Ocean FM News Reports

Questions have been raised over the government's Green Paper on Reform of Disability Payments. It brings with it an introduction to a three-tiered personal support payment, with the intention to help fight the higher costs that people with disabilities face. However, Equality Activist Vicky Matthews questions the notion of grading people's disabilities. She argues that illnesses can prove unpredic...

A Midlands North West MEP is urging the Department of Health to develop a comprehensive National Brain Strategy. MEP Colm Markey is making the calls as part of Brain Awareness Week. He says despite one in four people in Ireland living a brain condition, a system is not in place to help those affected. Speaking in Strasbourg, Fine Gael MEP Markey says support is essential.  

Just days after the Sligo senior men’s team lifted the Connacht Senior Cup, Sligo Grammar complete an historic treble double in schools rugby. Three consecutive Connacht Senior Schools league and cup doubles. It’s never been done before. We visit the Grammar to find out how they’ve managed it. Winner NOT alright.... Is the Cheltenham Racing Festival losing its spark? One Sligo racegoer, who was at...

The HSE have announced measures to increase the number of General Practitioners in Ireland. The lack of GPs has been a concern for a number of years, as demand for doctors continues to rise in line with the population. Donegal GP, Dr. Denis McCauley, says that one of the biggest challenges will be convincing newly trained doctors to stay in the country.    

A public consultation has been announced to consider a proposed ban on inshore fishing by large trawlers.   Concern has been raised on the topic as it heavily impacts the livelihoods of those involved.   General Secretary of the Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Organisation, Brendan Byrne, wanted to clarify some of the misleading information.

The Taoiseach has been accused of deflecting from the housing crisis after commenting on strengthening Ireland's borders. Speaking in Washington, Leo Varadkar warned that the government cannot guarantee accommodation to asylum seekers because of the rising numbers of arrivals. He also says more migrants are entering the Republic from Northern Ireland, and that he is working on better control of th...

Ireland is facing legal action over turf cutting, as the European Commission has referred the country to the EU Court of Justice for failing to protect peat bogs. The Commission says the sites continue to be degraded through drainage and turf cutting activities. Sinn Féin councillor Padraig Fallon feels that fuel poverty is part of the reason why the country failed to meet its targets. Cllr Fallon...

The results of the latest Farmland Price Report have indicated stability for the North West. The Farmer's Journal have published their annual report, with the average price of land now standing at 11,925 euro, a 3% dip on last year. Prices dipped in Sligo and in Donegal by roughly 1%, with average prices at 8,300 euro and 10,600 euro respectively. While in Leitrim, there was a recovery in the mark...

Around 1600 additional farmers across Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal are to be accepted onto the ACRES Scheme.   The scheme pays farmers to carry out environmental actions on their holdings up to a maximum €7,000 per year. It was initially expected to cater for 30,000 farmers, however, demand led to 46,0000 places being made available.   Speaking to Ocean FM News, Agriculture Minister Charli...

Questions are being asked over a number of misplaced public bins in Ballyshannon. It's understood that bins have been 'disappearing' in the town over the last few years and they haven't been replaced. Donegal County Council says that it will investigate matter further but it has indicated that in some instances, the bins have been abused with domestic waste with people not disposing of their waste...

Local businesses could face fines of up to €2,000 for buying vapes from unregistered suppliers. The warning comes from WEEE Ireland, who have recently launched their Vape Retailer Compliance Awareness Campaign. Fines for any business not found to be compliant will be issued by the EPA, and can range from €500 to €2,000. Currently, there are just over 600 retailers across the North West that could...

Momentum is said to be building following last week's IFA protest outside the meetings of Sligo and Leitrim County Councils. Farmers met with local representatives last week to voice their concerns in the “Enough is Enough” protests in Sligo and Kinlough. Members highlighted farmer's complaints over a number of issues including over-regulations and payment delays. Speaking following Tuesday night'...

