Author name: highlandnews

Uninsured learner driver and Novice driver arrested for drug driving in Letterkenny

Gardai in Donegal have arrested two motorists for drug driving, one of them was found to be an uninsured learner driver, the other was a Novice driver. The Letterkenny Roads Policing Unit stopped the uninsured learner driver yesterday. They subsequently tested positive for cannabis during a roadside drug test. The motorist was arrested and the […]

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Four people hospitalised following crash in Ballyshannon

Four people have been hospitalised following a multi-vehicle crash in Ballyshannon earlier today. Emergency services responded to the three-vehicle collision at around 11:40am in the Cavangarden area. Gardai have confirmed that the four people were taken to Letterkenny University Hospital as a precaution. The road has since reopened. No further information is available at this

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People urged to consider alternatives to LUH over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend

Health services in the West and North West are urging people to think carefully about how they access health services over the Easter Weekend. Dermot Monaghan, the Integrated Healthcare Area Manager in Donegal says bank holiday weekends usually bring additional pressure on the health system, but they have plans in place across hospital and community services

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Government promises complete overhaul of public infrastructure projects

The Government is promising a complete overhaul of public infrastructure projects. A new Government taskforce will be responsible for accelerating delivery, reforming state agencies which may stand in the way, and holding people accountable to completion timeframes. Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers, says the ‘stop-start’ nature of projects in Ireland has gone on for far

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Bristow to take over Coastguard helicopter operations in Sligo

  An agreement has been reached for a phased transition of Coastguard aviation services from the old operator to the new one. Bristow will slowly begin to operate bases at Sligo, Dublin, and Waterford, with Rescue 118 transitioning in December of this year. It is replacing CHC Ireland. Bristow has already begun running services at

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Brendan Boyce elected to the OFI’s Athletes’ Commission

Milford based athlete Brendan Boyce has been elected to the Olympic Federation of Ireland’s new Athletes’ Commission. The commission will sit for three years until 2028. The federation says the Commission ensures that the athlete voice remains central to the decision-making process within the Irish Olympic movement. The commission will be chaired by rowing bronze

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Over €207,000 awarded to Donegal under Community Monuments fund

Four projects in Donegal have been awarded over €207,000 in funding under the Community Monuments fund. Assaroe Abbey in Ballyshannon received the largest allocation in the county at €100,000. The remaining funding has been distributed to Fort Doon, Finner Church and Graveyard, and Old Killaghtee Churchyard. Donegal Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher says he will push to

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Concern expressed that MOU on Omagh Inquiry doesn’t allow for proper scrutiny of ROI state agencies

There’s been criticism after the Government signed a memorandum of understanding with the head of the Omagh Bombing inquiry. It will allow co-operation between the Irish state and the UK inquiry, which is seeking to establish whether the bombing could have been prevented. It’s being welcomed by both governments – though the leader of the

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Ambulance service and DCC in talks over Four Lane congestion problem

There has been engagement between the Ambulance Service and Donegal County Council in relation to emergency vehicles getting stuck in traffic on the four-lane road to the Polestar roundabout in Letterkenny. In recent days, yet another video circulated on social media of an ambulance, with its blue lights on, that was forced to a standstill,

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Councils will be given access to collision data from Gardai and the RSA

Donegal County Council will soon be able to access data on road collisions to allow more informed decisions be made on road safety priorities locally. Legislation is being prepared to facilitate the flow of information so that local authorities, in their role as road authorities, may request, receive and process road collision data from both

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Social housing tenants in crumbling homes should not receive rent increases – Cllr Carr

Donegal County Council has once again received calls for tenants living in social homes affected by crumbling concrete, not to face rent increases. Councillor Brian Carr stated that in his area, there are tenants in such houses who wish to purchase their homes but have been informed they cannot due to the building’s condition. He

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People travelling abroad this Easter warned of airport strike action

People travelling abroad over Easter are being warned of potential delays at airports as several countries prepare for strikes. Air traffic controllers will down tools in France on Friday and Saturday, and again next Friday. In Italy, a 24-hour national strike is scheduled for Saturday, affecting all major airports. While in Spain, there are rolling

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Council urged to regularly update Lifford Stranorlar MD on major projects

