‘We should have access to the same services as everyone else’

Three firefighters are responding to emergency calls on Arranmore (Árainn Mhór) Island, which is inhabited by around 500 people.

Concerns have been repeatedly raised due to staffing levels and the replacement of retained (paid) positions.

Arranmore Fire Station now operates with a fully volunteer crew as the two retained firefighters have retired. Additionally, none of the three volunteer firefighters has been appointed to drive the fire engine.

John Boyle Sailor, who served as a firefighter on Arranmore from 2004 until 2026, said: “What has happened now has been flagged for months. There should be a minimum of six firefighters on the island.”

The Donegal County Council Islands Committee met on November 10, for the second time in 2026. However, no representatives from the Donegal County Fire Service were present to address the ongoing issue of fire services on the islands.

"It is an absolute disgrace that nobody from the fire service is here at this meeting,” John McCafferty, representative of Arranmore Island, said. “We should have access to the same services as everyone else.

“No appointments have been made, and Arranmore Island is one of the highest blackspots for unemployment. This issue needs to be sorted urgently.”

Independent councillor Micheál Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig described the situation as “unacceptable”.

Adding that: “This leaves our island community i Árainn Mhór very vulnerable and people are rightly concerned. No other community i Dún na nGall or any other county would accept this disgraceful level of service.”

Councillor Mac Giolla Easbuig called on Councillor Anthony Molloy, newly elected chair of the Islands Committee, to request an emergency meeting with Michael Scott, Chief Fire Officer at Donegal County Fire Service, along with Garry Martin, Director of Human Resources, Economic Development and Emergency Services at Donegal County Council.

A fire service was launched in Arranmore in 1973, in response to a house fire. The service was equipped with a fire engine and a purpose-built fire tender, and nine firefighters.

Now, there have been no recruits to Arranmore Fire Service since 2015, leaving the service inadequately staffed to respond to emergencies and unable to avail of the fire engine at present.

“Five people put their name forward, but they haven't been contacted by the fire service,” former firefighter Sailor continued. “After this, they would have to complete courses, so you are looking at six to twelve months.

“You couldn't make it up; there seems to be no interest from council or fire service other than to run it into the ground.

“Our nearest station is Dungloe; they would be the best part of an hour getting to us. I find it very frustrating to see how this has been run down; it has been going on for years.”

Donegal County Fire Service presented to elected members of the Glenties Municipal District at a workshop held in October, which detailed payment and recruitment within the service.

“We met with the fire service and were told that wages were not cut and people are being interviewed for roles,” Sinn Féin councillor John Sheamais Ó’ Fhearraigh said at the Islands Committee meeting. “We are left with three firefighters at the minute; the island blue light national policy needs changing.”

A community campaign, SOS - Save Our Service, was launched in July in a bid to safeguard the future of the fire service.

At the July Plenary meeting of Donegal County Council, Garry Martin, Director of Emergency Services, addressed the service on Arranmore.

Highlighting that houses on the island are equipped with smoke detectors and fire blankets and that “it is not national policy to provide a blue light service on the islands.

“It is a voluntary service and the same level of volunteers will be maintained on the island to facilitate that voluntary service.”