Ocean FM News Reports

It's hoped that in time, third-level students in Sligo will benefit from council-owned lands.   Concern has previously been expressed over what's been described as a deepening student accommodation crisis in Sligo.   Two separate apartment blocks previously housed students attending ATU Sligo, however, management of the buildings confirmed that it would not continue offering accommodatio...

It's emerged that recommendation from engineers for a full demolition of mica affected homes in Donegal has been downgraded to partial remediation. The defective concrete block grant scheme currently has around 2,200 applications at various stages of the process. In July of last year, the Mica Action Group in Donegal requested a public meeting with Minister Darragh O'Brien, however, the group rece...

There's further concern over what's been described as a deepening student accommodation crisis in Sligo.   With the Leaving Cert results set to be published this Friday, the scramble among students wishing to study in Sligo will begin in earnest.   While the 'Rent A Room' was launched a few weeks ago by Sligo ATU, the uptake so far is said to be slow.   Despite the success of the sc...

Further clarity is being sought as to why the terror threat level has been raised.   Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has written to the Justice Minister following a number of troubling incidents with violent protests.   It's feared the homes of TDs and Ministers could become targets after appearing in far right online group chats.   The Irish Examiner reports one online chat room use...

This country is expected to lead the EU in fuel taxation after October's budget.   Following the excise duty hike on August 1st and the anticipated carbon tax rise, petrol prices here will be taxed at 57 point 2 per cent.   Fuels for Ireland says these rising taxes will be felt by consumers and businesses alike, but particularly in border regions.   Its CEO, Kevin McPartland, says i...

There's a further warning that people in the North West will be hit the hardest with impending fuel price hikes.   Ireland is poised to top the EU fuel taxation rankings after October's budget.   Petrol prices are set to be taxed at 57 point 2 per cent, while diesel taxation will reach 54 per cent.   Sligo Leitrim TD Marian Harkin says these hikes are avoidable:

Glencar/Manor joint manager Dominic Kelly says a punishing league and championship side has worked against his team's championship prospects this season. A depleted Glencar/Manor team lost to holders Mohill by 1-16 to 1-6 on Saturday evening - with several players missing the match because of Electric Picnic. Kelly believes a better balance between fixtures and time off for players needs to be fou...

Donegal homeowners affected by the mica defective blocks are hitting out at the downgrading of the redress scheme. They're unhappy about only getting a partial fix instead of their engineer's recommendation of full demolition. The Housing Agency is behind the decision to downgrade their redress. Mica defective block Campaigner Paddy Diver says it's unfair on those affected by defective blocks:

Students across the North West are set to benefit from the expansion of the Free Schoolbooks scheme. It's been confirmed that students up as far as the Junior Cert Cycle will now be eligible to receive free books upon returning to school. Nationwide, 775,000 students in primary, secondary and special education schools will benefit from a move that will decrease the financial burden on families. Sp...

Sligo's Hazelwood Park has been ranked number 7 in the top 10 Coillte Parks in the country.   The park which had just over 350,000 visitors in 2024 has received funding of over €98,000.   The funding granted from the outdoor recreation plan is to be divided amongst a number of parks in Sligo and is intended to go towards maintenance and development. Sligo-Drumcliff Cllr Edel McSharry hop...

Sligo County Council are being called upon to address the condition of the boundary wall in the old cemetery in Ballymote. The current state of the wall has been previously highlighted, with fears that sections of it has the potential to collapse. Ballymote-Tubbercurry Fine Gael Cllr Dara Mulvey is raising the issue once again, as a matter of urgency. Cllr Mulvey says funding needs to be specifica...

A former Donegal Garda member has called for an increase in visible presence of Gardaí following the stabbing of an army chaplain in Galway last night. The man in his 50s received a number of stab wounds in an assault which happened at Renmore Barracks at 10.45. He was taken to hospital for treatment of serious, but non-life threatening injuries. A young man in his teens was restrained by members...

Farmers in the north west could be set to benefit from a farm retirement scheme in the next CAP.   The Irish Farmers Journal is reporting that following the announcement that he intends to establish a commission on generational renewal, minister for agriculture and Donegal TD says the scheme could be considered.   There have been previous calls for extra supports to be given to elderly f...

