Ocean FM News Reports

It's hoped that more can be done to tackle overcrowding in Irish prisons. Figures published Figures by the Irish Prison Service Annual Report for 2023 reveal the number of committals to prison increased by 12.7 per cent compared to 2022. The service says the increase, coupled with a growing number of prisoners serving longer sentences, continues to place pressure on the prison system. Concerns hav...

Farmers and people living in rural parts of the North West are being urged to be on high alert over an apparent spike in illegal hunting and trespassing. The Irish Farmers Association is warning that they have received reports of such activity from all over the country. They further claim that farmers and landowners are deeply concerned and worried about their personal safety as a result of threat...

Tonight, confirmation of Ellis Chapman’s departure from Sligo Rovers – but not to return to England. He’s joining Damien Duff at champions Shelbourne. New Leitrim GAA Chairman Declan Bohan on the need for new blood at the county’s administration table. New faces at the Sligo LGFA top table for 2025 – New Chair Marcella McGarry joins us on the programme. And Belcoo’s Brendan Dolan makes his PDC Wor...

Works are being done on public lighting around Doorly Park and Maugheraboy following recent storm damage. Sligo was heavily impacted by the adverse weather, with ESB having restored the majority of power in the region following the outages. While the issues in Maugheraboy have been resolved after key works took place. Sligo-Drumcliffe Independent Cllr Marie Casserly praised the efforts of all thos...

A Donegal TD has criticised the government’s decision to enter a five week recess for the Dáil. A decision on the break was made following the election of Independent TD Verona Murphy to Ceann Comhairle. The selection of Deputy Murphy for the position has been considered a bargaining chip in some quarters, as government formation talks take shape between Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, and Independents. S...

The Love Leitrim anti-fracking campaign was recently highlighted at an event in Pittsburgh, USA. The Community Sentinal Awards were held to celebrate people fighting fracking in America, with an invite extended to those doing the same in the North West. Independent Manorhamilton Cllr Eddie Mitchell attended the event and shared stories regarding the effects of fracked gas. Cllr Mitchell highlighte...

The Sligo Disabled Person’s Organisation has withdrawn support its support for the Sligo Greenway project. The Greenway project has been labelled as “ableist” as it fails to address the needs of people with disabilities in terms of access to public transport. There is no current direct train route from Sligo to Galway, and there are fears that the Greenway will further prevent it from becoming a p...

A Leitrim Cllr has backed the idea that the new government should introduce a dedicated department of hospitality. The National President of the Irish Hotel Federation made the suggestion, and it's thought that the department could compliment that of tourism. The formation of the new government is underway, but is not expected to be completed until January. Independent Manorhamilton Cllr Felim Gur...

The people of Sligo, Leitrim and south Donegal have spoken, and it's clear that there's a major job of work to be done. That's according to Sligo Leitrim Independent TD Marian Harkin, who says it's the incoming Governments responsibility to implement the will of the people. It comes as the 34th Dail sat yesterday but was short lived as they're now on a break until January 22 when it's hoped a new...

There will be no shortage of taxis in Sligo over Christmas. That's according to a local taxi company owner, who has been refuting claims that there's a scarcity of cabs not just in the North West, but right across the country. The 'Taxi's for Ireland Coalition' says the availability of cabs - especially this weekend - may mean people resort to 'unsafe travel alternatives', or face extended waiting...

Ambulance response times in the wider Killybegs area is said to be still a very serious issue. It comes as a HSE audit released in recent says shows the National Ambulance Service has insufficient funding and staff to manage its vehicle fleet. There have been ongoing calls for an enhanced service to cater to south west Donegal and for a second ambulance crew to be reinstated in Killybegs. Local Fi...

There are people in Donegal on the streets with nowhere to go. The words of 100% Redress Party Donegal TD Charles Ward, who spoke in the Dail for the first time yesterday evening. It's estimated that around ten thousand people in Donegal are affected by the defective block issue. Deputy Ward believes there is an opportunity to change the current scheme that's more accessible to those impacted. He...

