Ocean FM News Reports

Leitrim councillor Brendan Barry has called on the local authority to explore setting up a “Library of Things” within the county’s library service. The proposal would allow people to borrow sensory and educational toys, jigsaws, puzzles and even musical instruments, reducing costs for families and encouraging community sharing.   He believes the scheme would help reduce costs for households w...

A new Fáilte Ireland survey shows 43% of tourism businesses reported a fall in summer income, with restaurants and B&Bs hit hardest. Energy and payroll costs remain the main concerns, while international visitor numbers from North America and Europe also fell. Despite challenges, the Northwest, and Sligo in particular, continues to offer strong value for money and scenic attractions. Speaking...

The Taoiseach and those around him need to answer serious questions about Fianna Fails botched presidential campaign. That's according to local Fianna Fail Cllr Mary Bohan, who has described the party's campaign as an absolute disaster from start to finish. Last month in Leitrim, Fianna Fáil Councillors Cllr Mary Bohan and Cllr Justin Warnock along with Independent Cllr Irene Guckian Rabbitte prop...

Fine Gael are said to be still reflecting on the party's result in the Presidential Election over the weekend. It was a landslide victory for Independent candidate Catherine Connolly, with support for Heather Humphreys in Cavan and Monaghan not reflected in other parts of the North West. Meanwhile over 200,000 spoiled their votes as the electorate expressed their anger at the choice of candidates....

Fianna Fail party members in Sligo are set to hold a key meeting this week as the fallout of the Presidential Election Campaign continues. It comes as Micheal Martin is under growing pressure to step down as leader of Fianna Fail following the Jim Gavin debacle. The meeting due to take place in Sligo on Thursday is to hear the views of party members over what happened with members to let their fee...

Midlands/North West MEP highlights issues in agricultural sector

Sligo Rovers manager John Russell gives his reaction to Saturday night's 1-1 home draw against relegated Cork City, to Ocean FM Sport's Odhrán Keating.

Councillor Bree gives reaction to Connolly presidential victory

Impending Connolly victory seen as a "clear alternative"

Public reminded to think of water safety this weekend

Part two of the recent Sligo GAA Celebration Dinner of the county’s Connacht Championship winning team from 1975. The event, at Sligo’s Clayton Hotel, marked the 50th anniversary of that breakthrough success as surviving members of the team, along with family and connections of those deceased panel members gathered for a night of nostalgia. Contributions from Mickey Kearins, Des Kearins, Paddy Hen...

The CEO of the Sligo Rape Crisis Centre, has welcomed moves to introduce a domestic violence register, which would see offenders named.     The proposed law is named after 24-year-old Jennifer Poole from Dublin, who was murdered by her ex-partner Gavin Murphy in 2021.   Under the legislation the Courts Service will publish the names and convictions online. Links to relevant domestic...

A Donegal TD is highlighting concerns over proposed fishing quotas for 2026. TD Pat 'The Cope' Gallagher says countries like Norway, Iceland, the Faroe Islands and the UK have overfished in the North Atlantic severly impacting the likes of Killybegs He further Norway alone are 55% above their fishing quotas. Deputy Gallagher says actions like these have led directly to proposals from the Internati...

The HSE in the Northwest is advising people in Sligo Leitrim and Donegal to plan ahead for healthcare this October Bank Holiday weekend. Emergency departments will be busy, so consider visiting a local injury unit or pharmacy for minor issues. Out-of-hours GP services like NoWDOC are available, but you must make an appointment. John Fitzmaurice, HSE healthcare manager, urges everyone to stay safe...

A Leitrim Councillor has requested the Local Authority to examine the possibility of placing potential traffic calming measures in Lurganboy village. Independent Councillor James Gilmartin says there are ongoing concerns about vehicle speed and traffic volume in the North Leitrim Village. Cllr Gilmartin says the process should involve consultation with local residents and relevant stakeholders.

Sligo Leitrim TD Martin Kenny has lamented the lack of progress on the ACRES scheme payments to farmers. The scheme allows farmers to claim money on actions helping them become more enivronmentally friendly. The Sinn Fein TD raised the issue in the Dail last week. Deputy Kenny told Ocean FM News he is hopeful that farmers can be reimbursed soon.

A Leitrim Councillor has welcomed moves by the Housing Minister to push ahead with a focus on dereliction and vacancy levels.   It’s understood that a memo will be sent to Government today on Compulsory Purchase Orders at local council level.   Minister James Brown has recently declared 'a war on dereliction' defining it as 'unacceptable in a housing crisis'.   Councillor, Enda McGl...

It's been confirmed that the Donegal Town Craft village is finally set to get a facelift.   The amenity was said to be lost between two stools in terms of which local authority department was responsibility for its upkeep.   The village consequently fell into a bit of disrepair, with a number of units also vacant on site.   Cathaoirleach of the Donegal MD, Fianna Fail Cllr Michael N...

It’s hoped that an early intervention youth centre can be provided in the Sligo-Leitrim area.   There’s said to be a huge gap in the service locally which in turn has sparked concern for young people not having sufficient access to help on the doorstep.   Minister of State for Mental Health and Government Chief Whip, Mary Butler TD has given a commitment to help progress the proposal. &n...

It’s emerged that a plane which crashed in Co. Waterford today had been flying between Sligo and France. One person has died and at least two others have suffered injuries after the light aircraft crashed while trying to make an emergency landing in Waterford. Multiple emergency service crews are responding to the incident near Tramore. The collision happened at around 10 to 1 this afternoon in Li...

A former Donegal Garda Sergeant is estimating that only a fraction of those who applied to join An Gardai Siochana will go on to be one. It comes as more than 11 thousand people have applied to join the force so far this year. The figure follows two recruitment campaigns, the latest of which received over four-thousand-300 applications. But former Sergeant Christy Galligan thinks that when all is...

There are renewed calls for court services to return to Donegal Town. The courthouse closed a number of weeks ago with services temporarily moved to Ballyshannon. The historic building was deemed to have health and safety concerns by the OPW with further surveys to take place. Cathaoirleach of the Donegal MD and Fianna Fail Cllr Michael Naughton has hit out at the OPW for not acting on repair work...

Uisce Eireann is under pressure to provide a new water pipeline for Bundoran. The town and a vast surrounding area have been impacted by numerous water outages in recent times, owing to what's been described as substandard pipes. Businesses in particular were said to be severely affected over the summer months. Sinn Fein Cllr Michael McMahon says the utility must face up to the facts - that Bundor...

A Sligo Senator says the comments from the Justice Minister in relation to the work that Presidential candidate, Catherine Connolly, carried out during here a time as a Barrister has helped to combat the mud Slinging that Fine Gael have stooped to during the campaign.   The Justice Minister outlined that when a barrister takes on case, it doesn’t mean “they are endorsing the opinions or behav...

An investigation is continuing after lit fireworks were thrown into people's letterboxes in Sligo. All incidents happened on Thursday night last night in the Ballytivnan, Cranmore and Cartron areas. Elderly residents in particular were said to be left terrorised with damage also caused to some property as a result. Deputy Mayor of the Sligo Borough Cllr Arthur Gibbons has hit out at those responsi...