Ocean FM News Reports

Calls are being made on Irish Rail to invest in extra carriages and upgrade railway infrastructure rather than cutting services to speed up travel times to Dublin. There is also strong support for an earlier morning train to Sligo for workers and people attending hospital appointments. Councillor Irene Guckian Rabbitte warns that bypassing smaller stations like Drumod would have a serious impact o...

Gardai are warning that many routes across Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal are in a dangerous condition today with black ice. It's reported that there were a number of minor crashes this morning in the south Donegal area along with a few pedestrian falls. Motorists are being urged to assume no road is ice free and to watch out for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists an...

A Sligo Councillor and member of the Regional Health Forum West has received communication from the HSE which claims the new Surgical Hub at Sligo University Hospital could take four years to construct.   Councillor Edel McSharry says the delay will lead to continued overcrowding at S. U. H.   The Fianna Fáil Councillor has also described recent comments from the Health Minister in relat...

Large numbers of farmers from the North West are expected to descend on Athlone on Saturday next for the big Mercosur protest which is scheduled to take place on Saturday next. Farmers from all over the Country had the opportunity to voice their concern over the deal which would allow grater quantities of South American Beef to be sold in Europe. Concern has been raised on the impact that this wil...

It's been confirmed that almost 30 cars were damaged by a pothole in Ballisodare last month.   The pothole emerged after the road close to Supervalu was dug up by Uisce Eireann to repair water leaks.   The alarm was raised after several drivers suffered punctures and other damage to their vehicles and emergency repairs works were carried out by Sligo County Council.   Similar works...

A North West Junior Minster has responded angrily to claims by Sinn Fein that the government were considering selling out Irish farmers by supporting the Mercosur Deal.   Minister of State Marian Harkin made the comments after the Taoiseach yesterday confirmed that the government could not support the deal due to concerns over Irish farmers being placed under pressure in the event of it going...

The first Final Whistle of 2026 examines Easkey's road to Croke Park for Saturday's All-Ireland junior club hurling final - with contributions from Rory McHugh, Andy Kilcullen, Padraig Mannion - and the 'Feed the lads' crew. Plus - Tom Parsons of the Gaelic Players Associaiton talks sport, resilience and mental health - as part of a new series on Ocean FM Sport.

Student accommodation in the North West needs to be first and foremost affordable. That's according to local Fianna Fail Cllr Edel MacSharry, who has been responding to comments from the Minister for Higher Education, who described having an ensuite in student accommodation as 'wasteful'. In an interview with the Irish Times, James Lawless says they are moving towards more communal space for colle...

Vandalism has forced the closure of a section of the promenade walk in Bundoran since before Christmas. The timber walkway was set on fire, prompting a response from the local fire brigade. Local residents and tourists, including wheelchair users and parents with prams, have been affected. Speaking to Ocean Fm News Cllr Michael McMahon says repairs are underway and hopes the scenic walk will reope...

West Donegal is said to be totally overrun with deer. It's emerged that there were a number of crashes involving deer in the area in recent weeks, with a number of near misses also reported. The issue is set to be raised at the next sitting of the Glenties MD, with one Cllr looking for increased signage to alert motorists to possible danger on the roads. Meanwhile a deer management strategy for Do...

There are calls for a review of casual trading bye laws in County Leitrim. It comes as traders are currently taking up valuable car parking spaces in a number of towns and villages across the County. This in turn said to be seriously impacting rate paying businesses with customers unable to get parked. Fine Gael Cllr Enda McGloin is seriously concerned over the issue and says other suitable locati...

Sligo based Fianna Fail TD Eamon Scanlon says he is against the Mercosur deal. Government have confirmed that they will vote against the deal tomorrow. He says that regardless of what decision Ireland makes the final decision will be taken in Europe. However Deputy Scanlon has urged the government to follow through promises they made on this issue in the programme for government.

