Ocean FM News Reports

A new EPA report into the quality of bathing water in this country has found that Heavy rainfall and associated wastewater overflows, and runoff from agricultural lands and urban areas, can cause short-term deterioration in water quality.   The report says Localised intense rainfall, particularly in the West and North-West has led to bathing water restrictions (including beach closures) being...

A Donegal Cllr and publican has called for more clarity over the sale of zero-zero drinks to people who are underage. Reports emerged yesterday that there was confusion among a number of publicans as parents may be buying non-alcoholic drinks for their underage children. Some publicans are unsure of the legalities around this, and they’re having to refuse some orders, for fear the drink will be gi...

Irene Guckian-Rabbitte has been officially elected to Leitrim County Council this week. Independent Cllr Guckian-Rabbitte was selected to fill the seat vacated by her father Des Guckian, who resigned from his role due to health reasons. The new Cllr will form part of the Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District and hopes to continue her father’s work and help for the community. Cllr Guckian-Rabbitte...

The Principal of the Vocational school in Drumshanbo has paid a glowing tribute to one of his predecessors today stating that standing the school enjoys today was very much down to his vision and commitment to learning over many years.   Padraig McLoughlin who passed away yesterday served as Principal at the Leitrim School between 1973 and 2001.   He first joined the school as a science...

A Sligo Leitrim TD has strongly criticised the government over their plans to consider a proposal to increase personal injury awards by 17%.   It's a move which Deputy Martin Kenny claims will push motor insurance premiums higher.   It was confirmed today that motor insurance premiums in Ireland have jumped by 9% in the first half of 2024, with further increases expected.   The info...

The North West could be heavily impacted by the latest tariff threat from US President Donald Trump. He is planning to bring in 100 per cent tariffs on non-US films, which has caused huge concern among the Irish film and television industry. With more filming being done across Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal, it’s thought these tariffs could be devastating to the local economy, with industry valued in...

A Sligo Cllr has called for the removal of VAT from sun protection cream. It’s thought that by reducing the 23% tax on the product, more people would be encouraged to use it, which could help prevent the growing rate of cancer diagnosis in the country. As it stands, skin cancer is the most common cancer in Ireland, with over 13,000 new cases diagnosed every year. Ballymote-Tubbercurry Fine Gael Cl...

Ballyshannon native and former Eurovision winner Charlie McGettigan says contestants should pull out of this year's song competition over Israel's involvement.   Charlie, who won the Eurovision song contest in 1994 alongside Paul Harrington is on of 72 former acts to have signed a letter to the European Broadcasting Union.   They’re urging Israel to be banned from the event, over the ong...

ASTI members have voted in favour of industrial action, if needed, against Leaving Cert reform proposals. They have also rejected support measures from the Department of Education in the Senior Cycle implementation proposals. The union says second-level teachers have significant concerns about bringing in such radical change in an effective way. ASTI General Secretary Kieran Christie says they're...

Tributes are being paid this morning to the former Drumshanbo Vocational School Principal and Community Activist, Padraig McLoughlin.   Mr McLoughlin who was a long serving Principal in the Drumshanbo secondary school passed away yesterday.   Apart from his role in education he was involved in several local community groups.    He also held the position of Chairman of the Arign...

There are calls for further investment into the Sligo Sean Mac Diarmada train station.   It's thought that the roof of the station has long been in need for repair works, with a lack of cover being provided for those waiting for trains.   However, it's understood that Iarnrod Eireann have no immediate plans to address the situation, despite them acknowledging that the current state is no...

Questions remain over the safety of motorists while travelling on the N17. Last Friday, saw four men hospitalised in two separate collisions. The first occurred at the site of Homeland Agri in Achonry, while the second took place close to the infamous Clarke's Bridge. A proposal has previously been made for a meeting to be held between local representatives and department ministers over the N17. C...

Support has been shown in Sligo for Gardai to be allowed to ask protestors to remove face masks or covering. Potential laws are being brought before cabinet today which would mean gardai could make people remove face coverings if they believe they're trying to conceal their identity or intimidate others. It would also allow Gardaí to seize the masks or coverings. Sligo Sinn Fein Cllr Arthur Gibbon...