Hopes that the 9% VAT rate will return for the hospitality sector in the next budget have been dashed locally.   Former Minister for Finance Michael McGrath previously indicated that reducing the rate would come into consideration.   However, the Public Expenditure Minister Pascal Donohoe has poured cold water on the matter saying it would cost more than 700 million euro for the restorat...

The volunteer crew of Bundoran RNLI Lifeboat will host an Emergency Services Open Day.   Already confirmed to take part are Bundoran RNLI, Bundoran Fire & Rescue, Tyrone Underwater Search & Recovery, Donegal Bay CFR, Irish Coast Guard and the Ballyshannon-based ECAS (Emergency Call Answering Service).   The event is free of charge to attend and will take place on the pier at West...

The Government has been criticised for allowing families and children in the north west to fall into homelessness.   Recent figures from the Department of Housing show that 24 families were in need of emergency accommodation in June, including 56 children in the north west.   Children’s Ombudsman Niall Muldoon says emergency accommodation should only be short-term but that isn’t the case...

With the government looking likely to increase the national minimum wage by over 80 cent an hour in the upcoming budget, it will come as a further blow to business owners in the north west. That's according to local Independent Councillor Felim Gurn, who has highlighted the ongoing struggle by various sectors in the region due to inflation and the ongoing cost of living crisis. The Low Pay Commiss...

It's emerged that there are over 500 children under the age of 3 on crèche waiting lists in Sligo. Figures published in the Pobal Annual Early Years Sector survey reveal that there are 53 children under the age of 1, 237 children aged 1-2 years and 219 children aged 2-3 years on waiting lists and 25 places available. The sector is said to be under significant strain, due to a lack of availability...

Got Olympics withdrawal symptons yet? We have the cure... We’ll bring you a flavour of sprinter Chris O’Donnell’s homecoming in Grange on Wednesday nigiht Plus – here come the Paris Paralympics... From his pre-Games training camp in Portugal, Sligo para-cyclist Martin Gordon joins us. Fifth in Tokyo three years ago, he’s back and ready for more.

A Donegal TD says a new report clearly highlights the number of homes being built is not matching demand. The Savills Ireland study has found population growth is exceeding housing supply by almost four-to-one. Savills says that's 14 per cent higher than the next worst country in the world - which is Spain. Sinn Féin's Finance Spokesperson Pearse Doherty says the report is another reminder of the...

The news of improvement works being needed at the Easkey River has been welcomed locally. An issue has persisted over a number of years where overflow from the Easkey Waste Water Treatment Plant would enter the river stream. Uisce Eireann have informed the Environmental Protection Agency that a new storm tank should be fitted to prevent the discharge of sewerage, with hopes to have the development...

It’s been confirmed that a replacement GP is on the way for Ardara Health Centre.   Concerns had previously been expressed over the delays to replace outgoing GP, Dr. Mirellle Sweeney who announced her resignation in May.   While Dr. Sweeney will conclude her position on August 22nd, the NowDoc service will operate between and the new GP’s arrival on August 26th.   Local Councillor...

A plethora of reasons can be attributed to the increase in the number of road deaths so far this year.   There have been 13 deaths on roads in the north west so far in 2024.   They are some of the 120 nationally, an increase of 15 on the same time last year.   Donegal has seen eight road deaths, there have been four in Sligo and one in Leitrim.   An Garda Síochána and the Road...

A Sligo Cllr has given his support to an initiative that bans the use of disposable vapes at festivals and events. The measure is being implemented this weekend at Electric Picnic to become more environmentally friendly. Sligo-Drumcliff Fianna Fáil Cllr Dónal Gilroy highlighted how it may be something that could be introduced into the North West and across the country. Cllr Gilroy says passive smo...

Concern has been expressed locally over the treatment to junior doctors.   Earlier, this year it emerged that almost 90 per cent frequently work overtime and have no certainty over their work schedule.   A Medical Council report has warned that there is an unsustainable reliance on too few doctors to meet consistently rising demand.   IMO President and Donegal-based GP, Dr Denis McC...