Author name: highlandnews

Ireland needs to plant more trees. That’s the message from European Commissioner Mairead McGuinness. According to the Department of Agriculture’s Forest Statistics, Ireland was planting around 20,000 trees per year in the mid 1990s, but by 2022 it was down to around 2,000 new trees. The EU has committed to planting three billion trees across […]

The Media Minister has been described as being ‘behind the curve’ when it comes to the ongoing crisis at RTÉ. There are calls for Catherine Martin to address the Dáil over the resignation of the former chair at the State broadcaster. In a statement, Siún Ní Raghallaigh claimed the minister took a “hands off approach”,

It’s claimed a lack of staff in the Marine section of Donegal County Council is resulting in funding opportunities being missed. Councillor Micheal Choilm MacGiolla Easbuig has written to the Council seeking an urgent meeting to address the understaffing issue. He believes funding is available for coastal and island communities however, he says limited resources

Children with Down Syndrome are much more than how they perform in school. That’s according to Down Syndrome Ireland which will appear before the Oireachtas Education Committee this morning. The group, along with a petition of 730 school principals, are calling on the Government to reject plans to change the allocation of special education teaching

Ukrainians who have relocated to Ireland find transportation a major problem for finding employment. One of the largest employment-focused surveys of Ukrainians in Ireland to date, finds more than 50 percent have Masters Degrees, but say getting jobs can be difficult. Olena Redrugina from ‘Ukrainian Action in Ireland’ says temporary protection grants them the immediate

There are calls for the Media Minister to correct statements she made about the former Chair of RTE, in the Dail. In a statement yesterday, Siun Ni Raghallaigh accused Catherine Martin of taking a “hands off approach” with the broadcaster and trying to “traduce” her reputation. In response, Minister Martin said she outlined her and

The long awaited new school building for Gaelscoil na gCeithre Máistrí in Donegal Town will be open to take in children this coming September. Just one year ago the works were due to get underway when Government decided to halt the construction in conjunction with 70 others across Ireland. The tender for the works was

Ulster University is undertaking new research into the defective concrete block crisis, this time examining the impact it has had on the mental health of affected homeowners. Those impacted are being urged to complete an online survey to aid the research, it takes around half an hour. Dr. Karen Kirby, Senior Lecturer of Psychology at

Cllr. Rena Donaghey will not fight to keep her seat in the upcoming local elections. The South Inishowen representative confirmed the news to Highland Radio this evening. Her Fianna Fáil colleague, with whom she shared an electoral area, Cllr Paul Canning, says she will be sorely missed and impacted the lives of many in her

The HSE says there are no plans in place to see the nurse working at Fahan Health Care Centre relocated, nor is there plans to close any other health services. Concerns were sparked over the weekend that those in the area would have to travel to Buncrana to avail of healthcare services as a result.

A coroner is to write to Northern Ireland’s Secretary of State calling on the British Government to set up a public inquiry into the death of Seán Brown. The senior GAA official in Northern Ireland was abducted and killed by loyalists in 1997 as he locked the gates at Bellaghy Wolfe Tones Club in Derry.

A fire at a derelict building in Derry last night is being treated as arson. The blaze started at the former site of Lisneal College on the Drumahoe Road shortly after 9pm. The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service brought the fire under control shortly before midnight. Significant damage has been caused to the building.

A petition has been set up in a bid to prevent the closure of Fahan Health Care Centre. It emerged over the weekend that plans are in place to relocate the nurse working at the centre which leaves those in the area having to travel to Buncrana to avail of healthcare services. Local resident Carmel,

The tearing down of posters urging a No, No vote in Friday’s referendum is undemocratic. That’s according to Letterkenny Aontú representative, Mary T Sweeney whose posters have been removed in a number of areas. She says the actions of those responsible is totally unacceptable. Ms Sweeney says people deserve to express their views:

Pre-hospital emergency care on Arranmore Island is getting a huge boost today. A new replacement ambulance vehicle is being delivered while an emergency care information sheet is being distributed to every home on the island and 10 volunteer islanders will receive Emergency First Responder Certificates from the National Ambulance Service. John Joe McGowan, General Manager

What defective block campaign groups believe to be the proper definition of 100% redress is to be unveiled tonight. A public meeting is being held tonight at An Grianan Hotel, Burt at 7pm as part of a joint initiative being led by the Mica Action Group, Redress Focus Groups and 100% Redress No Less. The

A Lifford based councillor has questioned whether the HSE is treating the need to restore day services in the area with the urgency it deserves. Cllr Gerry Crawford asked at a recent meeting of the Regional Health Forum West about what provisions were being made since the ending of services at Lifford Community Hospital. He

Donegal County Council is being urged to carry out an audit of coastal erosion at beaches in Inishowen. Councillor Albert Doherty says measures need to be put in place to ensure safe access to beaches in the peninsula. He also backed a proposal by Councillor Martin McDermott that a meeting be held with the OPW

Five crew members have been rescued by Valentia Coast Guard after their fishing boat got into difficulty off the Aran Islands early this morning. The alert was raised shortly before 5am when the 21-metre vessel ran aground on the northern side of Inis Mór. The Shannon-based Coast Guard Helicopter R115, the Aran Islands lifeboat, and

A new poll out today shows support for Sinn Fein is at it’s lowest level in nearly three years. The Sunday Independent / Ireland Thinks poll shows support for the Government parties has increased, with Fine Gael up one at 20 percent – Fianna Fail up one to 18 percent and the Greens up one

Fears are growing surrounding the future of Fahan Health Care Centre as it is believed there are plans to relocate the nurse who works there, effectively closing the centre. Local Councillor Jack Murray says it will leave those living Burnfoot, Inch Island, Tooban, Magherabeg and Fahan having to travel to Buncrana for healthcare, something that

A Donegal mother said she’s thankful her child avoided the violent outburst that seen a gang of masked men with machetes and sticks attack a man who defended himself with a chair at yesterday’s ‘Boys 4 Boxing’ quarter finals in County Roscommon. It’s believed they were looking for ‘another man’ and fled within minutes of