Playback Archives - Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport

Today we navigate a profoundly heavy and emotional show, listening to the immense courage of abuse survivors following two massive convictions, alongside essential summer safety guidance and positive local healthcare updates.

Inside Today’s Episode:

The Morning Press: We kick off the program with our regular thorough review of the front pages, tracking the leading local and national headlines making waves this morning.

Donegal Council Warm Weather Advice: As a highly anticipated summer heatwave hits the region, Garry Martin, Director of Services with Donegal County Council, joins us with essential advice. He outlines how the public can stay safe, manage resources responsibly, and protect our coastal areas during this intense warm spell.

The Fall of Jeffrey Donaldson: Former editor of the Derry Journal, Pat McArt, joins Greg to provide comprehensive analysis and local reaction following the stunning conviction of former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson for child rape and historical sexual abuse offences.

Patrick Sharkey’s Victims Speak Out: In the wake of the recent sentencing of 83-year-old serial abuser Patrick Sharkey in a Donegal court, we hear a powerful and moving interview with Michael Bacon, one of the 19 young boys Sharkey abused over a 25-year period under the guise of school and kayaking trips.

A Survivor’s Fight for Justice: In an incredibly brave and harrowing interview, a local listener named Mary contacts the show to share her own story of being sexually abused as an eight-year-old child. She speaks out about the ongoing trauma of her past and her deep frustration that her abuser has fled the state to evade the Irish justice system.

Community Garda Information: Garda Padraig McFadden joins Greg live in the studio for this week’s slot, delivering vital local security notices, road safety reminders for the good weather, and the latest witness appeals from across the division.

Breakthrough for Buncrana Community Hospital: Cllr Fionán Bradley brings us a very positive update following a high-stakes meeting between the HSE, local politicians, and community representatives. He shares the encouraging new developments regarding the long-awaited renovation and future proofing of the community hospital.

Listen to the full episode and stay ahead of the local news:

The post The Greg Hughes Show | Tuesday | 23/06/2026 appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

This week on the DL Debate, Brendan Devenney takes a looks at all the GAA action from the weekend with Donegal legend Kevin Cassidy and top GAA sports writer Kieran Cunningham.

The DL Debate in association with Sara’s Kitchen at Sister Sara’s Letterkenny:

The post The DL Debate 22/6/26 appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

Today we reflect on a heartbreaking weekend for the county following a tragedy at the Donegal International Rally, alongside massive local developments for Finn Harps FC, a historic abuse sentencing, and international political shockwaves.

Inside Today’s Episode:

Tragedy at the Donegal International Rally: We reflect on a devastating weekend following the tragic death of 15-year-old spectator Tadhg Callaghan Carter at the rally.

Community Grief: St Eunan’s College Principal Damien McCroary speaks to us about the profound shock and loss felt across the school community.

The Response: We hear from Motor Club Ireland on the safety protocols and the impact on the motorsport community.

The Investigation: Sergeant Sean McDaid joins us to provide an update on the ongoing Garda investigation into the incident at Trentagh and issues an appeal for witnesses.

Justice After Decades of Silence: Gary Duffy of KRW Law reflects on the landmark case of 83-year-old Patrick Sharkey, who was sentenced to six years in prison after admitting to around 130 charges of historical childhood sexual abuse. He outlines how Sharkey abused 19 young boys over a 25-year period, with many of those horrific assaults occurring during trips to Donegal.

A Multi-Million Euro Future for Finn Harps: The Chair of Finn Harps, Ian Harkin, joins the show to share breaking details of a massive, potential multi-million euro takeover deal. He outlines what this means for the future of the club ahead of a crucial vote before shareholders next month.

The Croke Park Ban: Donegal piper Christy Murray joins the studio to discuss the controversial decision surrounding his performance ban at Croke Park and what it means for traditional musicians.

Donegal’s Championship Exit: GAA pundit and Donegal legend Brendan Devenney stops by to reflect on a disappointing weekend on the pitch as Donegal exits this year’s Senior Football Championship.

