Ocean FM News Reports

50 new bus stops have been announced for Sligo. The National Transport Authority have confirmed that the new stops will be added to routes all over the county by Autumn of this year. The NTA have also said that they are working with Bus Eireann and Sligo County Council to implement the long awaited S3 bus route from Sligo Town to Maugheraboy. Local Independent Councillor Marie Casserly says that t...

The have been renewed calls for the development of the Western Rail Corridor. There has been some debate on the issue for an extended period of time as some feel a greenway would be more preferable than a restored rail line. Sinn Féin, however feel that rail would bring transformative benefits to the west and north west. One of the party's candidates in upcoming elections in the Ballymote-Tubbercu...

Sligo Borough Council will file an application to the OPW to secure funding to fight coastal erosion. There have been serious issues raised over the future of Strandhill over the aggressive erosion in recent times. A report into the project highlighted the use of rock-armour as an optimal way of coastal management, but there were calls to consider other, more natural-based approaches. Fianna Fail...

The Sligo-Strandhill council meeting said a goodbye today to two retiring councillors in Councillor Sinéad Maguire and Councillor Rosaleen O'Grady.     The two Councillors have stood for 10 years and 25 years respectively and are now stepping back from political life ahead of the local elections in June.     In their final meeting, respects were paid by fellow Councillors and w...

The N17 was discussed at length at today’s meeting of the Ballymote Tubbercurry Municipal District.     Heavy criticism was levelled at TII after it emerged that a scheme for the upgrade of safety measures on the road had been completely scrapped without any correspondence.     Independent Councillor Michael Clarke described it as a dishonest act by the TII.     He sa...

A delegation from Sligo County Council is to hold a meeting this Thursday with Transport Infrastructure Ireland to discuss the condition of the N15.     Ongoing issues with the N15 have been seen as one of the biggest bones of contention over the last number of years.     Earlier this year, it was confirmed that funding will be made available in 2024 for the development for the...

Exorbitant rents are having a detrimental impact on those seeking their first home in Sligo.     That's according to local election candidate Johnny Gogan who has highlighted the plight of many young people who want to rent a home and may be forced to move to seek pastures new.     Mr. Gogan, who is part of the field in Sligo-Strandhill electoral area says many don't see an opt...

It's emerged that there is a notable increase in dumping and littering in the south Donegal area.     Recently, two bags of dirty nappies were found dumped at the Gap while boxes of bottles and cans were discovered near the Tullyearl roundabout.     Major clean-up operations have been carried out by local communities and Tidy Towns committees and are continuing in the weeks ahe...

It’s estimated that there’s over 90 people on the social housing list in Ballyshannon. The large number has led to calls for planned housing projects to be fast tracked. Fine Gael Cllr Barry Sweeney says there needs more of a sense of urgency in tacking the list. He also feels that all avenues should be explored in the interim.

There are fears that the realignment of the N16 in Leitrim could face further delays. It's understood that the stretch of land between Glenfarne and Manorhamilton earmarked for the next phase of the project is softer than first anticipated, which will increase the cost of the project. This in turn will take it beyond the TII's threshold, raising concerns about where the money to finish the project...

Little to no progress has been made on the ongoing situation regarding the neurology department at Sligo University Hospital and the west of Ireland. In recent days, it emerged that a Mayo mother of three left the facility without being seen to, 36 hours after arriving with debilitating nerve pain. While there is over 3,000 on a waiting list waiting to see a Neurologist at University Hospital Galw...

Donegal and Sligo were among the highest increases in rent prices in the first three months of 2024. The latest Daft.ie report shows that rents in Donegal were 13.3% higher than a year previously, with the average rent price in the county now standing at 1,126. Sligo also recorded double figures in terms of increases with 12.4% recorded there bringing the average rent price to 1,276. Similar to it...

Another candidate has stepped forward to run in the local elections. Jim Lawlor has thrown his in the ring for the Sligo-Strandhill Municipal District. He will run as an Independent candidate and will look to secure one of six seats. Mr. Lawlor previously contested the 1994 local elections, representing the Sligo Chamber of Commerce He has been involved with several community organisations such as...

