Ocean FM News Reports

Uisce Eireann is facing increasing pressure over a number of outstanding issues in Sligo. The utility has yet to outline why it didn't send representatives to a key meeting on Storm Eowyn earlier this year. Questions have also been asked over what protocols have been put in place to future proof to ensure the same level of destruction doesn't happen again. Fianna Fáil Cllr Barry Gallagher isn't ha...

The Taoiseach has confirmed that the HSE is still studying a feasibility Study in relation to the location of a surgical hub in the North West.   Michael Martin stopped short of confirming that a surgical hub for Sligo was part of a Government formation deal.     In a Dáil exchange with Donegal TD Padraig Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, The Fianna Fáil Leader confirmed that Junior Minister M...

The Taoiseach believes that there has been significant investment in Letterkenny University Hospital over the years. The comments come following yesterday's shocking report from the Irish Cancer Society, which shows that only 12% of cancer patients at the hospital start treatment within the recommended time frame. Meanwhile a battle is ongoing in Donegal for the planned North West surgical hub to...

Some business owners in Strandhill have warned against moving ahead with the controversial Strandhill Enhancement Project.   Earlier this week, Councillors voted for the project to proceed, paving the way for a series of changes designed to revitalise the coastal village, including a reduction of car parking at the seafront.   Despite council assurances that the changes will benefit tour...

People in the North West can’t keep up with the rising cost of groceries, the Dail has heard. Irish grocery prices are the third highest in Europe, with most families now spending 3 thousand euro more a year to put food on the table. Opposition parties are calling on the Government to make large supermarkets publish their yearly financial accounts. Sinn Fein and Donegal TD Pearse Doherty, says peo...

A Sligo Leitrim TD says efforts will be intensified over the coming weeks to ensure that a number of children with autism will be given access to a school place in west Sligo in the new academic year.     Presently, Owenbeg National School has space for only one child with three others looking to avail of such services.     Parents and school staff have requested the NCSE to re...

It’s been claimed that Donegal has been caught in a pincer movement A cost-of-living crisis, the defective concrete crisis and infrastructure neglect are all said to be contributing factors. It comes as CSO data for 2021 Donegal had the lowest disposable income per person in Ireland, more than 20% below the national average. Speaking in the Dail, 100% Redress Party TD Charles Ward says local famil...

Residents in south Sligo are being encouraged to have their on the Tubbercurry Road Safety Improvement Scheme. It includes two raised controlled zebra pedestrian crossings in the town centre. The deadline for submissions is Friday July 18th at 5pm and more details can be found on Sligo County Councils website. Local Fianna Fail Cllr Barry Gallagher say while the work will be positive, a lot more w...

The Taoiseach has been told that only 12% of cancer patients at Letterkenny University Hospital get treatment within the recommended timeframe. It comes following today's damming report by the Irish Cancer Society, which says that getting timely access to vital tests and therapies ultimately depends on a 'postcode lottery'. Speaking in the Dail, Aontu Leader Peadar Toibin asked when the HSE will d...

There are calls for a number of options to be explored to improve traffic issues in Donegal Town. It comes as the one way new system is said to be causing chaos in the town centre and its thought locally by some that it should be completely reversed. Talks between Council Officials and Cllrs are taking place with a view towards finding a solution. Sinn Fein Cllr Noel Jordan believes that the asses...

The Department of Housing is under increasing pressure to provide the funding needed to restart the stalled social housing project in Finisklin. It was revealed in recent weeks that the plans have been temporarily shelved due to concerns around costs. The project would provide a total of 63 social homes for Sligo. There are also calls for the housing minister to have a face-to-face meeting with Cl...

Two south Donegal County Councillors have clashed over housing development.   It’s after a recent Government report indicated that Donegal County Council is the worst performing local authority when it comes to meeting housing targets.   There were heated scenes at the latest sitting of the Donegal MD.   Fianna Fáil Cllr and Cathaoirleach of the Donegal MD Michael Naughton feels tha...

