The Greg Hughes Show

It’s a packed Monday morning as we look back on a huge sporting weekend and tackle the issues hitting the headlines across Donegal.

The Morning Paper Review

The Loss of the Letterkenny Town Bus

Review of Telemedicine Abortion

GAA: Donegal v Mayo & The DL Debate

Short-Term Let Regulations: Clarity Needed

A Night with Neven: Fundraising for Downstrands

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On today’s show, Greg Hughes brings you a packed Friday agenda, from international controversies to the issues hitting the heart of Donegal.

The Friday Panel: Football, Policing, and Politics We are joined by our Friday Panel—Former Garda Sergeant Christie Galligan, Professor Pat O’Connor, and Cllr Denis McGee—to discuss the fallout from Ireland being drawn against Israel in the UEFA Nations League. We examine the immediate political and social reactions to the draw and the significant policing challenges surrounding these high-profile fixtures.

The Donegal-Dublin PSO: What Next? The panel examines the “what next” following the controversial changes to the Donegal–Dublin Public Service Obligation (PSO). With the midday flight removed and the aircraft no longer based at Donegal Airport overnight, we discuss the regional impact on business, tourism, and essential medical travel.

County Reputation: Dog Fouling and Litter We address the growing frustration over the county’s cleanliness. Despite rising complaints, figures show zero dog fouling fines were issued in Donegal last year. We also look at reports of overflowing bottle banks and littering, asking if a lack of enforcement is damaging Donegal’s reputation.

Crisis at St Oran’s National School We speak to parents following the shock announcement that St Oran’s National School is set to lose 1.5 Special Needs Assistant (SNA) positions. We discuss the devastating impact this will have on vulnerable students and the heartbreak felt by the school community.

Call for Boycott: Cllr Jack Murray Cllr Jack Murray joins us to explain why he is calling for Ireland to pull out of its matches against Israel, arguing that the sporting fixtures cannot be separated from the ongoing international conflict.

Trending with Shannen Wilkins To wrap up, Shannen Wilkins takes a look at what’s hot on the TV this weekend and what is currently trending across the socials.

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What does it feel like to plan your daughter’s funeral while she is still alive? In this raw and deeply personal episode, Bernadette McConnell joins us to share her journey as a mother navigating her daughter Bailey’s decade-long battle with cocaine and prescription drug addiction.

Bernadette pulls back the curtain on the “silent suffering” of parents. She discusses the agonizing thin line between helping and enabling, the physical toll of constant worry, and the moment she realized she didn’t hate her daughter—she hated the addict that had stolen her “Bailey Boo.”

In this episode, we discuss:

The Reality of Addiction: Moving from “daddling” in teens to full-blown addiction in the 20s.

The Mother’s Burden: Managing the guilt, the sleepless nights, and the trauma of “checking socials” just to see if your child is alive.

The Systemic Failure: The “closed doors” of mental health services and the lack of immediate support for those in crisis.

The Turning Point: Why Bernadette had to step back to save both herself and her daughter.

Hope in Recovery: Celebrating Bailey’s 14 months of sobriety and the power of professional detox centers.

Connect with the Show: New episodes are released every Friday at 11:00 AM. We value your feedback and stories. Please reach out to our researcher and producer, Caroline Orr, at [email protected] with any comments or inquiries.

The post The Greg Hughes Podcast: Ep6 – The Stolen Child: A Mother’s Fight Against Addiction appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

This morning on The Greg Hughes Show, we dive into the heart of the issues affecting the Northwest, from groundbreaking transport proposals to deeply personal stories of resilience.

The Paper Review: We kick things off with a comprehensive look at the local and national headlines shaping the day.

A New Era for Rail?: Steve Bradley, Chair of Into the West, joins us to unveil the “Metro Northwest” concept—an ambitious plan to transform regional connectivity.

Health & Awareness: Listener Patricia bravely shares her journey with bowel cancer, offering a vital reminder to us all on the importance of reacting to early warning signs.

