Author name: highlandnews

  The Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland may refuse to negotiate with the Education Minister on plans to reform the leaving cert. Norma Foley unveiled proposals last month which would see teachers conducting in-school assessments which would account for up to 40% of the marks in some subjects. However the Irish Independent reports that […]

With the Easter Bank Holiday Weekend fast approaching, the Donegal Road Safety Working Group has issued a reminder to stay safe on the roads over the holiday period. 50 people have died on Ireland’s roads so far this year – up 15 compared to this time last year. With deaths on Ireland’s roads so far

Inflation is expected to peak at 6.75 percent in the second quarter of this year, according to new Department of Finance figures. However, it also warns inflation could hit highs of more than nine per cent if oil prices increase by half, and gas prices rise by 75 percent. The Stability Programme Update notes the

There are 4,728 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 today in the Republic of Ireland. 2,098 are PCR-confirmed cases, while 2,630 people registered a positive antigen test through the HSE portal. There’s been a drop of 71 in the number of people in hospital, down to 933. 58 patients are now in ICU with the virus,

Cuts to the VAT rate charged on electricity and gas will last until the end of October. Ministers approved a package of measures aimed at reducing the cost of living at a Cabinet meeting earlier today. The VAT cuts will be worth around 50 euro a year on an annual gas bill, and 70 euro

Mortgage interest rates here in Ireland are still the second highest in the eurozone. New figures from the Central Bank today show the average home loan rate in the month of February was 2.75%. It’s double the European average of 1.36% and – according to Bonkers.ie – adds around 2,200 euro a year to the

  Two separate murder investigations are underway in Sligo after the bodies of two men were discovered in their homes in the town this week. The remains of 58 year old Michael Snee were found at Connaughton Road last night, while the body of 42 year old Aidan Moffitt was discovered at Cartron Heights on

An investigation is underway over a possible gunshot fired in Derry overnight. Detectives investigating the incident in Ridgeway Drive last night are appealing for witnesses. At 11:20pm a report was made that a ‘loud bang’ was heard in the area and a parked car had been damaged, possibly as a result of a shot being

  Gardai are investigating the death of a man in his 50’s whose body was found in an apartment in Sligo last night. The man who Gardai say had suffered ‘significant physical injuries’ was discovered at an apartment on Connaughton Road. A man in his 20’s has been arrested on suspicion of murder. Gardai were

The Tánaiste has said the case has never been stronger to implement tax cuts for middle income workers. Leo Varadkar said a full anti-inflation strategy is needed as the Cabinet prepares to sign off on plans to curb cost of living increases. This morning’s package will see a cut to the VAT charged on electricity

  A man has been arrested following the death of an elderly woman in a house fire in Co. Donegal. Emergency services attended the scene of the fire in the Doochary area yesterday and brought the blaze under control at around 4:40pm. The body of the woman in her 80’s was then found inside the

Dublin Airport is urging passengers not to arrive excessively early for their flights as the busy Easter period kicks in. Half a million people are set to travel in and out of the airport between now and Monday as the airport continues to deal with staff shortages. Passengers are advised to arrive up to three

A woman in her 80s has died following a fatal house fire in West Donegal. Gardaí are investigating the circumstances of the blaze which broke out in Doochary earlier today. The fire was extinguished by Emergency Services at approximately 4.40pm and the body of the woman discovered deceased inside the premises. The scene is currently

There are 4,761 new cases of Covid 19 today. 1,749 are PCR-confirmed cases, while 3,012 people registered a positive antigen test through the HSE portal. 1,004 COVID-19 patients are in hospital, down 77 on yesterday. 53 are in ICU, which is a decrease of 2.

It’s emerged that over €254 million in compensation has been paid out by the Saolta University Health Care Group over the past decade. Figures obtained by Aontú Leader, Peadar Tóibín reveal that a total of €1.6 billion has been forked out by hospitals across the country in damages since 2012. Last year alone, the Saolta

  Detectives are investigating an incident in Derry during which shots were fired by masked men in the Bogside area. It’s believed this occurred sometime on Friday night in the Durrow Park area where officers yesterday conducted a search. A number of items have been seized and taken away for forensic examination. Police are aware

Gardai in Donegal are warning that they will be out in force over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend. High visibility checkpoints and speed checks will be carried out across Donegal and motorists are being urged to ensure that they make road safety a top priority. Drivers are being urged to keep a constant eye on

  An investigation is continuing into two assaults in North Inishowen. Gardai say that the two incidents occurred at the same location on the Moville Road, Carndonagh over the past few weeks. The first assault which was only recently reported occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning the 3rd of April at approx. 3am.

  Two bikes have been stolen from a property in Letterkenny. The burglary happened at An Gleann Rua, Killylastin between Friday evening last at 6pm and Saturday morning at 8am. The garden shed to the rear of the property was entered and two bikes were stolen from it. One of the bikes was later recovered

  Four tyres have been damaged on a car in the Twin Towns. Gardaí are investigating the incident of criminal damage that occurred at Mulreany Terrace, Stranorlar at some stage between Sunday night last at 10.15pm and 9.40am yesterday morning. The owner of a car in that area discovered on the Monday morning that the

The front window of a house in the Twin Towns has been smashed with a brick. Gardai are investigating the incident of criminal damage that happened at Chapel Street, Stranorlar yesterday between the early hours of that morning (after Midnight) and Midday. They are appealing in particular to other residents in the area of Chapel

Gardai in Donegal have issued a warning over the theft of boats and other related equipment.  They say every year, particularly in the Spring and Summer they receive reports in relation to the theft of boats, boat trailers, outboard motors and electronic/safety equipment. Gardai say that are measures that can be taken to protect valuable

A man’s body has been found in ‘unexplained circumstances’ in Co. Sligo. The discovery was made at a property outside Sligo town last night. Gardai were alerted to a house in Cartron area at around 8.30pm. There they discovered the body of a man in his late 30s. His death’s being treated as ‘unexplained’ at

    A Day of Reflection is to be held in Donegal next month as a tribute to those who passed away during the Covid-19 pandemic, those whose lives were changed and those who helped face the challenges. People are being asked to submit a photo they believe defines the pandemic. Donegal County Community Forum

12,208 new cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed over the past three days. The Department of Health has released the figures for today and for the weekend. 1,081 patients are in hospital, 55 are in ICU.

A one-way system will be in place in the Twin Towns for the coming weeks to facilitate works on Stranorlar bridge. Due to Stop/go systems previously causing lengthy tailbacks and bottlenecks in the area, following consultation with Donegal County Council, the contractor has opted to reduce traffic to a single lane. The temporary traffic plan

Junior doctors are to be balloted for industrial action. Non-consultant hospital doctors are warning of action if the HSE doesn’t address their concerns. The Irish Medical Organisation is describing the mood of NCHDs across the country as demoralised, frustrated and angry. A survey shows almost all junior doctors, 96 per cent, have been required to

Police in Derry are investigating the attempted murder of a police officer. Yesterday, a petrol bomb was thrown directly at the officer who was at the scene of a house fire in the Creggan area. The officer was with colleagues who responded to the fire in St. Cecilia’s Walk, which had been reported shortly before