Ocean FM News Reports

The recently-elected Cathaoirleach of the Ballinamore MD says he's hopeful that previous meetings with the Minister for Forestry will result in better outcomes for the county. Councillor Gary Prior, who took up the role on Monday, was part of a delegation that met with Minister Michael Healy Rae at Leinster following Storm Éowyn. Many elected representatives had expressed frustration with the Mini...

  A Donegal TD has supported calls which would allow people in Northern Ireland to vote in Irish Presidential elections.     Sinn Féin Deputy, Padraig Mac Lochlainn, speaking in the Dáil yesterday evening, said people in the North have been contributing to achievements in Irish sport for years, and yet cannot vote for President.   He backed calls for legislation be introduced w...

The HSE will not be pursuing the re-opening of the hydrotherapy pool at the former Cregg House premises in Sligo. Reasons have been cited for the decision, focusing on the substantial financial resources that would be required to bring the pool up to an acceptable standard. The hydrotherapy pool at Our Lady's Hospital Manorhamilton is now the only facility in the region that provides the service....

Concern has been expressed locally over a recent Teagasc warning that 'there will be lots of farms where there won't be a successor take over its running.'   Ballymote-Tubbercurry elected representative, Michael Clarke has been reacting to the report, which warned that generational renewal is a “very challenging” issue.   The newly launched National Farm Survey, states that half of cattl...

The HSE have come under fire their current approach to monthly meeting of the Health Forum West.   Each month, 3 elected representatives from the respective local authorities in Connacht as well as Donegal, Clare, north Tipperary and Limerick gather to raise motions about health care in their area.   Manorhamilton-based Councillor Felim Gurn is one of the Leitrim Councillors, who are mem...

A Donegal TD has once again appealed to the Taoiseach over defective block payments. There are hopes for a 100% redress for all impacted homeowners along the west coast and nationwide. It’s understood that many people are struggling to afford the work needed on their homes, unless legislation is changed. Speaking in the Dail this afternoon, Sinn Fein Deputy Padraig Maclochlainn called on Micheal M...

The High Court in Belfast’s decision to halt proceedings to upgrades on the A5 has been considered a devastating blow for the North West. The A5 developments would have improved conditions linking counties Donegal to Monaghan through counties Tyrone and Derry Last year the Irish government committed €600 million to the project. Donegal Minister of State, Charlie McConalogue, says this must only be...

A former local election for the Green party in Leitrim says community led schemes can help the country reach its targets in establishing a cleaner environment.   A new report says community led climate action will offer a powerful model for delivering a fairer climate transition.   Independent research evaluated 19 projects funded under the Community Climate Action Programme and outlines...

A major road safety campaign has begun, calling for a speed reduction outside a Sligo School. Located on the Breeoge Road, Ransboro National school is advocating for a reduction in the current speed limit outside its gates from 60km/h to 30km/h. The 'Love 30' campaign aims to improve safety for students, parents, and other vulnerable road users. As part of the campaign, students have also begun co...

The possibility of those living north of the border being able to vote in Presidential elections could move a step closer after today   The Dáil will debate extending the right to vote in Presidential elections to citizens in Northern Ireland later.   Sinn Féin is seeking to pass a motion to extend the franchise.   Meanwhile, a bill, initially introduced to the Oireachtas 11 years a...

Sligo's Domestic Violence service DVAs has expanded its services. The charity is also said to be busy with recent figures showing a year on year rise in those contacting them. Nationally, Women's Aid national and regional frontline services were contacted 32,144 times in 2024, an increase of 12% on 2023. Carmel McNamee, DVAs Manager says an increase in those accessing the service is a positive thi...

A Sligo Councillor has strongly criticised Fine Gael over report that the party is opposing weekly welfare hikes for jobseekers.     It was reported by the Irish Independent that Fine Gael were not in favour of granting the same increases as those for pensioners and the disabled in the Budget.       There is speculation that the moves are likely to cause tensions with Coal...

