Ocean FM News Reports

Applications for this year's Sligo Leitrim Garda Youth Awards are now open. The annual awards aim to celebrate the outstanding young people across Sligo and Leitrim between the ages of 13 and 21 years in local communities. Awards are given in the following categories: Individual, Group, Special Achievement and Community Safety. The closing date for nominations is April 28th. Garda Inspector Angela...

One of those who witnessed last night’s gorse fire has described the scene which engulfed Barnesmore. Emergency services and local fire crews worked tirelessly overnight and into this morning to tackle the large wildfire in south Donegal. Smoke from the fire was reported at Barnesmore Gap shortly before 6pm on Sunday. Fire crews, Gardaí and a helicopter were among those who attempted to contain th...

Country Singer Daniel O'Donnell has responded to false online claims that he was ill in Hospital.    The Donegal singer has released a video to clarify the situation and to warn fans not to party with money to those behind the false claims.    Mr O’ Donnell took to his own social media pages and released a video appealing to fans not to engage with the scammers.   Recently...

Those hoping to engage in water-based activities in the north west are being urged to remain vigilant and heed advice. Despite high temperatures, rivers, seas, and lakes still remain very cold. The public are being urged to check conditions before swimming or boating - even when it's warm and sunny. RNLI Water Safety Education Manager, Killian O'Kelly says its vital to plan and to check any equipm...

The north west is set to continue to bask in sunshine over the next few days.   Dry, sunny spells have covered counties Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal with temperatures hitting the high teens in a number of areas.   According to Met Éireann, the weather will stay settled for the rest of the week with plenty of sunshine.   The rise in temperature does increase the risk of gorse fires, ho...

A bill has been passed through the Dáil to guarantee access to ATMs in rural areas.   The legislation would ensure banks provide a minimum number of cash machines per 100 thousand people.   The bill was passed by TDs and will now go before the Seanad.   Independent Ireland believe Storm Éowyn taught us valuable lessons about access to cash.   Ballymote-Tubbercurry Cllr, Michael...

Farmers in Barnesmore are counting the cost after a major wildfire ravaged through the hillside. A vast amount of land has been destroyed which was being used by a number of local sheep farmers. Animals were moved off the land last night where necessary. Donegal IFA Chairperson Joe Sweeney with lambing underway in earnest, this could have happened at a worse time. Speaking to Ocean FM News, he des...

A multi-agency operation in Donegal has been wound down in a battle against a major wildfire at Barnesmore Gap.   The fire has been brought under control.   The blaze broke out yesterday evening and has ravaged through the hillside.   There was initial concern for nearby homes for a time but a change in wind direction is said to have alleviated those fears.   A large number of...

    More than 9,000 patients had planned surgeries and appointments cancelled by north west hospitals last year.   As hospitals continue to struggle with overcrowding and other pressures, 9,726 patients at both Letterkenny and Sligo saw appointments cancelled by their hospital.   Figures provided to Social Democrats TD Cian O'Callaghan, show 6,132 appointments were cancelled in...

A woman who lost her 23-year-old daughter in a crash is urging people to think before they share images or details of car accidents online.   A new road victim support group - with members from Donegal and Northern Ireland - wants to get the message out that it's "not your story to tell".   Marie O'Brien says her son found out about Caoimhe's death before she could tell him herself: &nbs...

Donegal have started the defence of their Ulster SFC title with a 10-point win over Derry in Ballybofey, in front of 15,023 spectators. Paddy McGill, Peter Campbell and Manus Boyle review the Donegal performance. There are contributions too from manager Jim McGuinness, Player of the Match Daire O'Baoill, as well as Donegal Democrat Sports Editor Frank Craig and Michael McMullan.

Austin O'Callaghan chats with three members of Sligo Triathlon Club, Ceola McGlynn (Chairperson), Ross McGlynn (coach) and Kieran McGowan (New Members Officer) about Sligo Triathlon Club's forthcoming men's 'Try a Tri' series, which begins in May.

