Ocean FM News Reports

It's emerged that Sligo University Hospital is still waiting to receive almost 70 new beds - despite approval being given almost six months ago. The approval was given by Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, in an effort to combat overcrowding at the hospital, which has been consistently been among the busiest hospitals in Ireland in 2024. It's understood that 42 of these beds will be installed...

A hustings is to be held in Leitrim this evening for all General Election candidates in the Sligo Leitrim constituency, focusing on a number of environmental issues affecting the area. The debate gets underway at 8pm tonight in the Glens Centre in Manorhamilton. The event is being hosted by a number of local environmental groups, including Love Leitrim, Treasure Leitrim, Save Leitrim and Save Doug...

Many business across Leitrim are said to be struggling to access enterprise grants. Restrictive criteria is the root of the problem with the Power Up grant, with a number of businesses unable to access the fund because they didn't weren't signed up to a previous scheme. Grants of up to four thousand euro are available to potentially draw down. Sinn Fein Sligo Leitrim Candidate Martin Kenny is warn...

An incident has been highlighted in Sligo where an Irish Water inspector was refused entry to a home following an unannounced inspection. The elderly homeowner was unsure of the inspector’s motives, and did not allow them access. This follows a number of warnings from Gardaí to not give uninvited visitors access to your home. Local Fianna Fail Cllr Donal Gilroy says Irish Water have since confirme...

More clarity is being sought over two bus stop locations in Strandhill, where there is currently no signage. This has caused confusion among residents and tourists, attempting to avail of public transport services. Sligo County Council will be asked for the installation of bus stop signs and timetables. Local Sinn Fein Cllr Arthur Gibbons says the situation needs to be addressed:

Molly Candon has been selected by the Party for Animal Welfare to contest the upcoming general election. Ms Candon is from Ballisodare, and will be competing in the Sligo-Leitrim Constituency, bringing the total number of candidates to 16. Included in her party’s aims are to end grants to greyhound and horse racing. Speaking to OceanFM news, Ms Candon outlined her reasons for running:

Calls persist in Sligo for road safety improvements following recent study showing 81% of Irish public have witnessed reckless driving in the past year. A new report by Geotab, highlights a range of measures people would like to see introduced to decrease road accidents. As it stands, there have been 149 road deaths so far in 2024. Ballymote-Tubbercurry Fine Gael Cllr Dara Mulvey says there is a d...

Work has started on installing rock armour along the Coast Road in Easkey. There have been ongoing fears that coastal erosion could result in the route being totally inaccessible. Many areas are said to have become vulnerable due to erosion and it's hoped that the works will go in some way towards preventing it from happening further. Independent Cllr Joe Queenan hopes that this is the first step...

A fair and firm asylum process which respects everyone involved is needed.   That's according to Fianna Fail General Election Candidate Eamon Scanlon, who says immigration is one of the biggest issues being raised on the doors during this campaign.   It comes as Sinn Fein launched its immigration policy today, with the party proposing to introduce a new immigration management agency. &nb...

There's a warning that increasing commercial rates in County Leitrim will put more pressure on local businesses. Earlier this week, Leitrim County Council made the decision to increase rates for businesses by 5% in 2025. There's been a mixed reaction to the move, but the majority of Cllr feel that the hike is needed in order for the local authority fund capital projects. But Cllr Des Guckian, who...

Sligo County Council are to be quizzed on what measures can be taken to prevent road traffic accidents at the Summerhill roundabout. A number of incidents have taken place there of late, with the most recent one last week after a lorry came off the road and went through the wall at the Nazareth House. Questions are being asked whether speeding is the main issue, or if more road safety measures can...

Ireland's first ever national conference on alcohol-related brain injury is taking place in Sligo today. Despite an overall decrease in alcohol consumption there's a growing number of people becoming dependent. The past decade has seen a shift in patterns of consumption, with increases in binge drinking and drinking at home. Paula Leonard, CEO of the Alcohol Forum Ireland, says it's a condition wh...

