Ocean FM News Reports

The Taoiseach has defended cancer services in this region. It comes as the Dail heard this afternoon that lives are on the line in the North West and West of Ireland, with many cancer patients not starting their treatment within the recommended time frame. In one case, it's claimed that a woman had to beg for chemotherapy at Galway University Hospital. The issue was raised by Sinn Fein Leader Mary...

It's been confirmed that 20 locations have been identified for bus shelters in County Sligo. Each shelter is set to cost 25 thousand euro and work is set to begin this year at the various locations. However, it's thought that as many more are needed in the County. Fine Gael Cllr Thomas Walsh says while this is somewhat positive, no town or village should be without such infrastructure in this day...

The Government is facing pressure locally to abolish all further taxes on fuel until the cost of living crisis has subsided.   Changes to the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation have added four cent to the cost per litre while an increase to the Better Energy Levy on petrol and diesel plus VAT has added another one cent per litre.   It claimed that recent hikes have pushed Ireland's fuel...

A local TD is accusing the Government of trying to "ride both horses" when it comes to the Mercosur trade deal.     Deputy Martin Kenny made the comments as Sinn Fein brought a motion to the Dáil last night calling on the State to ask its MEPs to continue fighting the European agreement.     Ireland was one of five countries to oppose the deal but opposition parties say it was...

The Vintners Federation of Ireland says the latest hike in the price of the pint could sound the death knell for many rural pubs.   Diageo is adding seven cent to the price of a pint of its draught products from next month.   A report published by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland last year showed a continuing decline in the number of pubs in Ireland.   In the North West Region a...

There was controversy at the latest sitting of Sligo County Council over a Bill to rename Dublin Airport. The Bill aims to officially rename the airport after former Taoiseach Seán Lemass and it has moved to the second stage. A motion was brought forward by Cllr Michael Clarke, calling on the local authority to support the Bill. However it received some backlash, with Labour Cllr Anne Higgins bran...

The INMO is calling on the HSE to provide more support as nurses are once again overworked during the winter months.     91 patients were without a bed at hospitals in the North West yesterday with the union warning of an impending trolley crisis.     Nurses say patients are being treated in inappropriate areas without access to the basics like oxygen and suction equipment. &nb...

All is not lost for the Sligo greenway plans.   Last month, it seemed that it was the end of the line for the project, after Sligo County Council confirmed it was suspending any further works as the preferred route is no longer available and a suggested alternative option was not viable.   The preferred route was on the disused railway line from Collooney to Bellaghy, with Irish Rail pre...

The Sinn Fein Spokesperson on finance says there are serious questions for the government to answer as to why Paschal Donohoe paid 10 million euro extra to the World Bank.   It emerged recently that recommendations were made that the bank would receive 131.4 million euro from this country, but the former Finance Minister made an allocation 141.4 million euro instead.   Mr Donohoe subsequ...

Health Care Assistants in Donegal have voted in favour of strike action in a dispute over working conditions.     Siptu staff from the HSE's Home Support Service in Clare, Cork, Kerry and Limerick have decided to backed industrial action up to and including a work stoppage.     They are giving the health service a month to come to the table to avoid any disruption to home care...

People with disabilities and families living in defective concrete homes are facing increased isolation as cold weather grips Donegal. That's according to Donegal Deputy Charles Ward, who raised the issue in the Dáil during a debate with Taoiseach Micheál Martin. Deputy Ward says Budget decisions have left the most vulnerable worse off, and he's calling for the introduction of an emergency winter...

There are renewed calls for an early morning commuter train service between Longford and Sligo, Monday to Friday. The service would cater for workers, students attending ATU, and those travelling for hospital appointments, with strong demand along the Sligo-Dublin line. Supporters say such a service would take more cars off the roads, be better for the environment, and offer a more convenient trav...

Management at Sligo University Hospital has issued a letter of apology to a Sligo family following the death of their son. 12 year old Nicholas Power from Sligo had a rare genetic condition along with other medical difficulties. He died in Sligo University Hospital in 2023 after succumbing to severe respiratory distress. An inquest at the coroner's court in Sligo today heard that a recommendation...

An interactive Internet Safety Workshop takes place tomorrow evening in Donegal Town. The session is for parents, guardians and teachers, delivered by Donegal Youth Service. It will highlight online dangers facing children and provide practical guidance for families. Ocean FM News Cllr Jimmy Brogan says with kids’ internet safety such a hot topic, workshops like these are vital in informing parent...

A Sligo based auctioneer says that demand us continuing to outstrip demand when it comes to the housing market in the local region.     As a result house prices are continuing to increase in the North West.   The REA Average House Price Index shows increases from 2.5 to 13.9 per cent for second-hand three-bed semidetached homes.   The report states the price of such a property...

A civic reception is being held in Sligo for President Catherine Connolly.  It’s getting underway in Council Chamber in Riverside this Thursday.  Sligo will be the first County in Ireland to hold such an event for the President.  Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council Cllr Donal Gilroy says a number of important local issues will be highlighted to the President as part of the visit:&...

A number of school secretaries and caretakers based in the North West will be watching with interest the outcome of a pensions dispute which will be heard by the Labour Court today. Talks at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) aimed at resolving the row broke down in November. 2,600 school secretaries and caretakers, who are members of the Fórsa trade union in 2,000 schools are thought to be...

A Leitrim Councillor is calling for short-term letting rules to be amended.   The lets offered by companies such as Airbnb allow for tourists to travel and stay in the North West.   However some feel it is forcing people without homes to live in hotel rooms.   Sinn Fein Councillor Brendan Barry says these lets should be kept for families in need:

The Cathaoirleach of the Local Authority in Sligo says that consideration should be given to the construction of further business parks in Sligo.   Already this year there are calls for local councils to be given more powers to develop business parks in their areas with concern being expressed that many rural SMEs are falling through the cracks because they don't have room to grow.   &nb...

A North West MEP is calling on all Irish MEP’s to do everything in their power to reject the Mercosur deal.    Irish MEPs are heading back to Brussels this week to address the controversial trade deal.     They plan to meet colleagues from other countries, including Italy and France, where MEPs are reported to be wavering.     The deal was provisionally approved by EU...

Listen back to highlights of the 2026 All-Ireland junior club hurling final between Easkey (Sligo) and Kilbrittain (Cork) at Croke Park, on Saturday, January 10th, 2026. Match commentary on Ocean FM Sport came from Liam Maloney & Paul Seavers.

People aged 65 in North West estimated to double by 2046

Mixed reaction to government's short-term let policy

Hospital overcrowding in the North West is at crisis point and worsened by the flu season. This comes as nearly 470 patients were treated on trolleys or chairs at Sligo and Letterkenny hospitals this week. The INMO is calling for increased bed capacity and fully staffed emergency, medical, and surgical departments. Speaking to Ocean Fm News Cllr Marie Casserly and member of the Regional Health For...

The parents of Leona Harper, who was one of ten people who died in the Creeslough explosion, are renewing their calls for a public inquiry. The explosion at the Applegreen service station in County Donegal on October 7th 2022 killed 10 people and left eight in hospital. Leona Harper was 14 at the time; she would have been celebrating her 18th birthday today. Her father, Hugh Harper says he and his...