Author name: highlandnews

Focus Ireland calls for concerted push to end child homelessness for good

A homelessness charity is calling on the government to act on its five-point plan to end child homelessness ‘for good.’ Focus Ireland has launched an urgent Christmas Appeal after last month’s figures revealed over 5,200 children were without a home. The number of children who are now homeless has risen by 135 per cent in […]

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20% of patients without beds this morning were in the North West

There were 285 admitted patients without awaiting beds in Irish hospitals this morning, 20% of them in the North West. Letterkenny University Hospital was the third most overcrowded in the country, with 25 patients without beds, four of them on Emergency Department trolleys. Sligo was the second most overcrowded with 31, 24 of them in

20% of patients without beds this morning were in the North West Read More »

Derry City and Strabane District Council urge shoppers to exercise caution on online marketplaces

Derry City and Strabane District Council are urging shoppers to exercise caution when buying from online marketplaces. They say they can host thousands of third-party sellers and not all products are checked. Before you buy, you are being asked to Check the seller: Research their name, location, and how long they’ve been selling. Read their

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Head of HSE claims current disciplinary rules are not fit for purpose

The head of the HSE says current disciplinary rules are no longer fit for purpose. Bernard Gloster told the Sunday Independent, current disciplinary procedures are too slow, highly litigious and can take years to complete. He revealed that at least 38 HSE staff have been dismissed since 2020, with many cases later overturned on appeal

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An Post reminding customers Christmas cards must be sent tomorrow

An Post is reminding customers Christmas cards must be posted by tomorrow, if you want them delivered on time for the big day. The group is also reminding customers who are still shopping on-line, there’s no guarantee parcels purchased after the cut off date will be delivered. Anna McHugh, is Head of Corporate Communications at

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Taoiseach expresses “anger” at slow pace in getting justice for Pte Sean Rooney

The Taoiseach has expressed his “anger” at the slow pace in getting justice for Pte Sean Rooney, during a meeting with the Lebanese Prime Minister in Beirut. The Newtowncunningham native was killed when his armoured vehicle came under attack in December 2022. The main defendant in the case, Mohammad Ayyad, was sentenced to death but

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Gardaí continuing to conduct patrols in Letterkenny retail areas

Gardaí are continuing to conduct foot and motorcycle patrols around retail areas in Letterkenny today. They have issued advice to those doing their last bits of Christmas shopping. They say cars should be parked in a well-lit area, cash and valuables should not be left in cars, the car should be locked before leaving it

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Taoiseach to raise killing of Pte Sean Rooney with Lebanese Prime Minister in Beirut today

Taoiseach Micheal Martin is to raise the case of Private Sean Rooney as he meets the Lebanese Prime Minister in Beirut today. RTÉ News reports today that the Taoiseach will make it clear that there must be accountability for the killing of the Newtowncunningham native. Lebanon’s military court found six people guilty of involvement in

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Three drivers arrested for drug/drink driving in Letterkenny

Three drivers have been arrested on suspicion of drink and drug driving in the Letterkenny area last night. One was arrested on suspicion of drink driving, another tested positive for cocaine, while the third tested positive for cocaine and canabis. Gardaí in Donegal are urging motorists to take care on the roads this festive season.

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Strabane business group donates £2,000 of gift cards

The Strabane business improvement district has donated £2,000 of Strabane local shopping gift cards to the most in need across the district. The cards are being distributed in partnership with the Strabane District and Caring Services, led by a team of community representatives. The most recent data from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research agency

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Little Angels School pays tribute to ‘adored’ Conor in wake of tragedy

Tributes have been made to Conor Temple, from Cavan Lower, Killygordon the teenage boy who died yesterday evening in a drowning tragedy. He and his mother were on a walk when the incident occurred. Conor, a student of Little Angels School, has been described as affectionate and adored by the people around him, in a

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Tanaiste and Finance Minister told Department must engage with Banking and Insurance Focus Group

Tanaiste Simon Harris says he and the government are striving to address outstanding issues for those affected by the defective concrete block crisis, particularly in terms of those having difficulty securing necessary loans and getting the funding to begin the process of navigating the scheme. Mr Harris was responding to Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty during

