Ocean FM News Reports

It's being claimed the costs associated with returning to school have increased for many families with parents being pushed to purchase digital devices for their children.   The Department of Education recently confirmed that one in four secondary schools have asked parents to buy digital devices for students.   The information was contained in a School Data Collection Survey.   A t...

Too much Irish quota being landed outside of state - says IFPEA CEO

HSE and Parkrun Ireland launch dementia friendly programme in North West

Orange forest fire warning in effect until Monday

Water safety warning issued for the weekend

There was a moving celebration of Indian Independence this morning at the Sligo Showgrounds, with a vibrant flag-raising ceremony and strong messages of unity. The event also honoured long-standing ties, including fond memories of beloved local teacher Johnny Chatter and the long-standing presence of Indian families in the region. Gardaí and local representatives  echoed a message of inclusio...

Final preparations are underway at Sligo Abbey for Heritage Week which kicks off tomorrow. A series of special events for every day of Heritage Week at the abbey, all of which take their inspiration from this year's theme 'foundations'. Guided tours of Sligo Abbey are also available throughout the week. It comes as the abbey is on course to record its busiest tourism season ever. Andrew Whitefield...

Sligo Councillor has expressed concern over the future of one of the main types of farming carried out in the North West.   Cllr Michael Clarke has warned that Ireland won't have a suckler sector in five years.   Farming leaders says a combination of poor prices, overly complicated schemes and empty promises has led to a large reduction in Suckler cows and farmers.     The Slig...

More memories are being shared of Oasis superstar Liam Gallagher's trips to Charlestown ahead of the Croke Park gigs this weekend. The Gallagher brothers have been regular visitors to the Mayo town over the years with their mother Peggy being from there. Hope are high in the area that the pair might make time for a trip to the region in the coming days. On one occasion, Liam randomly met a person...

An investigation is ongoing after artwork in Donegal Town was vandalised.   The wooden sculpture of Red Hugh O’Donnell, which is located beside Donegal Castle, was discovered badly damaged earlier this week.   It’s believed that the culprit climbed the sculpture, marking it in the process, while also causing damage to the top of it.   Independent Cllr Niamh Kennedy has hit out at th...

It's emerged that over 4,000 passports have been issued to Sligo residents alone so far this year. The figures were revealed to local Councillor Thomas Walsh who has urged the public to check their passport expiration date before travelling and apply for renewal early. The Sligo Drumcliff Councillor says anyone planning to travel in the next six months must ensure their passport is in date. The Fi...

A Senior Fine Gael member in the North West says the party will consider al its options in relation to the upcoming Presidential Election.    Speculation is increasing today that Fine Gael may approach former Minister Heather Humphreys about contesting the upcoming Presidential Election.   Mairead McGuinness announced here decision to withdraw from the race yesterday.  

A Leitrim Councillor says a golden opportunity has been missed to change the legislation which would allow the Irish diaspora to vote in this year's Presidential Election.   Kinlough based Councillor Justin Warnock has expressed his frustration that no referendum was held to allow such moves to take place The Fianna Fáil Councillor says a referendum was promised by previous government adminis...

An independent review into An Garda Síochána’s Roads Policing Unit has been described as lacking credibility.   The damning findings allege that a significant number of Gardaí working in the Roads Policing Unit are unproductive, demotivated and unconcerned with doing an effective job.   The researchers engaged with over 100 Gardai involved in road policing across six divisions.   Bu...

Donegal’s 800 metres runner Mark English is in the form of his life – as he breaks his Irish record yet again this week. Ahead of next month’s World Athletics Championships, we’ll get the reasons behind his Indian summer on the track from Finn Valley Athletic Club’s Patsy McGonagle. Sligo’s Nicole Fowley is going to Rugby World Cup. We’ll hear from the Drumcliffe women on her Ireland squad selecti...

The Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, has announced over €1.3 million in funding for 33 outdoor recreation projects across Sligo, Leitrim, and Donegal.   Minister Calleary made the announcement at the Warren Way Trail near Enniscrone, County Sligo earlier today.    The Fianna Fail Minister announced a nationwide package of €8.7 million...

It's emerged that the Tánaiste Simon Harris has held a key meeting with fishing representatives in Killybegs. The meeting, which took place yesterday, involved the Tánaiste getting a first-hand experience on-board one of the vessels at the port. Local Fine Gael Cllr Michael Boyle says a number of issues concerning the industry were relayed to Simon Harris. He described the meeting as worthwhile:

A new study has revealed Petrol Stations are the most in-demand businesses and service in Leitrim. The research, carried out by business utility consultants Procure.ie , analysed search interest for 25 common local services alongside the number of suppliers currently listed in each county, showing where demand outstrips supply. The findings show that Petrol stations are the most sought-after local...

A Sligo Leitrim TD has warned that recently published figures show the true scale of the government's failure to tackle energy prices and give families the support that they need. Deputy Martin Kenny stressed that the government cannot continue to stand idly by while so many households are struggling and reiterated the need for energy credits as part of a cost-of-living package in this year's budg...

A Leitrim Publican is attributing the reduced amount of spending in Irish pubs over the past month to a lack of tourism accommodation in the Country.   AIB in it’s latest Spend Trend noticed the tourism industry suffering a hit over the past month.   The research detected a 9 per cent decrease in spending in pubs in July.   Manorhamilton County Councillor and Publican, Felim Gurn sa...

It's emerged that a number of portable toilets in south Donegal were in a deplorable state in recent days.   Killybegs in particurlar was said to be a major problem area.   It has been confirmed that they have been cleaned since.   But Independent Cllr Jimmy Brogan feels that they should not be left so long.   He says it's unacceptable, particularly during the current warm spel...

The volunteer crew of Bundoran RNLI is inviting the public to their annual Emergency Services Open Day, taking place on Sunday, August 24th, from 1 to 4pm at Bundoran Pier. This free family-friendly event offers a unique opportunity to meet local emergency service teams, learn more about the vital work they do, and get up close to lifesaving equipment. The event plays a key role in promoting commu...

Sligo Councillor says she is hopeful that the student accommodation in Sligo in 2025 will not be as severe as previous years.   It was expected that the return of accommodation to the student market would help to ease the pressure ton third level students attending the ATU campus in Sligo year.   Sligo Drumcliff councillor Edel McSharry says that it's although too early to say for certai...

Serious safety concerns have been raised over a route known locally as the old N4 in County Sligo. When a crash happens on the new N4, the old road is used instead, yet it's said that it hasn't been upgraded in some time. The speed limit has also been reduced to 60km along the old route - a move deemed unnecessary with many motorists said to be receiving penalty points. Fine Gael Cllr Gerard Mulla...

A publican in Charlestown is hopeful that Liam and Noel Gallagher may call in to their local in the coming days. The Gallagher brothers will play Croke Park on Saturday and Sunday, their first Irish shows since 2009. The Gallagher brothers have socialised in well-known pub JJ Finans in the past, with Liam even playing a few impromptu tunes. JJ has been speaking to Ocean FM ahead of this weekend's...