The PSO Flight Crisis: The changes to the Donegal-Dublin air link are causing major concern. We speak to three listeners whose lives and livelihoods will be deeply impacted by the new schedule.

A Sporting Legend: Snooker icon and former World Champion Ken Doherty joins Greg for a chat about his storied career, the current state of the game and an upcoming visit to Letterkenny.

Business Matters: Chris Ashmore stops by with the latest business news and a preview of what’s coming up on this week’s Business Matters podcast.

The post The Greg Hughes Show Thursday 12/02/2026 appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

On the show today, we are covering the transport gaps leaving our rural towns in the dark and the latest update on the fight for Donegal’s cancer flights.

We start by going through the morning’s newspapers, looking at the lead stories and the headlines affecting the Northwest today.

People in Dunfanaghey and Carrigart etc are calling for action. We talk to listeners and bus operators who say the current timetables simply aren’t enough. They are looking for government support to extend services—is rural Donegal being left at a standstill?

There is major frustration today as a promised meeting between campaigners and Department officials has been scrapped. We get reaction from Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher, Deputy Pearse Doherty, and Mary Coyle of Donegal Flights and Services.

We also speak to Sharon, whose 11-year-old son relies on this service. She explains the devastating impact that losing these flights would have on his care and their family life.

X Factor star Eoghan Quigg joins us in studio. In a candid conversation, he discusses his decision to have a vasectomy and why he’s chosen to speak out about the procedure and men’s health in general.

The post The Greg Hughes Show Wednesday 11/02/2026 appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

In today’s episode, we navigate a wide range of issues hitting the heart of Donegal—from personal accounts of digital fraud and a critical campaign for local education to a stark warning for the county’s rental market.

The Morning Papers: We kick off the show with a comprehensive look at the front pages and the stories driving the national conversation today.

Facebook Marketplace Warning: Listener Sinead joins us to share her harrowing experience as a victim of a highly sophisticated scam. She outlines the red flags she missed so that other listeners can stay protected.

The Fight for St Eunan’s: 6th-year students Ruairi Bradley and Shea Deasly are in studio to represent the student body of St Eunan’s College. They discuss their campaign for inclusion in Government funding following the school’s recent omission from major investment plans.

Donegal Rent Crisis: Sinn Féin Housing Spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin joins us to react to new government rental rules. He warns that these changes could see Donegal rents spiral by nearly €2,000 a year, further squeezing local families.

Digital Safety & Our Kids: Alex Cooney of CyberSafeKids breaks down the startling results of their latest survey, highlighting the risks associated with children’s unsupervised access to the internet and the “unfettered” reach of social media.

Community Garda Information: Garda Grainne Doherty is in studio with her weekly update, including an appeal regarding a recent fraud incident in the Pettigo area.

The Future of Keir Starmer: Labour Political Activist Richard Logue joins Greg to discuss the current standing and future trajectory of the UK Prime Minister amidst shifting political sands.

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In this special episode, we are joined by the Donegal Person of the Year 2025, Packie Keeney.

From the early days of telecommunications to the birth of local radio, Packie’s fingerprints are all over the modern history of our county. We sit down to discuss a life lived at the heart of the community, exploring the many chapters of a remarkable career and the passions that drive him.

The Voice of the Northwest: Packie reflects on his pivotal role as one of the founding fathers of Highland Radio, sharing behind-the-scenes stories of how local media was built from the ground up.

From the Pitch to the Lens: We trace his lifelong love affair with the GAA—from his playing days in the green and gold of Ardara to his essential work as a videographer, capturing the greatest moments of Donegal football for future generations.

Connecting the County: A look back at his time with P&T (Post & Telegraphs), a career that saw him literally connecting the people of Donegal long before the digital age.

The Power of Song & Community: Packie discusses his involvement with the Finn Valley Men’s Choir and his dedicated work with housing bodies, ensuring that the most vulnerable in our community have a place to call home.

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In today’s episode, we dive deep into the issues impacting Donegal right now—from the gates of Bord Bia to the heart of our local business community.