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25% of all admitted patients without beds today were in the North West

253 admitted patients were awaiting beds in Irish hospitals this morning, according to the INMO, a quarter of them in the North West. Sligo University Hospital had the highest number in the state at 37, followed by Limerick on 35. The third highest figure in the state was 25, recorded in Letterkenny University Hospital, giving

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Donegal Ogra FF Chair says Taoiseach is over the worst of the Presidential Election fallout

The Chair of Ogra Fianna Fail in Donegal says Taoiseach Michael Martin may be vulnerable to a leadership challenge, but seems to be over the worst of the fallout from the Jim Gavin presidential nomination. Earlier this week, two senior party figures in Donegal, Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher and Senator Niall Blaney questioned whether

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Work to begin next year on conserving the Austins building in Derry

Conservation work at the historic Austins building in Derry City is set to begin next year. The Inner City Trust says it will be the beginning of a bigger project to revitalise the site. *************************** Full statement – The Inner City Trust is proud to announce that exploratory and conservation work at the historic Austins

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New accreditation milestone for ATU Donegal veterinary

The Veterinary Council have granted a key accreditation milestone to ATU’s new Veterinary Medicine and Surgery degree This milestone confirms that programme development is progressing in line with national and international accreditation expectations and represents a major step forward for veterinary education on the island of Ireland. Atlantic Technological University has been granted an opinion

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Positive statements made regarding Carndonagh courthouse

An Inishowen councilor has received positive news surrounding the situation at Carndonagh Courthouse. The Courthouse has been temporarily closed for the past six years due to concerns around health and safety Following a meeting at Colgan Hall concerning the courthouse, Cllr Albert Doherty has welcomed the court service’s recognition of the importance of rural court

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Over 100 motoring arrests in first weeks of PSNI winter campaign

Preliminary figures from the PSNI show 129 arrests have been made across Northern Ireland on suspicion of drink or drug driving during the first 15 days of the service’s winter campaign. Chief superintendent Sam Donaldson, from the service’s operational support department has called the numbers “shocking”. ************** (Release in Full) Preliminary figures show 129 arrests

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Households will be worse off because of Budget 2026 – ESRI

Households are going to be worse off next year because of the last budget. The Economic and Social Research Institute says most will lose around 1.3%of their disposable income because tax bands and credits were frozen, while temporary cost-of-living supports were withdrawn. The ESRI also says Budget 26 was a ‘missed opportunity’ to protect the

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Little Angels set to become the first primary school under the patronage of Donegal ETB

The Little Angels Special School in Letterkenny is set to be the first primary school in the county to come under the patronage of the Donegal Education and Training Board. ETB CEO Anne McHugh says the parents and others who founded the Little Angels Association almost 40 years ago have done incredible work, and they’re

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Brussels protest to highlight farmers’ anger at possible Mercosur agreement

A mass protest is being held in Brussels this morning as farmers attempt to stop the Mercosur trade deal. The EU’s planned agreement with Brazil is controversial as farming groups say it’ll allow lower quality beef into the European market. Farmers also say recent cuts to the CAP budget mean they won’t be able to

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Government accused of failing college students and their families

A cross-party protest is taking place outside Leinster House this morning, over student rent increases. It comes as the Government’s long overdue ‘student accommodation strategy’ is again delayed, with fears education costs could still face further hikes. Speaking in advance of today’s action, Labour’s spokesperson on further and higher education Senator Laura Harmon says the

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New helicopter operating Coastguard air service in the North West

A new helicopter has begun operating the Irish Coastguard’s Rescue 118 service out of Sligo Airport. The AW1898 is being operated by Bristow Ireland under a new contract, with the new service in place since Monday of this week. A Coastguard spokesperson told Highland Radio News the Department of Transport signed a contract with Bristow

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Irish government urged to take legal action over loss of Hague Preferences

A Donegal TD is calling on the government to take legal action against the EU, and a number of corporations which he claims were central to the effective abandonment of the Hague Principles at weekend meeting of the EU Fisheries Council. In the Dail, Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn said the actions of Germany, France, Poland and

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