Ocean FM News Reports

The Minister for Agriculture, Donegal TD Charlie McConalogue says farmers could gain a potentially lucrative income if they sign up to the new National Biomethane Strategy. It is believed that long-awaited plan to produce zero-carbon homegrown gas from grass and organic waste. Full details of the 40-million-euro project will be revealed this afternoon. Minister McConalogue believes there’s widespr...

The Marine Minister is under increasing pressure to address the ongoing ban on fishing Pollock along the North West coast and elsewhere.   The ban is said to be imposed due to depleting stocks.   Glenties Cllr. Micheal Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig says this is based on a recent survey taken by two boats off Dingle, Co. Kerry but not in this region.   He has written to Minister Charlie M...

The joint Garda/PSNI initiative to tackle illegal migration across the border has been branded a 'complete joke' by former Dragon's Den panellist Peter Casey.   The Midlands-North-West European election candidate says 'Operation Sonnet' has been 'overhyped' - and stopping 50 people at checkpoints last week is just playing 'smoke and mirrors'.   They were stopped on the main Belfast to Du...

It's emerged that a large quantity of sewerage has flown directly into a north Leitrim river.   Just last week, flash flooding led to excess water and raw sewage running through the streets of Manorhamilton.   While in recent days, it was found to be flowing into the River Bonet (Pron: Bone-net) in Dromahair.   Local Fine Gael election candidate Kevin Comiskey says the matter is of...

Concern has been expressed about the proximity of proposed wind farms to homes in Leitrim.   The Save Dough Mountain and Leitrim Wind Aware groups were among 20 groups that gathered outside the Dáil last week in protest.   The concern stems from out-of-date guidelines regarding how close wind farms can be to rural homes.   The turbines have almost doubled in size since the initial g...

Serious concern has been raised over the of the condition of a number of local authority rented houses in north Leitrim.     Some of the houses are said to be deteriorating at a rapid rate while general maintenance like footpaths and roadways are being neglected.     Green Party candidate in the local elections, Bláithín Gallagher says while many tenants received a document out...

A Sligo Cllr has welcomed new legislation that will be brought before the Dáil this week to link Jobseeker’s Benefit to work history.   Its aim is to prevent a sudden drop in pay for the recipient, with enhanced benefits given to those with a strong work history.   The current rate for those who lose their jobs is €220, but the new set-up would see people receive a maximum 60% of previou...

It's been claimed that not every Cllr in south Donegal was invited to a recent meeting over the one way system in Donegal Town.   It's estimated that around 130 people attended last Thursday's meeting at the Abbey Hotel to vent their concerns over aspects of the project.   But some local Cllrs were not invited to the meeting.   Fianna Fail Cllr Michael Naughton defended his position...

It remains to be seen when permanent cath lab servicers will be restored at Sligo University Hospital. The cath lab services at the facility ceased at the end of June 2022. The publication of the National Cardiac Review continues to be delayed while Sligo-Drumcliff Municipal District Thomas Walsh says it is paramount that Sligo University Hospital is included. The Fine Gael Councillor believes tha...

Sligo Rovers reflections on Friday night's 2-2 draw with Derry City at the Brandywell.

Some elderly people are having to plan their trips into Sligo town due to a lack of public seating.   That's according to Mayor of Sligo Borough Declan Bree, who was seeking updates regarding the current situation on O'Connell Street and other locations in the town centre.   Recent seating has been made available with the development of Queen Maeve Square, however it is said that more ne...

One of the biggest issues facing people in Strandhill is speed and traffic, which affects both motorists and pedestrians.   That's according to Sligo-Strandhill Fianna Fáil Cllr Tom MacSharry, who says the situation is continually being raised.   Traffic calming measures along with upgraded footpaths and road resurfacing have long been highlighted by local resident groups.   Cllr Ma...