There are concerns over water supplies in parts of Donegal ahead of a warm spell of weather about to hit the country.   Uisce Eireann is asking the public to conserve water and help protect supplies nationwide.   They claim that there are 32 schemes already in ‘draught status’ with not enough water to meet to supply.   One of the counties of most concern is Donegal.   The utili...

Flooding fears are said to be growing in Killybegs. Some properties on Bridge Street were badly hit last year when the local river burst its banks. There has been some heavy rainfall in recent days which has sparked renewed concern that the area could fall victim to flooding again. Flood mitigation works have been earmarked to take place there but there are calls for this work to be fast tracked....

There are calls on the Government to provide more supports for the rural post office network. It comes as figures from An Post this week revealed that there were 31 post office closures over the past ten years. 19 of those closures were in Donegal, 8 were in Sligo while there were four closures in County Leitrim. They are some of the 257 closures nationally since 2015, with 201 located in rural ar...

More than 1,300 Gardaí have been injured as a result of assaults while on duty since 2022. The Justice Minister has released figures which show 2023 has seen the largest number of those, with 470. 128 Gardaí have been injured in assaults in the first six months of this year. The maximum sentence for assaulting or threatening to assault a Garda or other emergency workers on duty, increased from 7 y...

Patients, their families and staff were forced to pay nearly €410,000 for parking at hospitals at Sligo University Hospital last year. Figures published by the Irish Independent show that seven hospitals took over €1m each in parking fees, while Cork University Hospital received the biggest sum, with €2.3 million. Sligo University Hospital say the income is part of the overall budget and no reduct...

Over €40,000 has been secured for the continuation of the annual Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival in 2026.   There had been serious doubt over the future of the festival due to fundraising concerns, however after a major crowdfunding effort, the 2026 edition will go ahead.   Next year's festival will mark its 22nd edition and will run from Thursday, May 28th to Sunday, May 3...

It's emerged that a number of children with autism may be denied a school place in west Sligo this coming September.   The children were only diagnosed in recent weeks - after the deadline for enrolment passed for Owenbeg NS.   The school is the only one in the area which has two classrooms to specifically cater to children with additional needs.   Those affected may now have to tra...

A number of properties in Sligo are being explored with a view towards establishing a Women's Refuge.   Currently there's no such facility available in Sligo despite an increase in those accessing local domestic violence service DVAs.   A meeting between Sligo County Council and relevant stakeholders is due to take place at a proposed location for such a centre.   But local people b...

  The Health Minister is facing renewed pressure this week over the North West surgical hub debacle.     Clarity is being sought on whether the Minister has reviewed and examined the business case for Sligo while a timeline of when a decision will be made has also been requested.     Despite the HSE having put forward a case only for Sligo, a major campaign calling for it...

Cllr Michael Clarke is the new Cathaoirleach of the Ballymote-Tubbercurry MD.  He succeeds Independent Cllr Joe Queenan who has held the position for the last two years.  Cllr. Clarke was elected to the role at the AGM this afternoon, having been nominated by Fianna Fáil Cllr Paul Taylor and was seconded by Cllr Liam Brennan.  Cllr Clarke has been setting out his stalls for the year...

A row has erupted at the latest sitting of Sligo County Council.  It centred on a move by Fianna Fáil Cllr Edel MacSharry to amend and remove a paragraph in her motion regarding the Collooney - Claremorris rail line.  Cllr Declan Bree disputed that this should be allowed happen, which led to a number of Cllrs defending Cllr MacSharry, stating that she was fully entitled to do so.  T...

31 post offices have closed in the north west over the past ten years, according to figures from An Post. Figures were released following a parliamentary question from Sinn Féin TD David Cullinane. 19 closed in Donegal, there were 8 in Sligo and in Leitrim, 4 took place. They are some of the 257 closures nationally since 2015, with 201 located in rural areas. Cork had the largest number of closure...

The President of the Institute of Professional Auctioneers & Valuers says supply and demand is the reason house prices have increased is Donegal and Leitrim over the past 12 months.   Both counties have witnessed significant increases over the past 12 months.      Fintan McGill was reacting after national average price increased by 7 percent over the past 12 months.  ...