Ocean FM Main News

Changes to the rental system, including allowing landlords to reset rents to market rates, are set to begin next month after the Dáil passed the Residential Tenancies Bill by 73 votes to 68. The bill now goes before the Seanad today and is due to come into effect on March 1st, with protests by tenant groups taking place outside Leinster House. It's feared up to 60 thousand first-time renter...

Bundoran based party member, Kathy O Kelly has been success in securing a position on the Fine Gael National Executive. She was co-opted after securing nominations and completing the interview process for the role. A vacancy on the Executive arose following the decision of Philip Kelly to step down. The Donegal party official will serve in the position until the next Party Ard Fheis. She says she...

A midlands northwest MEP has called on Bord Bia to provide answers on how funding being paid to them is being used. Independent Ireland MEP Ciaran Mullooly wants Bord Bia to confirm that none of the significant level of funding being provided by the European union is being used to promote beef that originated outside of Europe in countries such as Brazil. He has warned that there is no facility or...

Children’s Minister Norma Foley is being urged to travel to Donegal to see childcare facilities affected by defective concrete blocks.   The issue was raised by Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty during the second stage debate of the Child Care Amendment Bill 2025.   It’s believed more than 20 childcare facilities are impacted, with three publicly owned buildings, catering for over 300 childr...

More than 3,000 vacant homes were refurbished across Ireland in 2025 under the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant. The North-West led the way, with Donegal seeing over 1,000 approvals and €22 million paid out. The scheme has now returned over 4,500 properties to use since its launch in 2022. Speaking to Ocean Fm news Minister Marian Harkin says the grant is a practical and effective way to increa...

Sligo County Council is being urged to explore building retirement housing in towns and villages through a public-private partnership. The proposal would help older people downsize from large rural homes and move closer to healthcare, shops and other essential services. It would also free up family homes for younger generations, while offering secure, community-based living for retirees. Speaking...

A Leitrim Councillor has launched scathing attack on the sitting North West TD's and Junior Ministers over their lack of action in championing environmental issues such as opposition to gold mining. Councillor Eddie Mitchell has already tabled a motion with the Local Authority in Leitrim calling for Ministers Helen McEntee and Jim O'Callaghan, to withdraw so called 'investor protection which offer...

There are further calls for hidden cameras to be installed on roads in the region in a bid to catch litter louts. It comes as a vast number of glass bottles were dumped along the N56 in recent days. Volunteers have since been out collecting the rubbish from the side of the road. Cathoirleach of the Glenties MD Cllr Michael McClafferty says if a clean-up wasn't carried out, it could have had such i...

It's been claimed that planning restrictions on a road in County Donegal are preventing people from returning home to the County. The N56 connects Donegal Town, Inver, Killybegs into west Donegal and onto Letterkenny. However, current national policy blocks one-off housing if it accesses the road, even on family land that has been home for generations. Speaking in the Seanad, Fine Gael Senator Man...

Planning permission has been granted for an Aldi Store in Boyle. The project will see a brand-new modern supermarket as part of a mixed-use development. It'll also include the demolition of derelict buildings and structures and the refurbishment of five houses along Patrick Street. Aldi initially sought planning permission almost two years ago, with the project said to have faced a number of setba...

A number of local buildings of historical importance are set to benefit from the latest trach of funding under the Build Heritage scheme. The respective counties of Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal are to receive allocations of 165,000, 108,000 and 133,000 euro. The funding will be used to help maintain and protect a number of historical buildings in the North West. Junior Minister Frank Feighan has bee...

One year on from Storm Eowyn, it's feared that storm readiness has not substantially improved in the North West. The storm caused widespread damage and led to power cuts as well as losses in water supply in the areas. It has led to concern that the response to storms is reactive rather than proactive. Speaking to Ocean FM News, Leitrim Councillor Mary Bohan says that the storm response from the go...

The speed in which some motorists are travelling past a south Donegal school is said to be frightening. It comes as the TII is being urged to assess traffic conditions at the junction by Keelogs National School in Inver. Parents and staff at the school are said to be seriously concerned over the risk of a crash in the area. Speaking in the Seanad, Fine Gael Senator Manus Boyle says a survey during...

