Ocean FM News Reports

The lack of new home commencement figures for Leitrim in May come as no real shock.   That's according to recently re-elected Manorhamilton Independent Cllr Felim Gurn, on the Department of Housing figures that showed no new homes were commenced in the area.   It's a drop from the 3 new homes from May 2023, and the total for the county in 2024 stands at 45.   Cllr Gurn says the one-...

People in Donegal are being warned of significant travel disruption as Ireland's biggest road rally takes place this weekend. Gardaí have teamed up with the PSNI for a joint roads policing operation for the Donegal International Rally between today and Sunday. Drivers are being advised there'll be more checkpoints and speed vans. Garda Superintendent David Kelly, is appealing to people to be patie...

Clarification has been sought in the Dáil regarding a new modular building for Scoil Ursula in Sligo town. It's understood that the primary school on the Strandhill road has been waiting for over a year for the addition of the new building. It was brought up by Fine Gael Sligo Leitrim TD, Frank Feighan, who acknowledged the delay in the Devolved Section of the Department of Education, regarding th...

Sligo are back in Croke Park this Sunday. A new football documentary about the football career of Seamie Coleman is coming soon to a screen near you. The cars are revving up in Donegal for the 20214 Wilton Recycling Donegal International Rally. And - we salute Sligo’s medal winners at the European Athletics Championships in Rome.

Calls have been made for a roundabout to be installed on the N17 at Clarke's Bridge junction. A road survey carried out saw that over 50,000 vehicles travel the road weekly, with the junction in question one of a number of blackspots for road safety issues along the route. Currently, there are no roundabouts between the Mayo border and Collooney on the N17, in comparison with four between Castleba...

Allegations have been made that a black market for fertiliser has emerged. It's claimed that farmers are purchasing fertiliser from Northern Ireland merchants to avoid the new Department of Agriculture register. Revealed by the Irish Farmers Journal, the effectiveness of the register is now questioned amid the potentially sidestepping of regulations by some farmers. Declan O'Brien, Senior News Rep...

There's huge disappointment in Bundoran following a decision by An Bord Pleanala to reject a planning application for a housing development.   The project would have seen over 70 houses built in the Church Road area of the town.   It follows a major undertaking by both the developer and Donegal County Council in putting forward a comprehensive planning application.   It's understood...

There are renewed calls in Sligo for all public representatives to be given up-to-date security advice.   It comes as three men have been arrested over alleged harassment of the Taoiseach.   Gardaí in the Wexford-Wicklow Division, supported by the Special Detective Unit, arrested the men, in their 40s and 30s, earlier this morning.   Local Independent Cllr Michael Clarke previously...

"We need to have information on it and how it's going to be paid for." That's according to newly elected Manorhamilton Independent Cllr James Gilmartin, on the new Nature Restoration Law. The law requires all member states to introduce measures to restore nature on at least a fifth of their land and sea by 2030, and all ecosystems by 2050. Cllr Gilmartin says that farmers can't be the fall guys.

A Sligo Leitrim TD has declared that he will vote against Ireland opting in to the EU Migration Pact - whenever the vote comes. Independent TD Marc MacSharry aired his views in the Dáil last night on the matter. It was eventually agreed to defer the debate and vote until next week as more deputies wanted to have their say on the matter. Deputy MacSharry says Ireland needs a clear plan to cope with...

Problems with childcare in the North West and elsewhere are mainly corporate. That's according to Sligo Leitrim Sinn Fein TD Martin Kenny, who has been highlighting concern over the Child Care Amendment Bill. This Bill aims to introduce childminding-specific regulations, enabling parents who use childminders to access National Childcare Scheme subsidies. Additionally, it equips the Tusla Early Yea...

A Sligo-Leitrim TD has welcomed the recent motion from The Rural Independent group of TDs to lower the VAT rate for tourism and hospitality to 9 per cent, or potentially 5 per cent in the West.   The VAT rate currently stands at 13.5 per cent, and the sector has sought for changes amid financial pressures.   Independent TD Marian Harkin used the example of local areas such as Rosses Poin...

