Ocean FM News Reports

Tubbercurry has been deemed as a black spot when it comes to public transport.   It's emerged that around twenty young people from south Sligo want to study at ATU or St. Angela's this coming September and with the rental crisis in Sligo Town would like the option to commute.   Currently though, there's no local link service catering to area.   Local Fianna Fail Cllr Barry Gallagher...

There have been calls in Sligo to keep dogs under supervision when in the presence of sheep.  A recent sheep attack has been reported near Geevagh which left one injured.  Fine Gael Ballymote-Tubbercurry Cllr Gerard Mullaney highlighted the importance of owners being aware of their dogs actions.  Cllr Mullaney says this instance can be used as an example to prevent something worse h...

A Donegal TD has called for the TV licence to be abolished amid fresh proposals for RTE funding. The Government are considering ways to clampdown on people not paying their TV licence, which amounts to RTÉ losing out on millions of euro. However, Donegal Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty said the TV licence should be paid through the exchequer revenue. Deputy Doherty says the €160 fee is unfair and outd...

Sligo Leitrim TD Martin Kenny is Sinn Fein's new spokesperson on Agriculture.   He replaces TD Claire Kerrane who is moving to childcare portfolio.   Deputy Kenny's new role is part of a minor reshuffle of the party, owing to the initial departure of Kathleen Funchion getting elected to the European Parliament.   Speaking to Ocean FM news, Deputy Kenny says that he's looking forward...

There are further local calls on the Government to lower the VAT rate for the hospitality sector.   Tourism and hospitality businesses are said to be on the brink over a range of factors including inflation, lack of accommodation and a rise in the minimum wage.   It's widely thought that lowering the VAT back down from 13.5% to the 9% enjoyed by the sector during the pandemic would be of...

Nominations for Fine Gaels selection convention for the Sligo/Leitrim constituency are expected to open later this week.   Sitting TD Frank Feighan has confirmed that he will be looking to retain his seat while it's anticipated that Sligo Drumcliff Cllr Thomas Walsh will also be seeking a nomination.   The party's convention is set to take place on September 1st, which will decide who Fi...

New figures from the CSO show the rate of burglaries in Sligo and Leitrim has decreased.   In the 12 months up until March 2024, there showed to be a decrease in 11%, down to 136 burglaries, when compared to the previous year.   Meanwhile, Donegal showed an increase of 40%, which translates to 167 burglaries, and is far above the national average of 6%.   Marguerite Cotter, Marketin...

It's emerged that Sligo homeowners affected by the Defective Block Crisis are still waiting to access the Governments redress scheme.   While the Housing Minister previously gave the green light for Sligo to be added to the scheme, it still needs official approval from the Dail.   With the Dail currently in recess, it'll be at least September before homeowners will be able to start apply...

Sligo County Council have plans in place to install a disabled parking bay for mini buses in Sligo town. There had been calls of a lack of such parking spots within the county, and so one will be introduced into Wine St car park, before deciding on a further roll out across Sligo. Sinn Fein Cllr Arthur Gibbons was alerted to the situation after speaking to a member of the public, and raised it wit...

Serious concern has been raised over aspects of Treacy Avenue in Sligo. Footpaths, roads and lighting are just some of the issues in the area with frustration said to be growing among residents. There's also claims that other estates are getting more attention. Cllr Gino O'Boyle is hopeful that funding options can be explored:

There are further calls on the Government to purchase Rory Gallagher's famous guitar. The legendary Fender Stratocaster guitar owned by the Ballyshannon musician is going up for auction in London for up to 1 million pounds in October. Tánaiste Micheál Martin has already stated this week that he's exploring ways for the Irish State to take ownership. Local Sinn Fein Cllr Michael McMahon says it's c...

A letter is to be sent to AIB over their current level of services in Manorhamilton. At the end of 2022, AIB withdrew its cash counter services leaving it that customers could only lodge money or withdraw cash via machine. Sligo-Leitrim Fine Gael TD Frank Feighan has been asked by locals to contact the bank and search for an upgrade in services, including a return to counter services. Deputy...

