Author name: highlandnews

An online petition has been launched calling for the provision of new signage and speed ramp on the R236 into St Johnston. The petition organiser, Donna Marie Reynolds, says the road has been a serious concern due to numerous collisions, the most recent being Tuesday night’s tragedy in which two 19 year old men from […]

A new cross-border poll from Lucid Talk has found that 68% of respondents in the North West think West Derry, West Tyrone, and Donegal should become one economic sub-region. The poll findings were revealed by community relations charity Holywell Trust. It also found an overwhelming majority of respondents thought cross-border integration on issues such as

Market Square in Buncrana was flooded with people protesting the proposed cuts to SNAs yesterday evening, despite the government stating they would not go ahead. The assurance that reductions would not be made was for the 2026/27 academic year. Campaigners said the pause is not a solution or cause for celebration. One protestor, Geraldine Devlin,

The Regional Health Forum has been told that new pre-fabs are to be erected to augment the Emergency Department at Letterkenny University Hospital, but there will be no increase in capacity. Local Cllr Gerry McMonagle says an increase bed numbers and staffing must be prioritised, particularly as the frequency of ambulances waiting for long periods

The Donegal Local Community Safety Partnership has been told a debate is needed on garda treatment of rural pubs. Cllr Paul Canning told the meeting that bars in the Newtowncunningham, Killea and Carrigans area were raided at the weekend. He said the bars had stopped serving at half past midnight, but people were waiting inside

A demonstration is currently taking place in Buncrana in support of SNA staff. This is one of many protests due to take place after the review into SNAs was launched and subsequently paused by the Government recently. Bernie McKinney is an SNA in St Oran’s National School, one of the schools that were told would

The first public meeting of the Donegal Local Community Safety Partnership has taken place today in Lifford. This group has replaced the previous Joint Policing Committee It brings together local representatives, community groups, Gardaí, Tusla, the HSE, ETB as well as other groups together Speaking to Highland Radio News after the meeting, Chairperson Cllr Gerry McMonagle urged

Every school in the North now has a defibrillator on site. Stormont’s Education Minister visited Ballymoney High School in Antrim today to highlight the achievement. The scheme was announced in November 2024, and 476 defibrillators have been delivered to schools Paul Givan says it benefits more than just those in the school:

Deputy Charles Ward has hit out at the Government following the pause in the review of SNA allocations. This week, the Government had to make a U-turn on the review which would have seen cuts to special needs assistants in over 200 schools. Tánaiste Simon Harris says the Government got it wrong and the systems

The first public meeting of the Donegal Local Community Safety Partnership is under way in Lifford. The LCSP held its first meeting in private in November, with Cllr Gerry McMonagle elected to the chair. It brings together local politicians, community groups, Gardaí, Tusla, the HSE, ETB and other bodies and agencies. The Co-Ordinator of the

A Donegal TD has called on the national media to investigate the influence the ‘Big 5’ fishing corporations have on the EU. Speaking during statements on fishing quotas, Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn again claimed these corporations were central to the decision to set aside the Hague Preferences in December, effectively removing a mechanism designed to ensure

The HSE says it remains fully committed to the continued provision of safe, appropriate and sustainable primary care services in Tamney, Fanad, but has stressed the need for investment in an upgraded primary healthcare centre. The issue was raised at a Regional Health Forum meeting by Cllr. Declan Meehan, who was told a structured review

Capital approval has been granted for the proposed new 25-bed short-stay community hospital in Lifford. This was confirmed at a recent meeting of the Regional Health Forum alongside a new Primary Care Centre on a site owned by Donegal County Council. Local Councillor, Gary Doherty, has welcomed the confirmation but says there needs to be

Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien says he will do everything in his power to fix the issue of the lost midday air service from Donegal to Dublin. He gave the commitment at a meeting this afternoon with representatives of Donegal Cancer Flights and Services. The current Public Service Obligation contract, which includes the midday airlink and

Over 200 local councillors from all over the country are arriving in Inishowen for the Association of Irish Regions’ annual training seminar. The event takes place tomorrow and Thursday in the Inishowen Gateway Hotel, bringing together members of the Northern and Western, Southern, and Eastern and Midland Regional Assemblies. Local Councillor Jack Murray is Donegal

There will be no cuts to SNAs in the next school year. An extra €19 million has been agreed to fund SNAs after a meeting with Government leaders and senior ministers last night. It follows a public backlash to planned SNA cuts in almost 200 schools around the country. Donegal Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher

The new Chair of the Irish Hotels Federation branch in Donegal has said the sector is facing significant challenges across the county. Carolynn Murray, Director and General Manager of the Shandon Hotel, is attending the federation’s Annual Conference in Killarney, which continues today. She said the rising cost of doing business is a key issue

The North’s Economy Minister has indicated she does not believe regional balance needs to be legislated for, but she is open to persuasion. Foyle MLA Sinead McLaughlin told the Assembly this afternoon she has received the first copy of a bill she is putting before the Assembly calling for regional balance to be made a

A new project aimed at making donating blood easier for those with anxiety around needles is being unveiled today. Mixed-reality technology will allow for distraction while donating blood and is being unveiled by Abbott in Sligo in collaboration with the Irish Blood Transfusion Service. It is hoped that this project will eventually be used on

Fórsa trade union has called on the Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton, to confirm that all existing SNA posts in mainstream schools will be retained and protected from any cuts. The union says it believes that more than a thousand reviews of SNA staffing numbers have already been conducted by the NCSE, and

A Donegal based archaeologist says the National Monuments Service will be back in Donegal next month to examine what appears to be the wreckage of a ship that’s been exposed by sand displacement at Ballymastocker Bay. There’s speculation it may be the wreckage of the Saldanha which sunk in 1811. On today’s Greg Hughes Show,