Ocean FM News Reports

It’s a difficult situation for teachers and students to reach their full potential. That’s according to a local councillor in relation to the overcrowded classrooms in the North West. Current figures show that one in 10 students are enrolled in oversized classes of 30 or more. There were 27% of Leitrim pupils in classes of 30 or more in the recent school year, up from 18.6% in 2022-23. Other count...

Farm safety inspections will be taking place across the north west over the next two weeks. A new campaign by the Health and Safety Authority will focus on the dangers of working at height on farms. Inspectors will advise farmers on carrying out risk assessments around potential hazards and the methods of addressing them. IFA Sligo branch chairperson Michael O’Dowd says it’s crucial that farmers a...

Some might say it was a weekend of disappointment for Oasis fans in the North West.   Many were left gutted some standing tickets for the Croke Park gigs which went on general sale for 86.50 plus booking fees, shot up to over 400 euro.   It's led to calls for the country's consumer watchdog to investigate Ticketmaster's handling of the band's ticket sale.   Independent Donegal TD Th...

Fine Gael Cllr Thomas Walsh has expressed his disappointment over developments leading up to the party's selection convention last night.   Sitting TD Frank Feighan was selected by Fine Gael to represent the party in the Sligo-Leitrim constituency at the next General Election.   But earlier in the evening, Cllr Thomas Walsh withdrew as a candidate after sources from within the party info...

Sitting TD Frank Feighan has iterated his belief that a General Election will be called this side of Christmas.   It comes as Deputy Feighan was selected by Fine Gael to represent the party in the Sligo-Leitrim constituency at the next election.   Fine Gael have now chosen 34 General Election candidates in 22 constituencies - in the Donegal constituency John McNulty and Nikki Bradley hav...

A national slow down day is being held today aimed at reducing road deaths caused by speeding.   A joint campaign by gardaí and the Road Safety Authority aims to tackle bad driver behaviour, with over 70,000 people caught breaking the limit in the year to July.   The initiative hopes to curb rising road deaths which currently stands at 127.   Superintendent Liam Geraghty says driver...

Sligo Rovers confirmed on Sunday that defender Nando Pijnaker has left the club to return to New Zealand. The Kiwi joins Austin O'Callaghan on 'The Rovers Review.

Sligo Rovers defender Nando Pijnaker has left the clulb to pursure his football career in his native New Zealand. He spoke to Ocean FM Sport's Austin O'Callaghan.

As the fallout continues over exorbitant ticket prices to Oasis’ two Croke Park gigs, Ticketmaster Europe’s former executive vice-president has defended the company.   Calls have been made for the Consumer and Competition Protection Commission to investigate the pricing system on Ticketmaster’s website with hundreds queuing online for tickets, with many missing out.   Some of those who m...

Passengers must remove liquids under 100ml from hand luggage at Dublin Airport security from today. Management at the airport says it hopes the EU restrictions will only be in place for a short time. Previously, it began bringing in C3 scanners which would mean passengers would not have to remove liquids from hand luggage. Travel Extra Editor Eoghan Corry says the EU change affects scanning at Iri...

Sligo Rovers boss John Russell, back in dugout, after serving his three-match touchline ban, pays tribute to his players following their 2-0 home win against Waterford FC.

There are renewed fears over overcrowding at Sligo University Hospital ahead of the winter months.   The hospital has been experiencing unseasonably high ED waiting figures over the last few months.   It has led to concern that the facility could enter an even bigger crisis when faced with flu and other winter viruses.   Local Independent Cllr Michael Clarke believe little is being...

The level of service being provided at the Physiotherapy Department at Letterkenny University Hospital is said to fall far short of what's required.   Currently, the department is said to be only operating with only 40% of the staff required.   The information was disclosed by the HSE via a letter to GPs last week, which has led to an expectation that the service won't be fully restored...

It's hoped that any concerns relating to the proposed one way system for Collooney will be teased out during the trial period.   Both a business and a public consultation on the project took place this week and while the majority of the community are in agreement of the plans on the table, there's said to be a small number of concerns locally.   It's set to be introduced on the trial bas...

Assurances have been given that a faulty generator that has been irritating residents in Cregg House will be repaired by the weekend. Earlier this week, an electrical fault caused Cregg House, inconveniencing its residents. A generator was installed to restore power, however, due to faulty parts, it has been making a lot of noise which has frustrated both residents of Cregg House and people living...

A consultation on the proposed one way system for Collooney is nearing conclusion. A public consultation, well attended by member of the community, took place last evening, and both residents and businesses are said to have bought into the plans. It's set to be introduced on the trial basis in the coming weeks - people can still make submissions via post or online until next Friday. Local Sinn Fei...

This week's programme brings you highlights from the two homecoming celebrations in Ballyshannon and Grange for Olympic bronze medallist Mona McSharry.

Coastal erosion is said to be worsening in south Donegal.   Inver is a particular area of concern, with some residents said to be growing increasingly concern over the future of the lands.   The issue is currently affecting 20% of Ireland's coastline.   Local Fine Gael Cllr Manus Boyle has been in contact with the OPW over what has described as an alarming situation in the Inver are...

It's thought that people from Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal will be hit the hardest over alleged hotel price gouging in the Capital ahead of the Oasis gigs next summer.   Room prices at several hotels in Dublin have shot up this week, following the bands announcement of two Croke Park gigs on August 16th and 17th.   For many, particularly in the North West region, it could also result in fa...

The annual school bus debacle is beginning to rear its head in parts of Leitrim. The notorious issue surrounding the School Transport Scheme means a lot of parents missing out on a bus seat for the child because of the distance they are from the local school. There have been numerous calls to allow more school children - both concessionary and non-concessionary - to avail of the scheme. Local Fine...

Edel McSharry has been selected by Fianna Fáil to contest the next General Election. At the selection convention held last night, Councillor McSharry was the only candidate put forward and was selected unopposed. She was recently elected to Sligo County Council for the first time in the local elections in June. Speaking to Ocean FM News, Councillor McSharry said that she was unsure if another cand...

Crowds turned out in their droves again last night, as homecoming events continued for Mona McSharry. The Olympic Bronze medallist was welcomed back to Ballyshannon last night, where she honed her craft as a swimmer. A parade was hosted by Ballyshannon Marlins Swimming Club, with celebrations kicking off at 6pm and lasting long into the night. Last night's event was MC'd by Marty Morrissey of RTE,...

Much-needed repairs of a county Sligo road have moved a step closer. The Ballygawley Village to Castle Dargan road has moved to planning stage. It is expected that the planning process will be complete in the coming months. Concerns have previously been expressed over the condition of the road and its lack of suitability for all road users including cars, bikes and pedestrians. Local Fine Gael Cou...

Listen back to Ocean FM Sport's live coverage of Olympic bronze medallist Mona McSharry's homecoming in Grange, north Sligo, on Tuesday, Aug 27th, 2024 - introduced by Dónal Ryan.

The INTO is warning the shortage of primary school teachers has reached a crisis point where some schools are forced to employ people with no teaching qualifications.   The union says schools across the country are being impacted, with those in Dublin, Kildare, Wicklow and Meath being hit hardest.   It’s pointing to a worsening housing and cost of living crisis, the lack of affordable ch...