A Sligo Leitrim TD says he is fearful that the government could decide to support the Mercosur deal. The Government has confirmed that they will vote against the deal, which is set to be ratified at the European Council tomorrow. There are fears that the deal would distort key agricultural markets if EU farmers had to compete with lower-cost South American beef. The Sinn Fein Agricultural Spokespe...

Sligo University Hospital continues to deal with flu outbreaks across two wards.   Visiting is restricted as the hospital currently has 10 patients with flu.   It comes after a statement to Ocean FM News from the hospital urged the public to consider all care options over this busy period.   John Fitzmaurice, Integrated Healthcare Manager for Sligo, Leitrim, South Donegal, West Cava...

Sligo property prices have skyrocketed over the last year, according to a new report.   The latest data from MyHome shows that property prices in Sligo have risen by €26,000 over the course of 2025.   The report for quarter 4 of last year shows that the median asking price for a property in the county is now €225,000. That means prices have risen by €5,000 over the quarter.   In Cou...

France is set to follow Australia's lead by banning social media for children under 16 starting in 2026, and Leitrim Councillor James Gilmartin says he would like to see Ireland take the same approach. He believes such a move could protect young people from the harmful effects of online platforms, including mental health issues, disrupted sleep, and low self-esteem. Cllr Gilmartin sees the ban as...

A Leitrim Councillor is warning that the New Year prices increases for petrol and diesel will push many North West commuters to the pin of their collars. Motorists are facing a sharp increase in fuel costs to start the year, with petrol and diesel prices set to rise by between 4 and 6 cent per litre. The increases will inevitably impact rural areas more where more car journeys are made with little...

Driving testers at the Road Safety Authority have voted in favour of industrial action over concerns about insurance cover while carrying out driving tests.   The Fórsa trade union says there is no proper system to confirm that vehicles presented for tests are fully insured.   The dispute will be discussed at the Workplace Relations Commission on the 20th of January.   Speaking to O...

A local Councillor has pleaded with those involved with illegal car racing in parts of Ballymote and surrounding areas to end the practice before somebody is seriously injured.   The calls from Councillor Paul Taylor come as concern has been expressed in a number of areas along the Sligo/Roscommon border over large numbers of cars speeding, racing and 'doughnuting' around areas such as Boyle...

It's estimated that there's hundreds of families in the North West on the home help waiting list. As the crisis is said to be deepening, the Government is also being accused of trying downgrade the service to pave the way for privatisation. All the while, a large number of people in the region are said to be left without vital supports to allow them remain in their home. Cllr Micheál Choilm Mac Gi...

There are renewed calls for Sligo's winter gritting programme to be extended.   The current plan for Sligo includes seven priority routes totalling 486km, covering national roads and regional/main commuter roads.   Sligo County Council has previously stated that there's no capacity to increase routes.   However it's thought that various communities should be supplied with their own...

Ireland West Airport Knock welcomed its highest number of passengers during 2025. The airport welcomed 946,000 passengers last year, up from 834,000 last year. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the airport's official opening in 1986. Donal Healy, head of marketing at the airport, says it hopes to reach one million passengers in 2026:

A number of proposed primary care centres for County Sligo are said to be progressing. The Health Minister has confirmed that construction in Tubbercurry could begin later this year subject to a successful tender process. The project for the final phase of the capital programme at Nazareth House, Sligo for the provision of a Primary Care Centre is currently in design. While a proposal for a primar...

It's been confirmed that routes across County Sligo were adequately gritted last night and this morning. Black ice is being blamed for a large number of roads in the region left in a treacherous condition. Several roads particularly in south Sligo had to be temporarily closed after a number of vehicles got into difficulty. Fine Gael Cllr Gerard Mullaney is encouraging people to stay at home where...

Serious concern has been raised over the future of a south Donegal school. There's currently just four pupils enrolled at Fintra National School with fears locally that if that number doesn't increase, it'll close its doors for good. De-population is said to be biggest factor with the Government also coming under fire over policies leading to the decline. A public meeting is taking place at the sc...