Ocean FM News Reports

There are further warnings over economic Armageddon for the fishing industry in Killybegs unless proposed EU cuts are rejected. The proposals include a 70% cut to the mackerel quota, a move that could spell a complete collapse of the sector locally and right across the country. It's estimated the fishing industry supports over 15,000 jobs both on and offshore. Fine Gael Senator Manus Boyle was in...

A cautious welcome is being given to the first sitting of the Sligo Community Safety Partnership committee.   It's to replace the Joint Policing Committee, where a number of senior Gardai met with Sligo County Councillors several times a year.   Local media who previously attended the meetings and reported on various crime statistics and data are no longer permitted to do so.   Slig...

The Forestry Minister is facing further criticism locally over plans to plant Christmas trees close to powerlines.   The region, particularly County Leitrim, was devastated earlier this year by Storm Eowyn, leaving thousands of people without power after a vast number of trees fell on electricity wires.   Leitrim has been branded the most over forested County in the State and Minister Mi...

North Sligo Athletic Club’s Chris O’Donnell becomes the first man to be accorded the Freedom of County Sligo. We hear from the Grange athlete about his fresh plans for the next phase of his international running career. Sligo’s European Surfing Champion Gearoid McDaid flies out to El Salvador this weekend for the sport’s Global Tour Finals. He’s on the programme - as are the three North Sligo surf...

An Ógra Fianna Fáil Sligo based delegate says the events of the recent Presidential election has annoyed many young party member.   The comments from Sligo’s Padraig Cawley come as the Dáil will debate a Social Democrats’ Bill today seeking to reduce the voting age from 18 to 16 years.   The Connacht Regional Organiser of Ógra Fianna Fail's National Executive Board says the youth wing of...

Everything in the North West and rural Ireland has been cut back and squeezed down, the Dail has heard. It comes as the Government has been further criticised over a rise in insurance, fuel and toll costs. Sinn Fein want to reverse carbon tax increases which came in recently and is calling on toll operators to stop putting up prices. Speaking last night, Sligo Leitrim TD Martin Kenny says adequate...

An emergency meeting is being sought over an alarming rise in anti-social behaviour in west Donegal. Diffing, dangerous driving, fireworks being let off and general noise pollution are all said to be on the increase in the area. Various communities in turn are said to be seriously distressed over what has been happening. Cathaoirleach of the Glenties MD Cllr Michael McClafferty says these issues n...

A Leitrim councillor is expressing concern this morning with the reported detail in the Government's new housing plan.     Yesterday, the Cabinet signed off on the strategy which aims to deliver 300 thousand homes by 2030.     The Taoiseach says it will be the most "unprecedented" investment in housing ever.   It was due to be released in the summer but has been delayed by...

Donegal Deputy Pádraig MacLochlainn has questioned why the west of Ireland is being treated like second-class citizens. He says while families in Dublin rightly receive 100% redress under a new pyrite remediation scheme, homeowners in Donegal are still waiting for equal treatment. The Deputy raised the issue in the Dáil, calling for full redress under the Defective Concrete Block Grant Scheme. He...

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly has promised to follow up on concerns raised at an Oireachtas committee regarding policing in West Donegal. Deputy Pearse Doherty outlined issues raised by Cllr Brian Carr, including a shortage of gardai, officers using personal cars for work, and redeployments to other areas. Garda responses were initially focused on the source of the concerns and avoided addressin...

Community development groups in Drumshanbo are still confident that a major development in the town centre will still go ahead despite a current shortfall in funding. The project involves works on two vacant buildings on the Main Street in the town, the former Bank of Ireland facility and an adjacent building. Through the local authority in Leitrim and the Department of Rural and Community Develop...

Calls are being made on the Local Authority in Sligo to work with the National Transport Authority to provide a new bus stop along the N17 between Ballymote and Collooney. Councillor Dara Mulvey says many residents, particularly elderly people and students, are forced to travel several miles to access the 977 service into Sligo town. The FG Councillor says there are safe and suitable locations alo...

