Ocean FM News Reports

There are fears locally that it could take years before a review of the Epsen Act is completed.   The review, which was first mooted 20 years ago is said to be only in the early stages.   The Act focuses on children's education but there are references to further and adult education - it's long thought that it's outdated and needs urgent reform.   Independent Donegal TD Thomas Pring...

Increases in labour costs is among the key issues set to be discussed at the Vintners' Federation of Ireland AGM in Donegal this week.   The meeting, which will take place at Jackson's Hotel in Ballybofey is also set to talk about the overall increase in cost of doing business.   The Association has been calling for extra Government support with the minimum wage for Bank Holidays set to...

A Sligo Drumcliff Councillor has had his election posters defaced.   Sinn Fein Cllr Thomas Healy erected a number of posters in the north Sligo area last week however a number of them were vandalised in recent days.   The letter 'T' was spray-painted over the posters in Grange and the surrounding areas.   Speaking to Ocean FM, Cllr Healy says it's disappointing but is adamant that h...

It's hoped that cruise ships such as the Norwegian Star will continue to dock in the south Donegal area. The 294m cruise liner with over 3,300 on board, docked into Killybegs on Saturday. The 23-year-old ship operated by Norwegian Cruise Line will also dock in Galway, Dingle, Cork and Galway during its time to Ireland this month. Following its visit to Killybegs, local Independent Councillor Niamh...

Serious concern has been raised once again over the impact the HSE recruitment ban is having on Sligo University Hospital and primary care locally. There's said to be a number of vacant posts locally which in turn is creating lengthy waiting lists. Local Fine Gael Cllr Thomas Walsh says it's going to have major consequences unless the Health Minister steps in. He also feels that the HSE has gotten...

There's said to be an increase in people in the North West contracting lyme disease. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks and if left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system. A number of local representatives are bringing motions forward on the matter to today's sitting of Sligo County Council. Fianna Fail Cllr Donal Gilroy...

It's an 11th Ulster senior football title for Donegal - and none of the previous 10 was as dramatic as this. Relive a momentous Sunday in Clones with Paddy McGill, Manus Boyle, Mark McHugh and guests.

Listen back to Sunday's penalty shootout, which described the Ulster SFC final between Donegal and Armagh in Clones, as described by Ocean FM Sport's Paddy McGill, Mark McHugh & Manus Boyle.

Farmhouse cheese maker Leitrim Hill Creamery has picked up a hat-trick of awards at the recent 2024 Irish Cheese Awards.   Hosted by the Irish Association of Irish Farmhouse Cheesemakers took place at the Kilshane House Hotel in county Tipperary.   Based in Drumcong, it's the first time that Leitrim Hill Creamery have entered the awards, winning one gold (fresh/ soft cheese) and two bron...

It's been claimed that cleaning contractors are to blame for dirty water in the Maugherow area. Hundreds of families are said to be affected the issue over the last few days. Contractors are using local hydrants to fill their tanks and this is causing the water to become discoloured. Local are said to be unable to drink the water or wash their clothes as a result. Fianna Fail Cllr Donal Gilroy has...

Negotiations on a new bus service from Ballintrillick in to Grange are set to be at an advanced stage. The new seven day service will see a Local Link run from Ballintrillick as far as Cliffoney and then on to Grange, where it can connect with other bus services heading towards Sligo town. The discussions have been ongoing for some time, as Ballintrillick was the only area in Sligo not to have suc...

Sligo homeowners affected by the defective block issue are set to have access to the redress scheme in the coming weeks.   It follows confirmation that Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien is to bring forward the recommendation to Cabinet.   Subject to cabinet approval - which is expected to be next week - affected homeowners in the County will then be able to apply to the scheme.   Cha...

Efforts are underway to improve public toilets in Rossnowlagh for this summer season.   There was uproar on social media last night after a picture emerged of the facilities at the local Surf Club car park, which showed the toilets blocked and heavily littered.   Fine Gael Cllr Barry Sweeney says that from this weekend, extra portable toilets are to be installed in the area and lifeguard...

