Ocean FM News Reports

There are growing concerns over the price of sheep, as values soar due to the ongoing shortage. With fewer sheep being imported into the country, their worth has been increased, with no immediate end in sight. Donegal Chair of the IFA, Joe Sweeney, highlighted the current situation and how it benefits some farmers. Mr Sweeney says the sheep crisis has resulted in a huge change in the market.

It's time to run away with our imaginations for what Sligo can do. That's according to Sligo-Leitrim TD, Marian Harkin, who was at the official opening of Queen Maeve's Square on Friday. Outdoor dining facilities for local businesses and attractive seating options ensure that the Square will attract visitors and encourage them to stay longer, creating a vibrant atmosphere in the centre of Sligo. D...

It has been confirmed that this year's Sligo Ploughing Championships are due to take place on Sunday, May 12th.   Originally, the event was due to take place on April 7th, however it was postponed due to adverse weather conditions.   This year's event will take place at the Brennan family farm in Chaffpool, Tubbercurry.   Chairperson of the Sligo Ploughing Association Walter Kivleha...

The future looks bright for Sligo town. That's according to Sligo-Strandhill Sinn Féin Cllr, Arthur Gibbons, who is already anticipating opportunities ahead. With recent additions to the tourism sector in Sligo, hopes are being raised over the possibilities that they bring. Cllr Gibbons said that something has been established that will be here for the generations to come.

Queen Maeve's Square in Sligo town can be an example for further tourism infrastructure in the North West.   That's according to Sligo-Leitrim Sinn Féin TD Martin Kenny, who was speaking at the Square's opening on Friday evening.   It required an investment of over €4 million by Fáilte Ireland, the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage and Sligo County Council.   Sp...

Funding has been granted to St Paul's NS, Collooney for a new mainstream classroom extension.   The Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD, confirmed that funds were secured under the additional School Accommodation Scheme 2024.   It is hoped that the works can get underway and be completed before the end of the year.   Sligo-Leitrim TD Frank Feighan has welcomed the news and praise...

Planning permission has been granted for a new water sports facility in Rosses Point. The centre is one of two in Sligo, with the other set to be built in Enniscrone, that received a share of a €22 million investment in facility centres at beaches and inland water spots. It's expected that the total cost of the project in Rosses Point will come to about €650,000. Fine Gael Councillor, Thomas Walsh...

The annual convention of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann will take place in Sligo for the first time this weekend. The convention, or Comhaltas Congress, will take place at the Clayton Hotel in Sligo this weekend between Friday - Sunday, and will feature a number of lectures, discussions and musical performances throughout the weekend that are free to the public. Sligo has long been central to the tra...

The issue of Garda pensions was highlighted in the Dáil on Thursday by a Sligo-Leitrim Independent TD. It was during a session of questions for Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, Paschal Donohoe. The question focused on the Gardaí who retire on full pension after 30 years, that are then forced to claim jobseekers benefit for 9 months and then jobseekers...

The Government is being urged to ensure the adequate resources are in place in Dromahair in the wake of a number of asylum seekers arriving to the village.   30 people, including 10 adults and 20 children are now settling into the former Abbey Manor Hotel after being transported by bus yesterday afternoon.   It's not yet known when the next group are due arrive but the building can house...

Another candidate has put their name forward to contest the upcoming local elections in the Donegal Municipal District.   Businessman Derek Vial is set to run as an Independent Candidate.   Based in the Killybegs area, Mr. Vial is a local taxi man and tourism promoter.   Speaking to Ocean FM news, Mr. Vial says housing, immigration and tourism are among key issues on his agenda:

There's not a blade of grass left in Donegal for livestock because the county is overrun with deer.   That's according to Independent Cllr Michael McClafferty, who says while the road safety element is still a major issue, farmers are now suffering at the hands of a rise in deer population.   Land that is saved for silage and hay is being eaten by Deer and is consequently putting feed su...

The “Use Your Vote” campaign is in Sligo today to encourage voter turnout ahead of the upcoming European elections. Organised by the European Parliament Liaison Office in Ireland, a number of events are taking place in the town today, including a pop-up information stand outside the Yeats Society, and a poetry evening taking place at 8pm in the Model. The elections will be taking place on June 7th...

