Author name: highlandnews

Concern after report finds Speech and Language Therapists are considering leaving the public sector

Speech and language therapists say they are spending just a quarter of their time working directly with children. A new report by University College Cork and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland found therapists are heartbroken because of heavy caseloads and staffing issues. The research also found many public therapists are considering a move […]

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Disgust at shooting of young seal in Greencastle Harbour

There’s been widespread condemnation of the shooting of a young seal in Greencastle Harbour. The seal, named Zig by locals, was rescued by local skipper Liam O’Brien in December, and had become an attraction in the harbour. Local Environmental campaigner Enda Craig helped with the rescue at the time. He says there’s widespread disgust at

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Major leak repair in Letterkenny saves 150,000 litres per day

150,000 litres of water per day have been saved in Letterkenny after a major leak was repaired. Using multiple technologies, including sounding equipment and advanced logging technology, the leak was identified and works carried out. This resulted in enough water being saved to supply 1,300 people daily. Patricia Lowry, Leakage Reduction Programme Manager with Uisce

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Parking chaos at Donegal beach results in Local Link service delays

There’s renewed concerns over parking at Donegal beaches, piers and harbours. Last night, a Local Link bus was delayed for over an hour and a half after cars were abandoned along the bridge leading to Shroove Beach in Greencastle. Foyle Coaches manager Bernard McGuinness told the Nine til Noon Show that while inconsiderate parking makes

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Call for reform to build all-island National Health and Care Service

A Donegal County Councillor believes reform is needed to build an all-island National Health and Care Service. Councillor Albert Doherty says cross-border health care collaborations already in existence could be built upon to address shared challenges that are experienced within the sector on both sides of the border. Donegal County Council has agreed to write

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FSAI urges people to check their freezers following death of adult with listeria

People are being urged to check their freezers and dispose of any suspect ready meals. It’s after one person died from a case of Listeriosis. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland confirmed yesterday that one person was dead – and 9 other cases of listeriosis had been confirmed in recent days, with the outbreak being

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Intoxicated quad driver with two children onboard arrested in Letterkenny

A quad bike driver has been arrested in Letterkenny after being found intoxicated with drugs while carrying two young children as passengers. Gardaí from the Milford Roads Policing Unit observed the quad being driven in a public area in the town last evening. The driver tested positive for cannabis, cocaine and opiates. They are due

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New UU research lab to be developed at Altnagelvin Hospital’s C-TRIC centre

A new research lab is to be established at Altnagelvin Hospital by Ulster University. The university says the new lab will enhance its research into complex diseases such as cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer’s. The state-of-the-art multi-omics laboratory will be developed at UU’s Personalised Medicine Centre in the C-TRIC building on the Altnagelvin Hospital site. This

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Donegal needs to be given special status because of the county’s housing emergency – McGee

Donegal County Council is being urged to declare a housing emergency. Councillor Denis McGee made the call given the low availability of housing in the county and the defective block crisis that is estimated to affect 30,000 homes. The local authority has agreed to seek a formal delegation to meet with the Housing Minister to

Donegal needs to be given special status because of the county’s housing emergency – McGee Read More »

Donegal still excluded from certain housing supports – Meehan

Donegal County Council is being urged to write to the Department of Housing to express concern over the exclusion of the county from a number of key national affordable housing schemes included in the Government’s Housing for All plan. Councillor Declan Meehan is calling for an urgent review of the eligibility criteria for the Affordable

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Taoiseach tight lipped about FF’s presidential election plans

Fianna Fáil will decide at the end of next month its approach to the presidential election. A number of high profile names have been mooted as potential candidates, with Derry based academic and commentator Deirdre Heenan reported to be in pole position for the nomination. Taoiseach and party leader Micheál Martin would only say this

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Third person confirmed dead after Fermanagh shooting

A third person has died following a shooting in Fermanagh. It happened in Maguiresbridge shortly before 8.30 this morning. Two people were pronounced dead earlier, while a third has since died in hospital. Another person continues to be treated for seriously injuries. A PSNI spokesperson says there’s no ongoing risk to the public. Fermanagh South

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Digitisation of health records will progress this year – Minister

The Health Minister says the digitisation of health information will go to tender later in the year. Funding for the scheme is provided in the National Development Plan. Legislation to allow for the digitisation of patients records in hospitals is currently before the Oireachtas. Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeil says its funded………….

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DCC to examine the feasibility of buying its own road lining machine

  It’s been claimed people are failing driving tests because of poor road lining in Donegal. Councillor Noel Jordan says in some areas, it can take up to 18 months for road relining to be carried out.   He says rather than relying on contractors. Donegal County Council should purchase their own road liner, and

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Lough Swilly RNLI tasked to assist in rescue of missing kayaker and sinking boat

It’s been a busy 24 hours for Lough Swilly RNLI. At 6:16pm yesterday, Lough Swilly RNLI was tasked by Malin Head Coast Guard to help locate a missing kayaker in the Kinnagoe Bay area. The all-weather lifeboat was returning from Killybegs and was quickly diverted to the kayaker’s last known location. At 6:40pm, the Coast

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Polestar Roundabout goes green and gold ahead of All Ireland final!

