Ocean FM News Reports

Johnny Kenny's call-up to the Republic of Ireland international squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Hungary and Armenia has been warmly welcomed by the Riverstown man's home club - Arrow Harps FC, where Johnny cut his soccer teeth back in the day. Brendan Tuohy coached Johnny at underage level, alongside the player's dad Johnny Kenny senior. Brendan's been talking to Ocean FM Sport...

School secretaries and caretakers in Sligo say they’re ready to escalate strike action in their fight for fair pensions and entitlements. A large protest took place in the town centre last Friday, echoing wider action outside Leinster House earlier in the week. Staff warn that disruptions will intensify as schools reopen, urging the government to return to talks. They returned to the picket lines...

There was a significant turnout for a Hope not Hate protest in Sligo at the weekend. It was organised in response to an anti-immigration protest which also took place in the town yesterday afternoon. The Hope not Hate movement aims to promote inclusion and equality. A number of local representatives were in attendance. Cllr Declan Bree has been explaining why the demonstration was arranged:

There are renewed calls for extra funding to be provided to the post office network. Over 30 post offices closed in the North West over the last 10 years, 19 of them Donegal, eight in Sligo and four closures in Leitrim. This is despite post offices being regarded as key drivers of economic renewal, with the Network processing approximately 84 million transactions each year, amounting to a total va...

Many Sligo clothing banks were overflowing again over the weekend. In one incident, a suitcase along with numerous black bin liners were dumped beside one of the banks. It has led to further calls on the culprits to bring their items home if the banks to capacity. Sinn Fein Cllr Arthur Gibbon believes that Sligo County Council should start prosecuting those responsible:

A Christmas market in Sligo is not financially feasible this year. That's according to Fianna Fail Cllr Tom MacSharry believes that the prospect of a market at Queen Maeve Square is something to work towards in the long term. It has been estimated that he cost of setting up such a market in the area could be up to 50k. Cllr MacSharry also says the closure of the Strandhill Market was a devastating...

School secretaries and caretakers are to strike outside schools across Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal today. They're disappointed over a lack of Government engagement over the weekend as they continue their action for a third day. Their union wants them to get equal treatment and pension inclusion in schools. Fórsa Head of Education Andy Pike says the state hasn't made any effort to talk to them:

Westlife's Shane Filan is a National Ambassador for Relay for Life. He spoke with Ocean FM Sport's Austin O'Callaghan about the inaugural Relay for Life Sligo, which comes to ATU Sligo on Saturday, September 13th, 2025. It's aims to raise money for Ireland's biggest cancer charity - the Irish Cancer Society.

Mental health charity's advice for parents and students amidst CAO offers

Local Cllr disappointed by number of new homes in Leitrim

With just over two weeks to go, preparations are well underway for Relay for Life Sligo. The event is a first for Sligo and is taking place at the ATU on Saturday September 13th. It's in aid of the Irish Cancer Society and if you can't make the event itself, there are other ways to support. One of the organisers, Monica McElhinney says while a lot of teams have already register, there is still tim...

Junior Minister Marian Harkin has pledged to make the case for school secretaries and caretakers in the North West. Minister Harkin met with some of those participating in this afternoon's demonstration in Sligo today. There was a large turnout for today's protest in the town centre. Forsa members are calling for the same pension and entitlements as teachers and SNAs. Minister Harkin has been spea...

School secretaries and caretakers who are engaging in strike action are set to protest in Sligo today. Staff want access to the public pension among other entitlements. Around a thousand union members and supporters gathered outside Leinster House for a demonstration yesterday as an indefinite strike got underway. Head of Fórsa's Education Division, Andy Pike, says state officials had months of no...

School secretaries and caretakers in Sligo say they would rather not have to protest today but are prepared to take long-term escalated strike action. There was a large presence in the town centre this afternoon, in a row over pensions and other entitlements. It comes as around a thousand staff and supporters gathered for a protest outside Leinster House yesterday. This school secretary has been s...

School secretaries and caretakers are currently assembling in Sligo for a protest. Those who are engaging in strike action are set to stage a number of regional demonstrations across the country, following a yesterday's protest outside Leinster House. Staff want access to the public pension among other entitlements. Labour Senator Nessa Cosgrove attended yesterday's demonstration and is set to sup...

Serious concern has been raised over another school term beginning and no safety measures in place outside Dunkineely National School. The TII has been accused of dragging its heels on the project, which isn't set to be completed until next year. There have been a number of serious incidents outside the school between vehicles and pedestrians. Fine Gael Senator Manus Boyle says local people are lo...

Former Sligo Rovers captain and manager Gavin Dykes remembers his good friend Ollie Horgan, who died on Thursday at the age of 57.

Calls for improved disabled parking in Leitrim’s smaller towns and villages are growing. Leitrim County Council is set to carry out a review of disabled parking across the county. This move comes in response to growing concerns about parking availability for people with disabilities. Speaking to Ocean FM News, Cllr Irene Rabbitte Guckian is calling for action to improve inclusion and accessibility...

Over 300 people living with Multiple Sclerosis in Sligo and Leitrim remain without the vital support of a dedicated community worker. MS Ireland says every other county in the country has access to the service, except Sligo & Leitrim. They'll host a public meeting on September 19th to rally community and political support for the post. Speaking to Ocean FM News, MS Ireland CEO Ava Battles says...

People across the North West are being urged to get behind secretaries and caretakers as their indefinite strike action is now underway. They're calling for access to the public sector pension scheme. Over 2 thousand schools are impacted, and Forsa trade union says picketing will continue until an agreement is made. Local Independent Cllr Jimmy Brogan has been at one of the picket lines in south D...

School secretaries and caretakers across Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal will hold the first day of their indefinite strike action today. Around 2 thousand 600 staff from schools around the country will participate in the action after a row over pension and other entitlements. Talks between trade union Forsa and the Department of Education failed to reach a resolution last night. Shane Lambert from For...

A call is being made to introduce a €1,000 annual tax on holiday homes, aimed at supporting local services. With over 1,700 holiday homes in Leitrim alone, the levy could generate €1.7 million for targeted local initiatives. Cllr Justin Warnock believes the measure could support local schools, attract young families home, and tackle long-standing population decline. Speaking to Ocean FM News, Cllr...

There's a warning over major delays in Sligo next week as more roadworks are due to take place. A significant section of the N15 between Rathcormac and Sligo Town is scheduled for emergency resurfacing works from Monday. The works are set to last for three days and will avoid rush hour. Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council Cllr Donal Gilroy has been clarifying why the works can't be carried out a...

Just 20% of breast cancer patients at Letterkenny University Hospital received their chemotherapy within the recommended timeframe in 2024. According to the HSE, treatment must commence within eight weeks of surgery for 90 per cent of patients. The Journal Investigates found all nine health centres missed their goals. Donegal Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty believes the situation can be resolved, both...

Students across Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal will find out what college course choices they got at 2 o'clock this afternoon. They'll be offered one level eight course if eligible, and one level 6 or 7 offer if applicable. Students will get an email or text with the offer, and will have until the 2nd of September at 3pm to reply. Local Secondary School teacher and Cllr Marie Casserly has this advice: