Ocean FM News Reports

There are calls for more social housing in south Donegal area. It comes 35 such units in the area have been completed with people yet to be housed in them. Despite a number of other developments in the works, it's thought that there's much more needed than what is being planned. Independent Cllr Jimmy Brogan says there needs to be more of a sense of urgency:

Cllr Thomas Walsh is calling on the Department of Transport to provide additional funding for urgent safety works at Dunamurray on the R290. He says the stretch of road is extremely dangerous, with a sharp corner and hill posing a serious risk to motorists travelling the route daily. While €40,000 has been allocated this year for realignment works, Walsh says further funding is needed, particularl...

Eir has come under fire for leaving disused phone cables on poles across parts of south Sligo. Since Storm Eowyn, a large number of non-active phone line cables are said to be in urgent need of removal. It's thought than not only are they creating an unnecessary burden on the infrastructure in place, some have also been deemed a major health and safety hazard. Local Fianna Fail Cllr Barry Gallaghe...

A Leitrim Councillor has expressed serious concern with the latest housing commencement notices that show just over 16 thousand housing commencement notices were filed in 2025, the lowest total since 2016. The figures provide an indicator of planned residential construction, showing intentions to start building. Commenting on the figures Leitrim Councillor, Padraig Fallon says there are a number o...

President Catherine Connolly continues her two day visit to Sligo today. The President is scheduled to visit the Sligo Rovers Showgrounds, the Strandhill Surf Centre and the Centre along with a number of other engagements throughout the day. It's her first official visit since taking office in November. Last night, a Civic Reception was held at the County Hall in Riverside. In her opening address,...

The Cathaoirleach of the Local Authority in Leitrim has issued an appeal to road users in the county to reduce speed and drive with greater care following a number of serious road traffic collisions so far this year.   This week alone five people were taken to Sligo University Hospital following collisions close to Drumsna and Kilclare.  

Ursuline College Sligo break new ground in schools soccer. They’re the new FAI Schoolgirls Connacht Senior Cup champions. Team coach Brian Chambers will tell us how it was done. Here comes the start of the Lidl national football league for Sligo and Leitrim women’s gaelic footballers in Division four. Kieran Kilkenny and Jonny Garrity will lay out the  hopes in their respective counties. Plus...

There are calls for an update on the review of the one-way system in Collooney. It was introduced in October of 2024 on a trial basis and a public survey had been due to take place in October of last year. While it has been deemed as an overall positive measure, some businesses in the area have raised concern over the impact it has had on trade. Fine Gael Cllr Thomas Walsh says if it is to be made...

The Housing Agency has been accused of creating new ways of excluding people from the remediation scheme for defective concrete blocks. Tens of thousands of people right across the North West are said to have defective homes and while many have accessed the scheme, there are some finding it a struggle. Donegal 100% Redress Party TD Charles Ward is warning that the crisis is deepening further with...

There are calls for residents in Bundoran and Ballyshannon to be kept up to date with works on the greenway. The planned Bundoran to Ballyshannon Active Travel Project , is set to provide new 5km walking and cycling path connecting the two towns. It aims to provide a safe, non-motorised link for locals and tourists, with works expected to begin soon. While a number of public consultations have tak...

A Sligo Senator has expressed her disgust at the Government for not ending sub-minimum rates for young workers. The Bill, brought forward by Labour's workers' rights spokesperson and Sligo Senator Nessa Cosgrove last year, would have ended what's been described as age-based pay discrimination. A further debate on the Bill took place in the Seanad yesterday. Senator Cosgrove says the idea of being...

A Donegal TD says the Taoiseach has questions to answer as to why he misled the Dáil over the actions taken by the former finance Minister Paschal Donohoe and an allocation of funding made to the World Bank.       Deputy Pearse Doherty had called for Paschal Donohoe to appear before the Dail’s finance committee but the move was blocked by Fianna Fail and Fine Gael members on the com...

