Ocean FM News Reports

There are calls for the public toilets at Mullaghmore and Rosses Point to be open all year-round. As it stands, the facilities only open for the summer period at weekends, due to a lack of funding. It's thought that this may be severely hampering both tourists and locals from visiting the area and spending an extended period of time there. Independent Sligo Cllr Marie Casserly is calling on Failte...

Sligo County Council is to consider purchasing a number of notorious vacant homes in the heart of Sligo. The houses located on Holborn Hill have been derelict and a consequent eyesore for some time and it's now emerged that they have been put on the market. The local authority is to assess the financial viability of buying the homes in the first instance. People Before Profit Cllr Gino O'Boyle say...

Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín is renewing his call for Irish citizens in the North to be allowed to vote in the presidential election. He's hitting out at other party leaders, including Sinn Féin's Mary Lou McDonald, for not backing his bill on the issue. Deputy Tóibín says people in the North deserve to be included:

A Sligo Councillor has urged the government to completely abolish fees for hospitality businesses that are providing outdoor dining areas on public streets. Street dining fees, which charge restaurants €125 per table, were removed during the pandemic when indoor dining was banned in order to curb the spread of the virus. Regulations waiving the fees were introduced in 2021 and as result more Irish...

A solidarity event for Palestine is being held later today in Sligo. The local Palestinian Solidarity Group are holding a demonstration at Sligo GPO, starting at 2pm. The 'Stand with Palestine, Stand against Genoicde' event will be campaigning against the actions of Israel. Spokesperson for the group and former MEP, Chris MacManus, says they went to put pressure on the Irish government to act:

The latest EU-UK trade deal is expected to ease the burden that Brexit caused to farmers across the North West. The new agreement is understood to encourage trading for the cross-border counties with relaxed red tape. The deal aims to encourage trade between Ireland and the UK, who make up nearly 40% of Irish agrifood exports. North West MEP Maria Walsh says the deal provides clarity for local far...

The impact former Leitrim Independent Cllr Des Guckian had on his community has been highlighted by Leitrim County Council. Mr Guckian died yesterday morning following an illness, after he stepped away from council duties earlier this year. He was then replaced on the council by his daughter, Irene Guckian-Rabbitte. Leas Cathaoirleach of Leitrim County Council, Cllr Sean McGowan, paid tribute to h...

It’s hoped that resurfacing work will take place on the Old Bundoran Road shortly. The route is home to a number of businesses and is in a heavily populated area and the road itself is said to be in a serious state of disrepair. Potholes and dips along the stretch are said to be causing a nuisance. Fine Gael Cllr Fergal Nealon says the road will be prioritised for works going forward and that its...

Concern over ministers failing to answer parliamentary questions adequately has been expressed to the Taoiseach and high ranking civil servants in Government departments.   The Clerk of the Dáil has written to the secretaries general across Government warning them that substantive answers must be provided to questions.   Departments were put on notice too that questions must be answered...

A new single travel ticket has been launched today that connects Sligo train stations to Dublin airport. A joint initiative between Iarnrod Eireann and Aircoach will allow passengers to travel to Dublin by train and then board a bus outside the train station for the airport. Sligo passengers will be able to travel from Drumcondra to the airport without having to buy a separate ticket. Jane Cregan,...

The sunny period of weather has finished in the North West for the immediate future. There have been a number of wildfires across the region over the last number of weeks, due to an extended dry period. However, there are no more fires expected for the time being, with showers and lower temperatures predicted for the coming days. Liz Walsh, Operational Meteorologist with Met Eireann, says we’re en...

There are renewed calls for safe access to the second beach in Rosses Point. There have been several incidents over the years where the tide comes in blocking the routs back and resulting in people having to cross the dunes. Rock armour which was also put there some years ago, has since displaced part of the access. Talks have been ongoing between various stakeholders with a proposed solution put...

