Ocean FM News Reports

A former election candidate for the Green Party says the current election for the position of party Deputy Leader is a missed opportunity to connect with rural areas. The positions is to be voted on by members with nominations for the role closing today. The role is expected to be contested between Louth councillor Marianne Butler and Dublin City councillor Hazel Chu. Leslie O Hora, the party's So...

There are calls on Donegal County Council to immediately delete all of its official accounts on X. The local authority is also being urged to cease any future official use of the platform, and issue a public statement to outline same. Formally known as Twitter, the platform developed the AI chatbot Grok, which has caused major concern for local authorities and regulators due to its potential to ma...

There are further calls for a comprehensive, long-term solution for coastal erosion in Strandhill. It comes following confirmation in recent days that some emergency works are to take place in the area later this year. However, there is concern locally that the works do not go far enough. The community is said to be still without a clear timeline for when meaningful, long-term protection will actu...

Sligo Leitrim TD calls on Agriculture Minister to remove Bord Bia Chair See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Donegal GAA podcast returns for a new season - and it's a winning start for Donegal with a 1-20 0-20 victory against Dublin in their opening Division 1 league game. It's their first win over Dublin at Croke Park in the league since 1994. Contributions from Martin McHugh, Jim McGuinness, Caolan McGonagle (on his 100th Donegal appearance), along with journalists Alan Foley and Frank Craig. See o...

Manorhamilton MD looking to secure funding for housing estate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

HSA launches farm inspection campaign in North West See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Farming organisation dealing with postage issues ahead of calving period See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Leitrim Cllr raises traffic issues in local village See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A North Leitrim Councillor has called on the Local Authority to provide a sports bursary for young individual athletes. Cllr Justin Warnock says it's vital that young Leitrim Sports people who could achieve recognition at National, European or International levels be supported by the Council. The Fianna Fáil elected representative has outlined that there is a huge cost associated when it comes to...

A Sligo-Leitrim TD has pushed for further funding towards numerous schemes in the area. The Community Involvement and Local Improvement schemes and have been used by county councils in the area for investment into projects like road improvements and rural connectivity. Fianna Fail TD Eamon Scanlon raised the issue with Tanaiste Simon Harris in the Dail yesterday. The pair discussed the topic with...

A Leitrim Councillor has claimed that the after effects of Storm Eowyn are still prevalent. It's a year since the record-breaking storm made landfall causing damage and power cuts in the North West. After the storm, Forestry Minister Michael Healy Rae visited Leitrim pledged support for communities affected by the weather. Fianna Fail Councillor Gary Prior says that power cable corridors through f...

Frustration is growing among businesses in Ballisodare over numerous water outages. Uisce Eireann has come under fire for ongoing issues in the village - it's estimated that there have been seven outages over the last 12 months. Another outage happened only this week, impacting hundreds of premises. In previous instances, businesses had to close early as they could no longer trade without a water...

I t’s being claimed there are a number of minor road traffic accidents are taking place on a regular basis the north Leitrim town of Manorhamilton are never reported.   Local Councillors were told that the accidents are as a result of HVG vehicles attempting to come down the Main Street and trying to turn up towards the local Super Valu store.   Local Councillor Felim Gurn says such move...

The situation with housing adaptation grants in Sligo/Leitrim has been described as critical.   A budget was set by Sligo County Council last year to tackle applications but the funding allocation from the Government wasn't enough.   This resulted in the local authority having to seek an emergency top up.   The scheme has been paused locally with successful applications also remaini...

A Sligo childcare provider has called for the government to nationalise early years care facilities.   It's after RTE reported that almost 1000 childcare facilities have shut in the last six years according to the Department of Children.   It has led to fears in the North West that early year’s care facilities may be at risk of closure.   Stephanie McGarry-Pourier from La Petite Mon...

Jigsaw has called for continued action to embed stronger mental health supports and training in schools, following the publication of a new ESRI report on student wellbeing. The report highlights that schools are increasingly on the frontline of youth mental health, with exams, homework and general school pressures the biggest stressors for young people. Jigsaw says programmes like Neart are helpi...

Residents along the N15 between Grange and the Leitrim border have raised safety concerns for many years, with petitions and repeated calls for action. While a full upgrade of the N15 remains the long-term goal, Sligo County Council is now pushing for immediate safety interventions on accident-prone sections of the route. Transport Infrastructure Ireland is examining a major road safety improvemen...

A Sligo Councillor is adamant that there must be a review into tax changes proposed for carers. It's emerged that some local carers face a sizeable tax bill dating back years. Revenue has written to more than 34,000 people that are potentially affected across the country. Speaking to Ocean FM News, Labour Councillor Ann Higgins said that carers across Sligo are struggling to provide for their pare...

Concerns have been raised over the continued closure of beds at Killybegs Community Hospital, with 13 currently lying vacant despite growing pressure on acute hospitals. Families in the wider Killybegs area say loved ones are being forced to relocate to hospitals and care facilities far from home, causing distress and disconnection. The issue of staffing shortages and reduced services at the hospi...

The Oireachtas Transport Committee has been told taxi apps like Uber and FreeNow are shifting power away from drivers, with concerns raised over fixed fares and rising commissions.   Taxi representative groups warned the changes threaten driver incomes, undermine the regulated meter system and are reducing rural taxi availability.   Calls were made for stronger regulation of app companie...

Sligo is set to get the biggest share of Local Sports Partnership investment in the North West. Local Sports Partnership in Sligo is receiving €483,000, Donegal is getting €477,000 while Leitrim Local Sports Partnership is receiving €226,000. Nationally, it's been described as a record €33.36 million in core funding for sporting organisations in 2026, Junior Minister Marian Harkin says the substan...

The clean-up operation from Storm Eowyn in the North West and beyond could continue into 2027. County Leitrim was one of the worst hit Counties when the severe weather event made landfall almost one year ago. Semi-State forestry company Coillte has now stated that ongoing work will now take longer than originally forecast. It estimates a total of 50 million trees were blown over or damaged during...

A Donegal TD has accused the Government of deliberately leaving families living in dangerously defective homes to avoid paying out under the concrete blocks scheme.   Deputy Charles Ward says homeowners who clearly qualify under IS 465, including those with high mica levels and Group 4 damage, are being shut out through technical excuses.   The Doengal Deputy claims this is putting famil...

The January meeting of the Manorhamilton Municipal District of Leitrim County Council heard calls for the Local Authority in Leitrim to contact Sligo County Council seeking urgent remedial works on part of the N16.   The section of road in question runs from the county boundary at Gortnagrelly to Lugnagall.   Independent Councillor James Gilmartin raised the issue, adding that the sectio...