Author name: highlandnews

The Garda Commissioner is being urged to arm some members of the force with tasers. The 285 assaults on gardaí last year has prompted the call, at the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors conference in Galway today. They propose introducing the so-called “less lethal devices” on a graduated basis, beginning with frontline gardaí, like […]

Almost 239,000 ambulances spent over half an hour at a hospital last year, before offloading a patient and getting back on the road. It represents four out of every five ambulances that arrived at emergency departments. The HSE’s target is less than 30 minutes – but delays at EDs mean that’s not being met. David

A family in the North West face having to sleep in their car as a result of the ending of the eviction ban. Since the lifting of the ban at midnight on Friday, 88 eviction notices were reactivated in Donegal while according to the Residential Tenancies Board, 127 notices to quit were served to tenants

Minister Charlie McConalogue says a number of major school projects in Inishowen remain on schedule, and he is confident they will not be delayed. He was speaking after Education Minister Norma Foley said that Gaelscoil na gCeithre Maistrí in Donegal Town is the only Donegal project which has been stalled as a result of a

There’s a call for Northern Irish history to be included as a core module within the Leaving Cert History curriculum. It’s after a survey revealed a low level of knowledge the Troubles among young people. The Sunday Times poll has found 1 in 4 young people are uneducated on the Peace Process in Northern Ireland. Taoiseach

The National Ambulance Service’s “Pathfinder” initiative has been extended to Letterkenny, with a local team starting work today, and the full rollout of the service set to be complete Wednesday of next week. The initiative is designed to safely keep older people who make emergency calls in their own home, rather than taking them to

The Donegal County Coroner is calling for a drug used to treat epilepsy, nerve pain and anxiety to be reclassified. It’s after an increase in evidence of pregabalin being present in drug related deaths. The medicine is believed to pose a particular risk to users with current or past substance related disorders. Dr Denis McCauley

    The Cathaoirleach of the Lifford Stranorlar Municipal District says the council must broaden its response to flash flooding at Drumfergus, Killygordon on Friday evening. Up to 100 metres of roadway was washed away, and a number of homes and gardens were damaged by flood water and debris. Cllr Patrick McGowan says there has

88 eviction notices were reinstated in Donegal following the lifting of the eviction ban over the weekend. It comes following an increase in the number of people presenting as homeless in the North West. Latest figures published by the Department of Housing show that during one week in February, 146 people, including 30 children accessed

There’s further calls for the report into flooding at Letterkenny University Hospital to be published. The Chair of the Regional Health Forum says it’s shocking that 11 years on since the hospital was devastated by the flooding, reports have still not been made public. The CEO of the Saolta University Health Care Group, Tony Canavan

The Garda Roster is top of today’s agenda for the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors Annual Delegate Conference. Members have accused Garda Commissioner Drew Harris of trying to impose a roster without agreement, and have concerns around health and welfare. The Commissioner, and Justice Minister Simon Harris, will address the conference in Galway. Antoinette

The Tánaiste says we have “more to do to deliver on the fresh start the Good Friday Agreement promised.” Micheál Martin was speaking at an event at the Abbey Theatre last night ahead of the 25th Anniversary of the agreement. He says although we now have peace on the island, “we are not yet fully

There’s been a slight slowdown in the rate of price rises for homes across the country. Asking price inflation slowed to 3.2% nationwide. The latest Myhome.ie report with Davy shows the median cost of a home in Donegal rose by 5.4% to €195,000 overall. However, there has been a drop in the cost of 2

The ending of the eviction ban ‘is outrageous’. That’s the view of People Before Profit TD Brid Smith after a huge protest called for the ban to be reinstated over the weekend. The demonstration was held on Saturday after the eviction moratorium finished at midnight on Friday. Deputy Smith is concerned over the number of

Protesters from Gaelscoil na gCeithre Máistrí stood outside the school gates of St. Mary’s National school yesterday anticipating the visit of Education Minister Norma Foley. They were protesting the pausing of long awaited works at their school. Deputy Joe McHugh, who was the Education Minister at the time of the project approval says it’s wrong

Education Minister Norma Foley has said she is in positive discussions with the Finance Minister in order to advance school projects. Minister Foley had visited Donegal today. A protest organised by the Parents Association of Gaelscoil na gCeithre Máistrí was staged at St. Mary’s National School, Stranorlar this afternoon in response to a number of

Protests are continuing at St. Mary’s National School, Stranolar, coinciding with the visit of Education Minister Normal Foley. One of the protestors is a parent who lives near Gaelscoil na gCeithre Máistrí. Derek McCallig says he expected diggers to turn up to the gaelscoil each Monday morning as works were due to commence in the

Protests have began at St. Mary’s National School, Stranorlar in response to the deferral of works at a number of long-awaited school building projects in the county. The Parents Association of Gaelscoil na gCeithre Máistrí have organised the gathering to coincide with Education Minister Norma Foley’s visit to the school. Staff had the opportunity to

The Chair of the International Fund for Ireland has said a visit to Donegal by US President Joe Biden cannot be ruled out. Visits to Mayo and Louth, where President Biden has family connections are being predicted, along with engagements in Dublin and Belfast. However, on today’s Nine til Noon, Paddy Harte told Greg Hughes

The Housing Minister says the eviction ban had to end to protect the rental market. Darragh O’Brien says the government has delivered almost 6,000 new social homes during the moratorium. The winter eviction ban will lapse at midnight tonight. Minister O’Brien insists supports are in place to protect tenants:

The solicitor leading a case on defective blocks through the Commercial Court says it is being fast tracked, and he anticipates a first hearing next year, with the case potentially concluded within 24 months. David Coleman of Coleman Legal says this is a very quick period for such a hearing. Over 1,400 people have already

A protest is taking place outside St Mary’s National School in Stranorlar this afternoon in response to the deferral of a number of long-awaited school building projects in Donegal. The Parents Association of Gaelscoil na gCeithre Máistrí have organised the gathering at 1pm to coincide with Education Minister Norma Foley’s visit to the school. Two

The importance of getting young people involved in politics is being stressed today, as a Donegal student was honoured for their contribution to the Oireachtas essay competition. Thomas Cannon was presented with a highly commended award by Senator Ronan Mullan. Leanne Healy was already awarded the Ulster Regional Award in Leinster House earlier this month.