Author name: highlandnews

Dail told brand new Little Angels School building is too small

he Dail has been told a new school which has just been opened in Letterkenny for children with profound learning difficulties is much too small, and children are already being turned away because there is no space for them. Urging MInister Norma Foley to visit the new Little Angels School, Deputy Pearse Doherty said what […]

Dail told brand new Little Angels School building is too small Read More »

Voluntary ‘No Smartphone’ agreement reached at five Carndonagh schools

Five schools in the Carndonagh area have come together to introduce a ‘No Smartphone Voluntary Agreement.’ This community-wide effort is supported by school Principals, and encourages parents to delay providing their children with smartphones until they begin secondary school. The schools involved are Scoil Naomh Pádraig, Carndonagh, St. Patrick’s G.N.S, St. Brigid’s National School, Glassalts, Donagh National School and Glentogher National

Voluntary ‘No Smartphone’ agreement reached at five Carndonagh schools Read More »

Foley promises to address pay issues of Section 39 workers

The Government’s promising to tackle pay issues raised by disability workers. Section 39 workers are outsourced by the Government for healthcare services, and say their rate of pay is significantly different than that of their HSE counterparts. The issue rose to prominence in the lead up to the General Election, when disability worker Charlotte Fallon

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Audio update – Ward criticises delays in DCC’s administration of the DCB redress scheme

Donegal TD Charles Ward says delays on the part of Donegal County Council’s administration of the Defective Concrete Block Redress Scheme are unfairly penalising homeowners. Deputy Ward says contractors are taking on other jobs due to cash flow issues, predominantly arising from council processing delays, which stem from excessive paperwork scrutiny, portal outages, slow claim approvals,

Audio update – Ward criticises delays in DCC’s administration of the DCB redress scheme Read More »

Strabane PSNI investigating theft of equipment from church shed

  Police in Strabane are investigating a report of theft from a church shed on Longland Road in Donemana. Yesterday, a number of pieces of gardening equipment were reported stolen. These include a strimmer, a lawnmower and a leaf blower. At this time, it’s believed these items were taken sometime between 1st and 8th February.

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Protest to be held in next stage of Save Donegal Education Centre committee’s plan

The Save Donegal Education Centre committee is to organise a public protest as the next step in its efforts to stop the service moving to Letterkenny. Local TDs and Senators are also to meet with Education Minister Helen McEntee this week to discuss the issue. Clarity around the upcoming AGM is also to be raised.

Protest to be held in next stage of Save Donegal Education Centre committee’s plan Read More »

Further controversy over new Children’s Hospital

The Government’s being called on to clarify when the new National Children’s Hospital will be open to patients. The date has changed 14 times since planning permission was granted in 2016. There’s also further controversy about the cost, with the Irish Independent reporting today the builders are looking for an extra 853 million euro. Labour

Further controversy over new Children’s Hospital Read More »

Stormont committed to addressing violence against women and girls- Deputy First Minister

The North’s Deputy First Minister says a strategic framework for ending violence against women and girls is being rolled out, with applications for funding specific projects now open to councils and local groups for projects. Responding to questions from Foyle MLA Ciara Ferguson, Emma Little Pengelly said it’s expected the projects being rolled out through

Stormont committed to addressing violence against women and girls- Deputy First Minister Read More »

Man questioned again about illegal moneylending in Derry

A 44-year-old man arrested on November 6th last in Derry returned for questioning yesterday. The man was arrested by detectives from the Police Service’s Terrorism Investigation Unit in relation to an ongoing investigation into illegal money lending. Following questioning, he was released last evening pending a report to the Public Prosecution Service. We understand the

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Ward urges minister to scrap ‘crazy’ BIK ruling for emergency response drivers.

Donegal TD Charles Ward has called on the Minister for Finance to amend the Finance Act to exempt emergency response drivers from having to pay Benefit in Kind. It’s after it emerged that following a decision by Revenue, seven senior ambulance service personnel in Donegal who would have brought their official vehicles home for use

Ward urges minister to scrap ‘crazy’ BIK ruling for emergency response drivers. Read More »

Deputy First Minister says NI Executive will seek to ensure new US adminisatration remains committed to the IFI

The North’s Deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly has said no invitations have been received to travel to the White House on St Patrick’s Day, and if they are, she and First Minster Michelle O’Neill will ensure they respond positively for the good of Northern Ireland. She was answering questions in the Assembly this afternoon.

