Ocean FM News Reports

There is currently a crisis in a sector where there doesn't need to be one.   That's the view of Sinn Féin Deputy, Martin Kenny, who spoke on a motion regarding funding for primary schools.   Deputy Kenny raised the issue of special needs classrooms, and how a lack of availability in schools is crippling families right across the country.   The Sligo-Leitrim TD called for adequate f...

A recently elected Sligo Cllr has reiterated their big priority is the N17 road going forward. Cllr Barry Gallagher was appointed to the Ballymote/Tubbercurry council for the first time, and has stated that his fellow Cllrs are united over major improvements for the area. The issue of the N17 has been a long-standing issue in the area, with improvements being repeatedly put on ice. Cllr Gallagher...

A Donegal national school was used as an example in the Dáil for the need of further supports in primary education.   Independent TD Thomas Pringle highlighted the situation with the Glebe national school in Donegal town, who are still waiting on a modular classroom, having applied for one in March 2023.   There are currently 5 teachers to 4 classrooms, and 120 students enrolled for the...

The reopening of the hydrotherapy pool in Cregg House has been raised on the floor of the Dáil. Earlier this week it emerged that a business case had made been by the HSE for the operation of the service. It's believed that the service aims to be in place two days a week which will require annual funding of just over €230,000. However, Sligo-Leitrim TD Martin Kenny says the while the facility rema...

There's a warning that more local music festivals will shut down without Government intervention.   It's emerged that nine music festivals across the country have either been cancelled or not going ahead for this year.   The call comes as thousands are set to descend on Taylor Swifts three sold out gigs at Dublin's Aviva Stadium this weekend.   Speaking in the Dail, Donegal Sinn Fei...

RNLI volunteers in Donegal have been praised for their actions in a mammoth 12 hour rescue operation.   Two competitors in a major sailing race were rescued in a dramatic overnight operation by Lough Swilly lifeboat crew in the early hours of yesterday morning.   The yacht, had lost power and its sails had become tangled in the mast.   Lough Swilly Press Officer Joe Joyce says that...

There are renewed calls on the ESB to revisit a decision to keep their transformers above ground on the Diamond in Donegal Town.   The new look Diamond partially reopened this morning following an extensive regeneration project.   It has new seating, paving, lighting and planting and a new community canopy and entertainment space for use by the community, businesses, individuals and othe...

Paddy McGill is joined by Glenswilly manager Gary McDaid and the Irish Sun's GAA correspondent (& Killybegs native) Jason Byrne to preview this weekend's four All-Ireland football quarter-finals.

The closure of the Chronic Pain Unit in Sligo University Hospital has been raised on the floor of the Dáil this afternoon. The unit is set to close tomorrow, following the departure of the two consultants working in the unit to other hospitals. It's understood that there are currently some 1,500 people on the waiting list. The issue was raised by Independent Sligo Leitrim TD, Marian Harkin, who as...

Questions of the delay to the availability of long-term beds in Ballyshannon Hospital have been raised. The hospital originally opened on a phased basis, with the intention of having 13 long-stay beds available for use by July. Donegal Sinn Fein Cllr Michael McMahon says answers need to be provided by the HSE immediately. Cllr McMahon highlighted how a patient’s family have to travel from Pettigo...

Creating two seperate Garda divisions in Donegal would be a huge mistake. That's the view of a former Garda Sergeant, who was reacting to the news that Donegal is to be divided in two come the autumn. Milford, Inishowen and Letterkenny's services will all operate from Letterkenny, with the rest operating from Ballyshannon, should the plans go ahead. Speaking to Ocean FM News, former Garda Christy...

It's expected that plans for the Tubbercurry Primary Care Centre will move to the next stage this year. Currently, the development is at the detailed design phase with the project set to go to tender in Quarter 3 of this year. A number of services are set to be available at the centre including public health nursing, occupational therapy and speech and language. Local Councillor Dara Mulvey says i...

The National Outdoor Recreation got underway in Sligo today, with the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD announcing the expansion of the Mountain Access Project. The scheme aims to encourage landowners, particularly in mountain areas, to open up their land to recreational use. Minister Humphreys was then moving on to Leitrim, for the official opening of Tullaghan Ac...

