Ocean FM News Reports

It's emerged that the Rescue 118 helicopter is currently unable to land at Letterkenny University Hospital. It's due to health and safety concerns over the hospitals helipad An inspection was carried out during which a number of issues of concern were highlighted. Instead, the helicopter is landing more than three kilometres away from the hospital with patients being transported via ambulance into...

“A perfect storm” is why tourism numbers were down across the north west this summer. That's according to local Councillor and publican Felim Gurn following the publication of a Fáilte Ireland's annual Summer Barometer. The report found that 53 per cent of businesses nationwide had fewer customers than the same period last year. Independent Councillor Gurn says with the Budget just around the corn...

Cabinet’s decision to approve the ban on sale of disposable vapes yesterday has been welcomed locally. Legislation will now be drawn up following Health Minister Stephen Donnelly’s successful appeal, which also aims to limit vape flavours to tobacco. The reasons for the move is based upon health and environmental reasons. Sligo-Drumcliff Fianna Fail Cllr Donal Gilroy says it’s a protective move fo...

Leitrim County Council have hailed a successful day following the sod turning at Acres Lake earlier this morning. with Minister Catherine Martin in attendance.   Failte Ireland funded 75% of the Water Sports Facility in Drumshanbo, with Leitrim county council providing the remainder of the costs.   It is believed to cost just over 1 million euros for the development, and work will be com...

A new video celebrating Sligo's culture and inclusivity has been launched by the local authority. The video, which showcases members of various groups and businesses around the county was launched earlier this week. It is hoped that the video will attract new businesses, communities and groups to the county. Senior Executive Officer at Sligo County Council, Margaret McConnell says while the is sti...

Sligo's student accommodation crisis is expected to be topic of discussion at Fine Gaels think-in today.   More than 70 Fine Gael politicians and general election candidates are in Co Offaly this afternoon for a two day gathering ahead of the new Dail term.   Controversy arose late last week following confirmation that the owners of Milligan Court in Sligo town have been given the green...

A Donegal TD has given his support to campaigners calling for revisions to the defective concrete block scheme cap and rates. The revisions aim to ensure that early movers on the DCB scheme are not financially penalised. As the cap was set to €420,000 in 2021, and as a result has shown no reflection on inflation in relation to construction costs. Independent Deputy Thomas Pringle says effected hom...

Crash barriers along the Shore Road in Mountcharles are said to be well past their sell by date.   The barriers have become severely corroded, with fears that if a collision were to happen in the area, it could prove catastrophic.   There have been several crashes along the stretch over the years.   While Council engineers have been out carrying out inspections, Local Sinn Fein Cllr...

An investigation has been launched into a fire at a derelict hotel in Enniskillen.   The blaze broke out in the early hours of this morning and ripped through the Old Railway Hotel in the town.   Nine appliances and more than 40 fire personnel had been carrying out operations at Forthill Street.   It's not yet known what caused the fire.   Sinn Fein MLA Gemma Dolan says that un...

Frustration is said to be building over the rollout of high speed broadband in south and west Sligo. It's claimed that several people who would like to live and work in the area have had to move elsewhere due to poor connectivity. It was previously announced under the National Broadband Plan that Sligo would see an investment of €59M in the new high speed fibre network. But local Fine Gael Council...

Fianna Fáil Cllr Michael Naughton says the situation at present is ultimately a disservice to the fire fighters: He says both communities deserve clarity once and for all:  

The discussion surrounding the future of Bundoran and Ballyshannon fire stations has reignited.   A debate over the retention of both stations has rumbled on for over 40 years and no decision has yet been made over whether to keep both open or to close one.   All the while, both buildings are said to be falling into a serious state of disrepair.   Sinn Fein Cllr Michael McMahon says...

Plans are afoot in Donegal to host a civic reception for Paralympian Katie George Dunlevy. Cyclist Katie-George Dunlevy, who has Donegal connections and pilot Linda Kelly won gold in a time trial on the road and a silver in the women’s B road race. Dunlevy picked up another silver medal on the track with pilot Eve McCrystal. Cathaoirleach of the Donegal MD Cllr Noel Jordan believes that a civic re...

