Ocean FM News Reports

Thousands across the north west are some of the almost 61,000 students nationwide that have been analysing their results, which were released this morning. This year's students are set to benefit from what's being described as "Covid-era bumper results." It's believed that 70 per cent of all grades were adjusted upwards from the marks awarded by examiners, in line with commitments to keep them clo...

Reservations have been held locally over the proposed ban of the use of mobile phones by students in secondary schools. Minister for Education Norma Foley earlier this week said she plans to ask second-level schools to introduce the move during the school day. The department say the new measures will ensure that schools are "phone free zones, giving students an opportunity to focus on their school...

An additional stop has been confirmed for the Sligo to Dublin rail line. The additional stop at Broombridge will facilitate people traveling from Sligo and wishing to connect with the Luas system. Commuters can access the Luas green line from Broombridge and reduce their travel times rather than going all the way into Dublin Connolly. Sligo-Drumcliffe Independent Councillor Marie Casserly says the...

Following the announcement the byelaw that closed the Owenmore River System has been rescinded with certain limitations, it is hoped that the area can benefit once again, from marine tourism. While worm fishing is banned for fishing for all species for the rest of the season, catch and release is permitted for salmon and seatrout. The findings of the investigation into the deaths of the salmon at...

Students across Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal are due to receive their Leaving Certificate results later this morning. They'll be made available online at 10am with results being issued to schools at the same time. Students are being urged not to get wrapped up in the obsession with points. Vice President of the ASTI and Donegal school teacher, Padraig Curley says there are many pathways into a caree...

Mickey Harte is bringing a Sligo man with him to Offaly. Luke Bree is on his way to the faithful county – as team coach. Ballymote’s Brian Colsh is getting ready to try and retain his world rowing title for Ireland in the next 24 hours. His dad Tom joins us from Canada on the eve of the big race. If you think rowing’s tough – try doing the Warriors Run in Strandhill not once – but twice! That’s wh...

Following the success of the recent Fleadh Cheoil in Wexford, there are hopes locally that it will return to the north west. Over 70,000 descended on the south east with visitors from far and wide. The north west has long been central to the traditional music scene, with Sligo having most recently hosted the festival in 2014 and 2015. Labhrás Ó Múrchu, CEO of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann says it co...

It’s been confirmed that the byelaw that that closed the Owenmore River System has been lifted with certain limitations.   A multi-agency investigation was launched in July after the deaths of thousands of salmon at Ballisodare Bay.   Inland Fisheries Ireland, the Marine Institute, Sligo County Council, Uisce Eireann and EPA all participated in the investigation.   While the finding...

A new GP has been confirmed for Ardara.   It has been confirmed that Dr. Charles McManus will take up the position.   Concerns had previously been expressed over the delays to replace outgoing GP, Dr. Mirellle Sweeney who announced her resignation in May.   Dr. Sweeney concludes her position today with Dr. McManus taking up the position on on Friday August 23rd.   The surgery i...

A new report examining the amount of people on social housing lists and those in receipt of HAP is full of "statistics of shame". The report, which was published by the Parliamentary Budget Office, shows that there are currently over five and a half thousand people in Donegal waiting for social housing, or getting Housing Assistance Payments. The statistics have been strongly criticised by Donegal...

Labour Councillor, Nessa Cosgrove, has confirmed she will put her name forward for selection ahead of the next General Election. She was recently elected to Sligo County Council for the first time in the local elections in June. Councillor Cosgrove is just the second female candidate in the constituency to put their name forward, after Fianna Fáil councillor, Edel McSharry. The Labour party are du...

Ahead of the upcoming budget, there have been renewed calls for increased supports for farmers in the north west.   The Farm Survey Report for 2023 shows the average farming family has an income of less than 20 thousand euro per annum.   According to the IFA, the industry is facing multiple threats, and Budget 2025 is the ideal opportunity for the government to respond to that.   Th...