The Minister for Agriculture has met with representatives from the Irish Fishing Industry to discuss 2025 fishing opportunity negotiations. Donegal TD Charlie McConalogue met with the representatives earlier this week, ahead of fishing policies being renegotiated this autumn. It's understood that the meeting was productive, with a view to streamlining Ireland's stance on a number of issues. Minist...

It remains to be seen when several farmers in the north west will receive their full ACRES payment. A public meeting in Drumshanbo earlier this week heard the frustration of farmers over the shortcomings. Many farmers have been left out of pocket with some even being told they must pay back €1,200 of the €5,000 they received in February. Former IFA Sheep Committee Chairperson and Leitrim farmer Ke...

Surprise has been expressed locally over the increased crime rate in the North West from the first four months of this year. Recent figures from the CSO showed theft increased by 18%, robbery and extortion by 16%, and fraud by 15%, when compared to the same period of 2023. Ballymote-Tubbercurry Independent Cllr Michael Clarke wasn't expecting the noticeable rise following recent increased Garda pr...

Hospitality businesses the length and breadth of the North West will be negatively impacted if the Aer Lingus dispute isn't resolved. Hoteliers are already experiencing a low level of cancellations after the first day of industrial actions by pilots in their dispute over pay. IALPA's agreed to attend talks with Aer Lingus later today following a request from the company. Local Hotelier and Donegal...

The Government has been accused of being soft with large energy companies at the expense of ordinary working people.   It comes as Sinn Fein has this week launched a 5-point plan to address Ireland's run-away electricity costs.   The party claims that the plan will result in a stronger, more effective windfall tax which tackles profits when they were at their peak.   Speaking in the...

The late RTÉ journalist and Sligo native Tommie Gorman is said to have had a crucial role in paving the way towards the Peace Process.   Mr Gorman died yesterday at the age of 68.   He was the Northern Editor for RTÉ News from 2001 until his retirement in 2021.   Former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams has been speaking to Ocean FM news this afternoon.   He says Tommie Gorman 'buil...

More than 200 people gathered in a protest in Manorhamilton is solidarity with Natasha O'Brien. It is one of a number ogranised across the country after solider Cathal Crotty, was last week, given a suspended prison sentence following a vicious attack on Ms O'Brien. Ms O'Brien has criticised the sentence saying there was “no true regard given to the seriousness” of Mr Crotty's actions on the night...

There are calls for improvements to be made to apprenticeship programmes in Donegal.   In some cases, apprentices in Donegal have to travel to Cork to complete part of their course.   Speaking in the Dail, Independent TD Thomas Pringle says that people should be able to access all aspects of their training locally.   Deputy Pringle feels that it would have far-reaching benefits:

The funeral of the late Tommie Gorman is to take place in Sligo on Saturday.   The veteran broadcaster died yesterday in hospital surrounded by his loving family.   His Funeral Mass is getting underway at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, Ransboro on Saturday at 2pm.   He will be laid to rest in Kilmacowen Cemetery, Sligo.   The late Mr. Gorman held a number of positions at RTE...

Gardai in Sligo are reminding motorists to allow extra time for their journey this weekend ahead of the UCI Gran Fondo World Series getting underway.   While the cycling event has happened across Europe, this is the first time Ireland has hosted it.   It's set to mark a significant milestone for cycling enthusiasts and the Sligo community.   There will be a number of road closures l...

Tommie Gorman was never shy to show his love for Sligo Rovers.   That's according to the club's Head of Academy, Conor O'Grady who has paid tribute to Mr. Gorman who passed away yesterday aged 68.   Mr. Gorman's reporting in the aftermath of the 1983 FAI Cup Final victory, the first in Sligo Rovers' history, is among the valued pieces of footage held by the club's supporters.   Spea...

Questions are now being asked over why two consultants are leaving their positions at the Chronic Pain Clinic at Sligo University Hospital.   It comes as Saolta has given reassurances that the imminent closure of the clinic is temporary that recruitment to fill these posts is ongoing.   As an interim measure, and until the new consultants are in post, alternative arrangements are being p...