The Morning Headlines: We kick things off with a comprehensive look at the front pages and the stories driving the national conversation today.

Protest at Bord Bia: We go live to the offices of Bord Bia where a protest is currently underway. We get the latest updates on what’s happening on the ground and why people are taking a stand.

The “Before We Die” Concern: Tony Murray joins us to discuss the heart-wrenching reality for parents caring for adult children. The big question remains: What happens when the parents are no longer there? * A Call for Action in Killybegs: A local businessman weighs in on the mounting pressures facing the sector. He calls for a dedicated taskforce to identify the specific training and supports needed to keep Killybegs thriving.

Privacy vs. The Party: Are we being watched too closely? Listeners share their frustrations over the rise of video recording in pubs and at dances. We ask where the line should be drawn between capturing a memory and invading privacy.

Meet the Person of the Year: We have an inspiring chat with the newly crowned Donegal Person of the Year 2025, Packie Keeney, about his life, his work, and what the honor means to him.

The post The Greg Hughes Show Monday 09/02/2026 appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

On today’s show, we dive into a packed Friday agenda, moving from the corridors of power in Washington to the farming heartlands of Donegal. From high-stakes legal battles to the essential lifelines connecting our county to the capital, we cover the stories that matter to you.

Joining Greg in-studio for our Friday Panel are Cllr Fionan Bradley, Seamus McDaid (CEO of Football Special), and Emma Govha (better known as ‘The Wee Donegal Mammy’).

“Smile for the Camera”: We discuss the viral exchange where Donald Trump told a female journalist to “smile” while being questioned on the Epstein files. The panel debates whether this is a symptom of broader workplace expectations for women and the fine line between professional decorum and gendered double standards.

The Epstein Files: As more documents come to light, we look at the continuing international fallout and what these revelations mean for accountability and the survivors still seeking justice.

Economic Storm Clouds: With personal borrowing on the rise and international economic “headwinds” blowing cold, the panel asks the tough question: Is Donegal—and Ireland—facing into another significant downturn?

Prominent solicitor Seamus Gunn joins us to break down the latest legal headlines, including the recent legal woes surrounding Michael Flatley. Seamus also takes the time to answer your listener questions, providing expert guidance on everything from property disputes to employment law.

The “lifeline” flight between Carrickfinn and Dublin is under threat. Deputy Pearse Doherty joins the program to discuss the proposed changes to the Public Service Obligation (PSO) contract, which could see the loss of the vital afternoon flight. With a petition gaining thousands of signatures, we explore why this is a devastating blow for cancer patients and business travelers alike.

A serious blow to the local farming community as we issue an appeal following the suspected theft of 55 high-value ewes from a farm in Donegal. We have the details on the stock and how you can help the Gardaí with their investigation.

The post The Greg Hughes Show Friday 06/02/26 appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, we sit down with renowned Irish journalist Brighid ‘Biddy’ McLaughlin. While her new book, Tales of a Patchwork Life, covers a storied career in the Sunday Independent, it also serves as a searing account of her family’s 20-year journey through tragedy.

Biddy opens up about the 2006 murder of her sister, Siobhan McLaughlin, by her husband Brian Kearney. We discuss the gruelling quest for a criminal conviction, the bitter battle for custody of Siobhan’s son, and the ongoing trauma of a parole system that Biddy argues favours the perpetrator over the victims.

This is a conversation about the “cushy” reality of life behind bars for some, the mounting stress on elderly parents forced to face their daughter’s killer at parole hearings, and why Biddy is campaigning for “life to mean life” in the Irish justice system.

The Siobhan McLaughlin Case: Recalling the events of 2006 and the impact on the McLaughlin family.

The Custody Battle: The hidden legal hurdles families face following a domestic homicide.

Inside the System: Biddy’s observations on Brian Kearney’s life in prison and the lack of true accountability.

The Parole Burden: The psychological toll of frequent parole applications on aging parents and the need for legislative reform.

Resilience & Coping: How Biddy and her family have maintained their strength and turned grief into a campaign for justice.

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