Ocean FM News Reports

Sligo Musical Society present ‘Singin in the Rain’ which is set to hit the Hawks Well stage next month.   The cast and crew have been working hard to perfect this classic and iconic musical for the Sligo audiences.   It’s a show you simply cannot miss!   Here’s a little flavour of what’s in store:

The Leitrim For All group says moves to introduce extra resources into areas where refugees are being accommodated should go a long way towards easing concerns over whether the required infrastructure is in place to meet their needs. Additional nurses in GP practices, more reserve Gardaí and an increased number of English language teachers for schools are some of the options being considered as pa...

There's huge disappointment in Ballyshannon after it emerged that the opening of a new 80-bed community hospital could be delayed.   It's down to an ongoing dispute between staff and the HSE around planned staffing levels for the facility.   The INMO issued a statement yesterday saying that talks broke down last Friday as parties were unable to reach an agreement and that industrial acti...

The INMO says the HSE and the Government are solely to blame for dangerous and record levels of overcrowding in hospitals.   It comes as there were 84 people awaiting admission at the two North West hospitals this morning, 50 people in Letterkenny and a further 34 in Sligo.   654 people are waiting for beds nationwide today, with the figure standing at 640 yesterday, and 592 on Monday. &...

People are being advised not to walk the forest loop walk in Strandhill after the recent storms are said to have wreaked havoc in the area.   A large tree is down blocking the route while some other trees are partially uprooted, which could potentially pose a serious safety hazard.   Sligo County Council is aware of the issue and will carry out a clean-up operation in the coming weeks. &...

The Irish seafood and fishing industry is said to be in crisis.   There are questions over how Marine Minister and Donegal TD Charlie McConalogue has handled an offer from the Danish Government to transfer thousands of tonnes of mackerel to the Irish fishing industry.   There's also concern over access for Iceland in Irish Waters.   Speaking in the Dail, Donegal Sinn Fein TD Padraig...

There's been a heated exchange in the Dail this afternoon between Sligo Leitrim TD Marian Harkin and the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.   The Taoiseach accused Deputy Harkin of making a link between single men seeking asylum and what happened to Aisling Murphy.   It was after Deputy Marian Harkin asked Leo Varadkar for an open, honest and rational debate on various concerns relating to immigrat...

The issue of ongoing flooding on the R287 from Ballintogher to Carraroe still remains a concern for many residents.   It was previously claimed that Council staff were unable to carry out remedial works on the road known locally as 'long stretch' due to lack of funding.   The council, however, has given a commitment to cleaning the drains in 2024.   Councillor Thomas Walsh has welco...

Leitrim's County Board met last night to vote on changes to the 2025 Senior and Intermediate Championships. Following that meeting, it was decided that both the Senior and Intermediate Championships would be reduced from 10 teams to 8 from next year. That means that three teams will be relegated from Senior and Intermediate this year to balance the divisions out. County Board secretary, Declan Boh...

Over 1 in 10 houses in Leitrim are vacant despite an overall fall in the national vacancy rate. Geodirectory says the number of vacant residential properties across the country stands at 81,449, 0.1 per cent lower than it was in 2022. The highest residential vacancy rates continue to be found in the west of the country, with Leitrim at 12 per cent recording the highest rate and Dublin having the l...

It's been confirmed that badly needed bus shelters will be finally established in a number of locations in Sligo town and Collooney. New shelters will be supplied at Classiebawn Drive in Cartron Estate and at Cairns Road opposite Markievicz Heights. While new shelters will be situated on the R290 Sligo Way opposite the junction to Collooney train station and at Quigley's shop in the town. Independ...

The country's braced for yet another battering from strong winds. As the clear up continues after Storm Isha - Storm Jocelyn is now on its way. Met Éireann has issued Status Orange wind warnings for Donegal, Galway and Mayo from 6pm this evening. The rest of the country will be subject to a yellow alert. Meanwhile ESB crews are still working flat-out to restore power to around 57 thousand homes an...

