Ocean FM News Reports

A delegation, which includes those from Leitrim are set to meet the leader of the Green Party later over fears of fracked gas imports in the county.     Just last month, members of Love Leitrim gathered outside Leinster House as part of an ant-fracking protest.     The group are calling for a ban on fracked gas imports to be put in place before planning permission can be grante...

It's estimated that thousands of people passed through the doors of St. Clare's Church in Manorhamilton yesterday to venerate the relics of St. Bernadette.   The relics are due to leave Manorhamilton today and will make their way to the Diocese of Cork.   St. Bernadette witnessed eighteen apparitions of Our Lady at Lourdes in 1858 and countless millions of people have visited Lourdes sin...

Questions are being asked over when works near Barnesmore Gap will be finished.   The works, which began in January include the construction a hard shoulder on the N15 between Donegal Town and Ballybofey in an area known locally as McGrory's Brae.   However, the works were scheduled to be complete by September but are still ongoing, with the traffic light system said to be causing huge t...

It's claimed that Sinn Fein's healthcare plan would transform the North West.   The party is promising free prescription medicines to all households and 5 thousand more hospital beds, if it gets into government.   It also says it would guarantee a job for ever health graduate in the country to encourage them to stay in Ireland.   Sinn Féin Agriculture Spokesperson and Sligo Leitrim...

There are calls on Councils in the North West to get to the root of the Japanese Knotweed issue. The problem is said to be growing in various areas across Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal. The invasive plant can cause untold damage to property and land. Donegal County Councillor Michael McClafferty believes more can be done in tackling the issue. He's calling for a renewed focus by local authorities wit...

Plans for a new caravan site at Rossnowlagh have been welcomed locally. Planning permission was recently granted for a site to house 29 caravans, along with three three-bed cabins, and a number of other facilities in Rossnowlagh Upper. Caravans and campervans have long been a bone of contention across Donegal, with a high number of tourists pitching up in unsuitable areas, particularly in the summ...

There are further calls on both the OPW and Donegal County Council to work together towards alleviating coastal erosion at Inver. Three homes in the area are said to be at a heightened risk while other nearby lands are being consistently eroded. It's been an ongoing problem for some time but the recent storm and previous severe weather events are said to have worsened the issue further. The Minist...

Claudia Kennedy believes that ground work carried out during her local election campaign will stand to her as she contests the upcoming General Election in the Donegal constituency.   In what some might say was a shock move by Fianna Fail, Miss Kennedy was added to the party ticket last week alongside former MEP Pat the Cope Gallagher and Minister Charlie McConalogue.   This is despite s...

Defective concrete block homeowners have expressed frustration in Donegal over the recent downgrade decisions made by the Housing Agency.   Over 100 families have been removed from original recommendations for full demolition and rebuild to what they say are less comprehensive and cheaper repair options.   Members of the Mica Action Group have previously requested a meeting with Housing...

Frustration has been expressed in north Leitrim over AIB's nationwide investment with the aim of reducing its operational carbon emissions. Last week, the bank announced number of branches in the north west are set to be refurbished as part of a €40 million package. At the end of 2022, AIB withdrew its cash counter services at its Manorhamilton branch, leaving it that customers could only lodge mo...

Leitrim County Council are to invest in technology to remove weeds from a number of villages across the county. Currently, the council are limited in how they can remove the weeds, due to stringent regulations that are in place regarding the use of pesticides. Funding is to be made available to Tidy Towns committees across Leitrim to purchase equipment that will assist in eliminating the weeds. Fi...

It's felt that investing in existing transport infrastructure will be of benefit further down the line. Last week, the Western Rail Committee held their AGM to discuss the reopening of a rail link between Sligo and Galway. Should the proposed development take place, it's expected to take decades to get it up and running. But local Independent Councillor, Marie Casserly, who was in attendance at th...

Over 1,200 drivers have been detected driving faster than the speed limit since Thursday morning. Gardai have been conducting a roads policing operation throughout the bank holiday weekend - which is in place until tomorrow morning. Three people have been killed in collisions over the weekend, including one man in his 20s just outside Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo in the early hours of Saturday morning,...

Irish troops in Lebanon are set to be replaced by a fresh batallion in the coming weeks. Currently, troops based in Finner Camp in Co. Donegal, and in Athlone, are undergoing training to replace troops that have been on peacekeeping duties in Lebanon for the last six months. Taoiseach Simon Harris says he has received assurances from the Lebanese government that the transition will be done in a sa...

Listen back to Sunday's historic Connacht LGFA junior club football championship final in Swinford between Coolera/Standhill (Sligo) and St Fursey's (Galway), as described by Ocean FM Sport's Dónal Ryan & Aisling Browne.

Listen back to the dramatic closing seconds of Sunday's Sligo men's Homeland SFC final between Coolera/Strandhill and St Molaise Gaels at Markievicz Park - as described by the Ocean FM Sport commentary team of Colm McGee and Willie Gormley.

It's felt that Kiltyclogher is missing out on attracting post-primary school students. Seán MacDiarmada's cottage gives an insight into the origins of one of the seven signatories of the proclamation. Councillor Justin Warnock says the failure to maximise the potential from the cottage is another blow to north Leitrim tourism businesses and tourist locations. The Fianna Fáil Councillor says couple...

Tenders are due to go out for two state-of-the-art outdoor centres in Sligo in the coming weeks. The centres, which will be located in both Enniscrone and Rosses Point, will include a number of facilities, such as toilets, outdoor showers, changing areas and storage areas for outdoor and water sports. The tenders are expected to go live online by the end of October, with funding of up to 650,000 e...

A dark cloud is hanging over south Sligo following the death of a man in his 20s in a road-traffic collision.   That’s according to local Fianna Fáil Cllr Barry Gallagher who has been speaking after the collision which occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning on the R294 at Drimina.   Gardaí are appealing to any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) to come f...

Those looking to take part in water-based activities are being reminded to take care and prioritise safety this weekend.   Water Safety Ireland along with the Coast Guard and RNLI have issued a joint-appeal. With temperatures dipping and darker evenings drawing in they're asking people to be aware of the body's reaction to cold water shock. Warnings are being issued to check weather forecasts...

It's been claimed that speeding and dangerous driving continue to be major issues in the north Leitrim area.   The R280 at Killargue Village has been cited as a hub of such activity, with many residents in rural areas said to be fearful when out walking.   New road safety laws are on the way which will reduce the speed limit on rural local roads from 80km to 60km per hour.   Local I...

Sligo business nominated for bookshop of the year

Fears continue to be expressed for the future of the Killybegs fishing industry. There are major concerns in relation to the overfishing of mackerel by Norwegian fishing vessels in Irish waters. The Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Association have called upon the European Union to act and impose restrictions on Norway. Brendan Byrne, CEO of the IFPEA, says Killybegs are recording a huge decrea...

Gardaí have issued a warning for dog owners to be vigilant as the early lambing season approaches. It comes after a dog attacked a flock of sheep in the Grange area last night. Gardaí have also asked that any sightings of stray dogs should be reported to them straight away to prevent such attacks happening. Independent Sligo Drumcliffe Councillor, Marie Casserly, says that the responsibility ultim...

An Garda Siochana have made a safety appeal for all North West road users ahead of the October bank holiday weekend. Caution is being urged ahead of what is one of the busiest periods on Irish roads. With the clocks set to go back an hour as well, pedestrians and cyclists are being reminded to wear increased visibility clothing. Sergeant Aoife Hayes of the Sligo Roads Policing Unit says every deci...