New figures from the CSO shows a noticeable rise in housing prices in Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal over the last 12 months to April. The North West saw a 5.4 per cent rise in prices when compared to April 2023, as demand continues to soar. This is part of a nationwide growth of 7.9%, which is a near-18 month high. Donegal Independent Cllr Niamh Kennedy says it’s definitely a seller’s market:

The impact of the lack of available tourist accommodation in areas such as Bundoran has been raised on the floor of the Dáil. A number of bars, restaurants and cafés in the north west have been forced to close their doors in recent months. The Rural Independent group of TDs is proposing a Dáil motion to reduce the VAT rate for tourism and hospitality from 13 and-a-half to 9 per cent. Sligo-Leitrim...

A Donegal Independent TD has questioned whether the imminent departure of Eamon Ryan will result in an early General Election.   Speculation had been rife that an election may be called in the autumn following how the parties fared in the local elections.   But Eamon Ryan's announcement yesterday is said to have now divided opinion, and that a new Green leader may mean that the coalition...

The Agriculture Minister believes that the EU Migration Pact will be crucial in providing an adequate system for dealing with the issue.   A Dail debate took place last evening on whether Ireland should opt in to the Pact.   The Government announced last March it would be opting into the pact, which will introduce legally-binding process times for dealing with applications for asylum. &n...

Rising material costs continue to impact the construction industry in the north west region.   A new survey has found that Dublin is now the fourth most expensive city in Europe to build and among the top 25 most expensive places to build globally.   The report, from American firm Turner and Townsend shows that average costs in Dublin stood at $3,775 per metre squared while labour costs...

There's a call for lower minimum wage rates for young workers to be abolished. Mandate Trade Union is holding a protest outside the Dail today, calling on government to end sub-minimum wages. The Low Pay Commission has also recommended removing the ability for employers to pay those under 20 different rates to older staff. Youth activist Adam Ó Ceallaigh, who recently ran for the Green Party in Ba...

A proposed ban e-collars for dogs is being opposed by local members of a game hunting and conservation organisation. The Minister for Agriculture has unveiled plans for a ban of the devices, which are prohibited in several European countries amid concerns of animal welfare. The electronic collar transmits electric stimulation or low intensity shock which helps dog trainers teach their pet the diff...

Concern has been expressed over the impact of the Nature Restoration Law on the north west region. On Monday, it was confirmed that the law had been officially member states which would see them introduce measures to restore nature on at least a fifth of land and sea by 2030. Sligo-Leitrim TD Marian Harkin says while the law does have some benefits to the area, questions need to be asked regarding...

Chair of the North West Green Party, and recent candidate in the Manorhamilton local elections, Blaithin Gallagher has shared her thoughts following Eamon Ryan’s decision to stand down. The Green Party Leader confirmed he was stepping aside after today's Cabinet meeting, and will not contest the next general election. He will remain as leader until a replacement is found, and has expressed his des...

The North West Regional Drug and Alcohol Taskforce have launched a new campaign to prevent drug misuse. In conjunction with the HSE, they are raising awareness against the use of performance image enhancing drugs. Donna McGee, Addiction Services Lead HSE, highlighted that young people feel pressured to have a perfect body. Ms McGee says it's important to educated people on the consequences of usin...

Party representative Johnny Gogan, who recently ran in the local elections in the Sligo Strandhill LEA, says he's surprised by Minister Ryan's decision, and described him as the best Transport Minister in the history of the state.

The number of learner drivers involved in fatal road crashes has trebled over four years. 11 learner drivers were involved in collisions in which someone died last year, compared to 3 in 2019. The figures are contained in a briefing document by the Road Safety Authority which has been seen by the Irish Independent. It's resulted in calls for an urgent ban of drivers repeatedly getting learner perm...

Green party members locally have been expressing their shock over news that party leader Eamon Ryan is to step down.   He's due to make a formal announcement shortly.   It is expected that Eamon Ryan will continue on in his role as Environment and Climate Minister when he steps down as Green Party leader.   He has led the party since 2011.   Chairperson of the Donegal Green Par...