Concerns have been raised over the midweek closure of public toilets in Rosses Point.   Locals and visitors say the issue has caused major inconvenience in recent weeks.     Cllr Declan Bree told the monthly meeting of Sligo County Council that while a new water-based activity facility will soon provide modern amenities, the current toilets should remain open during the week.  ...

A local Fianna Fáil Councillor says it's not a huge issue that the party review into the unsuccessful Presidential campaign will NOT be finished before today's deadline.   It's emerged in recent days that Jim Gavin won't take part in the inquiry.   It's understood the former Presidential hopeful was asked to participate in the review but declined.   Sligo Leitrim Deputy, Eamon Scanl...

A man and a woman, both in their 40's, remain in hospital after a road accident near Easkey. The collision occurred near Kileenduff on the R297 road. The woman is in a critical condition while the man's injuries are described as non-life-threatening. Speaking on North West Today, Garda Paul White appealed for witnesses to the crash to come forward:

People across the North West are being advised to look out for thieves posing as labourers. These fake traders are said to provide a tarring service for free using leftover tar from previous road works in an area. It is during this work that they locate valuables in the victim's home to steal. Speaking on North West Today, Garda Paul White advised people to contact Gardaí if someone or something l...

The Chief Executive of the local Authority in Leitrim says it was difficult but necessary decision to increase commercial rates for businesses in the County.   Councillors sanctioned a five% increase at yesterday meeting in Carrick-on-Shannon.   The revenue generated from commercial rates is seen as vital resource in securing matching funding for many development projects such as town re...

The inauguration of Irelands tenth president will be getting underway in the coming hours. Catherine Connolly will be officially declared president at a ceremony that will take place at Dublin Castle this afternoon. The Donegal TD Pat the Cope Gallagher says he expects Catherine Connolly to be a different President to Michael D. Higgins:

Sligo Councillor Thomas Walsh is calling on Sligo County Council to apply for funding to improve accessibility and signage along The Sligo Way.       He says visitor numbers have grown significantly since the opening of the new car park at Union, highlighting the trail’s growing popularity.       Over €200,000 has already been invested in improvements through the Outd...

A Sligo Senator claims Catherine Connolly will be another courageous President for Ireland following on in the footsteps from Michael D Higgins.   Yesterday was the final day of President Higgins fourteen year term in the Aras.   Catherine Connolly will be sworn in as Ireland’s tenth President later today.   Labour Party Senator Nessa Cosgrove says President Higgins was huge success...

A Sligo Senator claims Catherine Connolly will be another courageous President for Ireland following on in the footsteps from Michael D Higgins.   Yesterday was the final day of President Higgins fourteen year term in the Aras.   Catherine Connolly will be sworn in as Ireland’s tenth President later today.   Labour Party Senator Nessa Cosgrove says President Higgins was huge success...

A Leitrim Councillor has expressed his surprise with statistics on dereliction that confirmed that Leitrim has not use Compulsory Purchase Orders to secure the ownership of derelict buildings in towns and villages. Manorhamilton Councillor, Felim Gurn says dereliction is a blight on many town and villages in the County of Leitrim. He has called for such buildings to be identified by the Regenerati...

This mornings meeting of the Sligo Drumcliff Municipal District of Sligo County Council will hear calls for the Local Authority to contact the HSE for an update on the proposed Service Level Agreement for the delivery of day services at Maugherow Community Centre. The Centre is currently in need of upgrade works with Sligo LEADER supporting the local Community in establishing a parish committee to...

Two projects in the Sligo Leitrim area have been successful under the Healthy Ireland fund for outdoor swimming facilities, which was announced today.   The local project will share in a national fund of €330,000 which continues to assist local authorities in their quest to upgrade many of their outdoor swimming pools and facilities.    In Sligo, Dunmoran Strand and Mullaghmore Beac...

A Donegal TD has welcomed confirmation from the Minister for Education that her Department is developing a strategy to address the issue of defective blocks in school buildings.     Donegal Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn says this is the first time that the Government has formally committed to developing a strategy for our schools affected by defective blocks.   It's thought that 16 s...