulting need to

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UU research uncovers stark mental health impact of living in defective block home

Research from Ulster University has found that the scale of the mental health impact of living in a defective concrete block house is comparable to people in disaster-stricken and displaced populations. A study of almost 400 adults revealed that just over 40% were suffering severe depression, 26% with severe anxiety, 4.9% of respondents have post-traumatic

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Rowboat targeted in criminal damage incident at Purt Lake

Gardaí are seeking information in relation to an incident of criminal damage that occurred at Purt Lake, Dunfanaghy between Thursday February 20th and Thursday March 6th. A rowing boat at that location was tipped over and substantial damage was caused as a result. Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have observed any suspicious activity

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Safety project on the cards for St Bridget’s NS in Convoy – McGowan

A Lifford Stranorlar area councillor says a ‘Safe Routes to School’ project is at the planning stage for St Bridget’s National School in Convoy, after concern was expressed on Highland Radio’s Nine til Noon Show this week about the safety of children going to and from the school. The ‘Safe Routes to School’ programme began

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Buncrana Children’s Charity calling for family nominations

Buncrana Children’s Charity has announced an expansion of its services across Inishowen. It provides support to families facing childhood illness, bereavement, or other difficult circumstances. Chairperson Adrian McMyler outlined that support ranges from organising day trips to providing essential financial aid. The charity is now accepting nominations of families in need. Mr. McMyler says the

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Mobile hub proposed to aid Defective Block Grant Process in Donegal

Donegal County Council has been presented with a proposal for a mobile hub to assist individuals navigating the enhanced defective concrete block grant scheme. Councillor Michael McBride, a member of the Defective Block committee, suggested the ‘office on wheels’ concept, staffed by experts, could travel to the most severely affected townlands to accelerate the application

Mobile hub proposed to aid Defective Block Grant Process in Donegal Read More »

Strabane drug seizure: man arrested after £6,000 haul

A 30-year-old man has been arrested in Strabane following the seizure of approximately £6,000 worth of drugs. The arrest, made in the early hours of this morning, followed a search of a property where suspected herbal cannabis, cocaine, pregabalin, and diazepam tablets were recovered. A quantity of cash and two mobile phones were also seized.

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Used cars drive most consumer complaints – CCPC

Ticketmaster, Eir and Ryanair were the top three companies which generated the most contacts to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission last year. But buying a second-hand car was the most common reason why consumers contacted the organisation. Its helpline received almost 45,000 calls last year, up 13% on the previous. Grainne Griffin from the

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High level meeting to review of Ireland’s disaster readiness planned

A high level meeting will be held today to plan for a scenario if Ireland’s energy supply was attacked. The Tánaiste will chair a meeting of the Government’s Taskforce on Emergency Planning, which focuses on dealing with disasters. It’s understood the Taskforce will consider the learnings from so-called ‘Exercise Cathal’, which ‘war-gamed’ a scenario in

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Pay deal agreed in Section 39 worker dispute

A pay deal has been agreed in a long running dispute affecting Section 39 workers in the community and voluntary sector. The breakthrough came overnight, following talks at the WRC between unions and government representatives. The breakthrough at the Workplace Relations Commission follows a long-running dispute which hit the headlines during the general election campaign,

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Uisce Eireann to start preparatory work for the “Letterkenny Water Supply Zone” project

  Site investigation works for a major infrastructural project to improve water supplies in Letterkenny will get underway within the next few weeks. Uisce Éireann says 29,000 customers will benefit from the Letterkenny Water Supply Zone project when it delivers a more reliable water supply but investigative works must be carried out before the project

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NI Health Minister wants to reintroduce the Cross Border Reimbursement Scheme

Stormont Health Minister Mike Nesbitt says he wants to re-introduce the Cross Border Reimbursement Scheme as a means of reducing waiting lists, but he still doesn’t know how much money will be available to him. Mr Nesbitt told the Assembly that the recently agreed Programme for Government promises up to £135 million, but no figures

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Impacts of potential gold mining in NI must be assessed and monitored – Doherty

  An Inishowen councillor says both Donegal County Council and the national government must do more to monitor potential developments in Northern Ireland which could have an impact on Donegal’s waterways. In January, on a public hearing into Dalriadan’s plans to begin gold mining in the Sperrins was suspended partly because people in Donegal hadn’t

Impacts of potential gold mining in NI must be assessed and monitored – Doherty Read More »