Ocean FM Main News

Cllr Marie Casserly has brought forward a motion calling for improved road safety measures outside Grange Primary School. She says the issue of cars parking on footpaths near the school's back entrance is creating serious safety concerns for children and parents. Plans are now in place to install pencil bollards and new road markings by the end of 2025, with a zebra crossing to follow once the nea...

Ireland's tenth president will be inaugurated today. Catherine Connolly will be officially declared president a ceremony that will take place at Dublin Castle this afternoon. Later this evening the new President will host a special function to mark the occason, Sligo Councillor Donal Gilroy will attend that event in his capacity as Cathaoirleach of the Local Authority. He says it's a special day f...

A Midlands-North-West MEP is this morning calling on the European Commission to apply “common sense” in the coming days as crucial decisions are made on Ireland's nitrates derogation. Ciaran Mullooly will meet with the European Commissioner for Environment Jessika Roswall when she visits Ireland today for meetings and on-farm inspections. The Independent Ireland MEP says it's critical that farmers...

An E-liquid Products Tax is now in effect. It applies a flat rate of €0.50 per millilitre on all e-liquids for vapes, including both nicotine and non-nicotine varieties. The Government has stated that the new tax is intended to protect public health by curbing vape consumption, particularly among young people. Kris from Cigarette World in Sligo has been explaining what this now means for the custo...

A motion on horse and greyhound racing has sparked a major debate at the latest sitting of Sligo County Council.   The motion, brought forward by People Before Profit Cllr Gino O’Boyle, questioned the amount of Government funding being provided to the industry.   Some Cllrs took umbrage with parts of the motion, stating the horse racing in particular is crucial to the economy in Sligo an...

A Donegal Teaching official has today claimed that Special needs students and atudents in certain disadvantaged areas are being failed by the government. The claims were made by John Boyle who is the General Secretary of the Irish National Teachers' Organisation. He made the comments after it emerged that a a new survey of primary and special schools reveals over 30 per cent of all urban DEIS scho...

A Sligo Councillor is calling for for Urgent Action to Address Garda Staffing Shortfall in Sligo. Fianna Fáil Councillor Edel McSharry has called on the Minister for Justice to take urgent action to address the issue. Cllr McSharry has highlighted the combined pressures of planned retirements, recruitment challenges, and outdated infrastructure that are currently facing the force locally. At today...

A Donegal TD has accused the Government of misleading people when it comes to the amount of property tax they will have to pay this year. Homeowners have until this Saturday to submit updated valuations for the next Local Property Tax cycle. The new four-year period begins in 2026, with valuations determining how much tax will be paid until 2030. Revenue says it's still waiting on returns from nea...

A Sligo Leitrim TD says that a discussion need to be had in relation to the Government charging asylum seekers for accommodation in IPAS Centres. Reports are suggesting that Asylum Seekers who are working here will have to pay between 15 and 238 Euro a week for their accommodation under news proposals. The Cabinet sub-committee on migration is expected to discuss the issue today. See omnystudio.co...

Thousands of farmers across the North West are set to benefit from advance payments under the 2025 Eco-Scheme. Over €21 million isa to be paid out to farmers in Sligo, Leitrim, and Donegal, supporting both their incomes and the rural economy. Minister Marian Harkin says the funding will circulate directly into local shops, co-ops, and agri-services, strengthening the entire community. See omnystud...

A Donegal TD is seeking clarification after an apparent data breach impacting homeowners in the Defective Block Scheme in Co Donegal. 100% Redress Party TD, Charles Ward is concerned peoples sensitive information may have been exposed. Deputy Ward is calling on the Housing Agency, Minister of Housing James Browne, and the Data Protection Commission to give clear updates of the situation for people...

Emergency mobile generators for Leitrim County Council will not be available for the upcoming storm season. The generators, which would be used in centralised community hubs, are due to be delivered to local authorities by the end of the first quarter 2026. Leitrim Independent Councillor, James Gilmartin, believes funding should be made available for local authorities to rent generators in the sho...