Donegal Fianna Fail Cllr Michael Naughton is to contest the upcoming Seanad Elections. Nominations closed earlier this week, with Cllr Naughton put forward to stand in the elections on the industrial and commercial panel. The Seanad elections take place in the New Year. There had been speculation earlier this year that the Fianna Fail Cllr may run as an Independent Candiate in the recent General E...

Mary Lou McDonald has failed in her nomination to become the next Taoiseach in the past few minutes. It is the first day of the 34th Dail today, and Independent TD Verona Murphy was elected as Ceann Comhairle. The Dail then took nominations for Taoiseach, although it was known that no candidate would be elected until government formation talks are completed. Donegal Sinn Fein Deputy Pearse Doherty...

There are calls for additional works to be carried out on the N16 between Sligo and Leitrim. Recent roadworks has seen a number of dangerous bends removed, although it’s hoped that the developments can continue. However funding would need to be secured from TII for any further works. Independent Manorhamilton Cllr Felim Gurn says it needs to be done for the high volume of traffic on the road:

A Donegal GP has shared their thoughts on a new survey that revealed almost two-thirds of Irish doctors say they're regularly burnt out or exhausted. The results, carried out by the Medical Protection Society, involving 548 doctors, found 6 in ten think the Government doesn't do enough to ensure mental health supports are funded. It is understood to be an across the board healthcare issue, affecti...

There are calls to simplify the process for the development of student accommodation in Sligo. This follows the government being urged not to ignore local communities when developing accommodation sites for asylum seekers. ATU Sligo recently acquired lands from the County Council to build student accommodation, which may go some way to easing the housing crisis in the region. Independent Cllr Mari...

Children's Health Ireland is warning patients to prepare for lengthy wait times at their emergency departments this week. A number of hospitals have all seen a significant rise in the number of people attending over the last few days - 42 were waiting for a bed at Sligo University Hospital yesterday morning. It's putting pressure on staff in the run up to Christmas as they attempt to deal with a s...

People across Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal are being urged to Give Blood over the festive season. There are a number of clinics taking place across the region in the coming weeks, a full list on giveblood.ie . On any given day, 200 patients receive transfusions in hospitals across the country, and the demand for blood, over Christmas and particularly during the month of January is constant. Speaking...

Plans to extend European Union funding for Cohesion and Reform could see areas such as housing and agriculture receiving more funding in the North West. Midlands North West MEPs including Ciaran Mullooly have been meeting with the Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reform to discuss the issue. In Ireland, these funds are mainly responsible for extensive road operations and infrastructure. M...

A Sligo Leitrim TD has expressed major reservations over the prospect of Independent TD Verona Murphy becoming Ceann Comhairle. It comes as the new Dail sits for the first time today with one person set to be elected the new Ceann Comhairle, however the position is surrounded with controversy. It follows both Fianna Fail and Fine Gael's backing of Verona Murphy, which many see as being a gesture o...

There are further calls for a proactive approach to taken going forward, following recent storm damage in Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal. A number of premises, particularly in Leitrim, were left without power for over a week. It's felt locally that some preventative works could be carried out to ensure the issue isn't as severe in the aftermath of future weather events. Manorhamilton Fianna Fail Cllr...

A Donegal TD has refused to be drawn on the ongoing controversy surrounding the probability of Independent TD Verona Murphy becoming Ceann Comhairle. It comes as votes are being counted this afternoon in the race for the coveted position. The 34th Dáil has met for the first time since the general election. Many see Fianna Fail and Fine Gael's backing of Verona Murphy as being a gesture of good fai...

There are calls for a new bus route between Sligo and Manorhamilton that stops along major tourism locations in the region. As it stands, there are no current direct public transport links to certain areas in the North West which may be discouraging tourists from visiting. Sites to be included on the local link service would include Glencar Waterfall, Lurganboy and Yeats’s grave. Manorhamilton Ind...

The need for certain road safety measures in Kinlough has been raised once again following years of the issue being highlighted. The installation of a cattle grid at Aughavohill is being sought to prevent livestock from getting onto the main road. Manorhamilton Sinn Fein Cllr Padraig Fallon has requested the developments be made on a number of occasions. Cllr Fallon says he is fully committed to f...