Ocean FM News Reports

Outgoing Sinn Féin TD Pearse Doherty has poured cold water on potential coalition partners for Sinn Féin, should the party go into government.   An RTÉ exit poll published last night indicated that the party is set to elect the most candidates in the 2024 General Election.   Doherty, Pádraig Mac Lochlainn and Noel Jordan are among the twenty candidates vying for the 5 seats in the Donega...

Sligo emergency services and council outdoor staff have been praised for their efforts during Storm Bert. Last weekend's stormy weather resulted in a range of issues including floods and power outages. Works were carried out into the early hours of the morning in an attempt to limit and fix the damage that took place. Local Cllr Liam Brennan says that the staff went above and beyond:

Fears remain over the environmental stability in North Leitrim, due to proposed fracked gas imports.   A number of protest groups in the area have voiced their disapproval on the use of LNG terminals in recent times.   Local councillor and Long-time campaigner Eddie Mitchell, will attend an environmental stability awards ceremony next week in Pittsburgh, USA.   Speaking to Ocean FM...

There was local success at this year's Clean Coasts' Ocean Hero Awards. The awards celebrate the contribution and dedication of volunteers, groups and communities towards conserving Ireland's unique coastal heritage. Enniscrone Clean Coasts group took home the gold in the Group of the Year award while Michael Breen, a member of the group also received a shortlist nomination in the Individual of th...

It’s emerged that a number of farmers in the north west have been left out of pocket following delays to ACRES payments.   Many hoped to receive 2024 advance payments in recent days, however they have now been told that the balancing payment has not yet been completed.   This, in turn has left many fearing for their livelihoods in what is an already time of year for the sector.   Le...

It has been confirmed that serious safety concerns over a notorious accident blackspot in Sligo will be addressed.   A number of incidents have taken place there of late, with the most recent one after a lorry came off the road and went through the wall at the Nazareth House.   Questions were previously asked whether speeding is the main issue, or if more road safety measures can be impl...

It’s been confirmed that the drainage works in Ahamlish Cemetery in Grange are almost complete. The lack of drainage has been an issue frequently raised by members of the public who visited the area, whilst also making burials difficult over recent years. A new drainage scheme is now almost complete which drains water through the centre of the graveyard from one end to the other. Sligo-Drumcliffe...

Following significant delays to Irish Rail’s Dublin Connolly to Sligo service on Thursday evening, it’s emerged that one local station was left in darkness.   Passengers on the 19.05 departing Connolly were impacted by the delays, due to ‘ongoing disruption of the service’ according to Irish Rail.   Eventually, when passengers arrived at Collooney train station shortly before 1am, they w...

Donegal’s Jim McGuinness on the new football rule changes – and the return of Michael Murphy. We’ll meet the new captains at Co Sligo Golf Club for 2025 – it’s a husband and wife team. Plus - we’ve spent some time with the Sligo Rovers Down Syndrome football team. They’ve been competing at the recent League of Ireland festival of football in Dublin.

There are calls locally to provide more training facilities for the Coolera/Strandhill GAA club. A motion is set to be presented to Sligo County Council by Cllr Fergal Nealon to help facilitate support for the club. As it stands, the current pitch in Ransboro has a huge demand upon due to a growing population in the sports team. Cllr Nealon says encouraging growth of the sport helps bring a commun...

The County Sligo Heritage Strategy up until 2030 has been launched today. The plan aims to recognise the heritage of all structures including those that are built, archaeological, cultural and natural. The strategy was compiled over a number of years and is the fourth such plan since the heritage forum was founded in 2001. Chair of the Heritage Forum Cllr Donal Gilroy outlined the key points of th...

Minister Kieran O'Donnell will visit Killybegs to meet those affected by last weekend's floods. This comes after the government's decision yesterday to include Killybegs in the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme. The floods caused extensive damage to a number of buildings and business premises in the area. Local Fine Gael Cllr Manus Boyle says something like this can never happen again:

A site has been secured for an extension for Drumshanbo Vocational School. The new extension will see an additional 11 new rooms added to the layout of the school. The project has been in the pipeline for a while, but faced multiple delays as the school couldn't extend on it's current site. Speaking to Ocean FM News after a property was secured to build on, Fianna Fáil General Election candidate,...