A former Donegal garda sergeant has raised concerns over the dangers faced by frontline staff. This comes after a garda was injured in a hit and run in Louth on Friday. The officer was approaching a parked van on foot when it drove at him. He sustained serious injuries which are not believed to be life threatening. Retired Garda Sergeant, Christy Galligan, says the scale of assaults against staff...

The north west is set to continue to bask in sunshine in the coming days. Dry, sunny spells have covered counties Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal in recent days with temperatures hitting the late teens in many areas. According to Met Éireann, the weather will continue to be mostly dry and sunny for the week ahead. Meteorologist, Liz Walsh says the region will be in for some pleasant conditions as the h...

Concern has been raised over the amount of rental homes across the North West that failed an inspection in 2024. Recent figures published by the Department of Housing showed that in Sligo alone, there were 817 inspections last year, 433 of which failed the first time around. The figures are part of the over 80,000 inspections on private rental accommodation carried out by local authorities during...

There are calls for dereliction to be tackled in Leitrim. The county was found to have the highest vacancy rate in the country. A GeoDirectory report found the rate in Leitrim 11.8%, above the national average of 3.8%. Fianna Fáil Cllr Sean McGowan has brought forward a motion to this week's Leitrim County Council meeting regarding the purchasing of derelict properties. Cllr McGowan says with the...

There's a warning that there will be even more restaurant and café closures in the north west. It comes as its emerged that 150 restaurants, cafés, gastropubs and food businesses shut their doors nationally in the first three months of this year. That's according to a survey by the Restaurants Association of Ireland, which says it offers a sobering snapshot of an industry grappling with rising cos...

As we enter the summer months, the public are being advised to conserve water.   The advice comes as part of county Donegal has come under a hosepipe ban from this morning.   Supplies are at a historically low level at Lough Colmcille, which supplies Milford.   The Water Conservation Order is to safeguard water supplies for essential purposes due to a sharp drop in water levels. &nb...

A warning is going out to all North West drivers not to drive under the influence of drugs. The Road Safety Authority and Gardaí are cracking down on drug-driving this May Bank Holiday weekend. 42 per cent of drivers admit to having little or no knowledge about drug-driving laws, according to RSA research. Its Head of Media Relations, David Martin, says the problem is getting worse:

Support has been reiterated in Sligo to ban the use of victims' counselling notes in sexual violence cases. A demonstration was held outside Leinster House on Tuesday, ahead of a new bill being introduced to the Dail, which if passed, would outlaw the practice. At present, judges can allow notes, taken by a therapist during a counselling session, to be released to the defence and used in court. Lo...

The devastation in Donegal due to defective concrete blocks has been raised in the Seanad. There are major concerns locally over the rollout of the current government scheme, with many believing that more needs to be done. Fine Gael Senator Manus Boyle highlighted that the Minister for Housing needs to visit the region. Senator Boyle says even he was surprised by the scale of the crisis:

Those looking to take part in water-based activities are being reminded to take care and prioritise safety this Bank Holiday weekend.   Water Safety Ireland along with the Coast Guard and RNLI have issued a joint appeal.   With temperatures increasing and longer daylight hours, they're asking people to remain vigilant and plan their activities accordingly.   Warnings are also being...

It's emerged that over 350 prisoners are sleeping on floors in Irish prisons. Figures published by the Irish Prison Service show that there are more people in prison than ever before at 5,344 - with 358 sleeping on the floor. It comes as the Prison Officers' Association host their annual delegate conference in Galway this week, to discuss the overcrowding crisis among other items. The PAO has accu...

Efforts are underway to ensure that leaks in the orthopaedic theatre at Sligo University Hospital never happen again. Rain has come through the roof of the theatre a number of times over the years, causing disruption to elective surgery. Consultant John Kelly has this week described the orthopaedic department in Sligo as the worst in the country. Today, the Health Minister paid a visit to the hosp...