Deputy First Minister says NI Executive will seek to ensure new US adminisatration remains committed to the IFI Read More »

Suspected drugs found during searches in Castlederg and Newtownstewart

Police have seized suspected drugs during searches in Castlederg and Newtownstewart. Officers from Derg Neighbourhood Policing Team, assisted by colleagues from Tactical Support Group and a Police Dog Cooper conducted a search in Castlederg during which a quantity of suspected Class B drugs was seized. A female arrested on suspicion of drug-related offences has been

Suspected drugs found during searches in Castlederg and Newtownstewart Read More »

MacLochlainn reappointed as SF Spokesperson on Fisheries and the Marine

Donegal TD, Pádraig Mac Lochlainn has been confirmed as the Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Fisheries and the Marine, a position he was first appointed to in 2020. Deputy Mac Lochlainn, who also serves as the party’s Chief Whip says he is delighted to be re-appointed to this important role. He says he’s worked in partnership

MacLochlainn reappointed as SF Spokesperson on Fisheries and the Marine Read More »

Council to look into mould issues in houses with air to water heating

An investigation is to be launched to source the cause of mould in the houses of Ard Na Rí in Letterkenny. The issue has arisen since the implementation of air to water to heating systems. The Donegal County Council maintenance team have received reports and are to follow up with those affected. Mayor of the

Council to look into mould issues in houses with air to water heating Read More »

Donegal ‘dodgy box’ operators served notice from FACT

Legal notices have been served to 13 operators of illegal streaming services, or ‘dodgy boxes’. The Federation Against Copyright Theft served the notices across Donegal, Dublin, Cork, Offaly, Limerick, Louth, Clare, Westmeath and Laois. They were delivered in person, by post and through email, and resulted in services being shut down, deleted social media profiles,

Donegal ‘dodgy box’ operators served notice from FACT Read More »

Anger among paramedics after announcement emergency response vehicles may be subject to Benefit-in-Kind

There has been shock after paramedics were advised that any emergency response vehicles will now be subject to Benefit-in-Kind, as they are considered transportation to work. Previously, they were allowed to take the vehicles home and use them in response to a medical emergency. However, they now believe that the Benefit-in-Kind taxation will cause a

Anger among paramedics after announcement emergency response vehicles may be subject to Benefit-in-Kind Read More »

Compulsory housing order for birds takes effect this morning

A compulsory housing order for birds and poultry takes effect from this morning. All captive birds will have to be kept indoors in an effort to tackle rising cases of the avian influenza. Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon says the order is being implemented across the entire island of Ireland in order to protect livestock: It

Compulsory housing order for birds takes effect this morning Read More »

Donegal County Council commences new area plans for Dungloe, Ballyshannon, Bridgend, Carndonagh, Donegal Town and Killybegs

Donegal County Council has commenced the preparation of new area plans for Dungloe, Ballyshannon, Bridgend, Carndonagh, Donegal Town and Killybegs. They will replace the current plans in the Seven Strategic Towns Local Area Plan 2018-2024. The new Area Plans will set out a range of planning policies, objectives and a spatial development framework for these

Donegal County Council commences new area plans for Dungloe, Ballyshannon, Bridgend, Carndonagh, Donegal Town and Killybegs Read More »

Emergency services at the scene of serious Enniskillen collision

Police in Enniskillen are dealing with a serious road traffic collision on the Trillick Road between Ballinamallard and Kilskeery. The PSNI says this road is likely to be closed for some time. Diversions are in place in Ballinamallard Main Street at junction of Craghan Road and on the Trillick Road at junction of Killymittan Road.

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Murder investigation underway following Dublin stabbing

A murder investigation’s underway following the death of a man in Dublin City Centre in the early hours of yesterday morning. Tanaiste Simon Harris has described the incident as ‘alarming’ and ‘deeply concerning’. Gardaí say the fatal stabbing happened shortly after 3am on Saturday. A man in his 30s was found with serious injuries and

Murder investigation underway following Dublin stabbing Read More »

Small businesses encouraged to attend Local Enterprise Week events

Small businesses and budding entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to sample over 20 events aimed at helping them to start or grow their business as part of this year’s Local Enterprise Week in Donegal. The initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices nationwide, supported by Enterprise Ireland and the local authorities, takes place from the 3rd

Small businesses encouraged to attend Local Enterprise Week events Read More »

Teenager charged to court following Strabane vehicle pursuit

Police have charged a man to court with a number of offences, following a vehicle pursuit in the Strabane area on Friday. The 19-year-old has been charged with burglary and a number of driving-related offences, including aggravated vehicle taking causing damage to another vehicle, driving with excess alcohol in breath and failing to stop for

Teenager charged to court following Strabane vehicle pursuit Read More »

Today marks International Childhood Cancer Awareness Day

Today marks International Childhood Cancer Awareness Day, a global initiative to raise awareness and support for children battling cancer. Organisations worldwide are hosting events and campaigns to highlight the importance of early detection and treatment. The Irish Cancer Society are offering a wide range of supports to families of children with cancer. Amy Nolan from

Today marks International Childhood Cancer Awareness Day Read More »

Over 3000 service poles were knocked down during Storm Éowyn

It’s emerged over 3,000 service-poles were knocked down by Storm Éowyn. 35 per cent of mobile phone users had their reception interrupted, with 10 per cent of customers without fixed services. The updates on the storm followed a meeting between the Arts and Sports Minister and CEOs of mobile phone and broadband operators yesterday. Minister

Over 3000 service poles were knocked down during Storm Éowyn Read More »