Yet another local election candidate has had a number of their election posters vandalised.   Labour Party candidate in the Manorhamilton electoral area Bernie Linnane has fallen victim of the acts.   Posters from Dromahair to Manorhamilton via Sox Line have been cut down while others located in Kilcoosey have been defaced between Friday night and Saturday morning.   Speaking to Oce...

For the second time in this year's championship, Donegal caught Tyrone red-handed with an impressive 0-21 to 0-14 win. Paddy McGill reviews Saturday's game in the company of Mark McHugh, Emlyn Mulligan, Michael McMullan, Damian Devaney and Michael Murphy.

Road verges getting deeper is something that the next council is going to have to take into consideration. That's the view of Fianna Fail councillor, Paul Taylor, who feels that it's a consequence of upgrading and resurfacing roads. Constant growth at roadsides masks how deep verges on rural roads actually are, while resurfacing works carried out also means the roads are raised to a higher level....

The footpaths outside of St John's Hospital are not near an acceptable standard for any user.   That's according to Sligo People Before Profit Cllr Gino O'Boyle, as he asked the county council to put the issue on their list future projects.   There are concerns for the elderly who use the hospital's services, that they may be at risk of injury at the premises.   Cllr O'Boyle raised...

Another local election candidate has fallen victim to having their election posters being torn down.   Michael Kelly, who is running for the Irish People's Party in the Sligo Strandhill Municipal District, says his posters were taken down both in Cranmore and in the Garavogue Villas area of Sligo Town.   He also claims it is not the first time that this has happened.   Speaking to O...

There are calls for more residential committees to be set up and supported in Sligo. It is with the hope building closer-knit communities, by giving residents a sense of ownership over where they live. Retiring Fianna Fáil Cllr Rosaleen O'Grady brought the situation to attention at a recent council meeting, and highlighted the importance of encouraging the public. Cllr O'Grady says not enough has...

A row has broken out between Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin and European election candidate Niall Blaney at a press conference in Dublin this afternoon. Mr Blaney accused the party leadership of not giving the "same support" to his campaign as it had done for other candidates. At the press conference, Mr Blaney said he was "looking for equal treatment" and said he had not yet had a TV opportuni...

There's concern locally that the new Garda mobility app doesn't go far enough.   It's been claimed that the app, which detects uninsured vehicles, can only target private vehicles.   It means that the likes of fleet and other trader vehicles are not on the system for Gardai to catch.   Susan Gray, Donegal based founder of the road safety group Parc says if the initiative is going to...

A delegation, representing some of the business community and residents in Donegal Town, are set to meet with Donegal County Council over concerns relating to the new one-way system.   It follows a public meeting held last night in the Abbey Hotel with over 130 people in attendance.   A letter, jointly signed by the business community there, has already been sent to the Council, outlinin...

Increased pressure is being put on Donegal TD, Charlie McConalogue to protect the livelihood of farmers. The Irish Farmers' Association says they need more protection from dominant food buyers. The organisation says they should not be allowed to buy agri food products below the cost of production. IFA President Francie Gorman is making this call on Minister Charlie McConalogue.  

A Fianna Fail Midlands North West European Election Candidate has claimed that he's being 'abandoned and gagged' by the party.   Senator Niall Blaney feels that a lack of support from Michael Martin will ultimately impact his chances on polling day.   Senator Blaney and Senator Lisa Chambers had been added to the party ticket to run alongside party colleague Barry Cowen.   Speaking...

Eala Bhan in Sligo has been awarded Best Restaurant in Connaught at the 2024 Irish Restaurant Awards.   The All-Ireland final of the awards took place in the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, on Monday night.   Almost 1,200 of the Irish hospitality industry's owners, chefs, managers and staff gathered to crown the best establishments from across the country.   Eala Bhan is now ranked...

Concern has been raised over a number of community facilities in the North West that are impacted by the defective block crisis. While homeowners in the likes of Donegal, Sligo and Mayo can access the scheme, community groups currently can't. Many buildings are now condemned and are effectively in limbo in terms of whether there will be funding sanctioned to rebuild. Speaking in the Dail, Donegal...