Ocean FM News Reports

A former Leitrim vice-principal says the current Religion teacher shortage is due to decisions made years ago. Along with the decline in numbers, a new study has found younger teachers in Catholic schools are less likely to believe in God. This study comes amid calls for a discussion on whether religious education should be part of the school curriculum. Sean Wynne, former vice principal and secon...

There's said to be a notable increase in dumping and littering in the wider Donegal Town area.   In one recent case, 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 the local community and Tidy Towns Committees and are continuing in the weeks ahead. &...

The long-standing issue of water discolouration in the Carney area looks set to be resolved. Uisce Éireann have confirmed they will place an automatic scour valve on the line, which will see maintenance carried out remotely on the recently laid PVC pipes. Water discolouration has been a problem for homes in the Finnid area of Carney in particular, and work will begin on the line in the next few we...

Farmers in Leitrim are said to be frustrated over additional paperwork with 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.   When combined with payments under the Sheep Improvement Scheme, sheep farmers will be eligible for a payment of €20 per ewe.   But Sinn Fe...

A new Government loan scheme to retrofit homes has been welcomed locally. 500 million euro has been put towards the new scheme, which will see homeowners who receive home energy upgrade grants to cover the rest of the costs with low-interest loans. Loans of up to 75,000 euro will be made available at significantly lower rates in order for homeowners to carry out retrofitting works. Fine Gael counc...

Chronic overcrowding and violence are the key issues set to be discussed at the Prison Officers Association conference in Sligo later today. The conference, which is getting underway in the Radisson Blu Hotel in Rosses Point, is also set to talk about the stark increase of assaults on prison staff across the country. The Association has been calling for extra prison spaces for years and say the Go...

Bundoran RNLI rescued a fisherman after his 6 metre open top fishing boat sustained engine failure approximately half a mile from the pier at the lifeboat station.   The alarm was raised just before 11am this morning after the casualty raised the alarm when the boat's engine failed close to rocks.   Arriving on scene, the crew observed that the fisherman was wearing a lifejacket and had...

The impact of the proposed Gambling Bill on clubs and organisations in the north west has been brought before the floor of the Dáil.   The Bill aims to bring about regulations in different aspects, including gambling licenses, sponsorships, and advertisements.   This includes charities and sports clubs, who will not be permitted to advertise their draw if the prize pool is over €10,000....

A Sligo-Leitrim TD spoke out on the motion of support for carers in the Dáil today, backing to abolish the carers allowance means test. There are calls for all-party support, to provide financial stability and recognition to family carers across the country. It is estimated that family carers in Sligo save the state around €260m every year, Leitrim €120m, and Donegal €600m. Deputy Marian Harkin st...

The Taoiseach has defended Government investment in County Sligo.   Simon Harris was responding to questions from Independent Sligo Leitrim TD Marian Harkin over a lack of housing in Sligo and the North West.   Deputy Harkin claimed that the region was only getting 'bits and bobs' when it comes to major funding and urged the Taoiseach to get on with building badly needed new homes. &nbsp...

Every effort must be made to retain services at St Michaels Family Life Centre in Sligo.   That's according to Independent TD Marc MacSharry, who was reacting to revelations that centre is to close at the end of the year.   The building, located on Church Hill in the town, houses a range of vital community services such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and counselling service...

A family in county Donegal has been forced to abandon their mica-affected home as it has now become inhabitable.   Paddy Diver and his family are one of a number of a number across the county confronted by the crisis.   He and his wife Amanda moved into the home 12 years ago.   A vocal campaigner, Mr. Diver said the situation had deteriorated to such an extent that the roof is set t...

An investigation is continuing into a major overnight gorse fire in west Sligo.   The blaze broke out close to the Lough Easkey road last night and ravaged through the local countryside.   Extensive damage has been caused to vast amounts of land as a result.   The cause of the fire is not yet known.   Local Fine Gael Cllr Dara Mulvey has been praising the fire service for their...

