Ocean FM News Reports

Concerns have been raised locally of the lack of podiatry services in Sligo. The only remaining service is based in Sligo town, following the removal from other areas within the county. Sligo-Drumcliffe Sinn Fein Cllr Thomas Healy highlighted the issue as he called for vital services to be kept within communities. Cllr Healy says he's concerned that people who need the assistance may not be able t...

The HSE recruitment freeze has ended today. The health authority has announced it's been lifted after securing a 1.5 billion euro financial package. HSE CEO Brendan Gloster says it's to be invested in the health service this year and is welcoming this "positive step". It's understood a further 1.2 billion euro is to be invested next year. Speaking to Ocean FM News this morning, Fianna Fáil Council...

A National Day of Commemoration ceremony has been held at Sligo town. The events honour all Irish men and Irish women who died in wars or on service with the United Nations and other international organisations in the service of peace. Sunday's ceremony took place at City Hall on Quay Street with representatives of all of Sligo's Christian churches and from the Irish Defence Forces. Music was prov...

A site in Ballytivnan could be used for the provision of modular housing to tackle the ongoing housing crisis. That's the view of People Before Profit Councillor, Gino O'Boyle, who was speaking about the site where the old Cash and Carry building is located. The site has recently been put up for sale and is close to a number of local amenities, such as a school and children's playground. In order...

It's been proposed that a report should be carried out examining the poor management of the Gran Fondo cycling event in Sligo. The event received scathing criticism from both members of the public and Sligo County Council staff, mainly down to a lack of communication across the entire weekend. The route of the event was changed with short notice, and no clear information was forthcoming regarding...

This month's meeting of the Manorhamilton Municipal District heard calls on the government to tackle the current childcare crisis. Many families, particularly in north Leitrim are said to be bearing the brunt of the problem. Fianna Fáil Councillor Mary Bohan says there is a distinct lack of facilities available. Councillor Bohan says it's a matter that needs to be addressed urgently:

A meeting will be held next week between bikers and the local authority over the recent pedestrianisation of the diamond in Donegal Town.   The decision resulting in bikers no longer having access to the area.   A swell of support has been given towards bikers from the public, with many calling for the traditional meeting point to be reinstated.   Local Sinn Fein Cllr Noel Jordan pr...

A solidarity event for Natasha O'Brien is to be held in Sligo. The event will take place outside the GPO in Sligo Town at 3pm on July 14th. A number of similar events have taken place all over the country to date, with large crowds turning out in support. One of the event organisers, Janet Jinks, has been telling Ocean FM News why the event is being hosted.

A heated exchange took place in the Dáil between a Donegal TD and a Minister of State over Ireland's position in the EU council. In recent months, the council which includes Ireland has lent its support to Israel during the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Independent Deputy Thomas Pringle raised the matter with Minister of State for responsibility for EU affairs, Jennifer Carroll McNeill. Deputy Pringle...

XL Bully dogs are to be banned in Ireland under new regulations following a number of attacks on people in recent months. The new rules will come into effect over two phases: in October it will be illegal to breed, rehome, sell or import the animal, and in February it will be illegal to own one without a certificate of exemption. The former chair of the IFA Sheep Committee, Kevin Comiskey, has bee...

Clarification has been sought over Sligo's addition to the Defective Concrete Blocks scheme.   It was confirmed some time ago that Sligo, along with other counties, would be included to support homeowners affected by the defective blocks crisis.   However, since that confirmation, there has been little to no update on the matter.   Sligo County Council are meeting with the Departmen...

Tori Towey is back with her family in Boyle today after her ordeal in Dubai.   She was arrested in the UAE for attempted suicide and drinking alcohol, following alleged gender-based violence.   The 28 year-old arrived into Dublin Airport yesterday with her mum, Caroline after the Government intervened.   Roscommon TD Claire Kerrane is relieved Tori is home:

Farmers in the North West are being left in the dark over issues with the Acres scheme.   That's according to Sinn Fein Sligo Leitrim TD Martin Kenny, who says delays and a lack of details is resulting in many among the farming community in this region not knowing where they stand.   A recent meeting in Leitrim has also heard that the scheme was not through.   Speaking in the Dail,...

