Councillor Ruairí McHugh, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, visited St Patrick’s Primary School and Nursery in Castlederg on 24 March. He met Primary 7 pupils and staff, including Principal Brian McGurk. His mother, Sylvia McHugh, a former school employee, joined him. McHugh discussed his mayoral duties and his experiences growing up in Castlederg. Pupils asked questions about civic leadership and community service.

McHugh expressed pleasure at returning to the school where his memories formed. He noted the pupils' enthusiasm inspired him and hoped his visit encouraged them to recognize their potential.

On another occasion this week, McHugh unveiled a plaque at Melvin Arena in Strabane to name the covered stand the Danny Rouse Stand. Family members attended, including wife Eileen and children Danny Junior and Andrea. The renaming followed a proposal by Councillor Raymond Barr, approved unanimously. The 200-seater stand formed part of a £1.15 million upgrade completed in July 2021 by the council and Irish Football Association.

McHugh called the naming a suitable recognition of Rouse's contributions to soccer with Derry City, Sligo Rovers, and Omagh Town, and to GAA with Strabane Sigersons, where he managed a Division Three title win in the 1990s. Rouse also worked long-term in the former Strabane Council's waste and environmental services.

McHugh attended Ulster University’s Magee campus on 21 March for the Community Resilience Disaster Day. He observed simulation exercises with over 400 final-year nursing and paramedic students. Nineteen partners took part, including PSNI, NIAS, Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, RNLI, Western and Belfast Health and Social Care Trusts, and Red Cross. McHugh spoke with student casualties and assessed participants.