Seal Disturbance Concerns: Local listener Hannes calls in to recount a worrying encounter he witnessed over the weekend, where he engaged with four kayakers who he believes were actively harassing and distressing local seal populations.

Keir Starmer Resigns: Local analyst Richard Logue joins Greg to react to the breaking global news from London, as Keir Starmer officially announces he is stepping down as UK Prime Minister.

Listen to the full episode and stay ahead of the local news:

The post The Greg Hughes Show | Monday | 22/06/2026 appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

Today we dive into a packed Friday Panel tackling political reform, a striking legal system, and vital health awareness, alongside a historic policing landmark for Donegal and emotional community stories from across the county.

Inside Today’s Episode:

The Friday Panel: Cllr Jimmy Brogan and Ben Harkin join the studio for a sharp, wide-ranging debate across the week’s biggest talking points:

The Dáil Abortion Vote: The panel breaks down the heated political and social debate surrounding this week’s Dáil vote on whether to abolish the mandatory three-day waiting period for an abortion.

The Legal Aid Crisis: Our guests look at the escalating crisis in the justice system, discussing the unprecedented strike action taken by criminal defense lawyers over stagnant fees and examining the structural cracks appearing in the legal aid system as a whole.

The “Clarkson Effect” & Cancer Awareness: Following the massive public reaction to TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson’s recent diagnosis, Jimmy and Ben discuss how Ireland can best capitalize on this sudden wave of public awareness to boost early detection, screening, and open conversations surrounding prostate cancer.

A Historic Landmark for Irish Justice: Superintendent Siobhán Mollahan of the Donegal Garda Division joins us following the landmark sentencing of Georgijs Poniza and Armen Pogosyan. Convicted for human trafficking for labor exploitation, this marks the first ever successful conviction of its kind in the history of the state.

Rory Gallagher Festival Faces Collapse: Listeners react with shock and disappointment to the news that the iconic Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival in Ballyshannon may not go ahead this year following the sudden collapse of ticket vendor tickets.ie. We hear from devastated music fans calling in from Ballyshannon, Cork, and as far away as Australia.

Little Angels School Send-Off: Our own Donna-Marie Doherty presents a very special package live from the Little Angels School, capturing the immense joy, pride, and excitement as the inspiring students get a heartwarming send-off before heading to the Special Olympics.

Listen to the full episode and stay ahead of the local news:

The post The Greg Hughes Show | Friday | 19/06/26 appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

This week on The Score…

We join Oisin Kelly LIVE from the Ceremonial Start of the 2026 Wilton Recycling Donegal International Rally on the Port Road in Letterkenny.

We also speak to Declan Boyle to preview tomorrow evening’s games from Finn Harps & Derry City in the SSE Airtricity League…

Here’s the beginning of the Ceremonial Start of the rally where Oisin Kelly was speaking to James Cullen.

It’s 35 years since James won the rally in the “Pink Panther”, which has been restored and will be back rallying on the roads of the county tomorrow morning…

The post The Score – 18/06/26: LIVE from the Donegal International Rally Ceremonial Start appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

The engine notes will soon be echoing off the hills, the ditches will be lined with fans, and the biggest weekend in Irish motorsport is about to get underway!

Welcome to a special, standalone edition of The Greg Hughes Podcast, dedicated entirely to the absolute crown jewel of the Irish rallying calendar—The Donegal International Rally. Whether you are a die-hard petrolhead heading out to the ditches, a driver fine-tuning your pace notes, or a local navigating the weekend, this will be your ultimate all-access preview guide.

Inside This Special Episode:

The Stages & The Shakedown: Our Sports Editor Oisín Kelly, Chairman of the Donegal Motor Club Brian Brogan, and Clerk of the Course Eamonn McGee will dive deep into the competitive side of the weekend. They will break down the grueling 2026 stages, analyze the mechanical setups required for Donegal’s unique tarmac, and offer their predictions on who will have the pace to claim the ultimate bragging rights on the ramp.

