Ocean FM News Reports

It's felt that an urgent review is needed of Ireland's critical skills list to address the shortfall of construction workers across the country. It's estimated that there is currently a shortage of around 80,000 workers across the construction sector. With Ireland struggling with a housing crisis, it's understood that essential trades, such as construction workers, labourers, electricians and plum...

It remains to be sign when refreshments and drinks will return to the Sligo to Dublin train service. Earlier this year, Irish Rail confirmed that it plans to reintroduce catering services on all its Intercity trains by the end of the year. Catering services had been suspended across the network in March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic after government restrictions on passenger numbers made the s...

There's major concern over current conditions at Grange Vocational School. Overcrowding, unsuitable toilet facilities and end of life prefabs are just some of the issues facing both teachers and students. An application for a significant extension was submitted to the Department some time back but is said to have faced numerous setbacks. Sinn Fein Sligo Leitrim TD Martin Kenny says it's ultimately...

A Donegal County Councillor has launched a scathing attack on landowners who are not cutting their hedges in the region. It's after a lorry sustained significant damage recently, as a result of overhanging branches in the Glenties MD. Hedge cutting season came back into effect at the beginning of September, but there's still reports of many routes locally in a dangerous condition, due to overgrown...

There are fears that Sligo University Hospital could descend into another winter of chaos. While efforts are seemingly underway to fill a number of vacancies, it's thought that it's nowhere enough to address the shortfalls locally. Labour Cllr Nessa Cosgrove believes that the root of the problem is that none of the relevant bodies are taking full responsibility for the issue. Cllr Cosgrove believe...

Tributes have been paid to the director of Manorhamilton Livestock Mart, Ivan Moffitt, who passed away on Sunday. Ivan, a native of Blacklion in Cavan was a popular figure and held the role in the north Leitrim town for a number of years. Following his passing, it has been confirmed that Manorhamilton Livestock Mart will be closed until further notice. Chairperson of the Leitrim branch of the IFA,...

In a bid to tackle the issue of vacant and derelict properties in south Donegal, a public information event will take place this week. The event at the Termon Complex in Pettigo will take place on Thursday, November 7th from 3pm until 6pm. Officials from Donegal County Council will be in attendance to give information on the vacant and derelict properties grant scheme. Local Sinn Féin Councillor M...

Sligo Tidy Towns groups are in line to receive a combined total of €34,000 in 2025. It is part of a €1.5million allocation nationwide, with the intention of supporting the continued positive impact of Tidy Towns in communities. Each group applying will eligible for between €1,000 - €4,000. Chair of Sligo Tidy Towns, Finbarr Filan, says this type of funding enables the area to compete for tidiest t...

There are still no plans to employ a Road Safety Officer at Sligo County Council. It was thought some months back that the role was to be filled imminently. There are however other plans afoot to tackle road safety within the County going forward. Fine Gael Cllr Dara Mulvey says with a big increase in collisions there needs to be in turn a big reaction to that. He's hopeful that it will be tackled...

There are calls on the Government to do what's in its gift to fast track the sale of a site owned by Sligo County Council to ATU Sligo to build student accommodation. The plans came before Council today and include the intention to sell 16 acres of land in Ardaghowen to the ATU. The site is situated 1 km northeast of Sligo town centre and was acquired by Sligo County Council in 2018. However, the...

Coiste Forbartha na Carraige were among the prize winners at the 2024 IFB Pride of Place Awards in Monaghan on Saturday.   The awards, which are coordinated through local authorities across Ireland, acknowledge work carried out in communities to shape, change and improve their respective communities took place at the Hillgrove Hotel.   The committee were awarded Community Tourism Initiat...

Sligo Rovers are among the main beneficiaries of the Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund which has been announced today.   Over 16 million euro is heading to the North West, which will aid the redevelopment of the Showgrounds.

A number of developments are taking place in Killybegs town this week, leading to traffic congestion in the area. The public are being asked for patience when encountering delays as they will be only temporary. Included in the current construction projects are speed ramps, a bus stop and a playground. Donegal Cllr Niamh Kennedy says all the works will benefit the town in the long run as it is an i...

The need for an independent inquiry into the Creeslough tragedy was highlighted following a meeting between family members who lost loved ones in the disaster, and Sinn Fein TDs. The meeting took place in Donegal after the families met with Justice Minister Helen McEntee at Government Buildings. During the recent discussion, it was highlighted that the truth must be found and to prevent anything s...

Mica-affected homeowners in Donegal are hopeful their meeting with Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald will go some way to delivering 100% redress. The leader of the opposition was joined by local TDs Pádraig MacLochlainn and Pearse Doherty for the visit. While those affected say they welcome the visit of the Deputy's, they are still waiting an adequate response from the Minister for Housing on the...

A large crowd has assembled at Sligo County Council offices in riverside this morning for a demonstration over a lack of student accommodation in the town.    These students have been sharing how the situation has been impacting them to OceanFM news today:

Mica-affected homeowners in Donegal are hopeful their meeting with Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald will go some way to delivering 100% redress. The leader of the opposition was joined by local TDs Pádraig MacLochlainn and Pearse Doherty for the visit. While those affected say they welcome the visit of the Deputy's, they are still waiting an adequate response from the Minister for Housing on the...

Dismay has been expressed over the increased number of dog excrement bags being dumped in an area of Sligo town. It has emerged recently that an area close to the bridge at Maugheraboy has become a hotspot with distinctive coloured bags being left in public view. Local residents are said to be aggrieved by the issue. While Fianna Fáil Councillor, Tom MacSharry has appealed to dog owners to clean u...

A protest will be held by ATU Sligo students outside the County Council offices this morning over the student accommodation crisis. Hundreds of students have been left without accommodation after the owners of Benbulben and Milligan Court decided to repurpose the buildings to house international protection applicants instead. ATU Sligo Student's Union Vice President, Emil Kindl, will address the c...

Delight is being expressed this morning as Sligo Rovers are to receive major funding for the redevelopment of the Showgrounds. The Bit O'Red have been awarded 16.4 million euro by the Government from the Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund. Attention will now turn to upgrading the facilities at the Showgrounds, with big plans afoot to convert the current ground into a state-of-the-art, 6,000 al...

"We're as far away as ever now" - St Molaise Gaels boss Jimmy Langan on another county final loss

Listen back to commentary highlights of Sunday's Connacht LGFA intermediate club football final between Drumcliffe/Rosses Point (Sligo) and Annaghdown (Galway), as described by Ocean FM Sport's Ray Lannon & Nikki Brennan.

Eoghan Rua manager Shane Feeney reflects on Sunday's narrow Connacht LGFA senior club championship semi-final loss to Westport, on a final scoreline of 2-11 to 1-12.

Listen back to commentary highlights from the 2024 Sligo Homeland SFC final replay between Coolera/Strandhill (holders) & St Molaise Gaels at Markievicz Park, as described by Colm McGee and Willie Gormley.

Drumcliffe/Rosses Point's Sinead Regan gives her reaction to Sunday's 1-10 to 1-5 loss to Annaghdown (Galway) in the Connacht LGFA intermediate club football final in Swinford.