New Fire Station to be built to serve Bundoran and Ballyshannon

A new state-of-the-art Fire Station will be built to serve Bundoran and Ballyshannon. 

The current fire station in both towns is in a state of “disrepair”. A new fire station will be constructed to facilitate a minimum of two pumping appliances at Finner.

“This is a special day for the Donegal MD,” Councillor Michel Nauhton said. “I am delighted. After a lot of competition over the years, we have decided we will go with one fire station. 

“We all know Bundoran and Ballyshannon fire stations are in disrepair; they are on the verge of being shut down.  I think it had to be done before that happened and it was taken out of our hands. We are going to get a modern, up-to-date fire station and one that will serve the needs of the community. It will be the most modern in the county when completed.”

A submission will now be made to the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage, requesting funding for the construction of the single fire station under the Fire Services 5 Year Capital Plan 2026-2030. 

“This has been going on for almost 45 years and I think the right decision has been made to do the amalgamated station with two pumps,” Councillor Michael McMahon said. “During one of the storms earlier this year, the firemen had to be stood down, so that tells me we need to move it on.”

Councillor McMahon is referring to the last storm when Bundoran Fire Station was deemed unsafe for use in the weather conditions. 

“While I would personally prefer two fire stations, over the last 40 years we have concluded that it will not be possible,” Councillor Jimmy Brogan said. “While there might be some discontent, we should move forward with the amalgamated station in Finner.”

The Donegal MD Councillors unanimously approved the development, agreeing that an amalgamated modern fire station, located geographically in the middle of the locations, will serve the community better. 

A proposal was also put forward to rebuild the Glencolmcille Fire Station by Councillor Jimmy Brogan, which was seconded by Councillor Noel Jordan and Councillor Michael Boyle. 

“Moving forward, I would like to propose that, along with the two pump stations in Finner that we also apply to have a new station built in Glencolmcille,” Brogan said. “The station was built in the 1990s; it's been a long time. I think the people of Glencolmcille also deserve an up-to-date fire station. It is the only fire station, as far as I know, that has not been updated and I think this is the time.”