A Donegal Councillor says a serious discussion needs to be had in relation to the deployment of Irish Troops on UN Peacekeeping missions in Lebanon.   The Comments from Cllr Michael Boyle come as 170 Irish Troops are due home from there following their 6 month deployment.   A total of 94 personnel from the 28th Infantry Battalion in Finner Camp will be a part of the returning unit. &nbsp...

Former Leitrim County Councillor, Des Guckian, has been remembered as somebody that was passionate about local politics.   Mr Guckian passed away yesterday, following an illness, and had stepped back from council duties earlier this year due to health reasons.   He was replaced by his daughter Irene Guckian-Rabbitte on the council.   Cathaoirleach of Leitrim County Council, Cllr Pad...

A Donegal teacher has highlighted the rise in abuse faced by teachers.   The issue was covered in a special Prime Time programme on RTE last night.   It's thought that female teachers are being subjected to harassment and abuse across the country.   There are fears that the harmful online content is having an impact on the perception some young males have of females.   Vice Pre...

170 Irish Troops are due home from Lebanon today following their 6 month deployment.   A total of 94 personnel from the 28th Infantry Battalion in Finner Camp will be a part of the returning unit.   The 125th Infantry Battalion will land at Dublin Airport at three o'clock this afternoon.   Family and friends will be there to greet them following their tour of duty in South Lebanon a...

Firefighters are currently battling a gorse fire between Sooey and Ballygawley. The blaze broke out around lunchtime. Three fire units are currently at the scene, working to bring it under control. It's said to be in a rural location with no properties under threat. Fine Gael Cllr Thomas Walsh says the route is still open for the moment:

A number of safety measures are required at Cliffoney National School and Cliffoney Village following a health and safety inspection earlier this year. This includes the need of school warning signs, pedestrian crossing closer to the school, speed bumps or flashing speed limit signs, and designated parking spaces for teachers. With the school based along the N15, its thought action is urgently nee...

A Donegal TD has criticised the latest delay to the opening of the National Children’s Hospital. It’s the fifteenth time the long-awaited project has been delayed, with it not opening until at least the end of June 2026. This is as the potential costs continue to climb with contractors BAM submitting over 850 million in claims to date. Sinn Fein Deputy Pearse Doherty says costs have continued to s...

The need for improved conditions at Grange Vocational School has been raised on the Dáil. Overcrowding, unsuitable toilet facilities and end of life prefabs are just some of the issues facing both teachers and students. An application for a significant extension was submitted to the Department some time back but is said to have faced numerous setbacks. Sligo-Leitrim Sinn Féin TD Martin Kenny says...

The Funeral Mass of Alan Singh has heard how he was full of kindness and had a gentle nature. The seven year old died after getting into difficulty in the water at Lissadell Beach. Alan’s life was celebrated today at a service in the Church of the Assumption in Collooney. Fr Martin Convey provided the homily, and spoke of how Alan would be remembered:

It's thought that plans by the RSA to tackle driving test waiting times won't go far enough. Learner drivers in Sligo could wait up to seven months for a test, in Leitrim it could be six while in Donegal Town the wait is almost 5 months. The RSA plans to cut waiting times by more than half come September - the target is 10 weeks. The Road Safety Authority plans to open more centres and train more...

There are calls for a number of measures to be introduced in Sligo in the wake of another arson attack. An investigation is continuing after a vehicle parked in Cartron Estate was completely gutted by fire in the early hours of yesterday morning. Gardai are appealing witnesses to come forward and for information on any person with unexplained burns or who has presented for any medical advice or tr...

A Barn Owl survey has been launched in Sligo and Leitrim. Members of the public and landowners are being asked to report any information on Barn Owls in the region to Birdwatch Ireland, as they look to record the population of the species across the North West. Although once widespread in Ireland, Barn Owls have experienced a sharp population decline. Alan McCarthy, Barn Owl Research Officer with...

It's claimed that discrimination against members of the travelling community still happens in the North West. It comes as this week marks Traveller Pride Week with a range of events taking place right across the country. Speaking in the Seanad, Donegal based Independent Senator Eileen Flynn says many who are in employment are still ashamed to express their identity and that has to change. Senator...