Ocean FM News Reports

It's felt that south Sligo isn't being treated the same way as north of the county when it comes to the roll out of bus shelters.   The infrastructure is said to be badly needed at a number of locations and it has already been flagged with the TII.   Cllr Gerard Mullaney says with more and more people using public transport, its resulting in many standing out in bad weather waiting on a...

Schools across Leitrim and Donegal are set to be fully funded to install up to 16 solar panels on their roof, under a new government scheme.   It is estimated that such a system could save a school in the region of €1,200-€1,600 every year on their energy bills.   Schools will be able to sell their excess energy back to the grid when it is not being used.   Leitrim and Donegal are t...

DLDC is set to host the "Celebrating Donegal Business" showcase tomorrow.   It's getting underway from 1pm - 6.30pm at The Central Hotel, Donegal Town.   This event is free to attend and provides a platform for the best local businesses, featuring a diverse range of products and services.   The DLDC Enterprise Team supports individuals considering self-employment, fostering financia...

Serious concern has been raised over a lack of maintenance and upkeep in a number of social housing estates in Sligo.   Some of the houses are said to be deteriorating at a rapid rate while general maintenance like fencing and roadways are being neglected.   Independent Cllr Michael Clarke is calling for funding to be provided in the budget to address the shortcomings.   He says wit...

The Government here is trying to establish all the facts surrounding the release of the man suspected of firing the shot that killed Donegal man Private Sean Rooney.   According to military court official, the suspect had spent almost a year in detention but was released on bail pending a trial.   23 year old Private Rooney, from Newtowncunningham in Donegal was killed in December last y...

A Donegal Senator has claimed that proposals which could see drivers over 70 years of age undergo refresher courses are discriminatory and should not see the light of day. Senator Niall Blaney said if adopted by the European Commission it would mean motorists over 70 would have to undergo regular medical tests and refresher courses to renew their driving licence. The Donegal politician said such a...

A Kiltyclogher man has announced his intention to run in the upcoming local elections in the Manorhamilton Municipal District. 25-year-old Oisín Keaney hopes to secure one of two seats within Fine Gael at their convention on November 26th. Two seats have become available in Leitrim County Council, following the retirement of Councillors Seán McDermott and Frank Dolan. Speaking to Ocean FM News, Mr...

A Donegal TD swore heavily on the floor of the Dail last night.   Deputy Thomas Pringle launched into the outburst after being interrupted by Kerry TD Danny Healy Rae during statements on the International Security Policy Report.   Deputy Pringle took umbrage with comments previously made by Deputy Healy Rae and wanted to be disassociated with them.   When Deputy Pringle began speak...

A speed survey is to take place to take place on road outside a primary school in north Leitrim.   Despite it being located on a regional road, a number of motorists exceed the speed limit in the area around St. Brigid's National School in Drumkeerin.   This led to parents highlighting the dangers when dropping off their children.   The issue was raised in this month's meeting of Ma...

A row has erupted in the Dail between the Taoiseach and a Donegal TD over what the pension age should be. The Government has signed off on a plan to increase PRSI over five years to replenish the Social Insurance Fund. This decision will see hikes in PRSI rates for employers, employees and the self-employed. These increases will support the retention of the State Pension Age at 66. However Sinn Fe...

The time it takes to travel to and from Sligo from Dublin by rail has been brought before the Dáil. Currently, it takes over 3 hours in both directions, with trains having to come to a halt three times on the route due to one single track between Sligo and Maynooth. The Sligo-Dublin, meanwhile was excluded from a new published timetable. Irish Rail published new timetables in the commuter belt bet...

Frustration is building over the current state of the road linking Drumfin and Ballymote.   The route is said to be unfit for purpose to cope with a big increase in traffic, particularly HGVs.   Cllr Gerard Mullaney thinks that if the road was given regional status, then it would be granted the much needed funding to carry out upgrade works.   He's hopeful that further surveys will...