The 11th annual Micheál Ó Cléirigh Summer School will be held in Rossnowlagh, Co Donegal from 9-11th of May. The theme of this year's event is Diaspora and Homecoming, which focuses on the late medieval period in Ireland's history, between 1500-1800. There will be particular attention focusing on the rich history of Irish people leaving the country in great numbers. Fergus Cleary, Acting Secretary...

Calls have been made for several roads in Sligo town to return to a fit and proper state. The roads in question, located at Lyndale and Ard na Veigh in Maugheraboy have seen increased traffic recently due to a nearby social housing development. This has led to numerous residents voicing concerns over the condition of the roads with heavy goods vehicles travelling on them. Local Sinn Féin Councillo...

Use some common sense checks, if you're getting back on the water for the first time this weekend. That's the advice from water safety groups, as people flock to beaches and inland waterways while enjoying the good weather. The RNLI's Water Safety Manager, Killian O'Kelly, says you need to spend some time preparing before using any equipment that's been lying up over the winter:

There is support locally for the Netflix tv show Adolescence to be shown in Sligo schools. This follows an announcement from the UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer earlier this week, that the hit series would be shown in UK schools. The show focuses on how young males see the world due to an exposure of harmful online content. Local Guidance Counsellor and Independent Cllr Marie Casserly says it w...

A Donegal woman is raising money for cancer research, 20 cents at a time. The aim of the fundraiser is to put spare 20 cents into an empty 500ml bottle, and when it's full it will amount to €60. Since the foundation of Let Your 20c Change Make A Change in 2018, they have raised over €40,000. Mary Gallagher, who set up the fundraiser, says she wants to encourage others outside of Donegal to get inv...

The latest postponement in the transfer of Sligo’s search and rescue base to Bristow has been considered as the right move. This is now the second delay of the year, with the new date set in the middle of December. It follows Bristow securing a tendering competition in 2023 to control operation of the services at a contract of around €800 million. Local Fine Gael Cllr Fergal Nealon is frustrated b...

The Donegal Thatching School is hoping to prevent thatched roofs dying out across Ireland. It’s feared that there are only 10 master thatchers left in the country, and now is the time to pass on the art to the next generation. The school opened in October of last year, and Donegal County Council has this week launched their Thatch Repair Grant Scheme. Conal Shovlin, Co-Founder of Donegal Thatching...

It's thought that further discussions are needed in relation to a proposed Government crackdown on air bnbs. The potential new rules could would see owners of Airbnb style accommodation prevented from renting out the properties for more than 90 days a year. It would impact homes in areas where there is a population of more than 10 thousand. The measure is designed to free-up more homes for the res...

There are calls for the Government to take note of a CPSE project undertaken by students from the Ursuline College in Sligo. The second year students, who were interviewed on North West Today earlier this week, highlighted the discrimination being experienced by those who are visually impaired. The work undertaken, in particular with visually impaired local woman Jackie McBrearty, revealed that ch...

The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has confirmed to Leitrim Councillors that he will visit the County to witness the damage caused in the county by recent storms. The Minister of state with responsibility for forestry met with a delegation of Leitrim Councillors and Sligo Leitrim TD's in Leinster House in recent days.  Many elected representatives had...

Eligible students in Sligo are being encouraged to apply for SUSI grants. The portal for applications opened yesterday and there's now increased eligibility with more families set to qualify for the supports. The special rate of grant has also increased from €26,200 to €27,400, in line with rises in social welfare rates. Sligo Drumcliffe Fine Gael Cllr Thomas Walsh says while a lot of work has bee...

A former election candidate in the north west is warning that ageing electrical infrastructure is leaving the counties of Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal in a vulnerable position should the demand for electricity increase along expected levels in the near future. The Green Party Local Area Representative for Sligo-Leitrim Bláithín Gallagher has issued the waning after predictions were published this we...

The US tariffs have sparked fear in the North West for jobs, short-term working and a dip in economic growth. That's according to Sligo Leitrim Fine Gael TD Frank Feighan, who says its been a nervous week for many exporters in the region. The Government says it's still unclear exactly how jobs would be hit, but the Finance Minister wants a negotiated settlement to the US tariffs. Deputy Feighan sa...