Ocean FM News Reports

It's expected that Leitrim County Council will increase commercial rates at the annual budget meeting of the Local Authority later today.      Rates could be increased by 5 % under a long standing agreement.   The council intends spending 64 million euro in 2026 - and continuing a six-year capital investment programme.   Councillors will have the final say at today's annua...

First class of ATU Sligo Civil Engineering Apprentices graduate

Public to gather in Sligo in support of Voluntary Assisted Dying legislation

Long time learner drivers to have tests before renewing

North West Hospice to partner with music festival in 2026

A new report has highlighted ongoing gaps in access to stroke unit beds across Ireland. Stroke admissions have risen by 13% since 2021, but the number of specialized beds has increased by just 2%. Fianna Fáil Cllr Edel MacSharry says the shortfall is putting pressure on hospitals in the North West. Speaking to Ocean FM News Member of the Regional Health Forum and Fianna Fail Cllr Edel MacSharry be...

A Sligo Cllr has slammed the government over its failure to meet its housing targets. It comes as the Department of Finance has released a report predicting that the housing crisis will last another 15 years. Speaking to Ocean FM News, Sligo Sinn Fein Cllr Arthur Gibbons said that the government should be dissolved as a result of their housing failures.

A Donegal TD has told the Dáil that families affected by defective concrete homes are struggling to afford school uniforms.   Deputy Charles Ward says the ‘unbearable cost’ of the crisis, coupled with the soaring cost of living, is leaving parents facing impossible choices.   He criticised schools for continuing to insist on expensive uniform items, despite a government circular urging c...

The Justice Minister is being asked to provide a second Garda training College in County Sligo. Currently, the college in Templemore facilitates the entire country, and it’s thought another one would compliment the provision of training there. There are calls for Sligo to be considered as a location for such a college. Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council and Fianna Fáil Cllr Dónal Gilroy believe...

A Leitrim Councillor says that the vast majority of people in the North West region will not be impacted by upcoming changes to the Property Tax payments.   Home-owners have until the end of the day to file their Local Property Tax returns.     Over a million have yet to send an updated valuation for their home to Revenue.     The valuation will determine how much local pr...

A Donegal Senator says communities across the county are being put at risk due to a chronic shortage of Gardaí and essential policing resources.     Fine Gael’s Manus Boyle says emergency response times are suffering as stations struggle with reduced personnel and shared patrol cars.     He’s calling on the Justice Minister to urgently engage with Garda leadership and allocate...

Shamrock Gaels will launch a new book 'Shamrock Gaels 1972-2022 - A History' to mark the 50th anniversary of the club at a special event on Saturday, Nov 15th in Sligo's Clayton Hotel. Club Chairman Andy Kearins, Lauri Quinn, Vincent Henry and Andrew Hannon joined Austin O'Callaghan in studio to talk about the new publication.

A Leitrim farming official has called for the introduction of a scheme that would see farmers receive financial reward for the maintenance of trees and hedge grows on their properties. The former IFA sheep National Sheep Chairman, Kevin Comiskey has made the calls in the aftermath of severe damage and disruption being caused in the North West. The Leitrim farmer says such a scheme could be rolled...

Serious safety concerns are said to be ongoing with overgrown hedges and lorry drivers in County Sligo. The Roads Department at Sligo County Council is coming under increasing pressure to do what's in its gift to address the issue which is said to be impacting a large number of routes in the County. While some hedge cutting has taken place, it's thought to be not enough for larger vehicles to get...

A Donegal TD has been accused of being a "bully boy" by the Tanaiste. Simon Harris hit back back at Sinn Fein deputy leader Pearse Doherty in the Dail today during leaders questions on the cost of living crisis. The Donegal Deputy said ordinary people were suffering with the high cost of rent, energy bills and groceries, and said the recent Budget left them worse off. It led to a loud exchange bet...

On Wednesday's edition of North West Today, Clare Ronan spoke to the RTE presenter Miriam O'Callaghan.   The interview focused on family, loss, ambition and love.  

A defibrillator was removed from outside the Bank of Ireland in Donegal Town on the Halloween Bank Holiday weekend. CCTV shows a young male taking the lifesaving device at 1.49am on Sunday, 26th October. Authorities urge the person to return it to Donegal Garda Station, pay for replacement, or face possible prosecution. Speaking to Ocean Fm News Cllr Noel Jordan says: "These devices save lives, it...

A former Fianna Fáil TD and Senator says events at last night's parliamentary party meeting show that the Party is still hugely divided over the Presidential Election campaign. It's being reported that Several Fianna Fáil TDs were believed to have been named on a list plotting a no confidence motion in party leader Micheál Martin by Party HQ The so called rebel TD's were described as rebels and ol...

A Sligo Senator says decriminalising drugs is the first step to tackling Ireland’s growing drug crisis. The Labour Party’s Dáil motion has calls for a health-led approach and an end to prosecutions for possession of small amounts. They argue resources should go into treatment, education, and harm reduction rather than criminal justice. Speaking to Ocean FM News, Senator Nessa Cosgrave says decrimi...

A Donegal TD has expressed his surprise and outrage with the airtime afforded to Ivan Yates at RTE while he was coaching senior Fianna Fáil Politicians. It's emerged that Just days before last November's general election was called, Ivan Yates was on RTÉ dismissing Sinn Féin's chances. During the time the former Fine Gel Minister was Yates working for Fianna Fáil coaching cabinet minister Norma Fo...

A member of the Regional Health Forum West says the cancellation of Public Hospital appointments is having a serious impact on the lives of patients that have had procedures cancelled on numerous occasions.   Public Hospitals have cancelled around one million patient appointments in the last four years.     Data analysed by the Irish Medical Times is predicting that the number of ca...

A leading medical professional in the North West has urged parents to ensure that their children have received vaccinations.   The warning from Dr Anthony Breslin comes as parents are urged to watch out for symptoms of RSV as cases rise during peak season.     The virus is the leading cause of respiratory infections in babies, with most children infected by age two.     A...

Minister Marian Harkin is urging vulnerable energy customers to register with the Vulnerable Customer Scheme. The initiative prioritises electricity supply for those reliant on medical or assistive devices, especially during outages. Registered customers receive advance notice of planned outages and protection from winter disconnections. Speaking to Ocean FM News, Minister Harkin says vulnerable e...

A Northern Ireland MLA has welcomed the creation of a number of new jobs in Derrylin The jobs will be created by a firm that will replace road signs in the Republic of Ireland. The Ernco group will receive a share of a 2 point 6 million euro investment and will be one of four companies which will supply new signage to replace existing speed limit signs south of the border. The firm says the new ro...

This week's meeting of the Local Authority in Leitrim heard calls for the citizens' assembly to investigate the impact social media abuse has on vulnerable young people. Fine Gael's Enda McGloin wants the Minister for Communications to act on the issue. The Drumshanbo elected Representative recently hit out at the treatment of Heather Humphreys during the recent Presidential campaign claiming that...