Ocean FM News Reports

A Donegal TD says what happened in Navan is a reminder that a lot work needs to be done in monitoring social media content and protecting children. It's after a teenager was attacked in Navan on Monday afternoon. The 14-year-old was the victim of a group attack which is being investigated by Gardaí and the Louth-Meath ETB. Videos of the incident have been shared on social media this week, with mil...

As the demand continues to increases for 1, 2 and 3 bedroom Local Authority houses in Kinlough a local Councillor has called for preference to be given to people who have a connection with the local area. Demand has reached an unprecedented levels in Kinlough in recent times for accommodation in response Cllr Justin Warnock has asked the Housing Department to accelerate the purchase of houses and...

Concern has been expressed over lengthy delays in Orthodontic treatment in the North West. In one case in south Donegal, a young girl has been on the waiting list for treatment while another has been waiting list for an assessment for braces, both for several years. The issue was raised in the Dail by Independent TD Thomas Pringle says it's the current service available is clearly inadequate. Whil...

Government Ministers say finding accommodation for refugees is an absolute priority. The comments come at the same time it’s being reported that 120 Asylum seekers are expected to arrive shortly in the Sligo village of Ballisodare. Drew Harris and Ministers Roderic O'Gorman and Simon Harris say finding accommodation for refugees is an absolute priority. The Garda Commissioner says a number of inve...

The government need to stop looking at people from the North West as second class citizens. That's the view of Sinn Féin MEP Chris McManus, following the decision to pull the funding that was previously allocated for the development of the N17. Speaking to Ocean FM News, MEP McManus questioned if the decision was part of a Green Party agenda against the North West and highlighted how damaging this...

There's still a long way to go in establishing a women's refuge centre in Sligo. That's according to Sligo Leitrim TD Marian Harkin who was speaking following a motion being passed by Sligo County Council recent days which supports such a development. Describing it as a first step of many in the Dail, Deputy Harkin says it seems that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Deputy Harkin also hope...

Sligo Leitrim TD Frank Feighan has moved to ease any concerns over the future of the Eastern Bridge project. Speaking to OceanFM news, Deputy Feighan said he met with Minster Ryan last night in relation to the project last night. The Green Party Leader cast doubt over the future of the infrastructure which was due to have been constructed across the Garavogue River in Sligo town. It’s claimed that...

There are fears this morning in Sligo that funding for another major infrastructure project could be stalled. The news has emerged on the same week where it was confirmed that funding for the N17 Knock to Collooney project has been paused by the Government.  The Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan confirmed that news to Sligo Councillors and Local Authority officials  during a recent visit to Sligo....

Today marks 50 years since Donegal man Michael Leonard was shot dead at the border between Fermanagh and Donegal. The family's campaign for a new inquiry into his killing has stepped up this year.  However, they're against the clock due to the Uk's controversial Legacy Bill which effectively threatens the Leonard family's hopes for justice.  We dedicated our lunchtime bulletin to their story. Cath...

The Transport Minister has been accused of 'sabotage' as it relates to the N17 Knock to Collooney project. It emerged this week that Minister Eamon Ryan stated that the major project is being shelved for the foreseeable and that it does not feature on a high priority list for infrastructure plans across the country. In the Dail, Independent Sligo Leitrim TD Marc MacSharry says Minister Ryan's comm...

The shelving of the N17 Knock to Collooney project has been described as appalling. It emerged this week that the project along with a number of other local road upgrades have been effectively put on hold after Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan indicated to Sligo County Council that they weren't on the high priority list. It means that no funding will be available for the scheme for many years. I...

Yet again, Sligo University Hospital has been cited as one of the worst affected in terms of overcrowding nationwide. The comments were made in the Dail this morning by Independent TD Marian Harkin who is backing call to make local injury units 24/7 in a bid to tackle the issue. It comes as figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation show 497 people are waiting on seats or trolleys in...

There's concern that the Government isn't up to speed nor fully committed to dealing with the findings of the damning 'Brandon Report'. It comes as the Donegal centre which was the subject of the report on the sexual abuse of at least 18 residents between 2003 and 2016, is to close. The 2020 National Independent Review Panel report found at least 108 incidents of sexual abuse had been perpetrated...

