Author name: highlandnews

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1.3%of their disposable income because tax bands and credits were frozen, while temporary cost-of-living supports were withdrawn.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

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

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

Government accused of failing college students and their families Read More »

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

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

Smaller towns need to be prioritised in Active Travel allocations – Mc Dermott

  Senior officials on Donegal County Council are being urged to direct more efforts to seeking finding for Active Travel and Safe Routes to School projects for smaller towns, particularly in North Inishowen. The call has come from Cllr Martin McDermott, Cathaoirleach of the Inishowen Municipal District. He says there’s an imbalance towards smaller towns

Smaller towns need to be prioritised in Active Travel allocations – Mc Dermott Read More »

Cope says Taoiseach should move a Motion of Confidence in himself as FF leader

A Donegal TD says Taoiseach Michael Martin should table a motion of confidence in himself as Fianna Fail leader. Taoiseach Micheal Martin survived a tense meeting with his TDs and Senators last night, over a review into the party’s failed presidential campaign. That report found unsuccessful candidate Jim Gavin was asked five times about a

Cope says Taoiseach should move a Motion of Confidence in himself as FF leader Read More »

Garda counter-terrorism training being stepped up ahead of EU presidency

Gardaí are stepping up security preparations ahead of Ireland’s EU presidency in 2026. A London-based company has reportedly been hired to supply An Garda Síochána with counter-terrorism training simulators as part of preparations for Ireland’s EU presidency in July 2026. Three simulation units, costing more than half a million euro, will allow senior officers to

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Blaney and Ward clash over whether the DCB scheme is working

Two Donegal politicians have clashed on today’s Nine til Noon Show regarding the success of the Defective Blocks scheme. Recently, in the Seanad, Senator Niall Blaney said spoof is being spun about the severity of the situation. He said thanks to the efforts of government, and work that has gone on thus far, there is real progress in

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ERNACT secures ninth project approval within 12 months

ERNACT has announced the approval of its ninth project within 12 months. The funding has been allocated for the INCLUDE project under the Interreg Northern Periphery and Arctic (NPA) Programme. This latest approval brings total project funding secured by ERNACT during 2025 to €25.1 million, with €9 million being invested directly in the North West

ERNACT secures ninth project approval within 12 months Read More »

Gardaí to increase visibility in Letterkenny in the run up to Christmas

Members of Donegal County Council have met with An Garda Síochána concerning patrols over the next week. It is set to be one of the busiest weeks of the year for retail. Gardaí say they will increase visibility to help with traffic flows across the coming weekend. President of the Letterkenny chamber, Jimmy Stafford, welcomed

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Inquest of teenagers who died in Tyrone nightclub crush will not begin until criminal proceedings have concluded

A coroner’s ruled an inquest into the deaths of three teenagers who died in a crush outside a hotel nightclub in County Tyrone six years ago will not begin until after criminal proceedings have concluded. 16-year-old Connor Currie, and Lauren Bullock and Morgan Barnard who were both 17, died as they queued outside the Greenvale

Inquest of teenagers who died in Tyrone nightclub crush will not begin until criminal proceedings have concluded Read More »

Deputy Mac Lochlainn calls for battle plan to be drawn up following EU Fisheries Council outcome

A Donegal Deputy has demanded the Minister for Fisheries present a battle plan for Ireland’s seafood industry. Speaking at today’s Oireachtas Committee, Deputy Padraig Mac Lochlainn said the outcome of the EU’s Fisheries Council will be devastating for Ireland’s coastal and fishing communities. He added that serious questions over the influence of a major European

Deputy Mac Lochlainn calls for battle plan to be drawn up following EU Fisheries Council outcome Read More »

Gardaí appeal for witnesses after St. Johnston criminal damage

An appeal for witnesses has been made following an incident of criminal damage in St. Johnston. This occurred in the Craigadoes area on Saturday, 13th December, at approximately 9:25pm. A car at a property in the area had all four tyres slashed and its bodywork keyed. Anyone who witnessed suspicious activity or any dash-cam footage

Gardaí appeal for witnesses after St. Johnston criminal damage Read More »

Investigations begin after damage to cars in Lifford

Investigations are taking place into an incident of criminal damage which has taken place in Lifford. This happened in the area of Beechwood Grove on Saturday, 13th December. Reports were received before 12:35am that three cars were substantially damaged in the estate. Anyone in the area between 12:30am and 1am who witnessed suspicious activity or

Investigations begin after damage to cars in Lifford Read More »