The Government is facing pressure to implement measures to curb sky-rocketing rental prices in Sligo.    It comes as the County was found to have the biggest gap nationwide between new and existing rents.   According to the latest report from the Residential Tenancies Board, new tenants in Sligo are paying 36% more than existing ones.   It means that new renters in Sligo a...

The Health Minister has refused to meet with Donegal Branch of Diabetes Ireland in the wake of a major crisis in services locally.   Campaigners in Donegal are calling for a meeting with Minister Stephen Donnelly and the HSE over critical delays in adult diabetes services at Letterkenny University Hospital.   The Health Minister has however given reassurances that recruitment efforts are...

Little to no progress has been made on the ongoing situation regarding diabetes care in Letterkenny University Hospital. Currently, 387 people are currently awaiting a review appointment, with 112 of those waiting for as long as two years. It's understood that the delays are down to a lack of staffing and resources for the diabetes unit at Letterkenny University Hospital. Paul Gillespie, Chair of...

It's estimated that there around four thousand properties lying vacant in Sligo.   The high level of vacancy comes against the backdrop of what's been described as a major rental crisis in the town.   Local People before Profit Cllr Gino O'Boyle says efforts to date by both the Government and Sligo County Council have been found wanting.   He's urging the Council to do what's in the...

There's outrage in south Sligo after a large section of the N17 was omitted from a speed safety camera rollout.   Gardai have confirmed that nine static speed safety cameras are to be installed on routes across the country with aim of them being fully operational by the end of this year.   The camera for the N17 is set to be located in Mayo, close to Claremorris.   Gardai say that t...

The Dail has heard that vital funds for the North West Hospice in Sligo could be impacted if the Government presses ahead with a new Gambling Bill.   The proposed legislation may threaten on-air bingo games and advertising for certain fundraisers.   A proposed ban on betting advertising between 5.30am and 9pm means radio stations would be unable to run gambling adverts during their peak...

Leitrim County Council could be facing a six figure bill for legal costs after its failed High Court action to prevent the former Abbey Manor Hotel in Dromahair from being used to house international protection applicants.   It is expected that applicants, believed to be families, will move to the north Leitrim village shortly.   But it has led to major fears that the High Court's decisi...

The IFA is holding a public meeting for farmers and the wider community to confront issues to candidates in the upcoming European elections in the Midlands North West constituency. The meeting will take place on Thursday evening at The MacWilliam Park Hotel in Claremorris at 8pm. Among the items the IFA is looking to discuss include CAP, over-regulation, retaining nitrates derogation and environme...

Another candidate has put their name forward to contest June's local elections.   Seán Wynne, a native of Drumshanbo has announced his intention to contest the election as an Independent today.   Mr. Wynne unsuccessfully contested the 2019 local elections in both the Carrick-on-Shannon and Ballinamore electoral areas.   He will contest this year's in the Ballinamore municipal distri...

Significant improvements need to be made to footpaths and roads in Strandhill. That's the view of Green Party election candidate Johnny Gogan, who feels a lot of infrastructure is currently not in place in Strandhill. A development committee for the village has managed to secure up to €200,000 euro for work to be carried out, but none of that work has begun yet. Speaking to Ocean FM News, Mr Gogan...

It's been 15 years since a greenway was first suggested between Sligo and Mayo. On May 1st 2009, the then Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht affairs, Eamon O'Cuiv, proposed to use the section of the railway line north of Claremorris as a walkway and cycleway. The Western Rail Trail campaign aims to utilise the transport corridor which carries the closed railway from Athenry to Sligo as a...

The Taoiseach has failed to give a commitment to visit Dromahair in the wake of a number of asylum seekers set to be housed in the former Abbey Manor Hotel.   It’s reported that a number of refugees are due to arrive to the area shortly, after the High Court this week ruled that the plans can proceed.   While the Abbey Manor Hotel could cater to up to 155 people, it’s not yet known how m...