The decision by Donegal Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue TD to scrap the Straw Incorporation Scheme has been questioned locally. The scheme was suddenly scrapped last week without warning, where farmers were funded to chop straw and re-incorporate it into the soil for environmental reasons. Sligo Chair of the IFA, Michael O’Dowd, says it’s worrying that a decision of such importance co...

A proposal for a new housing development in Grange has been given the green light to proceed. There had been some delays to the project, as a number of archaelogical inspections had to be carried out on the proposed site to ensure there were no environmental issues surrounding the development. Up to 16 houses are to be built on the site, including 10 one-bed houses, four two-bed houses and two thr...

A new community benefit fund has been launched for the residents of Donegal. Clogheravaddy Wind Farm Ltd have unveiled their new initiative for locals which totals more than €40,000 in supports. Applications are encouraged as they look to support community projects within a 15km radius related to education and sustainability in Donegal. Emma Kennedy of ChangeX, highlighted that the funding can be...

Calls have been made for Sligo County Council to provide funding for an initiative that uses old photographs and music to trigger memories among dementia patients in nursing homes. There has been a pilot scheme in other counties where the use of a "memory tool kit" has been used to help patients stay in the present. Ballymote-Tubbercurry Cllr Dara Mulvey highlighted the project and seeks to get mo...

The MacGill Summer School continues over the weekend where thought leaders descend on Glenties to discuss issues facing Ireland and the wider world. The annual event gathers government ministers, parliamentarians, heads of industry, trade union leaders, economists, sociologists, church leaders and a broad range of public representatives. Donegal Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty is speaking at the event...

Leitrim County Council have been asked about their stance on purchasing homes, so families can avail of the Tenant In Situ scheme. A number of families across the county have been served with notices to quit, meaning they can no longer stay in the accomodation they are currently in. Homelessness across the country has risen by around 15%, something Sinn Fein councillor, Padraig Fallon, is hoping L...

A Donegal TD has criticised Government policy which he claims has led to an increase in homelessness among children. According to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage monthly homelessness report for May 2024, 2,051 families, including 4,316 children, accessed emergency accommodation during the week of May 20-26th of this year. It was also highlighted how illnesses are being see...

It's been confirmed that more patients have been moved into the new Ballyshannon Community Hospital.   An undisclosed number were admitted into the Garden View Unit yesterday.   The HSE say that further admissions will continue over the coming weeks, and that recruitment is actively ongoing.   This marks the second phase of the hospitals opening plan, with the first phase of the ope...

It's claimed that low water levels could be a contributing factor to deaths of up to 1000 salmon in Ballisodare River.   A multiagency investigation is ongoing along the river this lunchtime with a number of representatives out monitoring the water and carrying out further tests.   Meanwhile, the nearby Owenmore River in Sligo and its tributaries have been also closed for all fishing due...

It's hoped that the salmon death count in Ballisodare River has peaked.   It's estimated that nearly 1000 salmon are now confirmed dead as a multi agency investigation continues.   The nearby Owenmore River in Sligo and its tributaries have been closed for all fishing due to the ongoing outbreak of disease in the salmon population.   The State has closed the system until further not...

Parking in Donegal Town remains at a premium.   This is despite Donegal County Council striking an arrangement with the John Bosco Centre to provide additional spaces.   The Council also says that it is keeping a sharp eye out for lands in the town that it could potentially purchase with a view towards creating more car parking facilities.   Fianna Fáil Cllr Michael Naughten says th...

The HSE has come in for criticism over a lack of services currently being provided at the day centre at Killybegs Community Hospital.   It’s been claimed that the facility hasn’t been fully operational since before the pandemic.   Staffing is said to be one of the big issues, resulting in a range of healthcare options no longer available to the local community.   A letter is to be s...

A North Atlantic Right Whale has been spotted off the coast of Killybegs earlier this week. It’s the first verified sighting of the species in Ireland for over 100 years. The species is near extension, as it’s believed there are only between 350-400 of them remaining. Pádraig Whooley, Sightings Officer of Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, says it’s unlikely that the whale is still in the area: