Charlie O'Donnell, of Malin Head Community Association, who is heading the campaign to prevent government chiefs from closing the station has spoken of his upset at the threatened closure of the beloved base.

In a video report, he told Derry Journal TV, that closing the station is just like putting two fingers up to rural Ireland.

He said: "For a lot of people in the community, especially people who are involved in going out to sea and sea-going activity - whether it is fishing or leisure activity - some time or another they have interacted with Malin Head and have been more than satisfied by the professionalism that has been displayed by them.

"But I suppose for the wider community if our government doesn't have any confidence in rural Ireland, and that is the message being put out by this report whether they are taking jobs away and relocating them - not to a low wage economy but to the east coast of Ireland where, in general, the wages would be higher.

"Certainly operational costs would be higher.

"The message, I suppose, is it is basically two fingers up to rural Ireland, that is the way I would read it.

"If you are from Donegal and the North West in general I think you can only but get on board."

Mr O'Donnell said the reasons given in the report Minister Noel Dempsey is acting on - to close the station - are not true.

He said with 'people power' pressure can be put on Minister Dempsey and his department to male them do a U-turn on the matter and keep the station in Malin Head.

He believes the closure of the 106-year-old station will have serious knock on effects for the area.

He added: "The issue is a lot bigger in many ways.

"It is not just about the closure of the station, it is a mindset that displays rural Ireland doesn't count."

If you would like to see a video of this report, please log on to www.derryjournal.com and click on Derry Journal TV.

And, if you want to join our campaign please complete the petition below or email your support to donna.pryce@derryjournal.com