Ocean FM News Reports

Current infrastructure "unsustainable" at Leitrim school

Cannonball, the spectacular supercar road trip, returns to Sligo this weekend, with over 200 exotic cars and a free family festival in the town centre.   Now in its 16th year, Cannonball supports the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation, which currently cares for six children in Sligo with complex needs.   Expect a carnival of colour, costumes, DJs, dancers and celebrity drivers, with spe...

Energy suppliers are posting massive profits yet families are the ones paying the price. That's the view of Sligo People Before Profit Councillor, Gino O'Boyle, who was reacting to suppliers latest price changes. Electric Ireland is set to reduce gas unit prices by 4% in November equating to an average household saving of €57.56 annually. The ESB owned company will not change it's electricty price...

There are further calls to reopen the case into the death of Leitrim farmer Liam Farrell. It follows an RTE Prime Time report into his death earlier this week. The 87 year old was found bruised and blooded outside of his home in Rooskey in January 2020. Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice, Matt Carthy believes that his death was clearly suspicious and warranted a full and comprehensive investigation...

New tenancy rents have increased dramatically in Donegal. It comes as figures from the Residential Tenancies Board show rents rising by 3.3 per cent in Dublin in the first three months of the year. However that compares to a rise of over 10 per cent in Donegal, Kerry, Kildare, Laois, Limerick, Monaghan, Roscommon and Tipperary. Threshold CEO John Mark McCafferty, says many can't afford to live in...

The new Solace Cafe in Sligo has been officially opened by Minister for Mental Health Mary Butler, offering a free, confidential out of hours mental health service for adults in the Northwest. The cafe provides crisis and peer support in a non-clinical, welcoming setting. Open Thursday to Sunday evenings, the cafe has already supported over 120 individuals since it's soft launch last year, highlig...

An Post is releasing a new exclusive stamp today to honour 25 years of Westlife. The band say it means the world to them, and it's 'such an honour and privilege to be featured on Irish stamps to commemorate their quarter century. Every two years people make suggestions to An Post on who they would like to feature on a stamp Aileen Mooney from An Post says Westlife fans made their voices clear:

There are concerns being raised regarding the regulations that the Irish fishing sector are currently working under. The issue has been raised by Fine Gael Senator Manus Boyle, with the ongoing Killybegs fish meeting, which has been taking place this week. The Donegal native has claimed that Irish fisheries are working under stricter conditions as opposed to the rest of Europe. Speaking to Ocean F...

Plans to expand Cleveragh Regional Park have moved to the next stage. It has successfully passed the Part 8 planning process, paving the way for the project to now move forward to the funding stage. The project includes a large regional playground, a multi-use games court and a fenced off-leash dog area. Fine Gael Cllr. Fergal Nealon described it as a major step forward:

A farmer in County Sligo is counting the cost after his pedigree Suffolk ram lamb went missing a number of days ago. The lamb, with an estimated worth of €1,100, was last seen in land at Cloonnamaanagh Ballymote on Wednesday September 3rd. A Garda investigation into the incident is continuing. The owner, TJ Keaveney says he has searched the surrounding area thoroughly but to no avail. Speaking to...

Part of Pettigo was hit by overnight flooding. The River Termon once again burst its banks, with a number of nearby premises impacted. It's the latest in a string of flooding incidents to hit the town over the years. Flood mitigation works have been earmarked for the area for some time Cathaoirleach of the Donegal MD and Fianna Fail Cllr Michael Naughton says the OPW needs to get its act together...

Sligo councillor Liam Brennan has tabled a motion calling for better access to Sligo University Hospital for patients with mobility issues. He wants the hospital shuttle bus service extended to weekends and new mobility-friendly parking near the temporary entrance. Cllr Brennan is also seeking an update on the long-term plans for the hospital’s main entrance. Speaking to Ocean FM News, Cllr Liam B...

Sligo County Councillor and Regional Health Forum member speaks to Ocean FM news on what changes need to be made to lower unsafe bed levels in hospitals.

A call has been made for Sligo County Council to roll out a Green Dog Walkers Scheme to tackle ongoing issues with dog fouling. Cllr Dara Mulvey is tabling a motion at yesterday's meeting, urging a friendly, non-confrontational approach to change public behaviour. The initiative, already active in other counties, encourages responsible dog ownership through visible community support. Speaking to O...

Donegal Cllr calls for proper planning with camper van culture

Today marks World Suicide Prevention Day, Pieta is urging communities across the northwest to speak out and prioritise suicide prevention on a national level through it's no more silence campaign. Pieta is drawing attention to a growing concern, as one in three people who seek its support are children and teenagers, many of them still in school. In the past year, the organisation delivered more th...

Calls made for lifeguard support at local tidal pool

The idea of a canopy to cover Queen Maeve Square is being explored. The amenity has hosted a wide range of events since opening but some were said to be a washout, impacting turnout and the overall experience. The canopy would be retractable, paving the way for yearlong events to be held at the square. Labour Cllr Anne Higgins says while it'll come down to funding, there is huge support for the in...

There are renewed calls for action on the Donegal Town Flood Relief Scheme as residents are said to be facing another winter of uncertainty. Donegal County Council is under pressure to provide an immediate update on the project, which was announced two years ago but has yet to move to the construction stage. Cllr Noel Jordan says people in flood-prone areas like Clareden Drive are living in fear w...

Local Cllr questions standards of public facilities

Donegal TD Pearse Doherty has refused to rule himself out as Sinn Féin’s Presidential Election candidate. The party’s leader Mary Lou McDonald confirmed yesterday she won't be the party's candidate. Sinn Féin’s process of selecting a nominee will be brought to members on the 20th September. Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill's name has been mentioned, while the party’s Finance spok...

Cllrs in Sligo have been challenged to ask any farmer if they got good advice from Teagasc. It comes as the Taoiseach is now facing pressure to carry out a root and branch review of the Agriculture and Food Development Authority and provide a value for money report. Teagasc receives substantial funding from the Government, which is essentially taxpayer money, to deliver its services in agricultura...

The budget and the cost of living crisis top of the agenda at Sinn Feins think in today. Meanwhile, Donegal TD Pearse Doherty's name has been mentioned as a possible Presidential candidate for the party along with the north's First Minister Michelle O'Neill. Party leader Mary Lou McDonald said yesterday that she will not be the party's candidate. Speaking to Ocean FM News, Donegal Sinn Fein TD Pad...

Two men have been rescued after falling into the sea in the Bundoran area. The alarm was raised at around 7pm yesterday and a major operation including the RNLI, Gardai and ambulance was launched. Rescue 118 was also dispatched from Sligo. The two men were later taken from the water and rushed to Sligo University Hospital for further treatment. Local Cllr Michael McMahon has been praising the effo...

There are fears that a possible closure of the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Donegal could seriously impact other local animal rescue groups. The ISPCA and DSPCA (Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) are merging which will ultimately lead to the closure of the Donegal centre. A protest over the issue is getting underway later this week. Spokesperson for...