Ocean FM News Reports

Aodh Ruadh Ballyshannon's Club Chairperson, Lisa McTernan, begins her new full-time role this month as Donegal GAA's County Administrator. She succeeds the outgoing Noreen Doherty. Lisa's been speaking to Ocean FM Sport's Austin O'Callaghan about her new appointment.

Further criticism has been levelled at the Government following the increase in fuel prices. From midnight last night, petrol has gone up by 4c per litre, with the price of diesel increasing by 3c per litre. The Government say they are simply reinstating excise duty costs that were in place before. But speaking to Ocean FM News, Sligo Leitrim Sinn Fein TD Martin Kenny says the price hikes are unne...

The latest Croí Cónaithe report shows 141 applications have been made in the Ballymote-Tubbercurry Municipal District. The Croí Cónaithe is a grant that provides funding for the refurbishment of vacant and derelict homes. The report states that a total of 321 applications made across the county, with 235 grants receiving approval. Local Cllr Michael Clarke says the initiative is a fantastic way of...

A Donegal TD has slammed the Government over its RTE funding plans.   Last week, the government announced that RTÉ is to receive €725 million in government funding over the next three years.   The station is to receive €225 million next year from TV licence fee revenue and direct Exchequer funding combined.   In 2026, the funding will rise to €240 million, rising to €260 million in...

A lack of investment in roads in the North West is having a severe impact on lives and livelihoods in the region. That's the view of Sligo Leitrim Independent TD, Marian Harkin, after recent figures released by the Northern and Western Regional Assembly highlighted significant discrepancies in investment when compared to the rest of the country. Between 2006 and 2022, the Local Authorities of the...

Road safety works along the N17 continue to cause concern. The road is known for its treacherous state, with a number of issues raised surrounding dangerous junctions along the route. It’s widely thought that a new road layout is needed where the road from Bunnacrannagh and Curry Village meet at the junction onto the N17. Sligo County Council met with Transport Infrastructure Ireland road safety e...

Former Fine Gael TD John Perry has confirmed that he has put his name forward for the party's General Election selection convention in the Sligo-Leitrim constituency. Perry, a native of Ballymote was first elected to the Dáil in 1997 before losing his seat in the 2016 General Election. He then ran in the 2019 General Election as an Independent after failing to get the support of Fine Gael party me...

Following the publication of the All-Island rail review, where a number of developments were proposed for Ireland's Rail Network, OceanFM visited Sligo Train Station and spoke to passengers on what improvements they would like to see:

Tourist attractions in Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal are set to benefit from a new financial injection. A new capital investment under the Shared Island Tourism Brand will see tourism attractions and projects on both sides of the border receive support through significant funding. 3 million has been made available in total, with the Republic of Ireland receiving 1.5m euro, and Northern Ireland gettin...

Graham Dwyer has lost his appeal to overturn his conviction for the murder of Elaine O'Hara. His appeal was allowed by the Supreme Court, as they found it centred on significant issues of general public importance. Dwyer, who's family originally come from Sligo, appealed his sentence on the grounds that his rights under the European Charter of Fundamental Rights were breached, following the retent...

The long-awaited All-Island Strategic Rail Review is to be published today. The ambitious 37 billion euro plan will see faster trains and new rail lines being opened all across the island of Ireland. While there are no new routes planned to come in and out of Sligo, developments are included regarding the completion of the Greenway from Collooney to Charlestown. As well as the Greenway plans, Inde...

A Junior Minister says a cap on regional airport development is actively under review.   Ryanair's called on the Government to raise a funding cap based on passenger numbers.   It claims if more passengers use regional airports like Ireland West they will lose state funding.   Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise Dara Calleary says the policy is being reviewed:

Donegal County Council have today released a statement following the controversial measures taken to stop bikers parking on the Diamond in Donegal Town. Following the redevelopment of the Diamond, bikers are no longer allowed park on it, despite having done so regularly in years gone by. A meeting was held this week between Donegal County Council and the bikers to try and resolve the matter, and i...

It's reported that the European Commission has opened legal proceedings against the government over alleged failures in construction, which includes mica. The Currency is reporting that last week, the body sent a letter of formal notice for failure to comply with requirements under the construction products regulation. Member states are required to monitor how construction products are manufacture...

Dismay has been expressed over the condition of public toilets in Rossnowlagh. The current conditions at the local surf club car park sees toilets blocked and heavy littered with items such as baby wipes and dog litter bags. Extra portable toilets were previously installed to deal with the problem with lifeguards assisting in maintaining them. Local Sinn Féin Councillor Michael McMahon is urging m...

Politics will always need new and younger people. That's according to Fine Gael Councillor Thomas Walsh, who has confirmed that he will put his name forward to contest the General Election. Fine Gael's selection convention will be held on September 1st. Councillor Walsh recently topped the poll in the Sligo Drumcliffe LEA in the local elections, and previously ran i the General Election in 2020. S...

Employment opportunities rose in certain sectors in the north west in the second quarter of this year. The analysis is included in Morgan McKinley's Quarterly Employment Monitor. Sectors such as engineering, life sciences and accounting have seen an increase in opportunities as have human resources. Tracey Keevans, Global FDI Director at Morgan McKinley says the merging of ATU in the region can be...

Drivers are set for another financial hit this week, as fuel prices are set to increase. From tomorrow, the price of petrol will increase by 4c per litre, while diesel will go up by 3c per litre. The price hike is down to the Government increasing the price of excise duty on fuel, with another rise planned for October. Independent Sligo Leitrim TD Marian Harkin has described the hikes as disastrou...

A new food festival is coming to Sligo Town.   The Taste of Sligo Food Festival in Sligo's flagship Queen Maeve Square along the Garavogue River will take place on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd September.   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 brainchild of...

Following an historic night in Paris, locals in Grange have been giving reaction to Mona McSharry's medal winning performance to Ocean FM News this evening.

Following her bronze medal success in Monday's 100m breaststroke, Mona McSharry's attention has turned quickly to her next event.   The Grange native goes in heat one of the 200m breaststroke heats at 10am on Wednesday morning.   McSharry did enjoy a brief embrace with her family and support group following Monday's final at the La Défense Arena before returning the olympic village. &nbs...

Local Cllr Marie Casserly praised Ms McSharry's achievement and spoke about the mood in Grange today:

Celebrations are continuing in Grange, Ballyshannon and Paris as Mona McSharry's dreams of becoming an Olympic medalist have become a reality.   Following an enthralling 100m breaststroke race at Paris' La Défense Arena, she just pipped Italy's Benedetta Pinato to the podium in a time of 1.05.59.   It had been a very different feeling after an 8th place finish at 2020 Olympics.   Sh...

There is no doubt that Mona McSharry’s return to Sligo will be marked in some way. That’s according to mayor of Sligo’s borough district, Cllr Tom MacSharry when asked about a potential homecoming for the Olympian. Ms McSharry won a bronze medal last night in the 100m breaststroke, which was Ireland’ first in the pool in 28 years. Cllr MacSharry said last night was great for Grange, great for Slig...

Mona McSharry's Olympic success was not built overnight. That's the view of local councillor Donal Gilroy, who has been paying tribute to coaches and volunteers who have helped her get to where she is today. McSharry took bronze in the final of the 100m breaststroke at the Paris Olympics last night, and became Sligo's first ever Olympic medal winner in the process. Speaking to Ocean FM News, Counc...