Ocean FM News Reports

Calls have been made for the foundation of a women's refuge in Sligo to be speeded up, and for the announcement of a further one in Leitrim.   Sligo-Leitrim Independent TD Marian Harkin spoke about the issue to the Minister for Justice Helen McEntee in the Dail during a discussion on gender-based violence.   In light of the attack on Natasha O'Brien and resulting court case, there has be...

Calls have been made for the presence of Beach Rangers to be put in place in Sligo.   The issue is to be raised by Ballymote-Tubbercurry Cllr Dara Mulvey at the Sligo County Council meeting next week, as he looks to mirror the actions of Mayo County Council.   Beach Rangers monitor activities such as littering, dogs on leashes, and parking.   Cllr Mulvey says it would prevent emerge...

Tributes are being paid to the former TD and Leitrim Connacht championship winning manager John O'Mahony who has died.   He was first elected to the Dáil from the Mayo constituency in 2007 and served as a Fine Gael TD until 2016.   He was also elected to the Seanad, serving until June 2020.   The late Mr O'Mahony will also be widely remembered in GAA circles.   He masterminded...

The Irish Prison Officer's Association say that overcrowding in prisons is currently at a crisis point. At the end of June, the number of inmates in the country's prisons passed the 5 thousand mark for the first time ever - that's nearly 500 over capacity. Concern is now being expressed that the levels of overcrowding could led to a violent outburst. Deputy General Secretary of the Irish Prison Of...

Hopes remain among the hospitality industry in the North West that the Government will reduce the VAT rate.   It now looking increasing unlikely that there will be a return to the 9% Vat rate for the sector in October's budget, despite Fine Gael's lobbying for the move.   Members of the two main government parties met with representatives from the sector this week who outlined the challe...

Questions are being asked over the decreasing level of ambulance cover right across the North West region. The problem is said to be affecting a number of counties, namely Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal, Cavan and Roscommon. Understaffing is understood to be the root of the problem, which has led to response times getting slower across the area. Sinn Fein Sligo Leitrim TD, Martin Kenny says that despite...

There were over 2,420 cancelled appointments across Sligo and Letterkenny University Hospitals in the first three months of this year.   These cancellations would include people who needed surgery for various illnesses.   Reasons given include overcrowding, infection outbreaks and staff shortages.   In Sligo, there were over 1,140 in the first three months of this year while in Lett...

There are renewed fears that efforts are being made to privatise NowDoc. The service provides out of hours emergency health care to south Donegal and other areas of the North West and there were initial moves to privatise it some years ago. It could have several implications, including a reduced service and additional costs for patients. Cllr Michael Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig is deeply concerned ov...

Calls have been made for the Mother and Baby Home Scheme to be expanded to include those who resided in the Nazareth House in Sligo. Sligo-Leitrim Independent TD raised the issue to Tanaiste Micheal Martin, and asked if it would be possible to extend the scheme to others. Deputy Harkin praised the current scheme, but felt it was still excluding some people who were wronged by the state in the past...

Residents in Leitrim and elsewhere simply won't stand for any potential price hike in waste collection services. That's according to Sinn Fein Cllr Padraig Fallon, who has been reacting to developments this week that the cost of household recycling could be on the way up. Waste collection companies have warned that they may increase prices for recycling bin collections to make up for the loss of p...

Donegal has been used as an example to reflect nationwide issue of domestic violence against women.   Donegal Independent TD Thomas Pringle was speaking on the situation in the Dáil, and presented some local statistics to the floor.   One instance highlighted was that local services receive five to six new calls each week for people seeking help.   Deputy Pringle says there is a hig...

A couple in County Leitrim have decided to save money by living in a small structure on a site in the middle of nowhere. The total space is 25 square metres and it cost them €26,000 in total. Ocean FM paid a visit to the 'tiny home': 

In the Dáil earlier, Sinn Féin's Finance Spokesperson Pearse Doherty rejected the "laughable" claim that the Budget date is being changed because of a calendar clash in Europe.   Deputy Doherty believes that the date switch is to pave the way for an early election and accused the Finance Minister Jack Chambers of taking the public for fools. While responding, Minister Chambers insisted that t...

