Ocean FM News Reports

The Tánaiste is calling for the swift release of a Sligo man and three other Irish citizens detained by Israeli forces. It comes as Independent TD Barry Heneghan has been released from detention, after a number of flotilla vessels heading to Gaza were intercepted earlier this week. The pro-Palestinian activists still detained in Israel include Sligo native, Fionn Macarthur. During Leaders Question...

There's a call for a thorough count of the deer population in Donegal. It's thought that national figures are inaccurate and do not reflect the true number of deer on the ground. There's said to have been multiple collisions involving deer and vehicles in Donegal with genuine fears that someone will be killed unless action is taken. Independent Cllr Jimmy Brogan says the issue is a cause of major...

It's county final week in Sligo - and The Final Whistle on Thursday night came live from McDermott's Bar & Restaurant in Castlebaldwin. Introduced by Austin O'Callaghan.

Sligo Mugendo Club is hosting an 'Into The West' kickboxing event on Saturday, Oct 18th, at ATU Sligo's knocknarea Arena. It will feature the country's leading elite male and female kickboxers. Micheal Dermott from Sligo Mugendo spoke to Ocean FM Sport's Austin O'Callaghan about it

Wastewater is still being released from many areas without adequate treatment - affecting water quality in rivers, lakes and along the coasts. Four towns in Donegal have been highlighted as areas of concern, including Falcarragh, Ramelton, Rathmullan and Moville. The EPA report says over half of licensed treatment plants, and 10 percent of storm water overflows, fail to meet national standards. Th...

There are calls on the Government here to ensure Irish citizens who have been detained in the latest interception of flotilla boats headed for Gaza are treated humanely. Sligo man Fionn McArthur is among five Irish citizens in the group who were stopped approximately 200 miles off Gaza. Israel says they are safe and are being transferred to a port for deportation. Speaking today, Fionns friend Nig...

There's a further call for action on the lack of hospital step down facilities in the North West. Earlier this week, it was revealed a patient was stuck in Sligo University Hospital for over two years despite being medically discharged because there was nowhere suitable for him to go. It's one of the longest delayed discharges in the country according to HSE figures. Speaking in the Seanad Sligo L...

A five hour meeting of Fianna Fail over the Presidential controversy has heard that party members in the North West are angry and upset. The Taoiseach apologised to his parliamentary party at the lengthy meeting last night. Micheal Martin said he can 'sometimes get things wrong' adding he was 'devastated' by what's happened. Speaking to Ocean FM news, Fianna Fail Sligo Leitrim TD Eamon Scanlon say...

There are calls for big improvements to hospital step down facilities in the Sligo/Leitrim area. It comes following revelations there's a patient who was medically discharged from Sligo University Hospital was stuck there for more than two years. It's one of the longest delayed discharges in the country according to HSE figures. Both Sligo and Letterkenny University Hospitals are also included in...

It's emerged that a Sligo man is on-board the latest flotilla which has been reportedly intercepted. Five Irish citizens are believed to be on board the boats bound for Gaza , intercepted by the Israeli military at around this morning 4.30 Irish time. Fionn McArthur, a Sligo native, is believed to be among those listed to be on board. His friend Nigel Gallagher whos also a member of Sligo Palestin...

Sinn Fein Deputy Leader Pearse Doherty has lashed out at the government for neglecting childcare. The government has been accused of missing the mark after Ministers Jack Chambers and Paschal Donohue announced increased childcare places rather than cost reductions. Doherty, who is also Sinn Fein's Finance Spokesperson said that the 200 euro per month cap on childcare has become a 200 euro per week...

There's further concern over the future of the fishing industry in Killybegs and elsewhere. The anticipated cuts of 70% to the mackerel quota as well as severe cuts to the blue whiting and boarfish quota are forecast to be devastating to the sector. There are urgent calls on the EU to rethink the plans and consider imposing tariffs on other countries instead. Fine Gael Senator Manus Boyle says the...