There are calls on the Government to further invest in student accommodation in the North West.   Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien confirmed an investment of €100 million to deliver more than 1,000 student accommodation beds, which includes 493 beds in UCD, 405 in DCU and 116 in Maynooth.   Sligo-Leitrim Independent TD Marian Harkin has questioned where the investment is for this region....

Government Ministers are said to have reaffirmed their commitment in helping the fishing industry in Killybegs and elsewhere.   It follows what's been described as a positive meeting held in Government buildings this week.   During the meeting, various challenges facing the industry were highlighted and it's now envisaged that this will reinforce previous discussions held in Killybegs ea...

€500,000 have been provided in funding towards the improvement of bus stops and shelters across Sligo. The allocation comes from the NTA, as more infrastructure has been called for following the increase of routes coming available. Sligo-Drumcliffe Sinn Fein Cllr Thomas Healy highlighted there is also a need for full disability access in rural areas. Cllr Healy says the service currently offered i...

The Think Before Your Flush campaign has partnered with Sligo and Donegal County Councils to protect Blue Flag beaches and marinas. The initiative is operated by Clean Coasts in partnership with Uisce Eireann, and aims to highlight the problems caused by flushing sanitary products and other items down the toilet. Serious blockages in waste water systems then cause sewage overflows, which can pollu...

Seafood factories in Killybegs have been used as an example of the unfair treatments faced by Irish fisheries in Europe. Sinn Fein Donegal TD Padraig MacLochlainn raised the issue of a recent whistleblower report which showed the difference of oversight faced. It has been long-running problem in the fishing sector that super factory ships from Europe may face different regulations. Speaking in the...

Funding has been allocated for a new bus service that runs through North Leitrim to North Sligo via Ballintrillick. The route will from Kinlough to Grange will be commenced by late July or August. Sligo-Drumcliffe Independent Cllr Marie Casserly praised the announcement, Independent Deputy Marian Harkin, the Department of Transport, and those who pushed for it. Cllr Casserly says when people work...

The Government has been accused of locking people out of the Defective Concrete Blocks Scheme.   It comes following the publication of two articles on the Ditch website this week which claims that the attorney general in private correspondence on government's mica scheme suggested measures to reduce the number of applicants.   It's also alleged that the Attorney general advised that the...

The importance of Rory Gallagher's iconic guitar to Ireland has been compared to the Book of Kells.   The famous Fender Stratocaster owned by the Ballyshannon musician will be up for auction in London in October, with an estimate of €1.1 million.   There have been numerous calls this week for the guitar to remain in Ireland with the state urged to purchase it.   It has been on displ...

The Sinn Fein Leader's described the treatment of Tori Towey as medieval and barbaric.   The 28 year old from Boyle is expected to board a flight home from Dubai today a travel ban was lifted yesterday.   Criminal charges of attempted suicide and alcohol consumption have also been dropped.   Mary Lou Mc Donald says people are struggling to understand how the situation was allowed de...

The Taoiseach has committed to finding out why there are apparent difficulties in recruiting staff for the new Ballyshannon Community Hospital.   The state of the art facility only partially opened earlier this year and the HSE say that efforts are ongoing in meeting the phased opening deadlines.   However, there are fears that the staffing levels required won't be achieved.   Speak...

Reassurances have been given that efforts are ongoing to provide a new Garda Station in Sligo.   The current station on Pearse Road has long been deemed unfit for purpose and a cost benefit analysis on the current building is nearing completion which, its expected will recommend that no further money should be spent on it.   A site in Caltragh has been earmarked for a new state-of-the-ar...

Donegal woman Nikki Bradley says she's honoured to have been appointed to the Seanad by the Taoiseach.   The disability rights activist replaces Fine Gael's Regina Doherty who has been elected to the European Parliament.   She has survived multiple surgeries, including a tumour removal, two hip replacements, a femur repair and an amputation.   Ms. Bradley is also tipped to run in th...