Ocean FM News Reports

There are calls on the Road Safety Authority to focus on improving driving test waiting times instead of increasing fees. It comes as there's currently a minimum wait time of 28 weeks at the test centre in Donegal Town. The RSA is under fire in recent weeks over proposed hikes to fees for licences and NCTs. Local Independent Cllr Jimmy Brogan says the announcement lacked any plans on solving probl...

Serious concern has been raised over a pre-Christmas surge in the number of people presenting to the ED at Sligo University Hospital. It comes as there were 42 people waiting for a bed at the hospital this morning, making it the fourth most overcrowded in Ireland today. The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation has called for the ongoing overcrowding crisis to be a priority in Government formatio...

Gardai in Sligo have issued an appeal after they found two injured dogs last night. The pair, believed to be a mother and her pup, were found at the Oaks, Woodtown Lodge area of the town. Both have notable injuries and appear malnourished. The dog were subsequently taken to a local vet where they are currently receiving treatment. Anyone with information in being urged to contact Sligo Garda Stati...

An investigation is continuing after two seriously injured dogs were rescued by Gardai in Sligo last night. The pair were found at the Oaks, Woodtown Lodge area of the town. It's not yet known if the dogs were dumped at this location or escaped from a premises. Both are continuing to receive care at a local vet. Anyone with information in being urged to contact Sligo Garda Station. Gitte McMullan...

It's hoped that a project to upgrade water quality across Sligo, Leitrim and south Donegal will begin as soon as possible. Uisce Éireann and NI Water are to collaborate in a €32 million PEACEPLUS upgrade in Lough Erne, Lough Melvin and Donegal Bay. There have been major sewerage issues with the treatment plant particularly at Garrison - at certain times of the year, some people who had been consum...

Two men who were killed during the kidnapping of Don Tidey 41 years ago have been honoured in Co. Leitrim today. A monument, in honour of trainee Garda Gary Sheehan and Private Patrick Kelly, has been unveiled outside Ballinamore Garda Station. They were killed by the IRA on December 16th, 1983. Private Kelly's son David, says today is a hugely important day for their family:

Despite some calls for free long term parking over the Christmas period, no such measure will be implemented in Sligo town. This move has received support from a number of local businesses as it has been argued that the free parking can negatively impact shoppers. Finbarr Filan, of Sligo BID, highlighted that there are a large number of parking spots within the town. Mr Filan says free parking red...

There are calls for more support for respite services in Donegal in the run up to Christmas.     It comes as Killybegs Community Hospital is still not operating fully and at 5 days a week due to recruitment issues.     Donegal Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty says he has been inundated with calls from local people, highlighting their struggle in accessing supports.  ...

Tourism and hospitality groups in the North West are urging the new government to safeguard sector. A joint campaign - involving the Restaurants Association, Vintners' Federation and Irish Tourism Industry Confederation - says businesses continue to operate under extremely tight margins and increasing costs. They're calling for a fundamental change in direction as the next government takes up powe...

Concern is said to be growing over Garda resources in the north west and elsewhere. Two static speed safety camera systems were put in place on the N17 in Mayo and N59 in Galway last week. However, it's felt greater resources in Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal to areas such as that in roads policing would be of far greater benefit. Former Donegal Garda Sergeant, Christy Galligan says this coupled with...

There are renewed calls to prioritise the replacement of Lennox's Bridge in 2025. The bridge links Leitrim with Donegal and the current structure was previously deemed as only fit for a horse and cart. Leitrim Cllrs are set to seek a meeting with the incoming Transport Minister to seek funding for all works necessary to deliver a new bridge, road realignment and walkway/cycleway between Kinlough a...

There are further fears over the increased impact forestation is having on power lines in county Leitrim. Hundreds of homes and businesses throughout the county were without power for almost a week on from the storm, with a number trees having fallen on power lines or blocking pathways to access them. With an increase of planting of trees combined with adverse weather conditions becoming more freq...

Sligo/Drumcliffe councillor Marie Casserly discusses the advantages of oral exams during Easter break

Sligo/Drumcliffe Fine Gael paramedic Thomas Walsh calls for a community paramedic to be deployed within the region.

Councillor Nessa Cosgrove to contest in Seanad Election

Renewed calls for safety measures in Bruckless

A Leitrim elected public representative says prices increases being brought in the RSA is another hammer to people living in rural areas.     From the start of January the NCT, Driving Licence and Learner Permit will see prices increase.   The RSA says the increase is to fund 18 million euro expenditure on “public interest activities and government priorities”.   Leitrim SF Cou...

It's emerged that there will be no free Christmas Parking again in Sligo this year. The initiative is set to be rolled out in other local authority car parks across the country as a goodwill gesture to shoppers in the run up to the festive season. It had been in place in the town in 2022, but it caused major problems. Fianna Fail Cllr Donal Gilroy has claimed that the majority of businesses are in...

A Leitrim Councillor is warning the government that the efforts of the general public in reducing our emission levels could be impacted by allowing more data centres to operate in Ireland.   Councillor James Gilmartin has given a guarded welcome to a report which claims progress is being made in relation to tackling emission levels.   The finding were published by the Sustainable Energy...

Agreement was finally reached on next year's budget for Donegal yesterday after two meetings on the issue were adjourned.     The proposed 4.47% increase on commercial rates turned out to be a proposal that councillors could not reach agreement on.   As a result the local executive had to slash projected expenditure by €1.5 million to keep rates at their present level   Donegal...

The Housing Minister is being urged to give approval to local authorities in the North West to continue to purchase homes under the Tenant in Situ scheme. It comes as a number of local families have reportedly come forward who are either already homeless or are facing imminent homelessness due to the fact that their landlords are selling up. Sligo Leitrim Sinn Fein TD Martin Kenny believes that th...

There's renewed concern over the public toilets in Donegal Town.   The current facilities have long been deemed unfit for purpose with people with disabilities not able to use them.   It had been hoped that a proposal for new toilets would have progressed further by now.   Local Fianna Fáil Cllr Michael Naughton says it's not good enough and that there's an onus on Donegal County Co...

The family of a Leitrim man who died under suspicious circumstances almost 5 years ago are due to meet with Gardaí this morning for what is expected to be significant developments surrounding the investigation. Liam Farrell who was 87 years old, with an address Rooskey - was found dead at the back of his house on January 12th 2020. His family are due to meet with a senior investigating Officer who...

The three main Donegal GAA County Board officer positions are now held by women. We hear from two of them - Mary Coughlan & Mary Kelly - after this week's Annual Convention in Pettigo. New Leitrim senior football manager Steven Poacher gives us his blueprint for the team in 2025. Sean Carroll on the financial challenges ahead for Sligo GAA. And – on the eve of the PDC World Darts Championships...

Coillte is facing pressure to ensure power lines in Leitrim are clear from forestry going forward. It comes as there's still a number of premises without power in the region, almost one week after Storm Darragh tore through the North West, initially leaving thousands in the dark. ESB Networks says the restoration has been slow, due to the regional spread of the damage. But Fianna Fail Cllr Mary Bo...