Ocean FM News Reports

Farming representatives across the north west will be among those that will attend a meeting with leaders of the main political parties today.     The Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Sinn Féin leader will each address delegates at the IFA’s National Council.     The association is asking Simon Harris, Micheal Martin and Mary Lou McDonald to provide clarity on how they will make the sec...

People Before Profit Sligo Cllr Gino O'Boyle has confirmed he's to contest the General Election for the party.  He has been a member of Sligo County Council since 2015 and previously ran in the 2020 General Election, but was unsuccessful, after receiving 1746 first preference votes. The Cllr received 737 first preference votes in last June's local elections in the Sligo- Strandhill Electoral...

The outgoing Housing Minister has driven a knife through housing policy in County Sligo.   That's according to Independent Ireland General Election candidate and Cllr Michael Clarke, who has revealed that Darragh O'Brien may remove over 70 hectares of land from the Sligo County Development Plan which is intended for residential zoning.   It effectively means that a substantial amount of...

A number of local environmental groups staged a protest in Cavan at the weekend to voice their concerns about gold mining in Ireland. The protest was held at a black-tie golfing event, as members from Love Leitrim and Treasure Leitrim aired their grievances about the potential damages mining may have in rural areas. While groups from Leitrim were in attendance, activists from areas such as Tyrone...

Kevin Sharkey feels that Government policies have not had a positive effect on Donegal. Mr Sharkey, originally from Killybegs but living in Dublin, confirmed yesterday that he’s to contest the General Election in the Donegal constituency as an Independent Candidate. He also sought a nomination for the 2018 Presidential election, but withdrew from the campaign in September of that year. Speaking to...

There's renewed concern over the speed some motorists are travelling past schools in County Sligo. It comes as a number of drivers were reportedly speeding by some local schools last week, particularly during drop off times. Sinn Fein Cllr Thomas Healy says that this type of behaviour should not be tolerated. He feels that while traffic calming measures are in place, other options need to be explo...

Fine Gaels Helen McEntee is adamant that her party made the right call in running one candidate in the Sligo/Leitrim constituency in the upcoming General Election.   The party has over 60 new candidates right across the country but decided on a sole candidate for Sligo/Leitrim - outgoing TD Frank Feighan.   The move has led to questions in some quarters, with Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein bo...

Further criticism has been levelled at Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary, following comments he made about teachers at the weekend. O'Leary said he wouldn't employ teachers to "go out and get things done". The businessman was speaking at a campaign event for Fine Gael candidate, Peter Burke, over the weekend. INTO General Secretary and Donegal native John Boyle says that a number of teachers are annoye...

Fianna Fail councillor, Edel McSharry, has said it's disappointing that a number of her election campaign posters have been vandalised. Both Councillor McSharry and outgoing Sinn Fein TD Martin Kenny saw a number of their posters defaced in Leitrim over the weekend. It's understood the posters were vandalised within 15 minutes of being put up. Speaking to Ocean FM News, Councillor McSharry says th...

44 years ago today, three Sligo men lost their lives in a fishing tragedy in Killala Bay, including a father and son and family friend.   It's regarded as the most tragic drowning incident that has ever happened among the Sligo fishing community.   Sean Foy, his son Declan and their family friend Michael McLoughlin all drowned after their 60-foot boat went down close to Killala.   T...

There are renewed calls for a major deer cull to take place in the North West. It's after a number of weekend crashes involving deer locally - one in Barnesmore Gap and another in Creeslough Gap. Local Independent Cllr Michael McClafferty has previously called for reinforcements to be brought in to deal with the issue. He feels that at this stage there should be a sense of urgency among the releva...

Residents in south west Donegal are said to feel left behind over a lack of a local Garda presence. People living in certain communities are being directed to different Garda stations, in some cases an hour away, after ringing their local station in the first instance. Independent General Election candidate Thomas Pringle says with the Donegal population increasing in recent years, he feels that i...

