Ocean FM Main News

The Cathaoirleach of the Local Authority in Sligo has backed calls for the responsibility of driving tests to be taken from the RSA. The calls from Cllr Donal Gilroy come as the number of learner drivers on the roads in the North West currently stands at over sixteen and a half thousand. The figures provided to the Irish Road Haulage Association through a Freedom of Information request to the RSA....

The Mercosur trade agreement could severely impact Irish farmers by allowing beef to enter the EU at significantly reduced tariff rates. Midlands-North-West MEP Ciaran Mullooly has warned that the EU-Mercosur trade deal could be finalised next week, threatening Irish farmers with lower tariffs on beef imports. Ciaran Mullooly, along with 145 MEPs, is seeking legal action to challenge the deal. He...

A former local election candidate in the North West has described the Irish government's stance on Immigration as a prime example of it trying to appeal to the far right. The comments from Bernie Linnane come as Justice Minister Jim O Callaghan says Ireland may have to tighten its immigration rules on foot of tougher changes being brought in by the British government. The Labour Party candidate th...

Students with additional needs will receive extra time in the upcoming Leaving and Junior Cert exams, a long-awaited measure welcomed by campaigners. Cathal Crowe, Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Education and Youth, confirmed the extension of the RACE scheme for next year's exams. This pilot initiative, aimed at supporting students with conditions like dyslexia and dyscalculia, will be avail...

Uisce Éireann crews are continuing efforts to restore water to homes and businesses in Ballysadare following a burst water main in the centre of the town since Sunday. Areas near SuperValu, Fairgreen Square, Youngs Road and Union Walk are facing supply disruptions until repairs begin this evening under a traffic management plan. The utility says it’s aiming to minimise the impact on customers, tho...

Children in an area of Ballymote are said to be at risk over an issue of illegal dumping. Efforts are ongoing to identify those behind the discarding of glass bottle into an estate that is home to young families. While there are calls for CCTV to be installed there, it could prove difficult owing to GDPR issues. Fine Gael Cllr Gerard Mullaney described the situation has totally unacceptable and ha...

Donegal Deputy Padraig Mac Lochlainn has welcomed the Government's decision to restore funding for the Derry to Dublin air link. Speaking in the Dáil last night, he emphasized the vital importance of the route for Donegal. The Minister for Transport confirmed services are expected to begin by October next year, or sooner if possible. While pleased with the announcement, Deputy Mac Lochlainn is urg...

€90 million Climate Action Summer Works Scheme for 2026 has been welcomed in the Northwest, which will provide significant upgrades to schools across the country, including 8 in Sligo, Leitrim, and South Donegal. €30 million is dedicated to refurbishing science labs in post-primary schools, ensuring access to modern, high-quality facilities for hands-on learning. The remaining €60 million will sup...

There's said to be a serious lack of dental services in south west Donegal. The dentist who was working in Killybegs retired earlier this year and the position has yet to be filled and the clinic remains closed. As a result, it's estimated that up 500 children the area are without access to treatment under the HSE school dental service. Speaking in the Seanad, Fine Gael Senator Manus Boyle says th...

The November meeting of the Manorhamilton Councillors of the Local Authority in Leitrim heard calls for the council to consider installing a pedestrian crossing between the Bee Park and the Community Centre in Manorhamilton. Councillor James Gilmartin told the meeting that there is a significant volume of pedestrian movement between these locations, particularly during underage sporting activities...

Cold weather is settling in across Ireland this week, with high pressure bringing a northerly airflow that will drag Arctic air down over the country. Expect dry and bright conditions, but also some wintry showers, particularly in the North and West. Temperatures will struggle to rise above 4 to 7 degrees, with a risk of frost and icy patches, especially overnight. Speaking to Ocean Fm news Met Ei...

Serious concern has been raised over speeding in the Ballymote area. Hundreds of residents are thought to be affected by the issue - they live on the R296 at Carrownanty where there is a 50km speed limit in place but some motorists continue to break it. It has been thought that solar speed indicator signs should be introduced to the area as part of further traffic calming measures. Fine Gael Cllr...

