North West Today

Bertie Ahern's comments on immigrants, the two by-elections, Kier Starmer's leadership, financial incentives for Ukrainians to return home and the legacy of James Connolly and Sean MacDiarmada are among the issues discussed on this week's panel -  with Senator Nessa Cosgrove and former MEP Chris MacManus See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Parents of pupils attending Gaelscoil Chnoc na Ré in Sligo say they are disappointed with the outcome of a meeting they had with the Minsiter for Education when she visited the school yesterday. The Minister indicated that it would be 2028 before the school could be on the new list for school developments, but the parents say a new school is long overdue, because of existing inadequate faci...

Former Sligo-Leitrim Fianna Fail TD John Ellis claims ex-Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was set up after a video recording of him commenting on immigrants was posted online. Ellis says he has sympathy for Ahern and was only putting across views that many Irish residents hold, but are afraid to express for fear of being called racist See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The rise in the numbers of fatatlies on our roads has unfortunately highlighted the whole area of  personal injuries and personal injury claims and what dependents might do in cases of fatal injury accidents. Carolne McLoughlin, Partner with Callan Tansey Solicitors, discusses See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Donegal tour guide insists the development of superpubs in Donegal Town is not the way the Town needs to go in terms of tourism and threatens to destroy its reputation as one of the 'coolest places on the planet'. Derek Vial of Tour Donegal has been reacting to a planning application by McCafferty's Bar to expand its premises in the town See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mystery still surrounds the discovery of the body of a man on the shore at Tullaghan in North Leitrim 40 years ago. The heavily tatttooed body was found on 1st May, 1986, and despite an exhumation, still remains unidentified. Former Garda diver, Jim Brennan, has had a long-time interest in the case See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brooke Coleman was the subject of a sexual assault in her home village of Gurteen two years ago -  the man responsible has been jailed for two years. She's given a detailed inteview on how traumatic the entire experience has been for her - while her mother, Jessica, speaks of the devastation of parents being told their daugher was sexually assaulted See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf...

Lydia is preparing to send her son to school in Co Sligo but says she is shocked that there is only one non-denominational school in the county, whereas there are 62 Catholic schools and 5 Church of Ireland. She claims this is a form of discrimination and exclusion as she does not want to send her son to any school which has a religious ethos See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week's Friday Panel discuss the arrival of more IPA residents in Sligo, possible retrictions on vape shops, banning social media for under 16s, the latest political opinion poll and Government peformance, the concept of kid's courts to crack down on speeding, and Ireland's Eurovision boycott. Guests are former Sligo Mayor Marcella McGarry and Fine Gael Cllr Fergal Nealon See omnystudio.com/li...

9 year old Aaron Langan of Laghey in Donegal has the rare muscle-wasting condition of DMD - Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. His family are appealing to the HSE and authorities to facilitate access to a drug which would slow his condition. His father, Dermot, outlines more See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A significant number of 160 IPAS residents who are being accommodated in Cahersiveen in Co Kerry are being moved to accommodation in Sligo. The IPAS residents were informed of the move by letter in the past few days, which has prompted a campaign in Cahersiveen to keep them where they are See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The parents of the three 13 year-old boys seriously assualted by a property developer at Collooney in 2024 have said the violence used in the attack was shocking and beyond comprehension, and now want time to be allowed heal. Cathal O'Connor was senteced to two years in prison after pleading guilty to the assaults, while Simon Cavanagh of Collooney was given a 2 and a half year suspended sentence...

Seamus Kilgannon has been co-opted onto Sligo County Council for the third time in his political career, defeating businessman Finbarr Filan at last night's Fianna Fail convention by 27 votes to 11. He says he would have supported a young candidiate, if one had stood for the vacancy, and insists he still has the passion to be an effective councillor See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informat...

15 year old Paul Maxwell was one of the 4 killed in the 1979 bombing in Mullaghmore when the IRA planted explosives on the boat of Lord Louis Mountbatten. Paul's mother, Mary Hornsey, reflects on an appalling tragedy, how it took years to accept and forget, her eventual return to Mullaghmore, how her son still communicates with her, and much, much, more See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...

The former President of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, Martina Harkin-Kelly, has retired from nursing after 43 years. She reflects on her career as a nurse in Sligo Hospital and in London, on her union role, the state of our health services and whether she has a future in politics See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Art Deco Theatre in Ballymote is a 216 seat theatre and cinema operated by the Hawkeswell Theatre.   This morning's North West Today Broadcast from the theatre included Gladys Hannon, the Baroness of Ballymote, who spoke about the facility's importance to the local community.  Niall was also joined by a number of those involved in the Ballymote Community  See omnystudio.com...

This morning's Friday Panel came from the Art Deco , Ballymote.  Former TD John Perry and Eamon Scanlon TD joined Niall to discuss the issues of the week including the Fuel Support Package, Government withdrawal of tourist /commercial accommodation for   Ukrainians , the progression of Ballymote and May Day Traditions  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reaction to the revelation that civil registration wedding ceremonies are now more popular than Catholic Church weddings - CSO figures show the change in attitude between 2014 and 2024. Enda Harte, Sligo-based weding celebrant and registered solemniser, offers his views See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sligo GP Dr Margaret Connolly speaks live from her vessel as the flotilla heading for Gaza is intercepted by the Isreali Defence Force. Dr Connolly says she has not yet been arrested and all crew on board are safe - 170 members of the flotilla, including 4 Irish, have been arrested, and she has a strong message for the Irish Government after what has happened See omnystudio.com/listener for privac...

The Save Dough Mountain Group have outlined their opposition to the proposed development of a 14-turbine wind farm at Lissinagroagh in North Leitrim. The Chairman of the group, Darren Sweeney, has criticised the public consultation process associated with the project, which was by appointment only See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We caught up with Sligo GP, Dr Margaret Connolly, who's currently on board a vessel en route to Gaza as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which is attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to the region, despite the Israeli blockade. Dr Connolly, who is a sister of President Catherine Connolly, has been outlining her motivation for making the trip See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week's Friday Panel discuss Leo Varakar's controversial comments on rural Ireland, the fuel protests, the Government no-confidence vote, the forthcoming by-elections, modular homes and this week's GAA Championship games. Guests are MEP Ciaran Mullooly and Donegal Sinn Fein TD Padraig MacLochlainn See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Minsiter for Special Education and Inclusion, Michael Moynihan, is in Sligo today where he is meeting with the principals of regional special schools to discuss developments and to ascertain what challenges the sector is facing. The Minister has also been reacting to the recent grassroots dissatisfaction with the FF party and the continued leadership of Micheál Martin See omnystudio.com...

Leitrim councillor James Gilmartin has clashed with Sligo councillor, Michael Clarke, over whether or not there is a problem in getting planning permission in Co Leitrim. The debate arose as the two councillors considered the merits, or not, of the Government's new modular homes scheme See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former Director of Services with Silgo County Council says he can't understand the negativity surrounding the development of Sligo's long-awaited Eastern Bridge. Tom Kilfeather was involved in progressing the project during his time with the Council - he says there was extensive consultation throughout the planning process and it will be hugely beneficial for Sligo See omnystudio.com/listener fo...