Ocean FM News Reports

A local spokesperson for the Irish Fish Producers Organisation is warning that the agreements on EU fishing quotas for next year were "probably as good as we could hope for".   European Fisheries Ministers recently reached an agreement after prolonged negotiations on opportunities for Irish and EU fishers.   While the overall quota is up 4 per cent, two of the most popular products, mack...

Ballyshannon is set to get a tourism boost. It comes as The Castle Adventure Open Farm in the town is planning to expand its offerings with the addition of five glamping pods and a covered area. Located on the scenic grounds of Wardtown Castle, this development is set to enhance the farm's appeal for both locals and tourists. Fine Gael Cllr Manus Boyle believes that it'll make the amenity an even...

A Leitrim County Councillor is claiming that 'tensions are continuing to rise' in parts of the county including Drumshanbo as homes and businesses had to go long periods without electricity and running water.   The supply of these services have been impacted as a result of Darragh.   Overnight water restrictions are in place until further notice in parts to allow reservoir levels to reco...

There's said to be an alarming increase in illegal dumping in south Donegal. There's said to be a huge amount of litter being dumped in certain areas, particularly on local roadsides and at bottle banks. A meeting is to take place in a bid to find a solution. Local Sinn Fein Cllr Michael Mahon has hit out at those responsible and believes that they should be brought to justice - he believes that t...

A Donegal TD has admitted that it's looking increasingly likely that Sinn Fein will be back on the opposition benches. It's widely speculated that a group of Independents are now the favoured coalition option of Simon Harris and Micheál Martin to make up the required numbers. Sinn Fein is also continuing to engage with other parties this week. The party's Finance Spokesperson Pearse Doherty has be...

It's hoped that Donegal County Councils Budget for the upcoming year may be finalised later today. The Budget Meeting has faced several adjournments because Cllrs couldn't reach an agreement. The majority of elected members reject a proposed increase of almost five percent to the county's commercial rates. But Independent Cllr Michael Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig, who consistently votes against the Bu...

It's hoped that a joint approach involving local authorities in Donegal and Fermanagh will be taken to tackle flooding issues in Pettigo.   The town was impacted by flood water during Storm Bert a few weeks ago.   Outgoing Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works Kieran O'Donnell has given a commitment to pursue the matter further.   However, it remains w...

There are calls for a 'reasonable' fee to be put in place to visit Slieve League.   It comes as there seems to be a variation in the cost to view the cliffs, with people who travel by bus only paying one euro.   It's thought to be one of Donegal's biggest tourism attractions and it had around a quarter of a million visitors last year.   Local Fianna Fail Cllr Michael Naughton feels...

It’s hoped that more can be done to assist coastal communities in county Sligo from further coastal erosion.   There have been ongoing fears that several areas have been left vulnerable due to the erosion with areas such as Easkey and Enniscrone worst hit.   Work began earlier this year to instal rock armour at the Coast Road in Easkey, which is set to provide some comfort to those local...

ESB Networks says the restoration of power following Storm Darragh has been slow, due to the regional spread of the damage. As of this morning, around 8 thousand homes and businesses were still without power - five days on. Those customers are mostly located in the North West, Midlands and South East. Mark Madigan, Engagement Manager with ESB Networks, says it will take another several days for po...

While in Strandhill, the coastline there continues to evaporate at a frightening rate.   A report by the local authority found it continues to increase with hopes that measures similar to that seen in Easkey can be introduced.   Local Fine Gael Councillor Fergal Nealon says its imperative action is taken:

Residents on Bridge Street in Killybegs are said to be still angry weeks on from a devastating flood. A number of homes and businesses were badly damaged after flood water ripped through the town during Storm Bert. It's thought that a nearby river, which had been clogged with debris was to blame. Outgoing OPW Minister Kieran O'Donnell has committed to pursuing the matter further during a visit to...

Serious concern has been raised over those still left without power in the North West. Five days on from Storm Darragh, a number of homes, particularly in Leitrim, remain in the dark. Some of the affected residents are said to be vulnerable and elderly. The ESB is estimating that it could be now Friday before power is fully restored to everyone. Fianna Fail Cllr Mary Bohan says at this stage, some...

It could be an another year before long awaited safety measures are in place outside Dunkineely National School. The project may have to go to part 8 planning, resulting in a public consultation among other stages, resulting in further delays. The area has been subject to numerous near misses between vehicles and school children, due to some motorists breaking the red lights and speeding. The chan...

A motion is being brought forward today at Fermanagh/Omagh District Council, calling for cross border cooperation over flooding issues in Pettigo. The border town was impacted by flood water during Storm Bert a few weeks ago. It’s thought that trees blocking part of the river Termon is the root of the problem - and that a lot of the responsibility lies with Fermanagh. Outgoing Minister of State wi...

Experts say a national plan is needed to prevent homes being lost to coastal erosion. A new report from The Journal Investigates which found five councils are still allowing residential and commercial premises to be built on erosion hotspots. Sligo County Council said it had granted and refused zero applications, stating it does not approve building or development within 100 metres of a soft shore...

It remains to be seen whether or not Labour will join a potential coalition with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.   The two main parties are set to begin formal discussions this evening on the formation of a new government.   It was confirmed last week that Labour’s hopes of forming a left-leaning negotiating bloc with the social democrats and the green party were rejected.   Local Labour...

There's said to be some frustration across various parts of County Sligo over abandoned vehicles. In some cases, cars are left outside properties, housing estates and parked on footpaths for long periods of time. The issue can be dealt with under Waste, Litter and Roads legislation. The Area Office is notified of the abandoned vehicle and following some investigation, the Area Engineer organises i...

Sligo Chess Tournament Director Craig DuBose speaks with Ocean FM Sport about plans for the 2025 edition of the event in the Diamond Coast Hotel, Enniscrone, from January 31st to February 2nd.

Farmers from across the north west are set to up their campaign against the Mercosur trade deal. It comes after EU Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen agreed a trade deal with the Mercosur countries in Uruguay, which has been described by Irish farmers as a “sell out deal.”   Many farmers feel the deal goes against the standards that they are required by the EU to maintain. The IFA Pres...

Reassurances have been given that a cross border approach will be initiated to tackle flooding issues in Pettigo. It comes as Outgoing Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works Kieran O'Donnell is in Donegal today, visiting Killybegs after flooding caused serious damage to businesses and households during Storm Bert a fortnight ago. The River Termon, which flows between...

It's hoped that Donegal County Councils draft budget meeting will conclude today. Last week's meeting was adjourned as elected members rejected a proposed increase of almost five percent to the county's commercial rates. It's understood the proposal was made to give the executive time more time to re-evaluate the move. Cathaoirleach of the council, Councillor Niamh Kennedy says the members will be...

A clean-up operation is continuing across Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal, as communities deal with the aftermath of Storm Darragh. The full scale of the storms impact is yet to emerge, with hundreds still without power right across the region. In Sligo Town, scaffolding collapsed onto the road outside Gillooly Hall and several trees fell across the road network on Friday night. Local Fine Gael Cllr Th...

Outgoing Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works Kieran O'Donnell is due to visit Killybegs today. It's after flooding caused serious damage to businesses and households during Storm Bert a fortnight ago. At its peak, flood waters rose to around 1.2 metres, covering the roof of one car parked on Bridge Street. Local Fine Gael Cllr Manus Boyle says everything must be do...

There are hopes that both the National Ambulance Service and Marian Rescue Coordination Service will work together to ensure reduced response times. It's emerged in recent times that often due to what's believed to be miscommunication has resulted in longer response times for those in emergency situations. The Rescue 118 crew are said to be left in their Strandhill base with members from the crew...