Ocean FM News Reports

Support has been given locally over the calls to ban Norway from fishing in Irish waters. The European Commission is being urged to block Norwegian fishing vessels amid fears of overfishing, while local fisheries are stuck with limited quotas. While the Irish Fish Producers Organisation say Ireland's small fishing fleet stands to lose up to €17 million in 2025 from a proposed mackerel cut. Fine Ga...

Over 400 asylum seekers are due to move into Benbulben Court in Sligo this week.   It follows the arrival of almost 180 refugees to Milligan Court last month.   Both apartment complexes have been embroiled in controversy, as they traditionally catered to students but abruptly stopped this arrangement last year.   The move effectively displaced around 500 young people wishing to stud...

SIPTU members are protesting over the HSE’s ‘Pay and Numbers Strategy’ in Sligo today, which is the latest in two weeks of lunchtime protests by health unions around the country.   The union say a key concern for members remain the current staffing levels, with a number of key roles not reflecting level of investment in the health service.   Speaking to OceanFM News at the protest,...

Listen back to the closing quarter of the 2024 Leitrim Smith Monumentals intermediate football final between Allen Gaels and Melvin Gaels in Ballinamore, as described by the Ocean FM Sport commentary team of Brian Kerrigan & Liam Freeburn.

SIPTU members are protesting over the HSE’s 'Pay and Numbers Strategy' in Sligo, Cavan and Tuam today.   It's the latest in two weeks of lunchtime protests by health unions around the country.   The union say a key concern for members remain the current staffing levels, with a number of key roles not reflecting level of investment in the health service.   SIPTU Organiser, Ann McGee,...

There's been a mixed reaction to an ice rink potentially coming to Sligo.   Yesterday it was revealed that plans are afoot to install the rink at Queen Maeve's Square for the winter months, at a cost of €20,000.   While the news has generally received a positive reaction on social media, there's been a few frosty responses, with the view that the money could be better spent elsewhere. &n...

There are renewed calls on the Government to use the Apple windfall tax to restore rail service in Donegal.   In a recent submission, rail campaign Into the West called for some of the money to be used towards the restoration of the 35km Letterkenny-Derry rail link.   But Independent TD Thomas Pringle believes that the plans should be more ambitious.   He says if the Government is t...

Another public meeting is being held over traffic congestion and parking concerns in Donegal Town.   There have been ongoing issues with the new one way system in the town which has been installed for a number of months now.   The meeting is getting underway Thursday week at 8pm at the Council Chamber in Donegal Town and local representatives will also be in attendance.   Mayor of D...

It’s expected that County Sligo will finally be added to the Defective Blocks Remedial Scheme today.   It follows years of local campaigning on the ground and a few false dawns.   Hundreds of properties in the County are thought to be affected by pyrite yet have not been able to access the redress scheme like those in Donegal, Mayo and Clare.   PRO of the Sligo Pyrite Action Group a...

Concerns continue to be expressed in an area of Sligo town over the use of heavy goods vehicles.   In advance of the development of the Eastern Garavogue Bridge, residents in the Lower East Ward are concerned of the dangers caused by the vehicles, including pedestrian safety.   Councillor Declan Bree previously proposed draft byelaws which would see permits issued to allow those make loc...

The 100% Redress Party have announced their candidate for the upcoming general election in Donegal. Charles Ward has been nominated, and he is a healthcare worker living in Drumkeen, and is also a homeowner impacted by defective building materials. Mr Ward wants to tackle a number of issues faced in the region, including the housing crisis, health services, agriculture and fisheries. Mr Ward says...

A young Sligo family are said to have narrowly avoided eviction today. The single mother and her two children are living in emergency accommodation provided by Sligo County Council for around nine months, but it's claimed that the Council were to no longer provide assistance to them. The eviction was due to take place earlier today but was halted at the eleventh hour with the owners of the propert...

A call to action has been made to ban Norway from fishing in Irish waters, including those in the north west. The Irish Fish Producers Organisation say Ireland's small fishing fleet stands to lose up to €17 million in 2025 from a proposed mackerel cut. The organisation say this is the third year in a row of quota cuts which they feel, threaten the viability of Ireland's mackerel fishing fleet and...

