Ocean FM News Reports

A North West TD says the modus operandi of the HSE in prioritising healthcare services in Galway at the expense of counties such as Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal needs to be changed immediately in order for adequate health services to be put in place for a growing and aging population.     It’s estimated that the country will need at least 40 per cent more inpatient beds in our hospitals by...

It’s emerged that elective orthopedic surgeries have been paused at Sligo University Hospital. That’s due to ongoing concerns about the safety of the existing theatre infrastructure. Nine patients had their procedures cancelled in the immediate aftermath of a water leak on Good Friday. Just last month, Consultant John Kelly described the department in Sligo as the worst in the country. While Minis...

A Sligo Leitrim TD says building changes that were announced yesterday which will allow Developers to apply for a 3-year planning permission extension should lead to more houses being constructed in the North West.    Deputy Eamon Scanlon has confirmed that the new planning bill will also apply to one off builds.   The Fianna Fáil TD, says the moves are necessary to address the majo...

The Local Authority in Leitrim has failed to meet their target of farming inspections in 2024.  They only managed to reach 11% of their allocation of inspections.   According to The Journal Investigates, Leitrim Council completed five inspections out of a target of forty six, and only one of these inspections passed on the first visit.   Sligo and Donegal also both failed to meet th...

The Dáil has heard of the devastation caused to the family of a consultant at Sligo University Hospital. Dr. Ali Al Najjar lost his nine of nieces and nephews in an Israeli airstrike on Friday. His sister-in-law, Ala a pediatrician based at a local hospital was treating victims of Israeli attacks when her own children and husband were rushed to the hospital. The children - the eldest aged 13 and t...

A local opposition TD has questioned the government’s commitment to passing a new bill concerning the occupied territories.   Deputy Martin Kenny says all that is happening today is that the Tánaiste is basically getting permission from cabinet to write up a new bill.   The Sinn Fein TD says while the bill will prevent Ireland from importing goods from Israeli companies that are operatin...

There are still no immediate plans to put traffic calming measures in Ballinacarrow. This is despite major longstanding concerns among residents over the speed some motorists are travelling through the village. The main thoroughfare of Ballinacarrow is located on the N17 and Sligo County Council has stated that such funding for the likes of safety measures is limited and needs to be prioritised. B...

The latest funding announced for Ireland West Airport will go towards critical infrastructure, and not boosting passenger and flight growth. €5.6 million was allocated to the airport by the government last week under the Regional Airports Programme. This will develop projects related to areas such as safety, security and air traffic control. Joe Gilmore, Managing Director of Ireland West Airport,...

Works have been improved to apply safety improvements at a school in Donegal Town. The developments will take place along the road at Scoil Aodh Rua agus Nuala, where a number of accidents and near misses have happened over recent years. It’s hoped these works will provide long needed measures to increase safety for both schoolchildren and the general public. Independent Donegal Cllr Jimmy Brogan...

There are renewed calls for short term lets in the North West to be properly regulated. It comes amid fears there could soon be protests against holiday homes in Ireland, similar to other European countries. An internal government briefing document, seen by the Irish Times, has raised concern that such actions here could damage the country's attractiveness as a holiday destination. The Department...

One local Liverpool fan has described the scenes in the city on Monday evening after a car collided with supporters at the club’s Premier League trophy parade. Four children are among the 27 people being treated in hospital while 20 people were treated at the scene. Footage circulating online shows a car driving recklessly down the Water Street area. A 53-year-old man was arrested at the scene and...

It's claimed that people living in Donegal with electric cars can't travel to Galway due to a lack of charging points. In one case, a man was travelling back from Galway to south Donegal but couldn't access the limited number of points along the route to recharge his vehicle. The issue is due to be raised in the Seanad by Fine Gael Senator Manus Boyle. He says if the Government is serious about en...

There are still no immediate plans to put traffic calming measures in Ballinacarrow. This is despite major longstanding concerns among residents over the speed some motorists are travelling through the village. The main thoroughfare of Ballinacarrow is located on the N17 and Sligo County Council has stated that such funding for the likes of safety measures is limited and needs to be prioritised. B...

