Ocean FM News Reports

Outgoing Fine Gael Cllr Sinead Maguire has been accused of going on a solo run with regards to views on coastal erosion at Strandhill. Cllr Maguire aired a number of concerns relating to a recent report which made a number of recommendations in a bid to fight erosion including the use of rock armour. Cllr Maguire who is also on the coastal erosion sub-group of the Strandhill community development...

Carbury are Super League champions again. And for all they’ve won over the past 25 years, it seems this win is as precious as any of the others. We’ll hear why. There’s a new basketball club in Sligo. Who are the Atlantic Eagles? And what is their likely impact on the existing club in the town, the EJ Sligo All-Stars? We’ll hear from one of founding members. Sligo jockey Derek Fox talks about abou...

There's said to be a major crisis in the general consultant workforce at Letterkenny University Hospital.   It's estimated that almost 30% of consultants working there are non-permanent with many more on the cusp of retirement.   The issue was raised in the Dail this afternoon by Independent Donegal TD Thomas Pringle, who called for Letterkenny to be prioritised in a recommendation for a...

New figures show that there have been 63 assaults or physical attacks on staff at Sligo University Hospital since January of last year.   Weapons used in the attacks include walking sticks, zimmer frames and bottles of urine.   The HSE has stressed though that many of the assaults were unintentional due to patients with dementia and other mental health issues.   Donegal Sinn Fein TD...

Members of the of the public were said to be satisfied following a meeting with European Election candidates in Killybegs last night. The meeting focused on Ireland's fishing industry and was organised by the Irish Fish Producers Organisation, Killybegs Fisherman’s Organisation and the Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Association. The aim of the meeting was to make candidates aware of issues th...

Concerns have been raised over Sligo Borough Council’s next moves in relation to fighting coastal erosion in Strandhill.   An application will be filed to the OPW after a report into the issue highlighted rock-armour as an optimal way to combat the erosion.   However, retiring local Cllr Sinead Maguire, who is on the coastal erosion sub-group of the Strandhill community development commi...

There have been calls for supports to be given to those who work in fish factories. It is claimed that the introduction of the Common Fisheries' Policy has had serious knock-on effects to fish factories. At present, it is not possible for workers to work up enough stamps and they are forced to apply for Jobseekers Allowance rather than Jobseekers Benefit. Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy Thomas Pringl...

There are calls for the HSE to utilise the former Woodhaven Centre in Sligo town. The building, located on the First Sea Road is currently being leased by the HSE from the Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Respite Centre. However, one local member of the Regional Health Forum West calling for some of the rooms in the building to be used for what they were built for. Fianna Fáil Councillor Dónal Gilroy be...

Sligo County Council have been asked to clean up an area in Avondale Park amid issues of illegal dumping. The area is well covered by trees, and so repeated instances of rubbish being dropped there has persisted. Sligo-Strandhill People Before Profit Cllr Gino O'Boyle highlighted the need for a deterrent to be put in place to prevent such acts. Cllr O'Boyle says unless something is done, it will c...

It's emerged that there is only one dental contractor providing care for medical card patients under the Dental Treatment Services Scheme in county Leitrim.   The revelation comes as a number of parents have continued to outline their frustrations over the delays in school dental checks.   A shortage of dentists due to the HSE recruitment embargo has left leaves children at higher risk o...

Sligo councillors had been misled over the progress of draft bye laws aimed to prohibit Heavy Goods Vehicles from using certain road networks around housing estates.   That's according to Sligo-Strandhill Cllr and Mayor, Declan Bree, who raised the issue at a local council meeting.   Residents in Cranmore housing estate, Martin Savage Terrace and Doorly Park housing estates and Cleveragh...

Almost 50 businesses in Donegal Town have jointly penned a letter to Donegal County Council regarding concerns over the one way system.   Fears are said to be growing locally over the potential impact parts of the project will have on the town with the absence of loading bays and a build-up of traffic in certain areas key points being highlighted.   Businesses have also called for a publ...

