Author name: highlandnews

Army Chaplin seriously injured after alledged stabbing in Galway army barracks

An army chaplain has been left seriously injured after a stabbing at a barracks in Galway. Gardaí and members of the Armed Response Unit responded to the incident at Renmore Barracks at 10.45 last night. A man in his 50s received a number of stab wounds and was taken to hospital for treatment of non-life

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9% VAT rate for hospitality would cost more than €700m – Minister Donohoe

The Public Expenditure Minister says it would cost more than €700 million to bring the VAT rate for the hospitality sector to 9%. Paschal Donohoe has poured cold water on hopes from the industry that there could be a reduction announced as part of the Budget. The Restaurants Association of Ireland says hundreds of businesses

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Government under fire for setting housing targets too low

The Government’s under fire from the opposition for having housing targets set far too low. The Social Democrats is making the accusation due to population growth outstripping housing supply by four-to-one. It wants at least 50 thousand new build homes every year. The party’s housing spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan says the Government’s failed to meet the

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Children’s Ombudsman criticises Government for allowing child homelessness

The Children’s Ombudsman is criticising the Government for allowing children to fall into homelessness. Dr Niall Muldoon says emergency accommodation should only be short-term but that isn’t the case, with 4 and a half thousand children homeless. The most recent figures from the Department of Housing show in the North West, 24 families were in

Children’s Ombudsman criticises Government for allowing child homelessness Read More »

Woman remains in custody as investigation into harassment of Taoiseach continues

A woman in her 50s remains in custody today as gardai continue to investigate the alleged harassment of Taoiseach Simon Harris. She is being questioned at a Garda Station in County Wicklow. She was arrested yesterday morning as part of investigations into the alleged harassment of an elected representative on May 2nd. The woman can

Woman remains in custody as investigation into harassment of Taoiseach continues Read More »

Correspondence from Engineers Ireland revealed by The Ditch

The downgrading of homes is due to Housing Agency engineers focusing on mica and not other deleterious materials according to correspondence seen by the Ditch. The media outlet has released the correspondence from Engineers Ireland’s director-general, Damien Owens. It notes many engineers believe the IS465 standard is no longer fit for purpose. The article also

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Family of Denis Donaldson denied judge-led commission to examine his death

The family of Denis Donaldson, who was murdered in Donegal 19 years ago, have received a response from the Justice Minister Helen McIntee to a request made in 2021. His murder remains unsolved and an inquest into his death has been adjourned 27 times. The family have issued a public statement via their solicitor. The

Family of Denis Donaldson denied judge-led commission to examine his death Read More »

Council in the process of securing a new contractor to maintain public lights in Donegal

Donegal County Council has confirmed a new contractor is being appointed to maintain and manage Donegal’s 19,500 public lights. Highland Radio News understands the existing contract expires this evening. The council hasn’t confirmed the timeline, but told us that a procurement process is nearing completion, and a contractor will be appointed in the near future.

Council in the process of securing a new contractor to maintain public lights in Donegal Read More »

Housing report an indictment of the government’s record on housing – Doherty

Sinn Féin says a new report clearly highlights the number of homes being built is not matching demand. The Savills Ireland study has found population growth is exceeding housing supply by almost four-to-one. Savills says that’s 14 per cent higher than the next worst country in the world – which is Spain. Donegal TD and

Housing report an indictment of the government’s record on housing – Doherty Read More »

Highland Radio remains the region’s most listened to radio station

New listenership figures have cemented Highland Radio position as the North West’s most listened to radio station. The latest JNLR figures show that 77.7% of the population choose Highland Radio on a weekly basis with 55.7%., That constitutes 65,000 of the adult population tuning in everyday. The station’s market reach, a key indicator for advertisers,

Highland Radio remains the region’s most listened to radio station Read More »

Cash seized in Donegal as part of smuggling and shadow economy operation

Over €390,000 worth of contraband has been seized in Donegal and Dublin. Operations targeting smuggling and shadow economy activity were carried out in both locations in recent days. As part of the operation approximately €57,500, comprising of €42,102 and £13,240 was seized in Donegal by Revenue. Meanwhile, 37,600 cigarettes of various brands, with an estimated

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Donegal Food Response Network issues urgent back to school appeal

The Donegal Food Response Network has issued an urgent back to school appeal. The group in conjunction with DLDC is asking for food donations, school supplies, vouchers, and cash for local families. Approximately 640 families across Donegal are currently supported by the 21 organisations involved in the Donegal Food Response Network. Rosanne Ní Ghallchóir, DCP

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ATU President urges government to make a decision on veterinary school bid

The ATU President is calling on the government to make a decision on the location of a new vet school. An ATU bid centred on the Letterkenny campus is one of three being considered. In January, while he was still Higher Education Minister, Taoiseach Simon Harris visited the Letterkenny campus told Highland Radio News the