Yesterdays 'Irish Country Living Women Agriculture conference in Sligo has heard that there are many challenges facing women when it comes to a career in agriculture. The conference took place in the Radisson Blu Hotel and heard form a number of speakers covering issues farm inheritance to environmental issues. Caitriona Morrisey is the deputy editor of the Irish farmers Journal. She says there is...

Yesterdays 'Irish Country Living Women Agriculture conference in Sligo has heard that there are many challenges facing women when it comes to a career in agriculture. The conference took place in the Radisson Blu Hotel and heard form a number of speakers covering issues farm inheritance to environmental issues. Caitriona Morrisey is the deputy editor of the Irish farmers Journal. She says there is...

Getting communication back online after a storm hits is a priority, according to a local Councillor. A report into how the country dealt with Storm Éowyn has a number of recommendations for government and local authorities. The North West was particularily impacted with the Finner weather station in Ballyshannon recording a record recording 150km/hr gusts. These include the cancelling of public ev...

A major expansion is underway at ATU Letterkenny with the start of construction on a new Library, IT and Education Building. The development will boost student capacity by 600 and provide new library, ICT and learning spaces on campus. It’s one of five new projects being delivered under the national Higher Education Public Private Partnership Programme. Speaking to Ocean FM News, Minister James La...

As the last full day of campaigning in the Presidential election continues the Fine Gael Candidate, Heather Humphreys is canvasing in the North West. The final opinion poll of the campaign shows Catherine Connolly is on course for a decisive win. The latest opinion poll from the Business Post/RED C found Catherine Connolly leads the way on 44 per cent support, while Heather Humphreys of Fine Gael...

A Sligo/Leitrim TD says Irish unity cannot be a "one way street". Fine Gael Deputy Frank Feighan made the comments in the Dail yesterday in response to a motion submitted by Sinn Fein calling on Government to "plan and prepare" for unification. He highlighted his own family's history in the formation of the country where his grandfather was commander of the IRA in north Roscommon. Speaking in the...

A Leitrim Councillor does not expect the closure of a section of Shannon Erne Waterway in the County to have a huge impact on the County's tourism potential. The stretch of water in question is set to close to boats for three months to facilitate repairs and future proof the facilities. Boat users will not be able to travel from Kilclare Leitrim Village from November 3, 2025 until the end of Febru...

There are renewed calls for army snipers to be drafted in to deal with deer in Donegal. Deer rutting season is well underway which is said to be creating a heightened risk of collisions. People are being urged to take extra when out driving for the duration of this month. But Independent Cllr Michael McClafferty has long been of the view that the deer population in the region is totally out of con...

One of the men who has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Sligo pensioner Tom Niland had 57 previous convictions, a court has heard. John Erving 31, of Foxford County Mayo is one of three men who have pleaded guilty to the brutal attack of the late Mr. Niland in his home in Skreen in January 2022. Erving along with Francis Harman 58, of Nephin Court in Ballina and John Clarke 37 of Carrowkelly...

Five European Ambassadors visited ATU Sligo today. The Ambassadors of Ukraine, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia and Poland were on campus this afternoon for a moderated discussion with students focused on current conflict concerns in Europe. The event was said to offer a unique opportunity for insight into European diplomatic perspectives and engagement with the student community. Vice President for ent...

Cllr Marie Casserly is calling on the Minister for Education to pause the re-designation of schools serving students with Mild General Learning Difficulties. She argues the policy, while aiming to expand places for autistic students, risks displacing other vulnerable children who depend on existing supports. Cllr Casserly is calling for meaningful consultation with parents, principals, and teacher...

A Donegal TD has criticised the Finance Minister's Budget 2026 speech, calling his comments on “strengthening foundations” deeply insensitive. Deputy Charles Ward says the announcement offers little hope for families at the heart of the defective concrete block crisis. He's urged the government to scrap the Concrete Levy and exempt rebuilding works from VAT. Deputy Ward says the crisis is no longe...

A Sligo councillor is urging the Minister for Housing to raise income limits for social housing eligibility. Cllr Ann Higgins says current thresholds are too low and exclude many working individuals and families in need. She says people are being pushed into poverty by rising rents, despite working and paying taxes. Speaking to Ocean FM News, Cllr Higgins said, “It’s not fair or equitable people d...