  Donegal County Council is being asked to provide updates to members in the Lifford Stranorlar area on progress being made on the Riverine Project linking Lifford and Strabane, and the SEED urban renewal project in Ballybofey. Cathaoirleach Cllr Gary Doherty told officials all members in the municipal district are regularly receiving questions, as people

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HSE urging people to consider all care options this Bank Holiday weekend

The HSE is again encouraging people to consider all care options this Bank Holiday weekend. It says Bank Holiday weekends and extended good weather usually bring additional pressure on the health system. The HSE is reassuring members of the public that plans are in place across hospital and community services in Donegal to ensure patients

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Justice Minister signs MoU with Omagh Bombing Inquiry chair

The Justice Minister has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Chairman of the Omagh Bombing Inquiry. It relates to the disclosure of materials. The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding today highlights the Government’s decision to assist the Omagh Bombing Inquiry to the extent that is permissible under the Constitution and laws of the

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57 year old appears in court charged in connection with death of man in Killybegs

A 57-year-old man has appeared in court, charged in connection with the death of Eddie Friel in Killybegs on Sunday. Mr Friel, who was in his 60s, was found unresponsive at his home on Harbour View Drive on Sunday afternoon. James Spendley of St Cummin’s Hill, Killybegs appeared before Carrick-on-Shannon District Court today, charged with

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AGSI President concerned with elements of the new Garda Operating Model

The President of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors says the group has serious concerns about the effectiveness of the new garda operating model, particularly in terms of its impact on predominantly rural divisions such as Donegal. The AGSI annual conference is taking place at the moment in Killarney. On today’s Nine til Noon

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Apprentices can ‘Earn and Learn’ their way to a degree

Future insurance practitioners are being called on to participate in the Earn & Learn 2025 program. The Insurance Practitioner Apprenticeship celebrates its 10-year anniversary following a record number of apprentices at 130 in 2024. The program allows applicants to study and obtain a level 8 BA Honourary Degree while working within the industry. CEO of

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Potential water disruptions in Letterkenny, St Johnston and Mountcharles

Uisce Eireann are warning of possible supply interruptions in parts of Donegal today. In Letterkenny, repairs to a burst water main may cause supply disruptions to An Gleann Rua, Killylastin and surrounding areas until 5pm, while pump repairs in Oldtown are set to continue until 2pm. Repairs to a burst water main may cause disruptions

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DCC missing out on opportunity to sell off DCB houses to willing buyers

A county councilor says that Donegal County Council is missing out on some opportunities to remove social houses with defective concrete from their records. Councillor Ali Farren says he knows of one man who is aware of the condition of one such home and is looking to buy it regardless. Currently, the council does not

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Cabinet to hear details of infrastructure blockages division

Cabinet will get details of a new Government division to examine blockages to infrastructure. The Programme for Government commitment comes in lieu of the new Department for Infrastructure Fine Gael wanted. Experts from across Government will be seconded to the new Infrastructure Division, which will feed into an accelerating infrastructure task force, headed by Public

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‘Wholesale approach needed to address defective concrete in social homes’ – Cllr Declan Meehan

A councillor says more planning is needed to ensure that when a scheme to remediate defective concrete in social homes is agreed, Donegal County Council is ready to act. As it stands, it’s estimated that at least 1,800 social houses will need to be remediated. At present, only 81 of those homes are vacant, and

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New DCB research must underpin future policy and decisions – McDermott

The Chair of Donegal County Council’s Defective Concrete Committee says there’s an obligation on all agencies to get behind the latest evidence on what is causing homes to crumble in Donegal and further afield. Cllr Martin Mc Dermott was speaking following the 2025 Defective Block Conference which took place in Burt at the weekend. The

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Letterkenny Motor Show to take place next month

Preparations are underway for the Letterkenny Motor Show which takes place next month. This year’s theme is “Your Road, Your Future” and focuses on the journey ahead, whether you’re behind the wheel of a cutting-edge electric car, exploring the latest commercial vehicles, or just checking out what’s new in the world of motoring. The latest automotive innovations,

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Rally being held in protest at removal of core funding for Northlands Addiction Centre, Derry

A rally is being held this weekend in protest at the removal of core funding for the Northlands Centre in Derry. The facility is a charitable organisation which specialises in the treatment of addiction-related issues, offering support to individuals and their families. It’s understood the North’s Department of Health is refusing to review its decision

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