Letterkenny’s iconic Polestar Roundabout is shining bright in support of the Donegal Senior Football Team! A brand-new lighting system has been installed at the roundabout ahead of Sunday’s All Ireland Senior Football Final. Donegal County Council says it has received requests over the years from community groups and organisations to light the monument in different

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Business Matters, Ep 254: Digital hub success in Donegal – plus how the hotel sector is faring

On Business Matters this week, Chris Ashmore looks at the success of the Connected (digital) Hubs in Donegal and also how the hotel sector is faring. First up, he speaks with Majella Orr, who is manager of the Craoibhin Community Enterprise Centre in Termon which is one of the hubs with what are known as

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Controversial Chinese surveillance cameras discovered in Donegal

Security experts are warning about the use of thousands of controversial Chinese surveillance cameras in public places across Ireland, including in Donegal. This is despite Hikvision being banned in other countries. Donegal County Council failed to respond to queries from The Journal Investigates on whether they still use the devices. However, cameras were subsequently discovered

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Ban on large fishing vessels trawling inshore waters within six nautical mile zone welcomed

Fishing vessels larger than 18 metres are to be banned from trawling inshore waters inside the six nautical mile zone from October of next year. Meanwhile, restrictions on sprat fishing will be imposed from this coming October. Minister Martin Heydon says this was decided after an extensive public consultation, and he believes this is the

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EPA calls for mandatory registration of private drinking water supplies

The Environmental Protection Agency says there’s an urgent need for mandatory registration of private drinking water supplies. It’s raising concerns that many private supplies are not registered – despite serving schools, nursing homes, sports clubs and self-catering accommodation. There are 38 small private supplies registered in Donegal. The EPA’s Noel Byrne is Programme Manager of

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Over 100 aid organisations warn ‘mass starvation’ is spreading in Gaza

Over 100 aid organisations are warning ‘mass starvation’ is spreading in Gaza. Yesterday, the UN human rights office said more than a thousand Palestinians have been killed while trying to get food since May. US special envoy to the Middle East Steve Whitkoff is travelling to Europe for meetings to try to secure new aid

Over 100 aid organisations warn ‘mass starvation’ is spreading in Gaza Read More »

CCPC carries out inspections at 12 businesses in Donegal

Inspections have been carried out at a number of businesses in Donegal to ensure compliance with consumer protection laws. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission conducted a series of unannounced inspections earlier this month, targeting multiple retail businesses across the country. 12 businesses were targeted in Donegal, including in Letterkenny, Bundoran, and Donegal Town. The

CCPC carries out inspections at 12 businesses in Donegal Read More »

Brogan proposes a series of Housing Roadshows across Donegal

Donegal County Council is being urged to host a series of roadshows across Donegal to help inform people about the housing supports, loans and other grants available. Councillor Ciaran Brogan believes having all stakeholders such as the Council, banks, credit unions and builders together would be a hugely positive step in educating people on what

Brogan proposes a series of Housing Roadshows across Donegal Read More »

Donegal records the highest increase in the number of Ukranians covered under the ARP scheme

A Donegal TD says at a time of rent rises and an ongoing housing crisis, it’s deeply worrying that Donegal has the highest rise in the number of properties being awarded payments under Accommodation Recognition Payments Scheme for Ukrainians. Deputy Pearse Doherty says this is an extremely significant rise when measured against the small number

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Donegal photographs take honours in An Taisce’s ‘Love Your Coast’ competition

An Taisce’s Clean Coasts initiative has announced the winning photographers of the 2025 Love Your Coast photography competition Four images in total taken across county Donegal placed in the top three finalists in the shortlist across the five categories. Tom Ormond came first place in the ‘Wildlife and the Coast’ with his photo “Humpback Whale”

Donegal photographs take honours in An Taisce’s ‘Love Your Coast’ competition Read More »

NDP review is adopted by cabinet, but government warns public finances aren’t as healthy as they seem

The government has signed off on a 112 billion euro capital investment package out to the end of the decade. A further 100 billion is being planned for the years 2030 to 2035. The National Development Plan review injects further cash from the Apple Tax and AIB share sales. 24 billion of that money will

NDP review is adopted by cabinet, but government warns public finances aren’t as healthy as they seem Read More »

Conservation works continue at The Laurels, Glenties

€300,000 has been secured from the Heritage Council’s Historic Towns Initiative to continue conservation works at The Laurels, Glenties, the homeplace of playwright Brian Friel’s mother. Additional funding of €75,000 has been provided by Donegal County Council as well as funding from the Brian Friel Trust. Brian Friel’s play Dancing at Lughnasa is dedicated to

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Investigations continue into weekend crash in Inishowen

Investigations are continuing into a weekend crash in Inishowen. The two-vehicle collision occurred on Sunday at around 4:45pm at Carrownamaddy, Burnfoot. It’s understood one vehicle was exiting the Slab Road onto the N13 while the other was travelling from the Letterkenny direction towards Bridgend. The two drivers and four passengers were taken to Letterkenny University

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Gardai appeal for information in connection with assault and traffic incident in Lifford

Gardaí are appealing for information in connection with an alleged assault in Lifford yesterday afternoon. A traffic-related incident occurred at the roundabout in the town before the subsequent assault a short distance away on the Castlefin Road between 3:15pm and 3:30pm. Anyone with information or dash cam footage is urged to come forward.

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Over €16m approved for 25 group water schemes in Donegal

Over €16 million has been approved for group water schemes in Donegal to improve services not managed by Uisce Eireann. The Multi-annual Rural Water Programme has given funding to 25 rural water projects in the county, including in Dunlewey, Glengad, Inishbofin Island and Laghey. Applications have been assessed from local authorities for projects to improve

Over €16m approved for 25 group water schemes in Donegal Read More »

Garda

Motorist left shaken after ‘worrying’ incident in Cranford

A motorist has been left shaken following what Gardai have described as a worrying incident in Cranford. At around 12:30am on Sunday, the driver and a passenger were travelling from Milford towards Carrigart when they had to stop abruptly after hitting what they believed to be a person on the road. It was subsequently established

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