Ocean FM News Reports

A Sligo-Leitrim TD has pledged they'll do whatever they can to find a satisfactory solution to the amalgamation of local postal sorting offices. Sorting offices in Manorhamilton, Ballymote, Bundoran and Tubbercurry are being amalgamated into Sligo town. Concerns have been raised among residents of these communities, as another service looks set to leave the area. Fine Gael Deputy Frank Feighan say...

It's hoped that a historic monument in Sligo will be brought up to appropriate standard. The Lady Erin monument was erected at Market Cross in 1899 as a presentation by the French government the people of Ireland to commemorate the 1798 rebellion in the country. However, in recent years, the monument has entered a state of disrepair and hasn't been cleaned for some time. Local Sinn Féin Councillor...

It's been claimed that speeding and dangerous driving continue to be major issues in Sligo town. Cairns Hill is said to be just one of many areas that are seeing excess of speeds of motorists on a daily basis. Residents are said to be deeply concerned that someone may be seriously injured if action isn't taken. Local Fianna Fáil Cllr Tom MacSharry feels that a number of safety measures should be i...

There are calls in Leitrim to for landowners to know their rights when it comes to preventing goldmining. Previous instances have been highlighted where people were approached by prospectors and later regretted letting them onto their land. Concerns have frequently been raised within the county if the mining of gold was to proceed. Manorhamilton Independent Cllr James Gilmartin says people must ac...

St Eunan's Letterkenny held off a spirited challenge from Dungloe to win a record-breaking 16th Dr Maguire Cup in Donegal (1-13 to 1-10). Paddy McGill gets reaction from Shaun Patton, Barry Meehan, Brendan Devenney, Peter Campbell and Conor Breslin. Plus -'The Voice of Donegal' Charlie Collins on hanging up the microphone after 40 years on the Donegal airwaves.

Frustration has been expressed over the contents of Donegal's latest county development plan. Despite a number of submissions being made for the south Donegal area, it's emerged that none were considered by the relevant department. Local Sinn Féin Councillor Noel Jordan feels that the latest plan was an opportunity to revitalise towns and villages in the county:  

Additional funding has been provided for the installation of Christmas lights in villages and towns in the Donegal Municipal District. The light features are important for local businesses as they increase footfall within towns. The Christmas display in Donegal Town was highlighted as something that many people look forward to seeing when returning home for the winter period. Sinn Fein Cllr Noel J...

Disappointment was expressed at the recent meeting of the Donegal Municipal District in relation to the hospitality VAT rate not being lowered to 9% in the budget.   The VAT rate for that sector currently stands at 13.5%, and it was hoped that a reduction could see a boost for the local economy.   As the tourism season lessens over the winter months in the north west, it's feared that ma...

The Achonry Farmers Market will close permanently on October 12th following its final weekend.   The news was confirmed by Cooloney/Mullinabreena GAA Club following their successful application to secure planning permission for a clubhouse.   They confirmed they will work with Sligo County Council with the view of reopening the market in the future.   Eileen Kirrane, of Eileen's Kit...

50 new jobs have announced for Donegal. Source Civil, a locally based engineering firm, made the announcement today as part of a €10m investment into the company. It represents significant growth for Source Civil as it continues to operate across Europe and the UK. Liam Kerrigan, Tendering Director of Source Civil, says they are delighted to provide more support to the North West region:

Local Labour Party Councillor, Nessa Cosgrove, claims that the system is broken, and that the Core Funding scheme is in need of a total overhaul.

Paul McLoone speaks to Ocean FM news regarding this sunday's cancer awareness event in Rossnowlagh

Questions have been raised over the deteriorating phone service in areas of Donegal, leaving some residents isolated. It’s understood that in parts of Ballyshannon, Ballintra and Pettigo, people are unable to get any phone connection. Frustration was expressed by local councillors that technology should be improving in the north west, rather than getting worse. Sinn Fein Cllr Michael McMahon says...