It's been claimed that there are a number of people living in their cars in Enniscrone.   It comes as there's said to be a major housing crisis in the seaside village and while there are plans for social housing there, it could be years before they are built.   All the while, there's a large number of holiday homes in the area but no long term rentals available.   Local Independent...

There's said to be widespread concern over this week's armed robbery in Sligo.   An investigation is continuing into the incident, where two men wearing balaclavas, one armed with a knife entered the Adelaide Casino in the early hours of Monday morning.   Both men threatened a staff member and subsequently made off with a sum of cash.   No arrests have yet been made.   Gardai b...

Ahead of the Health Minister's visit to Letterkenny University Hospital, he has been urged to pay close attention to the information he's told at the facility.   Stephen Donnelly has previously come under fire for the lack of funding and support given to the hospital.   During his visit, Stephen Donnelly is expected to meet with both GPs and consultants at facility after they flagged maj...

The Taoiseach anticipates that a final draft on the All-Ireland Rail review is imminent.   The draft plan is currently out to public consultation and there has been major concern that it currently omits vital parts of the North West.   Mayo Fine Gael TD Alan Dillon described the Western Rail Corridor a vital piece of infrastructure for the region but progress is frustratingly slow. &nbsp...

Sinn Féin say they plan on running two candidates in the Midlands- North West region in the European elections next year. It remains to be seen, who will be chosen by the party to go forward for election. It was announced on Monday that Ireland’s independent electoral commission has recommended that an additional MEP be allocated to the constituency. The transfer of Laois and Offaly from the South...

A road safety campaigner says people will continue to use loopholes to avoid penalty points until our laws are changed.   A seldom-used loophole in the Road Traffic Act allows motorists to accept a one-day disqualification from a court which could allow them to avoid getting penalty points.   The founder of PARC road safety group and Donegal woman Susan Gray, met with the Taoiseach and s...

The continuation of a recruitment embargo in the health service has ‘put Donegal patients’ lives at risk’.   In October, the HSE announced a recruitment freeze of junior doctors and other support staff.   This, the executive say is due to a shortfall in budget funding.   Sinn Féin will this evening table a motion calling for a lift in the embargo and for the health service to be pro...

There are no current plans to create a specific funding package to counteract potential flash flooding in Sligo. The call comes in the wake of devastating scenes in Galway and Cork last week, with Storm Debi wreaking havoc on homes and businesses. But the Council says any flooding matters raised will be dealt with on a case by case basis and with over 3000 gullies in Sligo town centre, there is al...

The only warning signs that motorists pay heed to are 'children at play' or 'cows crossing'.   That's according to Fianna Fail Cllr Martin Baker who has been speaking in the wake of safety concerns outside Taunagh National School in Riverstown.   Cllr Baker is calling for more measures to be put in place in and around the school due to an increase in traffic along the route.   He ho...

A warning has been sounded in south Sligo over potential future flooding events.   There are calls for urgent remedial works to be carried out on a number of rivers there in a bid to same nearby homes and land from flooding.   Local Fianna Fail Cllr Paul Taylor believes there are a lot of rivers that cannot flow properly due to mass amounts of debris.   He feels that it will ultimat...

A public meeting will be held in the Teeling Centre in Collooney on Thursday to provide an update on Sligo’s status on the Enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme.   Currently, counties Clare, Donegal, Limerick and Mayo are part of the scheme.   It gets underway at 7.30pm, and speakers on the night include members of the Sligo Pyrite Action Group.   PRO of the group and loca...

With the impending arrival of a significant number of refugees to the Dromahair area continuing to create much concern and confusion, one locally elected representative has labelled the move similar to that of an “open prison”.   The old Abbey Manor hotel in Dromahair is in the process of being refurbished in order to house up to 155 refugees.   It’s thought that a mix of families with c...

Sligo County Council is being urged to immediately row back on its decision not to introduce free parking in the run up to Christmas in Sligo town.       The initiative had been in place for the festive season last year and post pandemic but in other years, it hadn’t.       Cllr Tom MacSharry is insisting that the majority of businesses in Sligo would like to it rolle...