The Department of Justice has confirmed to Ocean FM this morning that they have not received an offer of international protection accommodation in relation to a property situated on Church Street in Drumshanbo.     The building in question which was previously used as a Hostel and Restaurant was recently placed on the market.    A query was made in connection with the building...

Further warnings have been sounded over bogus tradesmen operating in County Sligo. It's understood that there have been a number of incidents in recent weeks where they are calling to doors unannounced. Residents are being warned not to allow them to do any work as they may carry out a substandard job and then overcharge. People are also asked to report any such activity to Gardai. Fianna Fail Cll...

Reservations have been expressed over a meeting on how Storm Eowyn impacted County Sligo. The meeting between the ESB, Coillte and local representatives took place yesterday. Uisce Eireann and Eir were invited but didn't attend. One of the biggest bones of contention was who should be responsible for maintaining network corridors through local forestries. Fianna Fáil Cllr Barry Gallagher says ther...

A Sligo Councillor is warning that measures aimed to simplify the Common Agricultural Policy will be disastrous for Irish farmers and in particular for farmers here in the North West.   Cllr Michael Michael Clarke is warning that the measures will lead to a reduction in the number of those farming the land and ultimately food shortages with only the wealthy being able to afford meat products....

Former Leitrim Councillor Des Guckian has been remembered for willingness to work with the voiceless at his funeral mass. Mr Guckian passed away last Thursday in the North West Hospice following an illness. He was first elected to the local authority in 2014 and was re-elected in 2019 and 2024. The late Mr Guckian officially stepped down from the Council in April of this year due to health reasons...

There are further claims that the ESB network in the North West is not fit for purpose. It comes as a meeting between local representatives and Semi-State Organisations and Utility Providers over the aftermath of Storm Eowyn is underway in Sligo today. It’s thought that there has been a major lack of investment in the network across the region, while there’s also concern surrounding unexplained ou...

Both Uisce Éireann and Eir are under fire for not attending a meeting over Storm Éowyn in Sligo. The meeting with Semi-State Organisations and Utility Providers and Cllrs is underway at the County Offices. Representatives from the ESB and Coillte have been answering questions from local representatives over how they handled the weather event and the aftermath earlier this year. Local Sinn Fein Cll...

A Sligo businessman has been elected as the new Chair of the Irish SME association. Finbarr Filan previously served as Vice-Chair, but has now been selected as Chair for the next two years following the organisation's AGM. ISME aims to advocate for small businesses at both national and European level. Mr Filan says he is optimistic despite the challenges that the small business sector currently fa...

A fairer quota allocation for Ireland was just some of the issues raised during a recent meeting between representatives of the fishing industry here and the EU Fisheries Commissioner. Fishing Representatives from all sectors attended including the Killybegs Fishermen's Organisation as well as MEPs and Minister for the Marine, Timmy Dooley. While earlier this year, the Oireachtas Fisheries and Mar...

A Fermanagh community has been plunged into shock and sadness following the sudden passing of a woman. Police, fire service and ambulance crews attended the scene in the Rockfield Gardens area of Belleek on Sunday morning. An investigation is continuing into the death of the woman, who’s believed to live on her own. Local MLA, Jemma Dolan says the community will support the family and has praised...

A Leitrim Councillor has called for landowners whose land is impacted by Gorse fire and other events of nature to be paid state compensation.   The calls from Councillor Justin Warnock come as a constant threat of mountain and forest fires lie over many farmers and rural property owners.   In the past blazes that were uncontained caused serious damage in the local region.  As a resu...

A Donegal TD has called for continued dialogue between the US and EU in a bid to avert possible being tariffs being introduced.   The US President has recommended putting a 50% tariff on all EU imports from June 1st. However over the weekend President Trump confirmed that he would pause his threatened tariffs until 9 July, after a "very nice call" with European Commission President Ursula von...