Reassurances have been given to the community of Mountcharles over a substance that has appeared on the water at the local pier.   Bathers made the unsightly discovery yesterday morning and raised the alarm.   By low tide, the the yellowish scum had left a lot of residue on the sea bed and along the pier wall.   EPA testing has since confirmed that the substance is not harmful. &nbs...

The government are being urged to take childcare a lot more seriously. The sector is said to be under significant strain, due to a lack of availability of places, costs and poor working conditions for Early Years Educators. It's also understood that seven childcare providers in Sligo are to leave the sector between now and June 2025, which accounts for roughly 10% of facilities in the county. Labo...

Serious concern has been raised over the proposed timeframe for a purpose built classroom for children with special needs at St. Clare's Primary School in Manorhamilton. The new planned extension to the school got the green light last week and comprises of three special education rooms alongside an additional special educational needs room. However, there are fears that it won't be built on time f...

Council rents are said to have skyrocketed in Sligo. It's been claimed that there are now many people in the town and surrounding area struggling to make ends meet. Local People before Profit Cllr Gino O'Boyle says he had put forward a motion some time back calling for any rent increases to be defered but it was defeated. He says while Sligo County Council had their reasons, utlimately the Governm...

The North West should be included in any review of emergency care. That's according to Donegal Sinn Fein TD Padraig MacLochlainn who has been reacting to confirmation from the Health Minister that a HIQA-led review will take place in the Midwest region, in light of mass overcrowding at Limerick University Hospital. The INMO says it would welcome any review into providing additional urgent care cap...

Austin O'Callaghan reviews Thursday's opening round of the 2024 Flogas Irish Amateur Open at Co Sligo Golf Club, in the company of Tournament Director Mark Werhly, Kevin & Shane Flanagan - and Chief Referee Áine Binchy.

The Government's Housing for All policy has been branded a failure. The comments were made by Donegal Independent TD Thomas Pringle, who says the housing crisis in Ireland needs to be urgently addressed. According to homelessness figures from March, a record 13,800 people were registered homeless, with 172 of those across the North West region. Homelessness in Donegal had also risen by 10% in Janu...

The Dáil has heard claims of Irish people abroad looking to come home to work in the health service - but can't because of the HSE's recruitment embargo.   It's as an INMO survey of its members yesterday claimed around two-thirds of nurses and midwives have considered leaving the profession in the past month due to staffing levels and workload.   The government say there are 9 thousand m...

Serious concern has been raised once again over a major shortage in taxi drivers in the North West.   There's said to be big decline across the region in recent years with a number of people retiring and not being replaced.   With the 2024 tourism season on the horizon, there are fears locally over the impact that this may have on those who need a way home after a night out.   Local...

The Sinn Fein Leader has claimed that the Government hasn't provided any affordable homes to buy or rent in Sligo, Leitrim or Donegal over the last two years.   Mary Lou McDonald was making reference to the latest report from myhome.ie which shows that 38 percent of prospective homeowners are unhappy with the Government.   Over a third think a change of Government would be a good thing f...

It's emerged that no homes in Sligo are eligible for the First Home Scheme. The scheme is aimed at first time buyers, people who are building a home for the first time, or people who want to buy the home they are renting because the landlord is selling. However, no houses in Sligo qualify for the scheme because the price ceiling of €325,000 is too low. This is despite a 7.7% increase in house pric...

Questions have been asked once again in the Dáil about the impact of EU laws on Irish fishing. Donegal TD, Padraig MacLochlainn raised the issue as statements were being made to mark Europe Day. Deputy MacLochlainn also highlighted the case of Muireann Kavanagh, who recently travelled to Strasbourg to plead her case to fish pollock with a hook and line to EU officials. The Sinn Fein TD appealed to...