Labour Councillor, Nessa Cosgrove, has confirmed she will put her name forward for selection ahead of the next General Election. She was recently elected to Sligo County Council for the first time in the local elections in June. The Labour party are due to hold their selection convention on September 23rd, and no other candidates have put their names forward to date in the Sligo Leitrim constituen...

A local Cllr has welcomed the news of improved local link bus services in Leitrim. As part of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, the initiative aims to connect areas and villages to larger towns. As of Monday, August 26th, bus services between Manorhamilton and Carrick-on-Shannon will be streamlined. Manorhamilton Cllr James Gilmartin says it's a great development and hopes to see further...

Low income farmers in the North West are set to be worst affected over an expected increase in water tariffs. The proposed hike will nearly double the standing charges for water connections. With farmers needing multiple water connections, the move is set to place excessive costs on those that use low volumes of water. It comes as a recent Teagasc Farm Survey for 2023 revealed that just 28% of far...

Relief has been expressed across Maugherow following the rescue of Sasha Murray from a superyacht that capsized in Sicily on Monday. Ms Murray (29) is from Maugherow, and was among those rescued when the yacht went down, having sustained an injury to her leg. Search and rescue operations are continuing off the Italian coast today, as six people who were on the yacht are still missing. Speaking to...

A Sligo Leitrim TD has written to the Minister for Social Protection over Ukrainian refugees being given preferential treatment when accessing State-supported return-to-work schemes.   It's been claimed that Irish people are being discriminated against when it comes to filling community employment placements.   Ukrainians only need to be unemployed for nine months to gain access to the s...

The community of Maugherow in Sligo are said to be relieved that a local woman survived this week’s superyacht disaster off the coast of Sicily this week.   29 year old Sasha Murray originally from the area was one of 15 people rescued, sustaining an injury to her leg.   It's understood that Ms. Murray has been working in the yachting industry for several years.   Search and rescue...

Frustrations have been expressed over what's been described as a lack of engagement from management at ATU Sligo and the students union over ongoing accommodation problems.   With the new academic year mere weeks away, the university's student's union says the situation has left many in a precarious position.   The union previously launched their 'rent a room' campaign which many student...

Journalist, author and women's rights activist Nell McCafferty has died at the age of 80.   The Irish Times reports she passed away this morning at a nursing home in County Donegal.   She was born in Derry in 1944, and went on to co-found the Irish Women's Liberation Movement.   Journalist Mary Kenny founded the movement with Nell McCafferty and others in 1970.   She says Nell'...

Questions are being asked over the level of fines issued by Leitrim County Council to motorists parking illegally on footpaths.   It comes as new figures from Vision Ireland show that just two fines were handed out for the offence in Leitrim last year.   This compares with 533 fines issued in Donegal and 67 in Sligo for the same offence in 2023.   Meanwhile, it's emerged that no dog...

The Taoiseach Simon Harris has reaffirmed his support towards Sligo Rovers 'Master Plan'.   The project involves a major re-development of the Showgrounds, including a new 6,000 all seater stadium at the famous soccer ground.   It's expected that there will be an announcement from government in relation to allocations from the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund in the coming weeks. &n...

Both the Sligo and Donegal roses take to the stage in the Dome later.   Its night two of the Rose of Tralee tonight, with Donegal Rose Niamh Shevlin due to be interviewed first while later in evening, Sligo Rose Megan McCormack is due on stage with Daithi O'Shea.   The winner of the 2024 festival will also be confirmed tonight with night two airing live on RTÉ from 8pm.   Speaking t...

It's emerged that passengers in the north west are set to be affected by a proposed 9% taxi fare increase and expansion of the special rate to weekends.   The NTA previously launched a public consultation on the proposed hike, which they say is largely based on higher labour costs and an increase in car purchase and finance costs.   However, the problem in the north west extends further-...

It seems not everyone is happy with new road markings in Killybegs. Double yellow lines have been recently introduced in some areas in the town to help residents access their homes and to allow people with a disability to use footpaths safely.   But this has since sparked controversy, with some saying that parking in Killybegs is already at a premium and this move will make the situation wors...