Ocean FM News Reports

Emergency services and others have been praised for their swift response in the rescue of five swimmers at Rosses Point.   They got into difficulty in three separate incidents at Deadman's Point yesterday.   Rescue 118 and the RNLI were involved in one operation while a local fishing boat came to the aid of two others.   The final person was assisted by a fellow swimmer.   Gard...

It's thought that taxi drivers in the North West and elsewhere don't have to worry over an emerging VAT issue. It's after drivers discovered they may have unexpected liabilities following the introduction of some new taxi apps. There has been fears that thousands of taxi drivers may be at risk of losing their licence following the confusion. But owner of Feehilys Taxi, Coach and Bus Hire in Sligo,...

The Taoiseach has confirmed that he will liaise with his ministerial colleagues on the ongoing cancer bus debacle.     The current bus is currently without a toilet which has left passengers with no option but to ask the driver to stop at service stations along the route, while it is inaccessible for wheelchair users.     Independent TD for Sligo-Leitrim Marian Harkin raised th...

It’s a vote in confidence for our region, for young people, and for agriculture. That’s according to Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue on the announcement that a new Veterinary Medicine course is to be launched in ATU Donegal, alongside the ATU Galway campus in mountbellew. It’s expected that the course will be rolled out from September 2025, with up to 30 places available. Minister Mc...

The issues surrounding the cancer bus from Sligo to Galway will be heard on the floor of the Daíl today. It is widely felt that the current bus is not fit for purpose, as it is not wheelchair friendly and has no toilet facilities. Independent Sligo Leitrim TD, Marian Harkin, says it's imperative that the HSE takes responsibility for the running of the bus, and that it shouldn't be left down to com...

Calls for have been made locally for a centralised database for community and sports clubs locally to access grant funding.   A number of organisations currently avail of different grants, including CLÁR funding,   The CLÁR Programme has previously earmarked almost €8.7 million for 2024, dedicated to elevating community and sports facilities across Ireland, with a spotlight on rejuvenati...

A further warning has been issued over rogue traders targeting homeowners in County Sligo.   Last week, residents in North of the County were urged to be on the alert and now there are further reports of the fraudsters operating in the Collooney and Ballisodare areas, again offering tarmac services.   People are also being asked to be on the lookout for a UK grey coloured jeep with orang...

There are claims that Sligo is in a much stronger position than most counties across the country, despite having the highest commercial vacancy rate. New figures released by GeoDirectory showed Sligo stood at a 20.5% vacancy rate, which raised concerns of the impact on the area. Mark Cunningham, of Love Sligo Gift Card, an initiative on behalf of Sligo BID, highlighted the strength of the local ec...

Donegal County Council has come under fire over not building enough social housing. The waiting list in the county is said to be on the increase, with many no longer able to afford to rent in certain towns and villages. Cllr Michael Cholm MacGiolla Easbuig has launched a scathing attack at both the Council and the Government, saying that not enough is being done to address what is a major crisis i...

Sligo's student accommodation crisis is expected to be part of Dail discussions in the time ahead.   It comes as the Dáil returns from its summer recess this afternoon and it's widely expected this could be the last few weeks of this term before a general election is called.   There are a number of items waiting to be passed in the lifetime of this government including planning laws repr...

A new Veterinary Medicine course is to be launched in ATU Donegal. The new programme will be delivered as a dual-campus initiative, primarily based on the Donegal campus in Letterkenny, alongside the ATU Galway campus in Mountbellew. Places for vet courses in Ireland are in high demand, with a number of Irish students forced to study abroad in recent years. It's expected that the course will be ro...

Residents in a north Leitrim have expressed their frustration at not having adequate street lighting in their housing estate. The lighting at Windmill Park estate in Drumkeeran is said to have been a bone of contention for a number of years. With the winter months approaching, there is concern that lighting will once again leave a lot to be desired. However, this month's meeting of the Manorhamilt...