Creches and childcare providers in Sligo have that the Core Funding scheme provided by Government are not fit for purpose. Earlier today, it was reported that almost 270 childcare providers across the North West had opted in to the third round of Core Funding. That represents 89% of service providers in Sligo, 92% in Donegal, and 100% in Leitrim. However, it's felt locally that the terms and condi...

Speech and Language Therapy waiting lists for children continue to grow in Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal. It is understood that staff are currently operating at 50% of its previously approved numbers in relation to SLT services, despite the HSE embargo being lifted in July. While the amount of children on waiting lists have expanded by 200% in the past year. Sligo Fianna Fail Cllr Edel McSharry revea...

There are hopes that the flight from Donegal Airport to Dublin will not be scrapped, as Dublin Airport looks to reduce passengers to comply with the Passenger Cap. The flight is used regularly by some 430 cancer patients in Donegal, who rely heavily on the flight to get to Dublin for treatment. Keeping the service is going is also currently the state's only Public Service Obligation, due to a lack...

There are calls within Sligo County Council to write to the government in relation to an early pension for construction workers. It has been suggested that construction workers should be eligible to draw an early pension, before they reach the age of 66. The concern was addressed due to several experienced workers within the industry suffering with ailments such as arthritis and back and hip pain....

Wastewater treatment at 10 large towns and cities have failed to meet EU standards. The latest EPA report shows the number of towns and villages discharging raw sewage each day has fallen from 29 to 16 since the beginning of 2023. It says Uisce Éireann’s delay in delivering improvements at priority areas is prolonging risks to water quality. Falcarragh, Ramelton, Moville and Rathmullan in Donegal...

Support has been given locally to the Irish Dental Association's call for the extra recruitment of dentists. They have requested that 120 additional dentists be appointed, as care is being denied to children and special care patients due to staffing shortages. The situation has previously been highlighted in Sligo, with many people forced to travel elsewhere for care. Local Sinn Fein Cllr Thomas H...

Improved safety measures are being sought near schools across different areas of Donegal. Dunkineely, Keeloges and Killymard are among the areas across the county where road safety issues have been persisting outside of local schools. In particular, there have been numerous reports of motorists breaking traffic lights at Dunkineely and driving recklessly. Fine Gael Cllr Manus Boyle says children g...

As it stands, Donegal County Council are unable to carry out safety works to prevent two homes from being heavily damaged by coastal erosion. The issue centres on the fact that the council would be liable for any faults with their work going forward, and would be responsible for it in the future. It is still hoped that the OPW can provide funding for the works and that a solution can be found. Fin...

A full-time consultant neurologist is to be appointed at Letterkenny University Hospital. The visiting service to Letterkenny from Sligo currently in operation sees a neurologist in place two and a half days a week every fortnight There has long been pleas for a permanent neurologist to be stationed at LUH, due to extended waiting lists for patients. Mags Rogers, Executive Director of the Neurolog...

An increase in the cap and rates for applicants of the defective concrete block scheme are set to be introduced. The increased rates will also be applied retrospectively, to allow past applicants to benefit. The increase will see the cap rise from 42,000 euro to 460,000 euro, while square foot rates will go up between 7% and 9%, with ancilliary rates increasing by 10%. Speaking to Ocean FM News, M...

A Donegal TD’s argument was called “despicable and disgraceful” by the Tanaiste in the Dail this afternoon. Sinn Fein Deputy Pearse Doherty raise the issue of the huge backlog in children waiting for an appointment for CAMHS. He pointed out that the €9 million euros dedicated in the budget towards phone pouches in schools, can have been used towards the mental health services. Minister Michael Mar...

A lot more needs to be done to support rural Ireland in a number of areas. That's the view of Sligo Leitrim TD, Martin Kenny, who claims that regions like the North West are being left behind in terms of housing and infrastructure. Speaking in the Dáil today, Deputy Kenny highlighted a number of issues currently facing rural Ireland, including the lack of development on the Western Rail Corridor f...