It's hoped that the notorious abandoned apartment complex in Ballisodare will be moved to the derelict sites register. The site is said to be one of a number currently under investigation by Sligo County Council. Should the building qualify, the local authority will be able to slap hefty levies on the owners or allow it to carry out a compulsory purchase order. It comes as a sign with the slogan '...

The ability of Gardaí to tackle the issue of rural crime is not being helped by the reduced number of serving front-line members.   That's according to the Garda Representative Association, who say just 70 per cent of available vacancies for trainee Gardaí are being filled.     A new report by the Policing and Community Safety Authority has flagged recruitment and retention as a key...

The Government has come under fire for its approach in easing the housing crisis locally. It comes as prices in the north west were on average 7.4% higher in the second quarter of 2025 than a year previously, according to latest report from Daft.ie . Prices in Leitrim rose by 8.7% over the same period while Donegal and Sligo rose by 8.3 and 5.2% respectively. Sinn Féin Councillor Pádraig Fallon be...

The High Court in Belfast quashed a Northern Executive decision to proceed with the A5 road upgrade. The A5 upgrades would have improved conditions in counties Donegal to Monaghan through counties Tyrone and Derry Mr Justice McAlinden says he's aware his ruling would bring fresh anguish to the families of those who've lost loved ones on the road. However, he says the proposed scheme breaches eleme...

The increasing number of no-shows for driving tests in the north west further increases the backlog. That’s according to a Donegal-based driving instructor after over 120 have occurred across Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal since January of this year. Nationally, 643 people applied for a driving test last month, and didn't show up on the day. RSA representatives have previously come under fire for leng...

Plans are afoot to transform Sligo Harbour. A Masterplan has been drawn up which is said to provide a vision to turn the lands into a vibrant urban quarter. The new proposed development could provide a range of commercial, community and residential opportunities. An information meeting on the proposals is getting underway later today in the Council Chamber at City Hall. Chairperson of the Harbour...

There are calls for a greater number of Gardai on the beat in Sligo. This follows a report from the Policing and Community Safety Authority, which showed Gardai only fully achieved four out of 18 targets in 2024. The report showed that recruitment and retention remain key challenges within the force. Local Independent Cllr Michael Clarke says more resources are needed to improve Garda visibility:

House prices locally were higher in the second quarter of 2025 than a year previously. That's according to the latest Daft.ie report which shows market prices in counties Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal have each seen an increase. According to Daft.ie 's 2nd Quarter report, prices have risen in Leitrim by 8.7% compared to the same stage last year to just over €212 thousand. In Donegal, the average hous...

A Sligo TD says all is not yet lost in relation to the creation of The south Sligo Greenway. Last week senior Department of Transport official's confirmed there will be no greenway developed on the western rail corridor in County Sligo. That's despite no rail projects being considered for the location until 2050. Local TD's are to meet with officials from the Department of Transport later this wee...

Urgent clarity is being sought from Irish Rail officials over the ongoing south Sligo Greenway controversy. A key meeting is being held this week, where local TDs will be seeking answers over shock revelations from the Department of Transport that there will be no greenway along the Western Rail Corridor between Charlestown and Collooney. Fianna Fail TD Eamon Scanlon says the CEO of Irish Rail wil...

Donegal are into the last eight of the All-Ireland senior football championship following Sunday's 2-22 to 0-12 win over Louth in Ballybofey. Paddy McGill casts an eye over the win - and the team's quarter-final prospects in the company of Martin McHugh, Cahir O'Kane (Irish News), Jim McGuinness, Mary Coughlan and Michael McMullan (Gaelic Life).

It has been confirmed that masses at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Sligo are to resume on Friday. The cathedral originally closed at the beginning of January to facilitate much-needed repair works. Liturgies for the duration of the closure are being celebrated in Nazareth Chapel. It was hoped that the works, which include the cleaning and repainting of interior walls and surfaces w...

 The roads department at Leitrim County Council is hoping to introduce slower variable speed limits at schools throughout the county. Under the rural and urban speed limit review, it's expected the changes will be put before members prior to the conclusion of 2026. This comes as June's meeting of the Manorhamilton Municipal District heard concerns over the speed some motorists are travelling...