Ocean FM News Reports

It's emerged that a number of people were refused entry to a recent GAA match in south Donegal because they couldn't pay their way in by card. The game, between Four Masters and Killybegs was a card only event, with many match goers turned at the gate because they only had cash. It comes as there's big concern over Ireland potentially hurtling towards a cashless society. The Governments Access to...

It's been claimed that doctors, nurses and other staff in Sligo who have been off on sick leave but wish to return to work are waiting months to be assessed. It has led to questions over staffing levels at the Sligo/Leitrim Occupational Health Department, who is responsible for ensuring staff are fit to go back to work. It's understood that there many people locally affected. Cathaoirleach of Slig...

A Leitrim vet has explained the dangers posed by XL Bully dogs amid the incoming ban to the placed on the animal. From Tuesday October 1st, it will be illegal to breed, sell or transfer XL Bully dogs, and owners of the dog will be required to apply for a certificate of exemption from the local authority. This is ahead of February 1st 2025, where it will then be prohibited to own the dog without an...

This week's programme came live from the Sligo launch of 'Unladylike - a history of ladies gaelic football' - written by Sligo native Hayley Kilgallon. The launch took place at Hayley's home club, St Mary's LGFA at Kent Park in Ballydoogan, on Thursday night. Guests include Micheál Naugthon (LGFA President), Kathleen Kane (Sligo) and Deirdre Quinn (Leitrim).

This morning marked the 32nd Bewleys Big coffee morning in aid of Northwest Hospice.   Families and businesses all over Sligo, Leitrim, South Donegal and West Cavan opened their doors and welcomed everyone in for coffee, all in aid of Northwest Hospice.   Northwest Hospice fundraising and communications manager Mary Horkin highlighted the importance of these coffee mornings within the lo...

Ahead of the upcoming budget, funding is being urged for dementia-specific day care at home services in Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal. The Alzheimer Society of Ireland is looking to increase its services in the north west, pending supports from the government The ASI is seeking investment of €5.5m, which includes €600,000 to be allocated towards expanding Day Centres outside of major cities. Carol Mo...

It looks as though Boxty is about to receive official status to cement its ties to County Leitrim. Campaigns have been running to secure Protected Geographical Inidication status for Boxty for the last decade, which would enhance and grow the popularity of the product. Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status emphasises the relationship between a particular product and the area that it is ma...

The Agriculture Minister has confirmed that there won't be an extension to the slurry spreading deadline.   At present, slurry cannot be spread after October 1st each year.   There have been calls locally to extend the deadline, by another week or two due to the adverse weather over the summer.   Fields across the North West were said to be sodden and have only improved recently. &n...

Serous accountability needs be taken in future over mistakes made in Government. That's the view of Independent Sligo Leitrim TD, Marc MacSharry, who was speaking in light of the bike shed controversy. It has also come to light this morning that €1.4m was spent on building a security hut at Leinster House. Deputy MacSharry was part of the Finance Committee that spoke to the OPW yesterday, seeking...

There are calls for a further investigation into the staffing levels at Mowlam Nursing Home in Sligo.   A scathing HIQA report released yesterday detailed several issues of noncompliance at the centre in Ballytivnan, found during an unannounced inspection in April.   Dirty floors and carpets, a foul smell coming from the toilets and ironically, the cleaners' trolleys visibly unclean were...

Frustration is said to be building among residents on the N17 in County Sligo over what's been described as a lack of urgency on safety measures.   A collision analysis on a stretch along the route was conducted four years ago with little said to be done with that report since.   Fianna Fail Cllr Barry Gallagher says it does come down to funding from the TII but that you can't put a pric...

Figures on those waiting for home help hours in Donegal tell a story of failure. That's according to Independent Cllr Declan Meehan, who has been reacting to the latest data which shows that there 373 people across the county awaiting either a new home support service or an increase in their current package of care. This equates to 2,682 additionally resourced hours per week and, as it stands, all...