The funeral of Seán Maye has heard of his skilled work as a landscape gardener.   Mourners gathered in St John Evangelist Church in Tubbercurry this morning to pay respect to the 32-year-old, who is survived by his partner Niamh, daughter Ella, son Kyle and wider family and friends.   The late Mr Maye a native of Tubbercurry died when the car he was driving collided with a lorry on the N...

It's emerged that a Midlands North West MEP was one of those who abstained from voting on the voting of a new college of commissioners in Strasbourg. There were concerns prior to Wednesday's vote due to lack of commitment and transparency over the proposed EU-Mercosur trade agreement. However, Ursula Von Der Leyen and her team of Commissioners secured a comfortable majority in the vote. MEP Ciarán...

Recent criticism of the lack of public toilets in Ballyshannon has been rejected locally. The issue of public toilets remaining closed has been a long-standing issue in the area, as funding is being sourced to open the facilities. Local Sinn Fein Cllr Michael McMahon highlighted that work is being done to solve the problem long-term. Cllr McMahon says that General Election candidate Cllr Michael C...

Members of FÓRSA trade union working for the HSE, including at Sligo University Hospital have voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action. The ballot was returned with 93.6% in favour of industrial action. Local members as well those from INMO and SIPTU previously gathered outside Sligo University Hospital in protest over the HSE's 'Pay and Numbers Strategy'. A key issue of concern remains...

Ahead of the Christmas period, parents and guardians across the north west are being urged not buy e-scooters, scramblers or quad bikes for children. New laws introduced earlier this year saw under 16s prohibited to use e-scooters under law. The RSA is reminding the public that the vehicles pose significant safety risks to children. Drumshanbo-based Sinn Féin Councillor Brendan Barr says a number...

It's hoped that Irish Rail will explore the possibility of running an expanded timetable for trains between Carrick-on-Shannon and Sligo. Previously, routes sought included a daily commuter service arriving in Sligo before 8.45am and departing the station close to 10.30pm. Currently there is no train that arrives in Sligo in time for start of the working, school or college day. while it's claimed...

The latest opinion poll shows a three-horse race, heading into tomorrow's election. The latest Red C Poll for the Business Post shows Sinn Fein and Fine Gael are neck and neck on 20 percent - but Fianna Fail is narrowly ahead by one percentage point. The online poll of 1,004 adults was done between the 20th and 26th of November. Business Post political correspondent Cónal Thomas says with just hou...

Criticism has been levelled towards a number of Midlands-North West MEPs for not opposing Ursula Von der Leyen’s continuation as EU Commission President. Ms. Von Der Leyen and her team of Commissioners secured a comfortable majority in the vote in Strasbourg. Former Sinn Fein MEP and General Election candidate Chris MacManus condemned Fianna Fail’s support in the vote and Independent Ireland’s abs...

Robbie Fitzpatrick has just been installed as Co Sligo Golf Club's new Captain for the 2025 season - and his wife Niamh is the new lady Captain. The husband-and-wife team spoke to Ocean FM Sport's Austin O'Callaghan at the recent launch of the Golf Ball for 2025, which will take place at the Radisson Hotel in February.

The Government have today agreed to add Killybegs to the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme in the wake of Storm Bert. Floods ripped through the town last weekend, causing extensive damage to a number of buildings and business premises in the process. The decision was taken incorporeal today, as Cabinet members are currently out in their constituencies ahead of Friday's General Election. Speaking to O...

Frustration has been expressed after the contractor awarded tender for the construction of an extension for Sligo University Hospital has pulled out of the project.     A large amount of work went into the application for the work to be carried out, with the 42-bed extension seen as a key development to the future of health care in the region.     This month’s Regional Health F...

Tributes have been paid to the young man who lost his life in a crash on the N17 on Monday evening, 32-year-old, Sean Maye, a native of Tubbercurry died when the car he was driving collided with a lorry at Corbally, just outside of Claremorris, shortly after 5pm. Gardai are continuing to appeal for witnesses to come forward. The late Mr Maye is survived by his partner Niamh, daughter Ella, son Kyl...