Serious concern has been raised over the wastewater treatment plant in Carrick in Donegal. The system is said to be currently operating at overcapacity and this has led to fears that it'll put a halt to potential development and future growth in the area. It has led to urgent calls for an environmental impact assessment to be carried out. Local Cllr Jimmy Brogan believes that the thorough investig...

A Donegal based senator has warned that there is every chance today's joint committee meeting with officials from the Department of Health and the HSE to discuss ways to tackle inequalities impacting the health of travellers will turn into another talk shop. Senator Eileen Flynn made the comments with traveller health is up for discussion at Leinster House. The Independent Senator says many well f...

Leitrim-based TD Martin Kenny has raised concerns over severe staff shortages in the home help service. He says people approved for multiple daily care visits are being left without support because workers cannot be recruited or retained. Deputy Kenny also highlighted low pay and mounting pressure on HSE staff, with SIPTU balloting for possible strike action. Speaking in the Dáil, TD Martin Kenny...

Eir has come under fire over leaving an elderly lady in south Donegal without a phone line for two months.   The lady in question fell in her home over Christmas and wasn't able to raise the alarm as her panic button wasn't working.   Despite repeated calls on Eir to fix her phone line, it has yet to do so.   Cathaoirleach of the Donegal MD and Fianna Fail Cllr Michael Naughton says...

It's estimated that some families in Sligo could have to wait up to 10 years to get work done under CIS or LIS schemes.   The schemes are Government-funded programmes providing grants for improving small, non-public rural roads and laneways not maintained by local authorities.   They are administered by county councils and there are currently over 100 successful applicants with Sligo Cou...

The Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance, Pearse Doherty TD, has slammed the move by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to close ranks to block his proposal that the Finance Committee question Paschal Donohoe about his decision to give an additional €10 million to the World Bank.   The Donegal TD has accused Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael of coming together and blocking his proposal that the Finance Committee...

There are renewed calls for a review of the Donegal winter gritting programme. It follows serious concern during the recent cold snap that routes, particularly in the vicinity of rural schools, went untreated. The local authority say that if the programme was to be altered, it would ultimately mean that certain roads currently on it would be removed as gritting lorries can only do so much on one r...

Serious concern has been raised over the suitability of some social homes in County Sligo. It's claimed that some families are living in severely cramped conditions and while they have sought a transfer for a larger home, the housing is simply not available. It has led to calls on the Government to provide the necessary funding to allow certain Council homes be extended or convert attics for addit...

  A North west TD says the success of new roadside technology in detecting uninsured drivers should lead to reduced insurance premiums for law abiding motorists.   The Comments from Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn were made after it emerged that the technology in question is leading to thousands of uninsured vehicles being taken off roads.     Consequently uninsured drivers are fi...

Uisce Eireann has failed communities across Donegal, the Dail has heard. A motion has been brought forward on the utility's infrastructure delivery, accountability and repair timelines was debated today. A vast number of areas in Donegal, particularly the islands are said to be living with a sub-standard water supply. The Government is being blamed for Uisce Eireanns shortcomings and Sinn Fein Don...

Sligo County Council could be responsible for some waste collection services going forward. The Chief Executive has been asked to prepare a report on the feasibility of the Council re-entering the waste collection market as a direct public service. People Before Profit Cllr Gino O’Boyle is in favour of the potential move, saying that it would make the market more competitive and in turn be benefic...

A new additional needs parking system is set to be introduced in Donegal. It follows a large number of reported parking problems, particularly in the likes of Donegal Town. Donegal County Council is currently working on the initiative which is set to include logos at specific spaces, indicating that they should be kept free for those with additional needs. It’s set to be rolled out Countywide. How...

It's hoped that the future of the local post offices is secure after the Government has given the green light for a €15 million package. Around eight post office closures have occurred in County Sligo between 2015 and mid-2025, part of over 30 closures in the North West region over the same period. It's been confirmed that the post office network is set to receive €15 million per annum in direct f...