Serious questions are being asked over disruption to day care services at a number of centres in County Sligo. Collooney, Easkey and Skreen are all said to be impacted once again. It's understood that staffing is at the crux of the issue. Sinn Fein Cllr Thomas Healy says that unfortunately this isn't the first time that the service has been impacted.

There are calls being made for the appointment of a caretaker for each town and village in Sligo. The Minister for Social Protection has been requested to review existing community employment schemes, with the aim of employing a local caretaker. The role would involve a person being paid to support community endeavours and developments, and it's hoped to be rolled out nationwide. Sligo-Drumcliff C...

The Government have been asked to open a public inquiry into the Creeslough disaster in the Dáil this afternoon. Solicitors representing families of the victims of the explosion in October 2022 have written to Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee, looking for answers relating to the cause of the incident. Ten lives were claimed after an explosion in a petrol station in the small Donegal village. Sp...

Over 5 tonnes of litter were removed from beaches by over 800 volunteers in Sligo and Donegal during the weekend. Communities across Ireland came out for the Big Beach Clean organised by Clean Coasts, which resulted in 15,000 people collecting 95 tonnes of litter. The initiative aims to encourage locals to take an interest in maintaining the beauty of the natural environment. Elaine Doyle, of Clea...

Calls have been made for a review of funding for athletes and coaches in Sligo and nationwide. The Ministers of Sport and Finance have been contacted with the aim of securing increased supports for those working with local clubs. The issue was raised that a lot of coaches have left Ireland to secure better jobs and payment in other countries. Sligo-Drumcliff Independent Cllr Marie Casserly highlig...

Sligo Rovers have received over 375,000 euro as part of today's announcement. It's understood this round of funding will go towards upgrading the astro turf pitch and floodlights at the Showgrounds. Club CEO, Andy Feakins, is hopeful that today's announcement is a sign of things to come.

Sports clubs around the region are celebrating today, after an historic allocation of funding has been provided by Government through Sports Capital Grants. Across the North West, Donegal has been allocated just shy of 13m euro, with Sligo getting just under 6m, and Leitrim receiving almost 3m. The funding will be used by over 150 clubs around the region to develop much needed infrastructure. Spea...

Love Leitrim have said that the next few weeks are crucial following their anti-fracking protest in Dublin last week. They are currently seeking for the ban on fracked gas imports to be put in place before planning permission can be granted for a Liquefied Natural Gas terminal. Manorhamilton Independent Cllr Eddie Mitchell highlighted that there will be serious consequences for the county if curre...

Families across Leitrim and the North West are said to be struggling because they're not getting a decent payment under the carer's allowance.   Under the criteria, some families are not entitled to the full allowance, resulting in huge hardship.   The Dail has been hearing statements today as it relates to a motion under the carers allowance means test.   Speaking in the Dail, Sinn...

The HSE is coming under increasing pressure to give the green light for improved working facilities at Gurteen Health Centre.   It emerged in recent weeks that those working there are subject to cramped conditions.   The building has also been deemed unfit to cope with a huge increase in patients.   Local Fianna Fail Cllr Paul Taylor says staff and patients deserve better and the HS...

A recent public consultation over proposed safety measures for Ballinacarrow has been described as a box ticking exercise. The issue was raised in the Dail last evening by Sligo Leitrim Independent TD Marian Harkin, who also highlighted that the road safety allocation for the entire County of Sligo this year was a great deal less than the cost of the Leinster House bicycle shelter. Despite the com...

It's been confirmed that sports clubs across Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal are to share over €23 million in grant funding. Clubs in Sligo are set to get just under €7 million, Leitrim is get just over €3 million while clubs in Donegal are to share over €13 million. It's part of a nationwide record allocation of over €250 million through the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme and Community Sport F...

The future of the vacant block of apartments in Ballisodare is set to be decided in the near future. Sligo County Council have carried out a structural report on the building, following discussions with the owner. The 78 apartments have been lying idle since 2009, and the next steps will become clear when the report is finalised in October or November. Sligo-Drumcliff Sinn Fein Cllr Thomas Healy w...