Former Education Minister Joe McHugh has described Paschal Donohoe as a tough operator. His comments come as the Finance Minister is set to resign from the Cabinet today and leave his role as TD later this week. Donohoe is the longest continuously serving Cabinet Minister in this Government having been first appointed as Minister for Tourism in 2014. Former Donegal Fine Gael TD Joe McHugh has been...

Cllr Thomas Healy has provided an update on the ongoing water outage affecting Ballisodare and surrounding areas, confirming that repairs to the burst water main are progressing. Despite initial difficulties in locating the leak, crews are working hard to resolve the issue. He also reminded residents that a boil notice remains in effect, especially for vulnerable individuals such as the elderly an...

Safety concerns on the L3508 Carrowmore Road in Sligo have prompted calls from Councillor Edel McSharry for an update on a recent traffic count.   She says the road is narrow but heavily used by residents, tourists, local buses, and school traffic, raising safety concerns.   The traffic count has been completed, but results are still awaited before any safety improvements can be implemen...

As darker evenings set in, Donegal County Council and the Donegal Road Safety Working Group are urging everyone to ‘Be Bright, Be Seen, Be Safe’. Pedestrians, runners and cyclists are asked to wear fluorescent or reflective clothing, while drivers are reminded to use dipped headlights during the day. These small steps can make a big difference in keeping all road users safe this winter. Speaking t...

Sligo County Council is to write to Transport Infrastructure Ireland requesting that the 50 km/h speed limit on the south side of Rathcormack village be extended closer to the existing 80 km/h zone. The move follows ongoing concerns about speeding through the village, particularly along the N15 where parents have raised safety fears for schoolchildren. Councillor Marie Casserly says the issue has...

Councillor Dara Mulvey is urging Sligo County Council to work with the National Transport Authority to provide a new bus stop along the N17 between Ballymote and Collooney. He says many residents, particularly elderly people and students, are forced to travel several miles to access the 977 service into Sligo town. Cllr Mulvey says there are safe and suitable locations along the route where a stop...

Safety concerns at the N15 near St. Molaise Preschool and Aftercare in Grange were raised at the recent Sligo Drumcliff Municipal District meeting. Sligo Councillor Donal Gilroy says the area is extremely dangerous, with heavy traffic and children regularly crossing to access the park and playground. He adds the issue cannot wait years for consultants’ reports and needs urgent action from the Coun...

A Sligo/Leitrim TD has reinforced how key apprentices are to the workforce. Minister of State for Further and Higher Education Marian Harkin spoke in the Dail on Thursday. She made the comments around the ongoing Science Week which has raised awareness around apprentices in emerging fields. She said that the apprentice system leads to skilled workers: See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...

100% Redress Party Donegal TD Charles Ward told the Dáil yesterday evening that, as per usual, Donegal is the Forgotten County. He called on the government to halt rising petrol and diesel prices, end penalties for those unable to pay motor tax in one payment, and scrap the proposed January 2026 toll increase. TD Ward highlighted the huge costs faced by rural motorists, where buses are the only pu...

The Dáil has heard calls for urgent action at Pobalscoil Chloich Cheannfhaola in Falcarragh, which is said to be in dire need of emergency works. Donegal TD Pearse Doherty highlighted serious structural issues, praising staff for maintaining high educational standards despite the challenges. Junior Minister Hildegarde Naughton says emergency works applications are under review. However, she noted...

Labour Councillor Ann Higgins says the latest Daft.ie report shows the Government is failing renters, with Sligo rents now one third higher than before Covid and 76% above the Celtic Tiger peak. She says rental availability in the North West has collapsed by more than 70%, locking many people out of the market. Cllr Ann Higgins is calling for an end to no-fault and so-called family use evictions t...

The Government's new plan to tackle the housing crisis this morning waspublished this morning It aims to deliver 300 thousand homes by 2030. The strategy called 'Delivering Homes, Building Communities' will take into account Ireland's aging population and immigration. It aims to deliver 300 thousand homes by 2030 although no annual targets are included There will also be more grants given as incen...

Sligo County Council has confirmed it's engaging with the owners of the Old Mill Apartment Block in Ballisodare, with talks focused on the potential purchase of 30 of the 72 apartments for social housing. The complex, vacant since 2008, will remain on the Derelict Sites Register while negotiations continue. A council report has found the buildings can be brought back into use once upgraded to curr...