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Ards Forest Park 10th most visited forest park in Ireland

Ards Forest Park is the 10th most visited forest park in Ireland. 45,195 people visited the park last year. Rossmore Forest Park in Co Monaghan recorded 357,834 visitors in 2023 making it the most popular non-ticketed Coillte Park. Minister Heather Humphreys announced almost €119,000 in funding for forest Parks in Donegal today to deliver recreation

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Last chance for people to have their say on Falcarragh to Gortahork Road Scheme

Tomorrow is the last day for people to have their say on the Falcarragh to Gortahork Road Scheme. Donegal County Council has in conjunction with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, identified the need for a road improvement scheme between the two towns. The stretch of the N56 has been designated an un-engineered legacy road that is below

Last chance for people to have their say on Falcarragh to Gortahork Road Scheme Read More »

ATU Student’s Union warns of student renter scams

The Atlantic Technological University Student’s Union is urging students to be vigilant of renter scams as it warns hundreds of students are targeted every year. The group is advising students to inspect the potential property in person, use secure payment methods, ask for a contract, trust your instinct and seek advice from the housing charity

ATU Student’s Union warns of student renter scams Read More »

Four people charged to court in Omagh human trafficking case

Four people have been charged in the North by Detectives from the Police Service’s Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Unit. Three men, aged 27, 31 and 52, and a 21-year-old woman were arrested yesterday, following searches in Ballymena and Omagh. They are all charged with a number of offences including controlling prostitution for gain and

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NI Water says major improvement works on Derry’s Foyle Road will end in October

NI Water says works to upgrade the Tamneymore-Creggan Water Trunk Main in Derry will be complete by the end of October. The work, which began this week, involves laying 500 metres of pipe along the Foyle Road from the east entrance of Coshowen to the junction with Lone Moor Road. NI Water says a lane

NI Water says major improvement works on Derry’s Foyle Road will end in October Read More »

IPU president says pharmacy prescribing will revolutionise healthcare, but talks are needed

The taskforce, established by the Health Minister, has initially provided eight conditions for which pharmacies could prescribe – such as cold sores, oral thrush and shingles. A report from the taskforce says it’s intended to be operational from the second quarter for 2025. However, on today’s Nine til Noon Show, IPU President Tom Murray told

IPU president says pharmacy prescribing will revolutionise healthcare, but talks are needed Read More »

Join and Support Greg Hughes for the Annual Donegal Camino in aid of Cancer Care West

The annual Donegal Camino is taking place again this year to raise funds for Cancer Care West Donegal. Greg Hughes will be participating in Day 2 of the Ards forest park walk on Monday the 2nd of September.  The Donegal Camino runs from Sunday the 1st  until Saturday the 7th of September. The Ards forest

Join and Support Greg Hughes for the Annual Donegal Camino in aid of Cancer Care West Read More »

Head of Donegal Roads Policing Unit urging people to engage with Traffic Watch

The Head of the Roads Policing Unit in Donegal is urging people to engage with Traffic Watch. As part of An Garda Síochána’s ongoing commitment to road safety, the Traffic Watch reporting form was relaunched on Garda.ie. Traffic Watch is a partnership approach with all road users to improve driver behaviour, reduce the number of

Head of Donegal Roads Policing Unit urging people to engage with Traffic Watch Read More »

Cancer survivors should have the right to be forgotten – QUB research

There are calls for cancer survivors to have the right for their illness to be forgotten when they’re given the all-clear. Researchers at Queens University Belfast say 20 million cancer survivors across Europe are being discriminated against by financial institutions-long after they’ve been cured. They say many face problems in getting loans, mortgages and health

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Safe driving education programme to begin in secondary schools

A safe driving education programme will begin in secondary schools next month. It aims to teach transition year students how to drive and raise awareness of unsafe behaviour behind the wheel. The Road Safety Authority is introducing the programme amid a rise in road deaths, with 119 people killed on Irish roads so far this

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Flights from Donegal to Dublin second most likely to be cancelled

Flights from Donegal Airport to Dublin are the second most likely to be cancelled in Ireland. Flights to Bucharest in Romania were most likely to be cancelled with 7% of passengers travelling between the cities left stranded in the first six months of the year. Journeys to Lanzarote, Malaga and Lisbon were the least likely

Flights from Donegal to Dublin second most likely to be cancelled Read More »

Four people arrested and searches carried out in NI as part of human trafficking operation

Four people have been arrested and searches carried out in Northern Ireland as part of a police operation targeting human trafficking. Brothels linked to an organised crime group have been located in Omagh and Ballymena. However, police believe victims may have been transported across the country. Detectives from the Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Unit

Four people arrested and searches carried out in NI as part of human trafficking operation Read More »