Ocean FM News Reports

It's hoped that more will be done to create employment in north Leitrim.  A recent meeting between the county council and the IDA heard how there's no prospect of any economic development by IDA outside of Carrick-on-Shannon.  Local Fianna Fáil Councillor Justin Warnock has described the revelations as "shocking" He says it's time the north of the county receives the recognition it deser...

Communities across the North West need to look at the services being provided to them by the current Government.   That's according to Donegal Sinn Fein TD Padraig MacLochlainn, who has been speaking ahead of the party's think-in Dublin today.   Housing, healthcare and the cost of living will be among the topics up for discussion.   It comes ahead of the return of the Dáil on Wednes...

The idea of introducing a tourism tax to Sligo has been rubbished by one local representative.   It comes as Galway City Council is considering a pilot scheme in which visitors would pay a small fee every night they stay in the city.   The funds would then be used to upgrade the local facilities and infrastructure that tourists and locals alike depend upon.   Sligo Fine Gael Cllr Fe...

It's thought that an ex-smuggling ship, due to be sank off the North West coast this week, will result in a major tourism boost for west Sligo.   Killala Bay is about to host Ireland's very first artificial reef creating a marine life haven and tourist attraction on the Wild Atlantic Way.   It involves the placing on the seabed of the MV Shingle in an innovative venture between local gro...

Serious concern has been raised over the level of driving test no shows in the North West. Donegal had the highest number of non-attendances the region at 102, followed by Sligo at 52. 35 people didn't turn up for their driving test in County Leitrim, the second lowest number in the country. The figures are from January to July of this year. Local Fine Gael Cllr Dara Mulvey says at a time when the...

Leitrim experienced the highest rent increase in the country for new tenancies between 2023 and 2024, according to the RTB index.   The rent rise comes to just under 23%, while existing tenants have seen their rents rise by just under 12%, representing the third highest increase in the country.   Donegal showed similar figures with 17% rise for new tenants, and there was a 12% hike in Sl...

There's calls for an urgent and thorough investigation over an apparent increase in crashes at a junction in south Donegal. It follows what's been described as a terrifying incident at the Leghowney junction where a van collided with a car recently. Fianna Fáil Cllr Michael Naughten happened to be first on the scene. He says that sadly this is the latest in a long line of near misses at this parti...

A Donegal teacher has criticised the government following a new report that ranked Ireland last out of 34 countries for spending on second-level education. The OECD Education at a Glance report ranks countries based on the proportion of GDP invested in education, and in 2021 Ireland invested 0.9 per cent of its GDP in second-level education compared to EU averages of 1.9 per cent, which is a...

Development works on the N16 Lugatober road aim to be substantially completed before the end of October or November. The roadworks have been taking place for an extensive period of time, as a realignment scheme was undertaken on the route. The mainline surfacing has been completed, but there are a number of amendments still to made which will have traffic management remaining in place. Sligo-Drumc...

A Donegal Senator has called for the HSE to answer questions on cancelled transportation for people with disabilities. A number of issues have been raised where no alternative transport arrangements were made by the health service following last minute cancellations. Fine Gael Senator Nikki Bradley confirmed that almost 40 people with disabilities in Sligo and Donegal have been impacted as a...

Warnings have been issued over the policing of E-scooters in both rural and urban areas throughout county Sligo. Sligo-Strandhill Councillor Arthur Gibbons has expressed concern after a number of people have lost their lives on the vehicles in recent months while several others have been left with serious injuries. The Sinn Féin Councillor is calling for Gardaí to be given more power in policing t...

Calls have been made locally for the RSA to address to current test and re-test waiting times for learner drivers in the North West. It has been claimed that the prolonged wait is causing younger people to miss out on jobs and impact other aspect of their lives. There has been exceptional demand on the RSA services since the backlog that came with resuming operations after covid. Sligo Labour Cllr...

The Government has finally given the green light to proceed to tender to appoint a contractor for Fintra bridge and road realignment in the area.   The multi million euro project has been in the pipeline for many years and will see a complete replacement of the notorious bridge that’s currently there.   The narrow structure is located on the Kilcar side of Killybegs and is on a vital acc...