A large delegation from the North West is making its way towards Dublin today as part of the hospitality industry’s day of action. Protests are taking place in the capital against what they claim is the government’s neglect of the sector. Following the latest budget, the hospitality VAT rate remains at 13.5%, while it was hoped it would be reduced to 9%. Sligo restauranteur Anthony Gray says that...

Sligo Rovers were held to a 1-1 draw by title-chasing Derry City in the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium last night in the League of Ireland Premier Division. Derry needed a minimum of four points from their double-header to steal a late march at the top of the table, but have just managed to pick up two from their home games against Bohemians and Sligo Rovers. Rovers started on the front foot, and...

It's claimed that the sites identified in an investigation into suspected illegal peat extraction may only be the tip of the iceberg.   A site in County Sligo is one of 38 areas of particular concern as part of the major investigation.   The Environmental Protection Agency has opened scores of investigations at bogs all over the country.   Files released by the agency to the organis...

There are calls for round table talks over the possibility of the National Monument Service buying land near the site of the Cairns Hill Neolithic passage tomb.   Currently there's no public access to the site and it was previously hoped that the land would be purchased in a bid to improve the overall visitor experience.   Fine Gael Councillor Fergal Nealon has labelled the amenity "jewe...

Another business in Ballyshannon is to close.   Rooney's Butchers in the town is shut its doors this weekend after 64 years in business.   It's the third butchers in Ballyshannon to close inside the last year.   Owner Sean Rooney has been speaking to Ocean FM news about making the decision.   He says big changes elsewhere have been detrimental to Ballyshannon and claims that he...

Hopes have been heighted that the State could purchase Rory Gallagher’s signature Fender Stratocaster guitar.   It’s after Tánaiste Micheál Martin hinted that one of the State’s cultural institutions could step in to buy the guitar owned by the late Ballyshannon rock star, which goes up for auction this week. It’ll go under the hammer at Bonham’s Auction House in London on Thursday at an esti...

It's been claimed that a Sligo family are being forced out of emergency accommodation. The single mother and her two children had been living in accommodation provided by Sligo County Council for around nine months, but it's claimed that the Council are no longer willing to help them.   The eviction is due to take place later today.   People Before Profit Cllr Gino O'Boyle says with thou...

Sinn Fein Leader Mary Lou McDonald TD visited the Ballisodare Women’s Shed while in Sligo over the weekend. Deputy McDonald met with members of the shed, and the issue of funding was a key topic of discussion. In 2023, €100,000 was allocated for Women’s Sheds by the Department of Rural and Community Development, which was €700,000 less than what was dedicated for Men’s Sheds. Terry Broderick, of B...

Calls have been made locally for more clarity over turf cutting following recent claims that county council officials could investigate private property for turf. Concerns were expressed over the future of burning turf, which many rural homes depend on across the North West. It was previously raised among Donegal Cllrs that people can continue to cut and burn turf, but there are particular rules a...

It is hoped that measures can be introduced to tackle the rental crisis in Sligo.   Despite the introduction of the rent pressure zone in 2016, demand currently outweighs supply.   The increase in the number of properties being used as short-term lets by Airbnb is said to be just one of the reasons behind the crisis.   Local Labour Councillor Nessa Cosgrove says it has left many peo...

There are fears over how potential industrial action by nurses will impact Sligo University Hospital.   It comes as both nurses and midwives are being balloted today by the INMO, in a dispute over the ongoing HSE recruitment freeze and its impact on patient safety in hospitals.   There were a number of demonstrations at hospitals nationally in recent weeks.   Local Fianna Fail Cllr...

There are renewed calls for a pre 9am train service into Sligo.   Passenger numbers on the Dublin to Sligo line are said to have increased by 8% over the last year.   The call comes as commuter trains in Dublin returned to the old timetable today, following complaints surrounding recent changes.   However it's thought that the lack of an early morning service to Sligo is still preve...