Ocean FM News Reports

It’s claimed that some families in Donegal are locked in their own homes due to a lack of psychiatric services or a lack of respite support available for their child.   In one case locally, a family which has been effectively cut off from their wider family and have been told there will be no supports for the foreseeable.     The harrowing stores were raised in the Dail last night b...

The Government has come under fire over progress on infrastructure schemes in the North West. Various road projects including planned upgrades to the N17, the N15 and N16 are said to be moving at a snail's pace. While progressing the Western Rail Corridor between Claremorris and Collooney, for at least the next five years has also been ruled out. Labour Senator Nessa Cosgrove says these projects a...

  The Education Minister is facing pressure to actively engage with schools in the North West and elsewhere over the future of special needs education.   Minister Helen McEntee is being urged to reconsider the reclassification of special schools for children with mild learning disabilities, which would result in some being returned to mainstream education.   100% Redress Party TD Ch...

A Local fisherman in Bundoran is raising the alarm after repeated interference with vital fishing gear at the town’s boat quay. Ropes and lobster pots were scattered and even used by others, posing serious danger to lifeboat operations. The pier is now under CCTV surveillance, and tensions are rising as incidents continue. Speaking to Ocean FM News, fisherman Seanie Carty says this behaviour is da...

Sligo is set for a major tourism boost with funding granted to transform Sligo Jail. €7 million will be used to refurbish a number of historic buildings on the site which will be used for tourism and community purposes. The development will also consist of the demolition/removal of existing, non-original, twentieth-century structures. The money was awarded under the THRIVE funding stream.

The Budget and cost of living are set to dominate the Dail agenda later as TDs finally return to Leinster House after a two month summer break today. The Dáil hasn't sat since July 17th, but will resume at 2pm. A Sinn Fein motion on special education school places will be debated this evening. Donegal Sinn Fein TD Padraig MacLochlainn  says a decision not to continue with energy credits will...

Leitrim County Council will be addressed today by independent's aiming to win their support to enter the race for the Aras. Galway and Wicklow County Councils opted against nominating anyone yesterday. Sligo County Council is to consider nominating a candidate on Monday. Cathaoirleach of Leitrim County Council and Fianna Fail Cllr Paddy Farrell has been outlining the state of play to Ocean FM news...

Tributes have been paid to former Mayor of Sligo, Tommy Cummins who passed away on Tuesday. Mr Cummins was a Fianna Fail member of the Borough Council from 1999 to 2004 and was elected Mayor of Sligo in 2002. He also hugely involved with GAA and soccer in the county - he was the goalkeeper on the Sligo Senior Football GAA team which won the Connacht Championship in 1975. Fianna Fail Cllr Tom MacSh...

Concerns have been raised over significant overgrowth from the Sligo - Dublin rail line encroaching on residential properties. Residents say briars and nettles are spilling into their gardens, making outdoor spaces unsafe and unusable. Cllr Higgins criticised Irish Rail for failing to respond to repeated complaints over the summer. Speaking to Ocean Fm news, Cllr Higgins says Sligo County Council...

Over 17,000 people are now on waiting lists at Sligo University Hospital according to the latest National Treatment Purchase Fund report. More than 2,500 patients have been waiting over a year for their first outpatient consultation. Dermatology is the most delayed service, with over 1,200 adults facing year-long waits. Speaking to Ocean FM News, Cllr McSharry says a lack of consultant cover last...

The Government is facing increasing pressure to provide a timeline for a new Garda Divisional Headquarters in Sligo. While a suitable site had been purchased in Caltragh several years ago, the project has experienced a number of delays. This is was primarily due to initial plans to merge the Sligo/Leitrim Division with Donegal which did not materialise. Cathaoirleach of the Sligo Drumcliff MD Cllr...

'Passionate pleas' have been made to the OPW Minister over coastal erosion in Strandhill. It comes as another meeting is to take place in the coming weeks to ascertain what will be best suited to combat the issue in the area. OPW Minister Kevin Boxer Moran heard presentations from the local committee and members of the community over how coastal erosion will affected Strandhill in the years ahead....

The Taoiseach has been accused of attacking his own staff in Sligo and elsewhere. It comes as Michael Martin criticised some council chief executives who are not opting to increase the supply of land for housing. He has indicated that the Government will move to directly zone land if local authorities do not comply. But local Cllr Michael Clarke has launched a counterattack on the Taoiseachs comme...

It’s been claimed that vehicles are parked ‘all over the place’ at the Carrowmore Megalithic cemetery in Sligo.   Concern has been raised once again over a lack of car parking at the site, with money already spent this year to improve the visitor centre.   It’s also thought along with creating extra spaces, that there should be a set down area established for the local link.   Sinn...

There are renewed hopes for a new Garda Divisional Headquarters in Sligo. The project has suffered numerous delays due to initial plans to merge the Sligo/Leitrim Division with Donegal and other issues. A suitable site had been purchased in the Caltragh area of the town several years ago. OPW Minister Kevin Boxer Moran paid a visit to the current station on Pearse Road yesterday - a building which...

A further meeting is to take place over coastal erosion in Strandhill. It comes as OPW Minister Kevin Boxer Moran met with Sligo County Council this morning to discuss Sligo Flood and Costal Erosion related issues. It was confirmed that the next key discussion, due to take place in the coming weeks, will focus on the technical solutions for Strandhill and to fully establish what work best for the...

There are calls for a full audit of Sligo's pedestrian crossings, cycle lanes and traffic calming measures on routes to schools. Speeding issues in and around the town is said to be leading to concern over the safety of students. People Before Profit Cllr Gino O'Boyle claims that a rise in traffic volume is also putting young people's lives at risk. He's calling for a programme of works to improve...

Over €440,000 has been raised so far by Relay for Life Sligo. Thousands of people participated in the event at ATU Sligo over the weekend which was in aid of the Irish Cancer Society. The 24 hour relay also included a Candle of Hope Ceremony, music and entertainment. Speaking on Ocean FM yesterday Westlife's Shane Filan who is also Relay for Life National Ambassador and his Gillian praised the peo...

Sligo County Council is facing pressure to consider taking charge of a notorious eyesore in Ballisodare. The Old Mill Apartment Complex on the outskirts of the village was placed on the derelict sites register earlier this year. The building has fallen into a state of disrepair, and a structural survey got underway some time back. Fine Gael Cllr Thomas Walsh isn't happy with progress to date and s...

Preparations are being finalised ahead of Taste of Sligo Food Festival. Now its second year, the festival has expanded from a two to a three day event. Top chefs and food producers are set to descend on Queen Maeve Square this coming Friday with cookery demonstrations, al fresco dining, live music and kids' entertainment taking place throughout the course of the weekend. The mastermind behind tast...

Organisers of Relay for Life Sligo have been praised for what's been described as a hugely successful event over the weekend. Almost half a million euro has been raised so far for the Irish Cancer Society. It was the first time ever that Sligo has held Relay for Life. Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council Fianna Fail Cllr Donal Gilroy has also paid tribute to the thousands of people who took part:

A well-known animal charity in Donegal Town is said to be completely full and simply can't take in any more unwanted pets. Animals in Need Donegal normally takes in dogs, cats and other animals which have been found abandoned. However, in recent days due to the closure of the ISPCA centre in Letterkenny, they are reportedly inundated with requests to rehome animals. Spokesperson Gitta McMullan say...

Pesticide users advised to use when necessary

Micheál Ó Domhnaill talks to Ocean FM News about the new immersive Spanish Armada exhibition launched at Sligo City Hall.

Childcare in Donegal reaches 180 euro per week