Its thought that Fine Gaels promise to cut the VAT rate for the hospitality sector is too little too late for many businesses across the North West that have closed their doors are already. The party has pledged to cut the n rate for the sector to 11 per cent just weeks after no change was implemented in the Budget. The rate had previously been cut to 9 per cent to support such businesses during t...

A County Sligo Pharmacist is urging the next Government to prioritise significant opportunities to enhance pharmacy-based healthcare. As part of its election manifesto, The Irish Pharmacy Union is warning of potential closures across the North West, unless the incoming Government increase the dispensing fee and adopt a more proactive approach to managing medicine shortages. Elizabeth Lang is a pha...

Sligo para-cyclist Martin Gordon has announced his retirement from the sport.   39-year-old Gordon enjoyed a hugely successful career in the saddle, competing in two Paralympics and numerous World and European championships.   He first represented Ireland at the Para-cycling World Championships in 2017.   Gordon, who works as a barrister in Dublin, finished fifth in the 2021 Tokyo g...

There are mixed opinions in Manorhamilton following Leitrim County Council’s recent decision to increase commercial rates by 5% in 2025. It is understood that the rise in rates would help secure major funding for projects within the county over the next few years. Speaking to OceanFM news, a number of local business owners shared their thoughts over the increase:

Childcare is being raised as a major issue by people in Donegal ahead of the general election. It’s understood that some families are struggling to not only afford childcare places, but to find availability in the region. An instance was highlighted where a family had to go to another county in order to source childcare. Independent Candidate Thomas Pringle says childcare should be free and state-...

Fine Gael's suggestions of reducing the VAT rate for the hospitality sector to 11% have been described locally as "half-baked". Their proposals come after they recently rejected Sinn Fein's idea of a permanent reduction to 9%. It's understood that over 600 local businesses have closed their doors due to struggling with rising running costs. Speaking to Ocean FM News, Donegal Sinn Fein councillor a...

It's hoped that the Yeats County Hotel in Rosses Point will be returned to a 4 or even 5 star hotel.   It was revealed earlier today that the hotel has gone on the market with an asking price of 7M euro.   The premises has been housing Ukrainian refugees for around two years which ultimately had a major effect on tourist accommodation in the area.   With it being situated right besi...

It's hoped that Sligo County Council can carry out some upgrade works in Sligo Cemetery in the near future. Funding of up to 30,000 euro has been allocated, with views to making improvements in areas of the cemetery, particularly the old gate lodge and the new extension. However, there have been lengthy delays in finding people to carry out the works. Local People Before Profit councillor, and Gen...

Improved safety measures are being sought near a north Leitrim primary school. Traffic volume and speed on the stretch outside Drumlease National School in Dromahair remain a cause for concern, particularly during peak times picking up and dropping off students. There have been numerous reports of motorists driving recklessly in the area. Local Independent Councillor Eddie Mitchell says the safety...

Leitrim has seen a big rise in rent prices. The latest rental report from Daft.ie shows that rents were 13.5% higher in the third quarter of this year compared to the same period in 2023. In County Sligo, there were was an increase of 9.4% while the smallest rise in rents the region was in Donegal, 4.3%. Ronan Lyons, author of the report says that despite the major increase in Leitrim, it's still...

Disappointment has been expressed after Sligo County Council confirmed they have no plans to clear a blocked river in south Sligo. It's understood that no cleaning works have been carried out along the Clooneen river at Killavil for a number of years now. The main issue appears to be that is not clear who's responsibility it is for unblocking the river, with Sligo County Council ruling themselves...

Local members of the ASTI and TUI will hold nationwide lunchtime protests outside schools next Tuesday. The demonstrations are in response to a decision to accelerate Senior Cycle redevelopment plans. They will take place outside schools and other centres where Leaving Cert programmes are taught and will not affect students or teaching. Members says sufficient resources need to be provided, and eq...

An impending hike to commercial rates in County Leitrim will result in better services in the long term. That's according to Fine Gael Cllr Enda McGloin, who has been defending a decision by Leitrim County Councillors to increase commercial rates by 5% for 2025. Cllr McGloin says that this will ultimately mean that the Council will be able to provide match funding for much needed Capital grants. H...