Ocean FM News Reports

The lack of unity among Irish MEPs over EU trade decisions has been called into question.   A recent European Parliament vote on the Mercusor trade agreement brought forward a number of amendments.   Midlands-North West MEP Ciaran Mullooly has hit out at a number of his colleagues, including those aligned to Fine Gael for rejecting those amendments, saying the deal impacts EU sustainabil...

There's concern that the future of the Strandhill peoples market hangs in the balance. The market held at Sligo Airport was initially due to reopen for the 2025 season in March but has been delayed, with over 160 traders are said to be displaced as a result. This centres on ongoing training for the new Irish Coastguard helicopter service taking place in the area where the market is traditionally h...

Relay for Life Sligo is being officially launched at the City Hall tomorrow evening. The two day event itself is set to take place over the weekend of September 13th & 14th on the ATU Sligo campus. Relay For Life is a celebration of solidarity and helps to raise awareness of the services provided by the Irish Cancer Society locally and nationally. It's already been a huge success in the likes...

Farmers across the region are being urged to reject lower price offers for their beef stock. The IFA say factories are trying to get back control of the market as steer prices have risen by over 18 cent per kilo since the start of the month. While demand is high, supplies remain low, Bord Bia is predicting a reduction of 87 thousand cattle in the beef market this year. The association's Connacht r...

The Rural and Community Development Minister has conceded that North West communities cannot be left without power for weeks on end after any future storm. Minster Dara Callearys comments come as part of a visit to Leitrim today which was arguably the County worst hit by Storm Eowyn. The Minister will be visiting projects and performing official openings that have received funding from the Departm...

There's still no reopening date for Waterworld in Bundoran. Major refurbishment works at the facility are ongoing, with approximately €2.2 million being invested into the overall upgrade. The works include the addition of a new reception and viewing area, the extension and a total revamp of the changing area An upgrade to disabled access through the changing rooms will also ensure full accessibili...

Newly qualified teachers may become eligible for a permanent contract after just one year in a post, in a new measure announced by the Minister for Education.   The change is designed to reduce precarity and casualisation in the profession and to boost teacher supply by encouraging more qualified teachers to stay and work in Ireland.   Many newly qualified teachers have sought opportunit...

It’s emerged that the north west has seen a decrease in the number of staff working in child and adolescent mental health teams.   Figures released to Wicklow-Wexford Deputy Malcolm Byrne show that staff numbers at CHO 1 fell from 90 at the end of 2023 to 84 last December.   Nationally, waiting lists continue to rise with over 3,700 children in the queue in 2023, with the figure rising t...

The flames which engulfed a west Donegal Church reached the heights of heaven. That's according to Parish Priest Father Brian O'Fearraigh who at the scene of the fire at St. Mary's chapel in Derrybeg on Easter Monday morning. The Church has been completely gutted but fundraising efforts are already underway with almost €40,000 raised so far to rebuild. An investigation to determine the cause of th...

There's mixed emotions in Rome, according to a Leitrim Priest who's there. Tens of thousands of people have gathered at the Vatican, as mourners file past Pope Francis's open coffin to pay their last respects. The 88-year-old died on Monday, after suffering a stroke. The late Pontiff is now lying-in-state in Saint Peter's Basilica. Speaking to Ocean FM news, Father Gerry Comiskey from Newtownmanne...

The Health Minister has come under fire as she is unable to attending the annual Irish Medical Organisation AGM this week.   The conference is usually addressed by whoever is in the ministerial role, but Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has opted out.   A spokeswoman said she had “a long-standing personal commitment that predated her appointment as minister for health."   This year’s AGM a...

It's claimed that there's a major issue with respite in south Donegal. There's said to be several families impacted in the area, and despite applying for respite hours, there's not enough beds in community hospitals to facilitate them. Fine Gael Senator Manus Boyle believes that every effort needs to be made to ensure these people get the break that they badly need:

Frustration continues to be expressed over the current NCT system. A number of motorists, particularly in Sligo are experiencing delays at getting appropriate date. According to the NCT website, the next available date at the Sligo centre is June 28th. While some other centres in the north west have a backlog of up to a month and a half for an appointment. Local Sinn Féin Councillor Arthur Gibbons...