It is hoped that elected representatives in Donegal will support calls for forthcoming revisions to the defective concrete block scheme cap and rates to be implemented retrospectively.   The calls come from campaigners including the Mica Action Group.   In a statement, they say recommendation of a 6% increase is now 6 months old and was based on a review over the 12 months to March this...

Significant funding has been announced for the North West under the Community Climate Action scheme.   Leitrim is set to receive €918,403, while Sligo are getting €444,076, with the funds going towards projects which focus on building low carbon communities across the State.   €27 million will be provided nationwide, as the government continues to encourage environmental goals on a local...

It's emerged that a number of bus passengers have been left stranded in Sligo.   The revelation comes as one Bus Éireann's 23 service from Sligo to Dublin Airport failed to go past the Summerhill roundabout in recent weeks.   This is not a new issue in the north west, however with many being left at the Sligo station previously as they didn’t book online.   While mechanical problems...

The issue of coastal erosion at Strandhill has been described as an “emergency”.   Locals have previously expressed frustrations in highlighting the issue, with videos appearing of a number of areas on social media.   While submissions have been made for Strandhill to secure funding to somewhat prevent the erosion, with the use of rock armour thought to be the preferred method.   Lo...

Senator Niall Blaney has outlined his reasons behind his withdrawal from consideration for the Donegal Fianna Fail Selection Convention.   Senator Blaney cited that he would be jeopardising the party's chances if he continued to run, as he would split the vote along with current Minister Charlie McConalogue.   The convention takes place in Letterkenny on Thursday, to choose representativ...

There's a warning that there will be even more restaurant and café closures in Sligo.   It comes Bridgefoot House, located on O'Connell Street announced it's to shut its doors at the end of the month after five years in business.   In a statement, the owners rising running costs and the return of 13.5% VAT rate has made it very difficult for independent food businesses to thrive.  ...

A Donegal TD has accused the Government of 'floating kites' over vulture funds in the run up to an election.   Taoiseach Simon Harris has denied a U-turn on increasing stamp duty for funds bulk-buying homes in Ireland - while Tanaiste Micheal Martin is urging caution after Junior Finance Minister Neal Richmond called for the tax to be doubled.   Sinn Fein's Finance Spokesperson Pearse Do...

There's renewed calls for refreshments and drinks to return to the Sligo to Dublin train service.   Earlier this year, Irish Rail confirmed that it plans to reintroduce catering services on all its Intercity trains by the end of the year.   Catering services had been suspended across the network in March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic after government restrictions on passenger numbers...

This month’s meeting of Sligo County Council has heard calls for the introduction of a fit for purpose bus for cancer patients travelling from Sligo to Galway.   The current bus is currently without a toilet which has leaves passengers with no option but to ask the driver to stop at service stations along the route.   Local Fianna Fáil Councillor Edel McSharry believes a special once off...

Further frustrations have been levelled at the National Transport Authority over the route taken by the S1 bus in Sligo. The service previously stopped at Rusheen Ard and Caltragh Crescent, however, it has emerged recently that is no longer the case. With a number of developments ongoing in the area, it is hoped those stops can return. Local Fianna Fáil Councillor Tom MacSharry says something must...

Four new bus shelters on the S1 inbound route are to be installed in Rosses Point, Cregg and Ballincar. They will be at the Radisson Hotel in Ballincar, the R291 junction at Cregg, the entrance to Rosses Point village opposite the Church of Ireland, and across the road from Sligo Golf Club. A contractor is being appointed with the hopes that that works will be completed by the end of November 2024...

Rental costs and a lack of emergency accommodation are said to be forcing people out of North Leitrim.   It's reported that there are no available emergency accommodations in the area, and that the average rent is over 1,100 euros, resulting in a worsening of the housing crisis.   Manorhamilton Independent Cllr Eddie Mitchell highlighted has claimed that some families have been left with...