Cross-border operation targets Christmas burglary gangs

A cross-border operation between gardaí and the PSNI has foiled criminal gangs planning to exploit the border to carry out burglaries in the run-up to Christmas. Yesterday’s high-visibility ‘day of action’ involved officers from a number of units, including neighbourhood policing teams, local policing teams, roads policing, tactical support, air support and specialist detectives. It

Cross-border operation targets Christmas burglary gangs Read More »

Last chance to post standard parcels to Ireland and UK before Christmas

Today is the last day for sending standard parcels to both Ireland and the UK, in time for Christmas. The last day to post standard letters and large envelopes from Ireland to England, Scotland and Wales is December 18th, December 19th for the North, and December 22nd for the Republic. However, An Post advises you

Last chance to post standard parcels to Ireland and UK before Christmas Read More »

Orsted encourages groups within 10km of Sorne and Flughland to apply to Community Benefit Fund

Renewable energy company, Orsted have encouraged groups and community initiatives within 10km of Sorne and Flughland to apply to their Community Benefit Fund. The fund which has already seen funding for Spraoi Agus Sport, Scoil Naomh Padraig and Buncrana GAA is open until 31st December. Orsted have erected wind farms in Donegal and have welcomed

Orsted encourages groups within 10km of Sorne and Flughland to apply to Community Benefit Fund Read More »

Donegal schools allocated €1.4 million in Minor Works and Information Communications Technology Grant funding

Donegal schools have been allocated €1.4 million in Minor Works and Information Communications Technology Grant funding. A total of €900,000 will be invested in the county’s primary schools, with €500,000 being invested in its post-primary schools. The Minor Works grant gives schools the autonomy to tackle immediate maintenance and small-scale improvements, such as ventilation upgrades,

Donegal schools allocated €1.4 million in Minor Works and Information Communications Technology Grant funding Read More »

Survey finds 81% of patients pleased with maternity care at LUH

Letterkenny University Hospital has welcomed the National Maternity Experience Survey 2025 findings, which reports on the positive maternity care experienced by women earlier this year. They say the results of this survey are contributing to ongoing quality improvements in maternity care. The survey invited women who gave birth in February and March 2025 to share

Survey finds 81% of patients pleased with maternity care at LUH Read More »

Taoiseach criticises commentary of Presidential Election review

The Taoiseach and Fianna Fail leader is criticising commentary of the Presidential Election review, which he says is ‘extremely disappointing, selective and inaccurate’. In a statement, Micheal Martin says the report is still being finalised, and he hasn’t yet received it. He says he takes exception to some of the ‘false assertations’ which have been

Taoiseach criticises commentary of Presidential Election review Read More »

Donegal roads to be gritted tonight and tomorrow morning

All Donegal Winter Maintenance designated gritting routes will be gritted from 6pm this evening and 6am tomorrow morning. Donegal gritting route index as follows: 01: National Primary North 02: National Primary Central 03: National Primary South 04: Inishowen South 05: Inishowen East 06: Inishowen West 07: Milford South 08: Milford North 09: Cill Ulta East

Donegal roads to be gritted tonight and tomorrow morning Read More »

Donegal man hailed a hero after saving people during Bondi Beach attack

A Donegal man who saved people during a terrorist attack at Bondi Beach has been hailed as a hero. 15 people are dead and dozens more injured after a father and son opened fire during Hanukkah celebrations. Donegal natives who were on the beach fled upon hearing the gun shots and escaped. Burtonport native, Nathan

Donegal man hailed a hero after saving people during Bondi Beach attack Read More »

Over €100,000 allocated to expand domestic, sexual and gender-based violence services in Donegal

Over €100,000 has been allocated to expand domestic, sexual and gender-based violence services in Donegal. Donegal Rape Crisis Centre are set to receive €105,804, Donegal Women’s Refuge will get €12,000, while Donegal Women’s Centre have been allocated €3,948. The national €3.2 million allocation follows a targeted funding call by Cuan, the national agency for domestic,

Over €100,000 allocated to expand domestic, sexual and gender-based violence services in Donegal Read More »

National Lottery launches urgent appeal to find winner of €500,000 won in Donegal

An urgent appeal has been launched by the National Lottery as a €500,000 prize won in Donegal remains unclaimed. The winning Daily Million Plus ticket was purchased at Ardara Filling Station, Portnoo Road, on Friday 10th October. The winner has until close of business on Saturday, 10th January to claim the prize. Spokesperson from the

National Lottery launches urgent appeal to find winner of €500,000 won in Donegal Read More »