The lack of insurance being provided by the Government for local playgrounds has been branded a major setback for Tidy Town groups. It comes committees across Sligo, Leitrim and south Donegal are set to benefit from a new insurance premium which will ultimately reduce costs significantly. However, some groups still need to fundraise to get the likes of playgrounds insured. Local Sinn Fein Cllr Tho...

Many tidy town committees across Sligo, Leitrim and south Donegal are set to benefit from a new insurance premium. A typical insurance premium is around €1,500 which rises to almost €7,000 for larger towns which is said to be a significant drain on the finances of local groups. All tidy towns groups are now 'pooled together' to avail of a master policy undertaken by the local authorities in this r...

A number of masses will take place locally to mark the passing of Pope Francis. His funeral will be held on Saturday morning. The Vatican has confirmed it will take place in the square in front of St Peter's Basilica at 9am Irish time. His coffin will then be taken inside the church and from there brought to the Rome basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore for burial. This will begin nine days of mournin...

Pope Francis has been remembered locally for bringing the church “to a better place”, following his passing. A local parish priest has commended the late pontiff's term after passed away on Monday at the age of 88 following his battle with pneumonia and "complex" health conditions. Millions have paid tribute to the late Pope Francis since the news was announced by the Vatican. Fr Vincent Sherlock,...

The death of Pope Francis continues to be marked at Knock Shrine. Pilgrims have gathered over the last 24 hours or so to pay their respects. Hundreds gathered on Monday morning to honour the late pontiff following his passing. Many were in attendance in August 2018, when Pope Francis himself visited to the International Marian Shrine at Knock. Ocean FM’s Catherine Gaffney caught up with just some...

Father Richard Gibbons, Parish Priest in Knock has been reminiscing on Pope Francis’ visit in 2018.    He made a notable visit, an occasion many will fondly remember after attending the World Meeting of Families in Dublin.    While almost three years on from his visit, Pope Francis officially recognised Knock as both a Eucharistic and Marian Shrine.   Speaking fr...

As part of his historic visit to the Marian shrine at Knock, Pope Francis arrived into Ireland West Airport.   He arrived by chartered Aer Lingus flight from Dublin on Sunday morning, August 26th from Dublin and travelled by motorcade the 20-kilometre route along the N17 to Knock shrine.   It was following the first ever Papal visit to Ireland in 1979, when Pope John Paul II visited Knoc...

An investigation is continuing into a major fire at a Church in West Donegal. The blaze broke out at St. Mary's Chapel in Derrybeg in the early hours of this morning. Despite the best efforts from the emergency services, the building has been extensively damaged. Speaking to Ocean FM news, Donegal Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty says attentions are already turning to raising funds to rebuild:

The Bishop of Elphin and Achonry has paid tribute to the late Pope Francis, describing him as a listening pope who also encouraged others to listen. The pontiff passed away yesterday morning at the age of 88. Arrangements are now underway for his funeral - which will be stripped-down, as per his wishes. Bishop Kevin Doran has also been reflecting on Pope Francis' visit to the Knock Shrine in 2018...

Dismay has been expressed over the impact dog fouling is having in north Leitrim. Tullaghan has long been renowned for its beauty, and many avail of the amenity on a daily basis. However, there have numerous reports of dog mess being left in public areas and in particular, children's play areas. While, fouling bags have also been found in nearby bushes. Local Councillor James Gallagher is urging t...

Further concern is being raised over a rise in those waiting to get a driving test. In Sligo, the current waiting time is seven months, while in Leitrim, it stands at six months. A total of 1,135 people were waiting for a test in Sligo as of the end of March. Nationally, it's reported over 81 thousand learner drivers are waiting for a date to take their driving exam. The average wait time is over...

Crowds are already gathering at St. Peters Square in Rome following the news of the death of Pope Francis who has died at the age of 88. The Vatican says the Pontiff passed away at 25 to 8 this morning, local time. He was admitted to hospital in February and spent five-weeks undergoing respiratory treatment. The President, Taoiseach and Tánaiste are among those paying tribute. Father Gerry Comiske...