Ocean FM News Reports

1,864 carers in Sligo, 1,032 in Leitrim, and 5,476 in Donegal, are all receiving a grant of €1,850 today. This is part of a nationwide Carer's Support Grant, which is spread among 132,000 recipients, totalling to €275 million. The payment will be issued directly to people's bank accounts or post office. And those who are currently getting carer's allowance, carers benefit or domiciliary care allow...

It's emerged that over half of the candidates contesting the local elections in the Ocean FM franchise area have failed to respond to an IFA survey. The survey, which is part of the IFA's ongoing 'Enough is Enough' campaign centered around the association's election manifesto. The areas of concern are Planning, Residential Zoned Land Tax, Ash Dieback, Connectivity and Environmental Inspections. 6...

It's been confirmed that a pedestrian crossing will be installed in a problematic area of Sligo town. Carraroe is home to a large population, with concern crossing the road is next to impossible at times. There is an Active Travel Scheme under concept design currently that will include a pedestrian crossing at the Ballygawley/Carraroe junction. Fine Gael Councillor Thomas Walsh says it's important...

With an increase in the number of Irish language speakers in Leitrim, one local election candidate believes it's something that the county can capitalise on. CSO Figures show that the number of those who could speak Irish in the county increased by almost 900 to 13,000 in 2022. Sinn Féin's Michelle Brennan Shyabo was one of four candidates that took part in a pre-election husting as Gaeilge on Sun...

Work has commenced today in Mountcharles as part of the new sewage scheme. The development is underway sooner than anticipated on main street, as resurfacing works are to take place in the area as well. Contractors have asked for patience from the public over any inconvenience that may be caused over the next ten days. Sinn Féin Donegal Cllr Noel Jordan has welcomed the news for the long-sought im...

It's emerged that it may be the end of 2026 until some homes in south Donegal will have high speed fibre broadband.   It's understood that communities in the likes of Killybegs and elsewhere have been informed of the projected time frame, despite the rollout of the National Broadband Plan beginning some years ago.   It has led to fears over the impact that this may have on people explori...

Europe's highest court has ruled in favour of Supermac's in a legal battle with McDonald's.   The European Court of Justice issued its decision today in a dispute over trademarks.   Founder of Supermacs Pat Mcdonagh is delighted with today's ruling:

Irish Water is under pressure to come clean on the water quality in a housing estate in Collooney. It's understood that the supply has reduced greatly in the St. Mary's Green in recent years and residents are seeking reassurances that supply will fully return. Local election candidate Amanada Gallagher is calling on Uisce Éireann and the local authority to carry out on an investigation the matter....

The death of a woman following a dog attack in Limerick has been condemned by a local election candidate.   The 23-year-old woman died as a result of the attack at a house in Ballyneety shortly after half 11 last night.   Just last November, the Department of Rural and Community Development announced a raft of measures to enhance dog control laws across the country.   Despite the in...

There are calls for urgent clarity as to what stage the rollout of broadband is at in south west Donegal. It's believed who wish to live and work in the area have been forced to move elsewhere over the lack of progression on the matter. Independent candidate in the upcoming local elections, Derek Vial says a time when more people are considering the remote working option, it's imperative the count...

Reassurances have been given over recent crime statistics for Skreen. CSO data shows that the area was one of a few nationwide which recorded 20 year high figures. One of the more prominent incidents in Skreen was the brutal assault and robbery of Tom Niland in 2022 - he died in September last year in hospital where he remained since it happened. But Local Independent Cllr Michael Clarke says majo...

With just 3 female councillors elected in the 2019 local elections, one candidate is hoping that number will increase following this year's edition. While the two other municipal districts saw one and two female councillors respectively, there was no female representation in the Ballymote-Tubbercurry electoral area. People Before Profit candidate Emma Hendrick is a former member of South Dublin Co...