Parking in Sligo over the festive season was said to be chaotic. While businesses reportedly had a successful Christmas period, a lack of parking spaces remains a big problem for the town. There were calls made previously for Connaughton car park to ease pressure on the town centre. Fianna Fáil Cllr Tom MacSharry says while there are long terms for that car park, it should be reopened as interim m...

The new Fintra Bridge could be completed by the end of the year.   The project began mid last year and it had been anticipated then it could take up to two and half years to complete.   However the work is now at such an advanced stage, it’s looking increasingly likely that it’s set to be finished well ahead of schedule.   Cllr Niamh Kennedy says it’ll have untold benefits for the e...

The Donegal MD has paid tribute to the late Stephen McCahill.   The Ardara businessman was murdered in his home in the early hours of Monday morning January 5th.   Thirty-two-year-old Michael Maloney from Loughros Point, Ardara, is currently before the courts, charged with the 66 year olds murder.   The case was adjourned again yesterday until February 9th.   Speaking today, Ca...

A Sligo based Junior Minister has moved to ease any fears over the North West's pharmaceutical sector being impacted by the recent threats of tariffs from President Trump. The US says any country that keeps trading with Iran will be hit with a 25 percent charge on everything it sells to America. The treat was made as anti-government demonstrations in Iran entered their third week. Trade between Ir...

A Leitrim Councillor is calling for Vulture funds and banks that leave commercial buildings lying idle and derelict in our towns and villages to be fined. Independent Councillor Felim Gurn tabled a motion at yesterday's meeting of the Local Authority in Leitrim. The Manorhamilton based business man says fines and charges should be imposed in order to bring these buildings back into use. Cllr Gurn...

A positive turnout was reported at a meeting held last night on the future of Fintra National School in south Donegal. Serious concern has been raised over the school, which currently has just four pupils enrolled and faces possible closure if numbers don't rise. Locals say depopulation is the main factor, with criticism also directed at Government policies contributing to the decline. Speaking to...

Insurance companies are being accused of making bumper profits, with claims they're earning far more than officially reported. Donegal TD Pearse Dorthery says figures show insurers are making millions more by using standard profit definitions rather than those applied by the Central Bank. He says in motor insurance alone, this amounts to an extra 114 million euro and has called for the industry to...

A Sligo Senator has slammed the Government over voting against Labour's National Minimum Wage Bill 2025. The decision will see sub-minimum wage rates remain in place for young workers, apprentices and interns. The Bill, brought forward by Labour's workers' rights spokesperson and Sligo Senator Nessa Cosgrove, would have ended age-based pay discrimination. The issue was debated in the Seanad yester...

It's thought that ambulance abuse is not prevalent in the North West. It follows claims this week that people who can't get taxis are ringing 999 to get home with people looking to use ambulances as cabs on nights out. Meanwhile, concerns were previously expressed over a lack of ambulance cover locally. In one recent case, the south Leitrim area was said to be left without cover for over 6 hours a...

It's looking increasingly likely that there will be no community games in Cliffoney-Grange in the coming year. It comes as only four parents attended an EGM earlier this week, meaning a committee could not be formed. In 2025 alone, over 200 children registered, with several individuals and teams progressing to county, regional and National finals. It is hoped that with renewed support, the games c...

The Fisheries Minister is being urged to present a battle plan for Ireland's seafood industry at today's Oireachtas Committee. It is estimated that the wider economic impact for the North West and Ireland could be €200m next year and threaten over 2,300 jobs. Sinn Féin spokesperson on Fisheries and the Marine, Pádraig Mac Lochlainn TD says the outcome of the EU's Fisheries Council will be devastat...

A leading GRA official has claimed that a report published by the Policing and Community Safety Authority has highlighted many of the big issues facing gardai in regions such as the North West. The report found 7 of 18 goals are 'on target', with the remaining 11 'at risk' due to resource issues, training needs and delays in legislation. Successes include high visibility foot patrols in key areas...