A group of basking sharks have been spotted off the north Sligo coast. The massive creatures have been spotted feeding at Mullaghmore in recent days. Basking sharks are the second-largest living fish and are known for their gentle nature and are most frequently sighted in the north Atlantic coast from April to September, particularly in pleasant weather conditions. Local resident and skipper of th...

It looks like the childcare issue in North Leitrim is going to be sorted. Gaelscoil Chluainín in Manorhamilton has confirmed that it will provide childcare facilities for up to 20 children. Places will be available from the new academic year. It follows concerns by the local community over a severe lack of childcare places in the area. Local Independent Cllr Felim Gurn says it'll go some way towar...

Funding of up to 1.3m has been allocated for a new library in Ballymote. The library will aim to serve the majority of the South Sligo region. It's the second injection of cash for community facilities in Ballymote, after 2.65m was allocated for the development of a community centre over the weekend. Sligo Leitrim TD, Fine Gael's Frank Feighan, says it's an important investment for South Sligo.

A submission for the rezoning of lands for housing and community facilities in Hazelwood and Ballinode has been welcomed by a local councillor. The proposal includes social housing, student accommodation, and affordable and private housing. Sligo-Drumcliffe Fine Gael Cllr Tom Fox highlighted the importance of matching community demands with the increase of inhabitants in the area. Cllr Fox says th...

A 14 year old Irish fisherwoman is at the European Parliament in Strasbourg today - campaigning for fair treatment for fishing communities back at home. Muireann Kavanagh from Arranmorae Island off the west coast of County Donegal, is the guest of Sinn Féin MEP for Midlands North West, Chris MacManus. The MEP says Muireann's own experience of being denied fishing rights in her local community has...

People Before Profit have confirmed their three candidates to run in June's local and European election. Sitting councillor, Gino O'Boyle, will seek re-election in the Sligo Strandhill Municipal District, while Emma Hendrick is going to run in the Ballymote Tubbercurry Municipal District. As previously confirmed, Dr Brian O'Boyle will be the party's candidate for Europe in the Midlands North West...

Concerns that were raised over a Ballisodare planning site have been dismissed by a local councillor. The site is aimed for a housing project, but it was remarked that the area is unsuitable for the endeavour due to its lack of accessibility. Sligo Sinn Féin Cllr Arthur Gibbons highlighted that he tries to back any proposal that attempts to tackle the ongoing housing crisis. Cllr Gibbons disputed...

There is a call build a memorial garden on the site of the Cresslough tragedy. Families of the 10 victims who lost their lives in the explosion in Donegal have expressed their disappointment over plans to rebuild a petrol station and shop on the site. They feel they haven't been listened to in relation to the development. Donna Harper's daughter Leona died in the explosion - she says she'd like to...

It's been claimed that Manorhamilton Garda Station isn't open on a full time basis.   On several occasions, it's reported that a notice has appeared on the front door of the station advising people to make contact with Carrick-on- Shannon Garda Station with their issues.   Local Fine Gael Cllr Sean McDermott says Manorhamilton Garda Station is a very important station and has responsibil...

A record amount of funding has been announced today for the Local Improvement Scheme. Up to 40m has been allocated nationwide by the Department of Rural and Community Development. The North West will be huge beneficiaries of today's announcement, with 4.7m euro heading for the region. Donegal will receive the biggest share, with just over 2.58m. That's followed by Sligo, getting 1.17m, and Leitrim...

Plans which would see a new accelerated process for seeking international protection will be brought to Cabinet this morning. Justice Minister Helen McEntee will introduce further measures to stem the flow of people seeking international protection. It will see International Protection applicants from the country which has the highest number of people coming here over the previous three months, go...

The European Commission may have more power to decide how many refugees Ireland takes in going forward.   That's if the Government decides to opt in to certain parts of the EU Migration pact.   Ireland may also be fined if it doesn't take in the intended amount of refugees.   TDs are set to discuss the pact at an Oireachtas Justice Committee.   Sligo Leitrim Independent TD Mari...