Safety, Logistics & Letterkenny Business: We will shift focus from the stages to the massive operational effort required to keep the county safe and moving. Garda Inspector Paul McGee, Council Area Roads Engineer David McIlwaine, and Leonard Watson from the Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce will outline the comprehensive policing strategy, safety zones, and traffic management systems. Crucially, they will share a vital message for the weekend: Letterkenny will be fully open for business, highly accessible, and ready for an incredible atmosphere.

Turn the volume up, hit subscribe, and get the ultimate lowdown before the cars leave the start ramp!

The post The Greg Hughes Podcast |Bonus EP| The 2026 Donegal International Rally Special appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

Today we bring you a devastating update on the future of one of Donegal’s flagship music festivals, upcoming changes to local urban speed limits, and an extensive, multi-agency preview of the logistics and sports action ahead of this weekend’s Donegal International Rally.

Inside Today’s Episode:

The Morning Press: We open the broadcast with a review of the front pages, tracking the leading national and regional headlines driving the day’s conversation.

Public Consultation on Urban Speed Limits: Cllr. Paul Canning, Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, joins the show to discuss major proposed changes to urban speed limits across the county. With the public consultation window officially opening this coming Monday, he outlines what areas will be impacted and heavily encourages the public to engage and submit their feedback.

Devastating Blow for the Rory Gallagher Festival: In a shocking development for the local music scene, festival founder and organizer Barry O’Neill reveals that the globally renowned Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival in Ballyshannon will not go ahead next year. He opens up about the catastrophic fallout from the sudden collapse and liquidation of ticketing platform Tickets.ie, which has left the volunteer-led, non-profit festival hundreds of thousands of euro in debt and fighting for its survival.

The Donegal International Rally — Sports & Driver Preview: Excitement is reaching a fever pitch across the northwest. Our Sports Editor Oisín Kelly, Chairman of the Donegal Motor Club Brian Brogan, and Clerk of the Course Eamonn McGee dive deep into the competitive side of this weekend’s event. They map out the grueling stages for 2026 and debate who is tipped to top the podium.

Rally Logistics, Policing & Business Access: We shift focus to the massive operational infrastructure keeping the county moving safely this weekend. Garda Inspector Paul McGee, Council Area Roads Engineer David McIlwaine, and Leonard Watson of the Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce discuss the comprehensive policing strategy, crowd control, and traffic management systems in place. Crucially, they issue a reminder that Letterkenny remains fully open for business, accessible, and ready to welcome fans and shoppers alike.

The post The Greg Hughes Show |Thursday| 18/06/2026 appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

Today we bring you a highly charged legislative debate on abortion laws, an emotional update from the Creeslough families on their journey to Dublin, a major protest within the Donegal legal sector, and a massive breakthrough for a local family battling a rare illness.

Inside Today’s Episode:

The Morning Press: We open the morning with our signature look at the front pages of the local and national newspapers, tracking the top stories shaping the news agenda.

The Three-Day Abortion Reflection Period Debate: Ahead of a crucial Dáil vote, Sinn Féin Health Spokesperson David Cullinane and Mary T. Sweeney of Pro-Life Donegal join Greg for a heated head-to-head debate. They lock horns over Sinn Féin’s legislative proposals to completely remove the mandatory three-day waiting period currently required for an abortion in Ireland.

The Journey for a Creeslough Public Inquiry: Hugh Harper and Christine Evans drop into the studio live on their way to Dublin. They discuss their high-profile trip to meet national public representatives as they ramp up their relentless campaign demanding a full, independent public inquiry into the Creeslough tragedy.

Solicitors Strike Over Legal Aid Pay: Well-known Donegal solicitor Rory O’Brien joins the show to explain a unprecedented move in the local justice system. He breaks down why Donegal solicitors are joining colleagues nationwide in withdrawing key court and legal aid services today, protesting decades of stagnant state pay rates.