Suggestions have been made to add columbariums to as many cemeteries in Sligo as possible. Cremation services have become a preferred choice for funerals in recent times, and space in cemeteries around the county is becoming limited. The cost of land has also increased, which in turn has contributed to the overall price of a burial. Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Gerard Mullaney, feels tha...

Some homes and businesses remain without water in North Leitrim.   While the supply has returned to most premises, those who are still impacted are being advised that a tanker of water at the Four Masters National School.   It's hoped that water will be restored to all areas later today however vast areas are still without power.   Local Cllr Justin Warnock says with another storm o...

It’s emerged that some people in County Sligo who have applied for the vacant property refurbishment grant have demolished their homes. Under the criteria for the scheme, it is not permitted to demolish a dwelling. The homeowners in question have now been disqualified and set to lose out on the money they had initially applied for. The scheme, launched in 2022 has been popular but there is concern...

South Donegal is said to have escaped last night's storm relatively unscathed however there's concern over the high frequency of severe weather events recently. A large number of tree came down in the area and a large clean-up operation is underway to clear debris off more minor routes. Local Sinn Fein Councillor Michael McMahon says it's important for communities to check in on elderly neighbours...

Questions are being asked as to why County Sligo wasn’t under a red weather warning last night as Storm Isha wreaked havoc across the North West. Donegal and Mayo were issued red alerts but Sligo and Leitrim were under orange. There had been a lot of structural damage locally with O’Hehirs Bakery and the Great Southern Hotel impacted. Meanwhile storm Jocelyn is now heading towards the region, with...

It's hoped that the ATU campus in Killybegs will benefit significantly from Government funding announced today.   The money has been earmarked for campuses in rural areas with Atlantic Technological University set to get the biggest share at 2.6M.   In a statement Minister for Higher and Further Education, Simon Harris confirmed that more remote campuses, such as Killybegs, will benefit...

South Donegal is said to have escaped the storm relatively unscathed however there's concern over the high frequency of severe weather events recently.   A large number of tree came down in the area and a large clean-up operation is underway to clear debris off more minor routes.   Local Sinn Fein Cllr Michael McMahon says it's important for communities to check in on elderly neighbours...

Leitrim is still one of the most affordable areas for housing, despite a report yesterday stating that the County has experienced the highest increase in prices last year.   It's expected house prices across the country will rise by 4.9 per cent over the next 12 months.   The 2024 Sunday Times Property Price Guide out today shows house prices in Kerry could go up by as much as 15 per cen...

Motorists are being urged to exercise extreme caution today, as storm Isha sweeps across the country.   The Road Safety Authority is asking drivers to check local traffic and weather updates before setting out, as conditions will deteriorate throughout the day.   Loose objects and debris are particular hazards to look out for, in areas under an orange wind alert.   The RSA's David M...

Up to 100,000 euro is to be invested in an event hosted in Queen Maeve Square on the May Bank Holiday weekend.   It's thought that work in the square, which was formerly Stephen Street car park, should be completed in time for the weekend around St Patrick's Day.   The event taking place on the May Bank Holiday weekend is expected to be a Sligo-themed event, similar to annual events run...

Paddy McGill brings you the post Dr McKenna Cup final reflections at wet and windy Omagh. The silverware stays with Derry after a 0-12 to 0-6 win over Donegal. Postmatch contributions from Jim McGuinness, Mark McHugh, Seosamh McKelvey and Michael McMullan.

Leitrim saw the biggest rise in house prices in the North West last year according to a new report.   The Irish Independent has released its 'How Much Is Your House Worth 2024' guide, which details housing trends in every county in Ireland.   Average prices in Sligo are 215,000 euro, up 3%, Donegal saw an increase of 2% while average prices in Leitrim are 200,000 - up by 5%.   House...

Frustration is growing over the development of a regional vet lab for Sligo.   Commitments were given that a regional lab would be developed a number of years ago, but progress has stalled.   There have also been issues surrounding the planning that have come to light recently.   Sinn Fein Councillor, Thomas Healy, called on Sligo County Council to write to the Minister for Agricult...