A new veterinary lab for Sligo is set to go to planning permission next year.   The new facility will be located at Teesan, will house around 15 staff and will cater to farmer's right across the North West.   It had been feared some years ago that Sligo would lose its regional veterinary lab which in turn sparked major backlash from the local farming community.   Fine Gael Cllr Thom...

Communities in North Sligo are being urged to be on high alert over rogue tradesmen offering tarmacking services.   Gardai have issued the warning, following a number of reports in the area.   People are being advised not to engage with them in any way and to contact Grange Garda Station immediately.   Local Fianna Fail Cllr Donal Gilroy says these fraudsters can seem convincing but...

With just over a week to go, preparations are well underway for the Taste of Sligo Food Festival. It's taking place on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd on Queen Maeve and is set to bring the top chefs and food producers to town. Cookery demonstrations, al fresco dining, live music plus a host of artisan food stalls and food trucks will all compete for attention in the new civic space. The event is on...

A Donegal GP is calling on the Government to use some of the Apple Tax windfall for infrastructure investment in healthcare.   The Irish Medical Organisation says it could finally deliver on increased bed capacity.   On Tuesday, the European Court of Justice ruled Apple must pay the Irish Exchequer 13 billion euro in backdated taxes.   IMO President and local Dr. Denis McCauley says...

A Sligo Leitrim TD says he’s looking forward to a General Election, whenever it’ll be.   It comes as the Taoiseach has maintained his position the government will run its full term.   The coalition’s tenure is up in March 2025, but many have speculated an election will be held this winter.   Sinn Fein's Martin Kenny thinks the current Government will run its course but that parties...

Peter Keating shares his story of beating cancer and taking on an ironman triathlon in Italy. Ray Gallagher on a long association with Sligo Rovers which has recently seen him named as the club’s new President. And - Denis Irwin joins the Manchester United celebrations in Sligo as the local Supporters Club celebrates its 40th birthday.

A Sligo Cllr has called for the North West to get a “bite of the apple” following the European court of justice’s ruling that Apple owes Ireland €14 billion in unpaid taxes. The tech giant lost an appeal over the unpaid taxes that ranged from 2003 until 2014. Taoiseach Simon Harris has since said that the newly acquired funds cannot be used for day-to-day funding. Sligo-Drumcliff Sinn Fein Cllr Th...

A hedge cutting crisis is emerging in south Donegal. That's according to Fianna Fail Cllr Michael Naughton, who claims that there are several junctions and along minor routes where hedges have become completely overgrown. This in turn is said to be causing major health and safety hazards with school buses in particular struggling to get down some rural roads. Hedge cutting season began on Septembe...

Serious concern has been raised over how long it took to fix an exposed manhole on Sea Road in Bundoran.   It was left in that state for several weeks, posing a major health and safety hazard.   Cllr Michael McMahon rang the company a total of 16 times to the company responsible but initially got nowhere. Eventually it was repaired but a frustrated Cllr McMahon believes there needs to be...

An investigation is continuing into a burglary at a business premises in West Sligo.   Thieves broke into the Hilltop filling station in Culleens in the early hours of yesterday morning and made off with a quantity of cigarettes, vapes and a sum of cash.   The property was also ransacked during the course of the incident.   Gardai say that so far, so arrests have yet been made and t...

Almost 70 holidaymakers including many from the North West were left stranded in Lanzarote on Wednesday afternoon.   After getting through check-in, security and landing at the departure gate, passengers were due to embark on the 12.35 destined for Ireland West Airport in Knock.   However, only those who booked priority boarding were permitted to board the flight leaving couples and fami...

While it is hoped the cutting of dangerous overhanging tree canopies/branches along public roads in Leitrim will have the desired impact, there are some reservations.   The new €50 per km grant comes in addition to the €75 per km grant for roadside hedge/overhanging trees which are cut back, with a minimum length of road network per application of 1km.   Fears were previously expressed o...