Today marks 50 years since Donegal man Michael Leonard was shot dead at the border between Fermanagh and Donegal. He was 24 years of age. This year, a campaign calling for a fresh inquest into his killing has gained momentum, with the Leonard family holding talks with the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Tánaiste Michael Martin while a booklet was launched in March calling for a new inquiry...

Making local injury units 24/7 is being suggested as a way to instantly cut down on hospital overcrowding. 2022 was the worst year for overcrowding on record, with over 121 thousand patients left waiting for a bed. A motion is going before the Dáil today calling for Medical Assessment Units and Local Injury Units at Ireland's smaller, Level 2 hospitals to stay open 24 hours a day. Sligo Leitrim In...

A Sligo-Leitrim TD has labelled the withdrawal of funding for the N17 Knock to Collooney project as “effective abandonment” as she called on the government to confirm that it has a policy to provide the necessary and timely funding for the N17 project. It has been claimed that The North West has been dealt a serious blow as funding for the N17 Knock to Collooney Scheme has been pulled by the Gover...

There were 54 complaints made to the Ombudsman for Children's Office in 2022 on behalf of children in the North West, a new report shows. Nationally, there was a 14.76% decrease in the number of complaints to the Ombudsman for Children's Office last year, reflecting the disruption experienced by children, particularly in the area of education. In Donegal, there were 36 complaints made in 2022, ref...

Donegal County Council is being urged to take a more proactive approach when it comes to the Tenant in Situ Scheme. The scheme allows local authorities to buy rental properties from private landlords who are selling, so the Housing Agency can continue to rent these properties to the tenants who are living there. Cllr Noel Jordon believes that Donegal is lagging behind compared to other counties. H...

Tributes have been paid to Gerry Finneran at this month's sitting of the Manorhamilton Municipal District. The well-known community activist, involved in GAA circles and other local groups passed away in recent days. Gerry will repose in the Rainbow Ballroom, Glenfarne on Wednesday, 17th May from 4pm to 6.30pm, and from 7pm to 9pm with the funeral mass taking in St Mary's Church on Thursday 18th M...

There is alarm this morning in relation to the safety of a major water supply servicing parts of north Leitrim and South Donegal. Yesterday’s meeting of the Manorhamilton MD of Leitrim County Council was told by a local councillor how raw sewage that originated from an unfinished housing development in Garrison and spreading towards the Lough Melvin Special Area of Conservation. It’s being claimed...

The Donegal based President of the GRA says gardai can't respond properly to anti-immigration protests as policing is in crisis. It's after violent protests against migrants in Dublin over the weekend. Meanwhile ,demonstrators are currently using cars and tractors this morning to block road access to a hotel being used for asylum seekers in Inch, Co Clare. Brendan O'Connor from the Garda Represent...

There is alarm this morning in relation to the safety of a major water supply servicing parts of north Leitrim and South Donegal. Yesterday’s meeting of the Manorhamilton MD of Leitrim County Council was told by a local councillor how raw sewage that originated from an unfinished housing development in Garrison and spreading towards the Lough Melvin Special Area of Conservation. It’s being claimed...

There is alarm this morning in relation to the safety of a major water supply servicing parts of north Leitrim and South Donegal. Yesterday’s meeting of the Manorhamilton MD of Leitrim County Council was told by a local councillor how raw sewage that originated from an unfinished housing development in Garrison and spreading towards the Lough Melvin Special Area of Conservation. It’s being claimed...

It’s being claimed that The North West has been dealt a serious blow as funding for the N17 Knock to Collooney Scheme has been pulled by the Government. A local TD says the Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan has indicated to Sligo County Council that no funding would be available for this scheme for many years. Although the scheme has not been removed from the National Development Plan, it will ef...

It's being claimed that The North West has been dealt a serious blow as funding for the N17 Knock to Collooney Scheme has been pulled by the Government. A local TD says the Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan has indicated to Sligo County Council that no funding would be available for this scheme for many years. Although the scheme has not been removed from the National Development Plan, it will ef...