Reassurances have been given that a comprehensive traffic management plan will be in place between Donegal Town and Ballybofey for people attending the Donegal v Tyrone game on Saturday.   The game kicks off at 7.15pm at MacCumhaill Park however there had been concern that traffic lights relating ongoing roadworks at an area known locally as McGrory's Brae could lead to huge tailbacks.  ...

A number of houses in the Tawnagh Group Water Scheme have been left disappointed as the current scheme has still not been upgraded. It's understood that up to 14 homes in the Riverstown area involved in the scheme are operating from a well, with poor quality and unclean water being fed into their homes. The scheme has seen the homes try to get connected to a water mains, but that still has not com...

The co-owner of Furey's Diner in Donegal Town says they're devastated over making the difficult decision to close.   The diner announced it's to shut its doors permanently on Monday June 3rd after five years in business.   It'll be latest in a string of such closures right across the North West.   Sarah Furey says there are a number of factors at play which effectively led to them h...

Calls have been made in the Dáil for an immediate 10% increase in the Defective Concrete Blocks Scheme. The issue was raised by Donegal Fine Gael TD Joe McHugh, who said the immediate increase would benefit around half of the current applicants for the scheme. Junior Minister Malcolm Noonan said in response that the Government cannot increase the cap until June 29th, as the legislation will have b...

Questions have been asked about the rollout of Construction Industry Schemes across county Sligo. Up to €3m is available on application for the schemes in Sligo County Council, yet only €380,000 has been allocated for work to be carried out. This has led to frustration in Sligo, particularly in rural areas. Fianna Fail councillor, Paul Taylor, says the schemes need to be funded properly, or not fu...

The confirmation that a number of Ukrainian refugees will be forced to leave their accommodation in Drumshanbo has been brought before the floor of the Dáil. In recent days it was confirmed that 170 Ukrainian refugees who have been staying at the Lough Allen Hotel has been told to move on and find alternative accommodation by the end of the month. Sligo-Leitrim TD Martin Kenny says a number of the...

It looks as though the Government will restore the 9% VAT rate for the hospitality sector. Although it has not been confirmed officially, Minister for Finance Michael McGrath has said that reducing the rate will be considered in Budget 2025. Up to 600 restaurants around the country have closed their doors permanently since the VAT rate went back up to 13.5%. Local restauranteur, Anthony Gray, says...

Flash flooding has led to excess water and raw sewerage running through the streets of Manorhamilton.   It is said that the town’s water infrastructure is outdated, and has resulted in strengthening the effects of the flood.   A number of businesses have been affected from yesterday’s storm, with the damage yet to be fully assessed.   Manorhamilton Independent Cllr Felim Gurn says I...

There have been calls for priority planning for farmers, landowners who wish to plant their land rather than large corporations.   Concerns have previously been expressed over future forestry plantations in the north west.   Just last year, Coillte announced it and British investor Gresham House would purchase large quantity of lands in the region.   This led to number of organisati...

It's been confirmed that infrastructure works are due to take place in the coming weeks to develop a new four bay unit at the rental dialysis unit at Sligo University Hospital. Currently, there are 63 availing of the unit, which has previously been described as one of the oldest in the country. Overcrowding and lack of facilities are just some of the issues that are said to impacting on both staff...

There are concerns that not all bus stops in Sligo are wheelchair accessible.   A request has been made that the county council ensure that the bus stops are all up to an acceptable standard.   A number of wheelchair users have contacted local representatives over the current situation.   Sligo-Strandhill People Before Profit Cllr Gino O’Boyle, says this is a matter that should be s...

Calls have been made locally to scrap the Universal Social Charge. The charge was brought in during the crash to help Ireland restabilise financially, with the intention of scrapping it when certain goals were met. However, the USC is still in place. Independent Councillor Michael Clarke feels that it's unfair that people now are still paying for a previous generation's mistakes.

Injuries were avoided last night after a truck lost its load on the Bundoran-Kinlough road. The incident occurred at around 7pm yesterday evening, in the middle of the thunderstorm that swept across the North West. It's understood a large amount of hen manure was spilled across the road as a result of the truck's tailboard malfunctioning. A large scale clean-up operation took place until around 11...