Donegal County Council has begun a review into the emergency response to Storm Amy. The community based emergency hubs that had been available in the likes of Bundoran and Ballyshannon were stood down yesterday evening. A clean-up operation is continuing in various parts of the region today with a small number of residents still without power. Speaking to Ocean FM news, Director of Emergency Servi...

Sligo Rovers are hosting a sleepout this week in aid of Focus Ireland. The club are hosting rough sleepers at the Showgrounds this Friday to raise funds to tackle homelessness across the country. Similar events are taking place nationwide on the night. Football and Social Responsiblity officer at Sligo Rovers, Jamie Murphy believes it is crucial for the club to continue giving back to the communit...

Cllr Arthur Gibbons is calling on the Minister for Housing to immediately reinstate and expand funding for the Tenant-In-Situ Scheme. He says the government’s cuts have left vulnerable families without support, pushing many into emergency accommodation. Cllr Gibbons also wants restrictions removed that prevent councils from bringing properties up to livable standards. Speaking to Ocean FM News, Cl...

Hauliers acorss the North West are awaiting news on potential tax cuts in the upcoming Budget. Currently, there is a Diesel Rebate Scheme in place for hauliers which alows them to claim tax back for their fuel. A similar rebate is also in place for greener fuels, which hauliers want to see expanded. President of the Irish Road Haulage Association, Ger Hyland, says it is a neccessary step for hauli...

It's thought locally that Michael Martins position won't be under threat after Jim Gavins shock decision to pull out of the Presidential campaign. The Fianna Fáil candidate made the decision to withdraw from the competition after it emerged he owes a former tenant over three thousand euro. In a statement, he says he "made a mistake" and is now "taking steps to address the matter". Local Political...

Both the Health Minister and the HSE are set to face a grilling this week over yet another leak in the roof over Sligo's Orthopaedic Theatre. Several theatres remain impacted after they were shut on Thursday due to the impact of rainfall during Storm Amy. There are fears that waiting lists will grow further as a result. Work to repair the rood has been ongoing and expected to be finished at the en...

The situation with the roof at Sligo University Hospitals Orthopaedic Theatre has been described as borderline incompetence. It's estimated that up to 60 surgeries could be cancelled as a result of the latest leak. It has led to urgent calls for the provision of a brand new theatre to be fast tracked. Fine Gael Cllr Thomas Walsh says it's clear that the current infrastructure is completely inadequ...

An emergency meeting has been held in Killybegs over an emerging fishing crisis. Last week, the fishing industry sounded the alarm over an economic loss of up to €200 million It follows new international advice recommending deep cuts to key pelagic and whitefish fish stocks for 2026. Marine Minister Timmy Dooley TD met with fishing leaders yesterday to discuss the matter. Aodh O'Donnell, Chief Exe...

Garda recruitment open evening hosted on Friday in Sligo

Concerns raised over lack of bus shelters in Sligo

It is understood that some of the operating theatres in Sligo University Hospital are closed today due to leaks in the roof. There are hopes that the theatres will reopen on Tuesday however this may be delayed to Wednesday pending the impact of Storm Amy. Due to the closure all planned surgeries for next week have been cancelled. Fianna Fail Cllr and Regional Helath Forum member Edel McSharry says...

A Sligo Senator has raised the issue of child poverty and homelessness in the Seanad. Speaking this morning, Labour Senator Nessa Cosgrove asked the Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary about the rising numbers of children in poverty. She raised examples of pupils coming to school hungry and parents skipping meals to feed their children. In response, Minister Calleary said that the Taoisea...

Sinn Féin Councillor John Sheamais Ó Fearraigh is calling for the full reopening of Glenveagh Castle tours seven days a week, after confirmation there are no current plans to do so.   The Castle remains closed every Monday and Friday, with the Government blaming staffing shortages, a situation Ó Fearraigh says is unacceptable for a major tourist site.   He warns the closures are affectin...