Councillors in Leitrim have expressed disappointment that no funding is available to extend the current public wastewater collection network to new houses. The issue will hold up the construction of new houses right across the county. Currently, if a house wants to be added to the current scheme, it could run up costs of up to €70,000. Leitrim County Council have said they will write to the Depart...

The Social Democrats have confirmed that Rory Hearne is to contest a seat in the Midlands North West constituency for the upcoming European elections. Mr Hearne is currently an Associate Professor in Social Policy at Maynooth University, and is also a best-selling author. He has been quite vocal on the housing crisis in the past, and has been at the centre of a number of campaigns for better housi...

It's emerged that thousands of struggling households across the north west have been locked out of any support under the government's Mortgage Interest Tax Relief. With a massive increase in mortgage interest costs and low levels of disposable income, many have left unable to avail of the scheme. Earlier this year, it was reported that counties Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal's levels of disposable wer...

The president of the European Commission has been lambasted by a Midlands North West MEP. Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus has hit out at Ursula von der Leyen for her approach to the military and feels, the next president should be more committed to a social Europe. MEP MacManus has also called on the Taoiseach to reiterate Ireland's neutrality. Speaking in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, says...

The abandonment of dogs has become a nationwide trend, as charity organisations try to keep up. Megan Gaffney, of Leitrim Animal Welfare, says they receive multiple calls a day about people looking to give up their pets. The organisation’s Warden attributed the trend to a lack of neutering, and people looking to make a profit. Anyone interested in adopting a dog is encouraged to contact Leitrim An...

Young drivers who are planning to visit Bundoran on St. Patricks Day are being asked to respect the local community.   It's understood that the group made the announcement on social media and are set to travel from the west and Northern Ireland.   There's said to be major health and safety concerns as the area will already be busy in the aftermath of the parade.   Local Sinn Fein Cl...

It's emerged that hundreds of car enthusiasts are set to descend on Bundoran on St. Patrick's Day.   Similar gatherings have taken place in the town previously, with organisers adamant that they don't cause any bother.   However, the latest planned event has caused major concern among residents and the local business community, given the fact that the area will be already busy with the f...

An Irish Independent report that found there were 12,000 holiday homes in county Donegal in 2022 may not be telling the full story. The report found there were a number of coastal areas with holiday homes including those in the west and north of the county including Gaeltacht areas. Independent Councillor Micheál Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig, however, is keen to point out that many see these merely a...

It's hoped that more County Councils will follow in Sligo's footsteps with a new clamping initiative.   Clamping of illegally parked vehicles in the town got underway on Monday.   While some signs have been erected at disabled bays within car parks, signs won't be erected on streets within the core of Sligo Town.   Vicky Matthews, a disability activist from Ballyshannon and a studen...

The TII has come under fire over little to no progress in planning safety measures for outside Dunkineely National School.   An emergency motion was brought forward to last month's meeting of the Donegal MD by Sinn Féin Councillor Noel Jordan in the wake of more alarming speeding incidents outside the school and some motorists breaking the red lights at the pedestrian crossing.   Despite...

The IFA president has spoken in solidarity with farmers in Sligo and Leitrim, following last week's local protests.   Francie Gorman made the comments following last night's Sligo branch AGM at the Sligo Park Hotel.   Mr. Gorman commended members who engaged in the “Enough is Enough” protest at County Hall in Sligo and Kinlough Community Centre as well as other parts of the country. &nbs...

There's urgent calls for a number of tourism bodies in Donegal to collaborate in a new campaign to promote the county.   It comes in the wake of more claims of price-gouging in the Capital ahead of the St. Patrick's Day celebrations.   Hotel prices in Dublin are said to have skyrocketed ahead of the festivities and the six nations taking place this weekend.   Its felt that it sends...

The public toilet saga in Sligo looks set to come to an end.   It's been confirmed that a number of businesses are to offer their facilities to the general public.   The pilot scheme is being rolled out in the town in the coming weeks with around seven businesses taking part.   People will be able to use the toilets in a particular premises that has a sticker displayed.   In re...