Many streets in Sligo have been deemed unfit for purpose. Some have been described as a major health and safety hazard while others are said to be not user friendly. There are a number of projects in the pipeline but are said to be painstakingly slow. Fine Gael Cllr Thomas Walsh says work has already taken place in a number of areas of the town which have proven to be a huge success. He feels that...

The ongoing housing crisis is said to be the main talking point on doors in Sligo and Leitrim.   That's according to Independent General Election Candidate Marian Harkin, who has been out canvassing across the region this weekend.   250 new jobs were announced in Leitrim last week, after Freudenberg Medical confirmed they are to expand their operations in Carrick-on-Shannon.   Speak...

An investigation has been launched after a number of election posters were vandalised in North Leitrim over the weekend. With just a few days into the campaign, a number of posters belonging to Fianna Fail candidate Edel MacSharry and Sinn Fein candidate Martin Kenny were discovered defaced in Drumkeeran and Dromahair.  The matter has been reported to Gardai. Outgoing Sinn Fein Sligo Leitrim...

Plans by Fine Gael to permanently reduce the VAT rate for the hospitality sector to 11 per cent has been lambasted locally.   Taoiseach Simon Harris proclaimed should his party return to power, the measure would happen within 100 days of taking office.   However, Sinn Féin’s finance spokesperson and Donegal TD has criticised the proposal, labelling it as “half-baked”.   Deputy Doher...

Another candidate has stepped forward to run in the upcoming General Election.     Sitting Leitrim Councillor Des Guckian has declared his intention to run as an Independent candidate in the Sligo-Leitrim constituency.     Councillor Guckian previously contested the 2016 general election, receiving 1,060 first preference votes.     Speaking to Ocean FM News, he feels,...

There has been frustration expressed over how long it has taken for the election to be called. It's felt that the rushed nature of the imminent three-week campaign will see some voters left behind, particularly postal voters. The deadline for postal voters to register is next Tuesday, November 12th. Independent Donegal TD, Thomas Pringle, has described the actions of the Government on the matter a...

People of Sligo sound off on the General Election

It's thought that there will be a few twists in the road locally when it comes to the General Election. It comes as the Taoiseach is set to call a snap election this lunchtime with a three-week campaign culminating on polling day, November 29th. It puts an end to months of intense speculation that Simon Harris was planning to go to the country before the Government had served its full term. Outgoi...

Plans may be afoot to refurbish a notorious eyesore in the heart of Sligo Town.   The apartment complex, located behind the Glasshouse has been lying idle for nearly 20 years and its now in a serious state of disrepair.   It's understood that a planning application has been lodged to Sligo County Council for consideration which set out to upgrade the building.   Fine Gael Cllr Ferga...

There are renewed calls on the OPW to turn one of their buildings in Tubbercurry into a state-of-the-art Garda Station. The previous Government building is situated beside the current Garda station on Teeling Street in the town. The premises being used for a Garda station at the moment is said to be unfit purpose. A design process of the adjoining building was being conducted by the OPW and local...

Animals in Need in Donegal Town is line to receive a significant financial boost. Over 55,000 euro has been allocated to the animal welfare charity by the Department of Agriculture. In total, charities in Donegal are in line to receive a total of 115,000 euro, with ISPCA Donegal and Twin Towns Lost and Found Dogs also in receipt of funding. Speaking to Ocean FM News, Gitte McMullan of Animals in N...

There are serious air pollution concerns in Geevagh. It centres on the local Waste Water Treatment Plant and the finger of blame is being pointed at Uisce Eireann. The plant was previously the responsibility of Sligo County Council. Local Fine Gael Cllr Gerard Mullaney says residents in the area are being severely impacted. He says every effort must be made to address the issue once and for all.

Fianna Fáil have added Leitrim councillor, Paddy O'Rourke, to their ticket ahead of the imminent general election. He will now contest a seat in the Sligo Leitrim constituency alongside sitting councillor in Sligo, Edel McSharry, and former TD, Eamon Scanlon. Currently the Cathaoirleach of Leitrim County Council, Councillor O'Rourke topped the poll in the Ballinamore Municipal District in June's l...