Ocean FM News Reports

An urgent meeting is being requested with Failte Ireland over what's been described as an emerging festival crisis in south Donegal. Sea Sessions in Bundoran, The Donegal Food Festival and the Donegal Town Summer festival are all not going ahead this year. Plans are also said to be afoot in Cork over establishing a Rory Gallagher Festival, sparking fears over how this might impact the yearly event...

The Transport Minister says he wants to see legislation fast tracked on introducing a security force for public transport. Last year saw a pilot introduced to tackle anti-social behavior and earlier this year, the Government committed to it full time. There have several incidents on the Sligo - Connolly service. In its safety report for the first quarter of 2024, Irish Rail said there had been 292...

The Transport Minister has been told that a number of key road projects in Sligo and Leitrim must progress as a matter of urgency. Upgrades to the N17, the N16 and the N15 have all been eagerly awaited by communities across the region. The issue was raised with Minister Darragh O'Brien this afternoon by Fine Gael TD Frank Feighan. Speaking to Ocean FM news, Deputy Feighan believes that the project...

The public transport challenges facing county Donegal have been raised on the floor of the Dáil. Widespread concerns have been previously expressed over cancellations, limited routes and the absence of a rail service, leaving users, particularly in rural areas, feeling isolated. 100% Redress Party TD Charles Ward has reported abrupt cancellations of Bus Éireann services with little or no warning,...

There are calls for a regular Garda presence outside Dunkineely National School until safety measures are implemented there.   It comes as the project has moved to next phase, but it’s estimated that it'll be next year before work is completed.   Sinn Fein Cllr Noel Jordan says frustration is building among the community over the slow progress with installing the safety measures there. &...

Despite staycations being promoted and large numbers of tourists and visitors coming to the north west, the provision of adequate toilet facilities at Spencer Harbour remains an issue. The fact of the system being on the public supply has been blamed for the reason behind the issue. Local Councillor Mary Bohan says with increased development in the area, including a slipway, it's essential that ad...

A three-week excavation of a 17th century fort in County Sligo has recovered more than 1,000 historical artefacts. Green Fort at Fort Hill has been described as one of Sligo town's most historically significant sites. Military artefacts like buttons and musket balls along with other artefacts which display evidence of the smoking habits, food and drinking habits of those who were once stationed at...

Long awaited safety measures outside Dunkineely National School are finally a step closer.  The project has moved out of the feasibility stage and will go forward to phase three.  This will entail drawing up further proposed measures to be installed there, which will then need approval from the TII.  Meanwhile, there was said to be another near serious collision in the area only las...

With locals and tourists cursing relentless spells of rain in north Leitrim, it’s felt a retractable roof could be the way forward in Manorhamilton. Recent events in the main street of the town were marred by the adverse conditions with crowds down on previously forecasted numbers. Wexford is just one of the areas that has benefited from a retractable roof- over one of the town’s busiest nightlife...

Dismay has been expressed in Donegal after a surge in the number of fines for illegal parking in disabled bays across the county. 518 were issued in 2024, up from 415 in 2023, representing an increase of 25%. The figures, however, do not include fines issued by Gardaí. Motorists who abuse disabled parking bays face a parking fine of €150 which increases to €225 if not paid within 28 days. Letterke...

It's feared that oil-heated homes could be left behind by the government's renewable heating policy. That's according to a liquid fuels industry group, which says the upcoming Renewable Heating Obligation scheme isn't ambitious enough. The Alliance for Zero Carbon Heating says the 1 point 5 per cent mandate on blended renewable heating fuel should be closer to 20 per cent. CEO Philip Hannon believ...

Fianna Fáil Cllr Michael Naughton has been elected Cathaoirleach of the Donegal MD.  He replaces Sinn Fein Cllr Noel Jordan in the role for upcoming 12 months.  Cllr Naughton previously held the position both in 2018 and in 2020.  Speaking to Ocean FM news, he says today is a huge honour and has been setting out his stalls for the year ahead:  Outgoing Cathaoirleach Cllr Noel J...