New funding has been announced for the addition of new classrooms at Scoil Mhuire agus Iosaf National School in Collooney.   Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD revealed the investment for the national school under the additional school accommodation programme.   The development will include three new mainstream classrooms.   Fine Gael Sligo-Leitrim TD Frank Feighan has welcomed...

A Donegal based road safety group has welcomed the proposed doubling of penalty points and say disqualified drivers must be prosecuted if they don't surrender their driving license.   Drivers caught speeding or using their mobile phone could face six points after the RSA said emergency legislation should be introduced.   80 people have lost their lives so far this year which is an increa...

Following the roll out of body-worn cameras on a pilot basis for frontline gardaí in Dublin, it is hoped similar measures will be put in place across the north west. It is expected that a country-wide release to all Garda members will take place in early 2025. Gardaí will not have to tell members of the public when they are in use but will be encouraged to do so as best practice where possible. Fo...

It’s emerged that over one thousand seven hundred applicants in the north west had their disability allowance granted on appeal.   Figures released to Aontú show that 2,759 applications were made to the Department of Social Protection from 2014 to April 2024.   Of the 1,786 in Donegal, 1,083 were granted on appeal following on initial refusal.   Over 650 applications were made in Sl...

The chair of the Donegal branch of the Irish Hotels' Federation has penned an open letter to all local elections candidates seeking their support for pro-tourism policies in advance of polling day. Tourism enterprises is currently the country's largest indigenous employer, with 8,000 employed in the county. Aisling Arnold says that a flourishing tourism and hospitality industry is vital for Donega...

It's emerged that the current supply of local link buses servicing Dromahair is not meeting the demand. Route 563 currently makes 6 return journeys daily to Sligo which includes stops at the university hospital and ATU. However, it's believed with an increase in population in the area, those who traditionally availed of the service are missing out. Local Independent Councillor Felim Gurn says it i...

Fears that that the Ardara Health Centre faces an uncertain future have been allayed.   On Thursday, its GP handed her resignation to the HSE.   Dr. Mirelle Sweeney confirmed the decision after 29 years in the position on a post on social media.   Dr. Sweeney says she has highlighted to the HSE the looming manpower crisis that single handed rural GPs are facing, while also proposing...

New funding has been announced for the addition of new classrooms to the Four Masters Primary School in Kinlough.   Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD revealed the investment for the national school under the additional school accommodation programme.   The development will include 3 Special Education Tuition rooms and 2 Special Education Classrooms.   Sligo-Leitrim TD has welco...

The annual Sean Mac Diarmada Summer School will have its official opening this evening in Kiltyclogher. Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will be in attendance at the Sean Mac Diarmada Homestead, to kickstart the program. Beginning at 5:30pm and continuing over Saturday, they will cover a range of themes from historical to economical, with a variety of speakers in attendance. The event coordinator, Re...

Austin O'Callaghan speaks to Sligo photographer Mark Capilitan about his new exhibition 'Strandhill Surf Folk' at the National Surf Centre in the Sligo seasside village, which runs until the end of June. There's a conversation too with one of the surfers who features in the exhibition - former Sligo All-Stars basketball player Tom Hickey.

Owners of a number of buildings on High Street in Sligo Town have been ordered to demolish them. The notice, served by Sligo County Council, has instructed the owners to demolish the structures known as 9, 8, 7, 6 and 5 High Street. The derelict buildings have been a topic of discussion for the longest time, with sections of the street blocked off as work was carried out on the buildings, which sa...

A local branch of a housing union say that 90% of local election candidates have ignored their questions on housing. The Sligo Leitrim branch of the Community Action Tenants Union say they contacted over 60 candidates on the issue and gave them five days to respond, to which only 7 candidates did. CATU say that no Fianna Fail or Fine Gael members replied. Group representative Rhue Mallett says tha...

Questions have been raised after a recent announcement by Irish Rail excluded the Sligo-Dublin Connolly route from a list of increased services. Proposals included new services between Dublin to Galway and Waterford, as well as significant commuter services in the capital. After consulting the NTA, Irish Rail decided to address routes which haven't had service improvement in a number of years and...