Miracle Drug Breakthrough for Aaron Langan: We cover a major breakthrough in the global fight against rare muscle-wasting diseases. Families across the country have been fiercely campaigning for access to the groundbreaking drug Givinostat. Having heavily championed the case of young Aaron Langan from Laghey on the show before, we speak to his dad, Dermott Langan, to get his reaction to the news that this life-altering drug may soon be made available in Ireland.

The post The Greg Hughes Show | Wednesday | 17/06/2026 appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

In this episode, we sit down with rally legend Garry Jennings for a conversation that is as harrowing as it is inspiring. After a horror crash at the 2025 Cavan Stages Rally left him fighting for his life, Garry’s future in the sport—and his future, period—was hanging in the balance.

Today, he joins us to share the story of his survival. We discuss the crash, his experience of “serenity” while trapped in the wreckage, and the gruelling physical and emotional road to recovery that followed. From being told he might never drive again to defying medical odds to compete in this year’s Donegal International Rally, Garry’s journey is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

Key Topics Discussed:

The Incident: A candid look back at the May 2025 crash at the Cavan Stages Rally, including the moments leading up to the accident and the life-saving intervention by fellow competitors.

The “Serenity” of Survival: Garry opens up about the surreal mental state he experienced while trapped in the vehicle before being brought back to consciousness.

Road to Recovery: The immense physical challenge of overcoming life-threatening injuries and the vital importance of the rehabilitation process.

The Mental Toll: How Garry navigated the emotional aftermath of the accident and the psychological battle to get back behind the wheel.

Looking Forward: His return to the rally circuit and what it means to be lining up at the start line of this year’s Donegal International Rally after such a life-altering event.

The post The Greg Hughes Podcast | Ep 25: Garry Jennings: The Crash, The Recovery, The Return appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

Today we hear a terrifying warning about vitamin overdosing, discuss the painful erosion of services in rural Donegal, raise critical road safety concerns, look ahead to a massive policing operation, and finish with a brilliant live studio session from a social media phenomenon.

Inside Today’s Episode:

The Morning Press: We kick off the program by reviewing the front pages of the local and national newspapers to see what stories are driving the conversation today.

The Hidden Danger of Vitamin Overdosing: Derry woman Bernie Quigley joins Greg to share a startling health warning. After experiencing concerning symptoms, medical tests revealed she had developed dangerously high, toxic levels of Vitamin B12 in her system. She shares her story to raise awareness about the unregulated consumption of high-dose supplements.

The Loss of Doochary National School: Councillor Micheál Mac Giolla Easbuig voices his deep anger and sadness over the closure of the National School in Doochary. He argues that this is just the latest vital asset to be stripped away from the locality, highlighting a devastating trend of rural depopulation and service cuts across West Donegal.

Raphoe to Convoy Road Safety Appeal: Local listener Kenneth contacts the show following a recent road traffic collision on the Raphoe to Convoy road. He explains how the crash heavily underscores long-standing community anxieties regarding this stretch of road and reiterates the urgent need for structural safety improvements before more lives are endangered.

Community Garda Information & Rally Policing: Garda Sergeant Eunan Walsh is live in studio with our weekly community crime and witness appeals. Crucially, he also breaks down the scale of the massive, high-visibility policing operation being deployed across the county for this weekend’s highly anticipated Donegal International Rally, issuing a stern warning regarding road safety and anti-social behavior.

Live Music with ‘Gig in a Gaff’: We close out the morning on a high note with Aaron, Ciarán, and Matthew, the brains behind the massively viral music initiative Gig in a Gaff. They chat about how they came up with the novel concept of bringing full-scale concerts directly into ordinary living rooms and kitchens, before treating us to a fantastic live performance in the studio.

The post The Greg Hughes Show | Tuesday | 16/06/2026 appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.