It's hoped that work on the Tuam mother and baby home site may pave the way for excavation on other sites in the North West. The former mother and baby home in County Galway has been sealed off, ahead of a full excavation next month, to uncover the remains of almost 800 infants believed to be buried on the site. Local People before Profit Cllr Gino O'Boyle says it shouldn't have taken 11 years to...

It's emerged that 114 local authority houses were damaged by Storm Éowyn in Leitrim. The figures were revealed at this month's meeting of the Manorhamilton Municipal District which also heard that over 70 houses suffered roof damage. While over 4,300 applications were made in the county to the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme following the deadly weather event. Local Councillor Pádraig Fallon says w...

The north west is set to continue to bask in more pleasant weather conditions. Counties Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal have each been hit with mixed spells recently with rain, drizzle and even thunderstorm warnings in the last week. However, according to Met Éireann, the weather will be mostly dry and sunny for the week ahead. Meteorologist, Brandon Creagh says the region will be in for some pleasant...

There are unlikely to be any income tax cuts in this year's budget. The Sunday Times reports the government is instead going to focus on lowering the VAT rate on electricity and hospitality to 9 per cent. A commitment to reduce tax on the hospitality industry has already been included in the Programme for Government. Several businesses locally have been forced to short their doors following the VA...

The introduction of a tractor driving test is being considered by the Road Safety Authority. The Farmers Journal are reporting that will affect those applying for category W-only learner permits from 2027 onwards. Previously, the RSA said that it was reviewing the minimum age limit at which you can drive a tractor. While it's unclear whether those wishing to obtain their tractor licence will have...

The new Cathaoirleach of the Manorhamilton Municipal District says he wants to see a greater focus towards housing in the north of the county. Sinn Féin Councillor Pádraig Fallon took up the chain of office at today's AGM, succeeding Mary Bohan of Fianna Fáil. It is the first time that the Drumkeerin-based representative, who was first elected in 2014 has held such a role. Fianna Fáil's Justin War...

the end of July Fr Thomas Towey, originally from Ballaghaderreen will be steepening down from his responsibility for the governance and pastoral care of the parish of Ballisodare.   Fr Towey also served in Bonniconlon, Charlstown and Bonniconlon.   He spent twelve years teaching in St Nathy’s and has been based in Ballisodare since 2007.   Ahead of his retreatment he spoke to John L...

A special information evening is getting underway this evening in Strandhill over smart phone and device use among young children. The free event is getting underway 7.30pm at the SoCo Labs in Strandhill with Gardai and a youth liaison officer also attendance to give advice. Local parents and guardians are being urged to attend and will be asked to sign a voluntary pact, committing to delaying sma...

It's hoped that the north Leitrim area can capitalise on the momentum built by recent festivals and events. One such event, May's Leitrim Gathering has been earmarked as a huge success locally with close to 60 events held throughout the county. This month's meeting of the Manorhamilton Municipal District has heard calls for annual events to take place to attract visitors. Independent Cllr Felim Gu...

  It's hoped the long waiting list for the Pain Clinic at Sligo University Hospital will be addressed before the year ends.   This follows news that two Consultant Pain Specialists have been recruited by the hospital and will begin work in Q3 of 2025, with the second starting a year later.   The service was thrown into disarray in June of last year, after the two previous consultant...

North West residents and holiday makers are being urged to stay safe while swimming this week.     The warning was issued with many people expected to hit the region’s beaches over the next number of days with sunny, and warm weather is expected for the next week.     A third of all summer drownings happen in June, according to Water Safety Ireland.     Paul Tuohy, a...

Paddy McGill and guests review Sunday's 0-19 to 1-15 win over Mayo at King & Moffatt Dr Hyde Park, which has booked Donegal's place in the All-Ireland prelim quarter-finals, and eliminated Mayo from this year's championship. Contributions from Manus Boyle, Peter Campbell (Donegal Democrat), Martin Carney, Jim McGuinness, Éamonn Fitzmaurice and Jason Byrne (Irish Sun).

New EU laws to criminalise AI-generated child sexual abuse material will be voted on by MEPs next week. This includes the development, possession, and distribution of artificial intelligence systems used to produce such content. The European Parliament will also vote on new laws to remove the statute of limitation on child sexual abuse crimes in all EU countries on Tuesday. Midlands North West MEP...