Lessons must be learned from last weekend's Gran Fondo event in Sligo.   That's according to Fine Gael Cllr Fergal Nealon, who says he has been inundated with calls from concerned members of the local business community and the public.   The concerns centre on a lack of communication over the details of the event from organisers.   Cllr Nealon says while it's hugely positive for Sli...

The need for safety developments on the N17 between Sligo and Mayo were highlighted in the Dáil this morning.   Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan TD and Sligo-Leitrim Independent TD Marian Harkin discussed improvements needed on the main road.   Deputy Harkin said work needs to be started in sections involving Curry, Tubbercurry, and Collooney, while also enquiring the funding available...

The proposed rail line from Claremorris to Collooney will not be included in plans up until 2035.   Speaking in the Dáil today, Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan TD was responding to Sligo-Leitrim TDs Martin Kenny and Marian Harkin over questions on the western rail corridor.   There has long been calls for an extended route to connect Sligo with the rest of the West and South of Ireland...

There are calls locally for a General Election to be held as soon as possible.   It comes as the Government is bringing October's budget forward by a week to the 1st of October, further fuelling speculation of an early election.   However, Minister Jack Chambers denies the government is planning to call an election this year.   But speaking to Ocean FM news, Donegal Sinn Fein TD Pad...

Over 40,000 women have come forward to Women's Aid over domestic abuse and violent incidents, but that is only the tip of the iceberg. That's according to Sinn Fein Sligo-Leitrim TD Martin Kenny, who was speaking in the Dail in relation to gender-based violence. Discussions have taken place nationwide over the country's attitude towards violence against women following the attack on Natasha O'Brie...

Taoiseach Simon Harris has reaffirmed the government's commitment to the development of the renal dialysis unit at Sligo University Hospital. The Taoiseach was responding to a question from Sligo-Leitrim Independent TD Marian Harkin, where she highlighted the numerous delays the development has encountered. It is currently projected that the detailed design phase for the unit will begin in 2025, o...

Tributes have been paid to the mother and daughter who died in a car accident in North Mayo yesterday evening. Aisling Moore and her daughter Abbigael were involved in an incident with a lorry on the N26 between Foxford and Swinford. Foxford Parish Priest Fr Padraig Costello attended the scene of the accident and said prayers for the mother and daughter. Fr Costello extended his sympathies to the...

The owner of a local restaurant has hit out at the poor organisation of the Gran Fondo. The international cycling event took place in Sligo over the weekend, which led to a number of road closures right across the county. However, participants and local businesses alike were left frustrated as routes and road closures were changed last minute, with little to no communication from the event organis...

The Taoiseach has led tributes in the Dail to the mother and daughter who lost their lives in a crash in North Mayo.   The collision, involving a car and a lorry, happened on the stretch of road between Swinford and Foxford shortly before 6pm yesterday evening.   Gardai are appealing for witnesses to come forward, especially any road users who may have camera footage from the scene. &nbs...

Tributes have been paid to a man who died in a hiking tragedy on Benbulben last night. A major emergency operation was launched at around 10pm, including Sligo Leitrim Mountain Rescue, Rescue 118, Gardai and the coastguard. The victim, who was in his 40s, died after falling on Benbulben walk and was pronounced dead at the scene. The man was understood to be a member of the Sligo Leitrim Mountain R...

Uisce Eireann is under pressure to upgrade the pipes serving the wider Bundoran area.   It's after a major burst hit the area this morning, leaving thousands of homes and businesses without water.   The line also serves premises in parts of Ballyshannon.   Repair works are complete this lunchtime but it still could be a number or hours before supply is fully returned.   Residen...

There are renewed calls on businesses and residents in North Leitrim to focus on providing more tourist accommodation ahead of the completion of the SLNCR Greenway.   That project is set to be complete in around four years' time.   There's concern that if the likes of Manorhamilton and other towns and villages in the county do not have adequate accommodation available, then tourists will...