A lack of parking is said to becoming an increasing problem in Donegal Town. The town has expanded in a number of ways but car parking facilities have not and this is now reportedly causing huge issues for both businesses and residents. With spaces at a premium, a number of options are being explored. Fianna Fail Cllr Michael Naughton says a solution that meets the needs of everyone must be found...

A recent funding announcement under the Local Improvement Scheme for Donegal has been branded an election stunt. With much fanfare, the Department of Transport confirmed in recent weeks that over 2.8 million euro was allocated to Donegal for upgrading private and non-publicly maintained routes in the county. It's since emerged though that this money is to be spent over a two year period, which equ...

The Tánaiste has raised the killing of Donegal Private Seán Rooney during a meeting with Lebanese Ministers Private Rooney, a native of Newtowncunningham, was just 24 when he was killed in December in 2022 after a convoy of Irish soldiers came under fire in south Lebanon. Micheál Martin told Irish Troops at the Government is determined to ensure those responsible for Private Rooney’s death are bro...

There is said to be frustration among sheep farmers in Leitrim over missing items in the new Sheep Welfare Scheme.   The scheme offers a financial incentive to sheep farmers who carry out a number of measures like the sheering or plunge dipping of ewes. Farmers, however are said to be none the wiser as to measures are in place for the safe disposal of spent dip. Fianna Fáil Councillor Ju...

There were just 45 home commencements in Leitrim during the first four months of this year.   This compares to 54 in the same period in 2023.   With a number of houses lying idle in the area and increased VAT pressures on those involved in the construction industry, Manorhamilton-based councillor Felim Gurn feels something needs to be done.   He says a reduction of the VAT rate may...

Private homeowners in north Leitrim continue to be at risk of suffering severe damage to their homes as a result of ash dieback.   Ash dieback is a fungal disease which was first recorded in trees here in 2012.   Manorhamilton Municipal District councillor Padraig Fallon has called for an “urgent review” of the recently announced €79.5 million support package for farmers impacted.  ...

A bridge in Leitrim is said to be not fit for purpose. A number of motorists have voiced their concerns over the narrow bridge at Leckaun on the R278. The bridge is said to an important piece of infrastructure, widely used by travelling from Fivmilebourne to Manorhamilton. The current condition of the bridge has made it almost impossible for two vehicles to pass each other in it. Local Fine Gael C...

The need for emergency housing in Bundoran is at an all time high.   That’s according to local Sinn Féin Cllr Michael McMahon, who says the situation as it currently stand in the town is very much at crisis point.   There had been a building earmarked for such use with the owners willing to engage with Donegal County Council.   Cllr McMahon feels that there needs to be a sense of ur...

It remains to be seen when north west farmers will be fully compensated for their environmental work.   To date, many farmers have only received interim payments instead of full the amounts promised under the ACRES agreement.   The initial agreement, signed by Donegal TD and Minister for Agriculture. Charlie McConalogue can provide up to €10,000 annually.   Chairperson of the Donega...

Members of the public across the north west are being warned that water temperatures are still cold.   The warning comes as the RNLI have issued a water safety appeal as many are returning to the water ahead of the summer months.   The organisations are asking people to take some basic precautions to stay safe and warm when they visit the coast or participate in water activities, be it c...

Funds need to be made available immediately to address the state of the roads and paths in Sligo and Strandhill. That's according to Labour's local election candidate, Nessa Cosgrove, who says motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians risk hazardous conditions every day. There is a growing concern nationwide over the amount of road deaths so far this year, which currently stands at 74, an increase on t...

The Western Rail Corridor was a key issue discussed at the Delivering Regional Balance conference today in Sligo.   Organised by West on Track, it was to highlight the role of infrastructure in boosting the Atlantic Economic Corridor.   As previously reported, there is a strong case for completing the final leg of the Western Rail Corridor project reconnecting Mayo to Sligo, once the pla...