Concern has been allayed regarding the upgrade to Rescue 118's search and rescue helicopter. The new 10-year contract was awarded to Bristow Ireland Limited by the Department of Transport in August 2023. However, fears have been expressed that less casualties and equipment can be carried owing to the new helicopter being a smaller aircraft. Sligo-Drumcliffe Municipal District Councillor, Dónal Gil...

A Sligo business owner has reiterated the importance of lowering the hospitality VAT rate to give local businesses a chance of survival. This follows a recent call from the SME Alliance for a discussion with the government on minimum wage and taxation. Aisling Kelly Hunter, owner of Sligo Oyster Experience and WB’s Coffee House, highlighted how there needs to be more encouragement for owners. Ms K...

Locals in Sligo Town also feel that the amount of vacant premises could impact potential business opportunities for the area going forward. They've been giving their views to Ocean FM News this afternoon.

Some local farmers are said to be dissatisfied with the current Government. It comes as a survey of 1,500 farmers puts Fianna Fáil at an "historic low", with half of those polled wanting a completely new "rural" political party.   It shows just 14 percent of farmers intend to give Fianna Fáil a first preference vote in the next general election - with support for the party's historic rivals,...

A local GP practice has been named Rural Practice of the Year.   Earlier this month, at the GP Buddy Awards, Dr Helen Fitzsimons of the Gurteen Family Practice, Sligo, won the prestigious award.   But for many years, Dr. Fitzsimons and her staff have been calling on the HSE to provide the necessary funding to get some much needed upgraded works carried out to the building.   Ocean F...

Inland Fisheries Ireland have confirmed that no pollution incident led to the deaths of nearly 1 thousand 100 adult salmon in the Ballisodare River.   Following an extensive investigation, the IFI and other parties have identified a number of factors that may have been involved.   A report into the investigation was published yesterday with 1 thousand and 79 deaths recorded from June 28t...

There are calls for more incentives for people to open businesses in the heart of Sligo.   It comes as Sligo, yet again, has the highest commercial vacancy rate in the country at 20.5%.   Of the main urban areas in the County analysed, Sligo Town had the highest commercial vacancy rate at 26%, while Inniscrone had the lowest at 17.1%.   Speaking from Sligo Town this afternoon, Indep...

The car park on the Killybegs Diamond has finally opened. It had been anticipated that the project would be completed sooner but other unprecedented works had to take place. The Diamond in its entirety is set to open in the coming weeks. Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council Cllr Niamh Kennedy says it will be a hugely positive asset for the town but acknowledged that it should never have taken s...

Sligo continues to have the highest commercial vacancy rate in the country.   The study by GeoDirectory shows that vacancy rate in Sligo was 20.5%, recording the highest proportion of vacant commercial units between April and June. Donegal rate was 19.4%, while was at Leitrim at 17% - both featured in the top five counties with the highest commercial vacancy rates.   Local People Before...

Concerns have been raised over north Leitrim's mining future amid Europe's announcement to radically improve production.   Manorhamilton is one of the proposed destinations for a gold mine in the near future.   The EU Commission's Critical Raw Materials Act aims to improve member states production of minerals from 3 percent to 10 percent.   Councillor Eddie Mitchell, who is a member...

Listen back to Ocean FM's live coverage from Monday's Civic Reception at Sligo's City Hall for Paris Olympians, Mona McSharry, Chris O'Donnell, Lauren Cadden, Dean Clancy and Paralympian Martin Gordon.

Fears have been expressed in north Leitrim over the risk of severe damage to roads and homes as a result of ash dieback. Ash dieback is a fungal disease which was first recorded in trees here in 2012. Earlier this year a 79-and-a-half million euro package was announced by cabinet with farmers receiving 5 thousand euro per hectare. Manorhamilton Independent Councillor James Gilmartin says supports...

It's set to be business as usual as the Irish Coast Guard’s new Rescue 118 helicopter arrives in Sligo today.   The new helicopter is anticipated to have the same capabilities as the previous one, but the operation is now under Bristow Ireland who secured the contract with the service.   The services it will offer includes Maritime and Inland Search and Rescue, Environmental Monitoring,...