Ocean FM News Reports

A Leitrim farmer has spoken of his delight after the odds were defied on his farm recently.  Based in Dowra, the Crawford brothers have been providing suckler farmers across Ireland with top quality in-calf heifers for over 20 years. On the 16th, they welcomed triplet calves, from a Charolais/Limousin cross, bred with their own stock Limousin bull. Coincidentally, the Crawford's also had a se...

Farmers across the north west have been urged to remain vigilant following an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Europe. The government of Slovakia has decided to declare a state of emergency in relation to outbreaks of the disease following four outbreaks in recent days. Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon, has labelled the outbreaks as “concerning” with those travelling to Slovakia asked t...

It's hoped that a number of measures, including that of a pedestrian crossing can be put in place on the N16 in north Leitrim. A particular stretch of the road is said to be severely impacted by speeding issues with members of the public finding it impossible to access the road from side junctions. While issues persist still over the lack of appropriate bus shelters along the route. Local Independ...

Anna Gallagher has been selected as the new Honorary Mayor of Donegal Town. Her 695 votes ensured she topped the poll and succeeds Pauric Kennedy in the role. Counting of votes took place at The St. John Bosco Centre shortly after 7pm on Friday. A native of Drimarone, Anna has been living in Ballydevitt for the past 30 years. Speaking to Ocean FM following the confirmation of her selection, she sa...

There are calls in Donegal for Nowdoc to be given access to patient’s records. As an issue has been highlighted where some elderly patients didn’t know their medication when visiting Nowdoc, who also had no digital records to assist them. It’s thought that sharing the information with Nowdoc would speed up the service and encourage more to avail of it. Fine Gael Senator Manus Boyle says some peopl...

ATU has received €1 million as part of the Higher Education Authority funding. The allocation is in recognition of addressing skills needs in the biopharmaceutical industry sector through its long-standing partnership with the National Institute of Bioprocessing Research & Training It’s hoped that this invest will be repaid through attract future biopharma investments inro Ireland. Professor N...

Huge disappointment has been expressed locally over the latest allocation to address the coastal erosion in Strandhill. €30,000 has been granted to fund further studies into the issue, however it’s understood that an application had been lodged for just under €800,000. There is strong support in the area for rock armour to be installed and prevent further erosion of the coast. Mayor of the Sligo B...

A replacement fence will not be installed at a housing estate in Ballymote due to a lack of local funds. The current fence at Bother an Corran runs alongside a river, and has fallen into a state of disrepair. Although it now poses a potential safety hazard, it’s thought that the cost of addressing the issue would cost around €20,000. Local Fine Gael Cllr Gerard Mullaney says the situation is a dis...

There’s been a large turnout so far for the Donegal Town Honorary Mayor election. Voting got underway at 10am this morning at the St John Bosco Centre, with a queue waiting outside. Once voting concludes at 7pm, the count will immediately begin, in the presence of the five candidates. Which are Billy Bustard, Justin Coughlin, Anna Gallagher, Ciara Martin and Gabriel O'Donnell. Mary McGettigan, of...

Serious concern has been raised over disparities in waiting times for respiratory appointments in North West Hospitals. While there is no significant waiting list for such appointments at Sligo University Hospital, the current waiting time for a first appointment at Letterkenny is 18-21 months. The HSE has stated that they continue to strive to reduce the waiting times at Letterkenny and have enga...

County Sligo is to get €10.2 million for national roads. It's part of a €633 million national funding pot announced by the Department of Transport today. Among the local highlights include 1.8 million for the N4 Collooney to Castlebaldwin road, 2.1 million for the N16 road realignment while the N17 is getting one million euro to keep it on the National Development Plan. Fine Gael Cllr Thomas Walsh...

A Sligo County councillor and former General Election candidate is urging the public to have their say on the future use of posters in elections and referendums The Electoral Commission is looking for the public's view on the issue. It's part of research into their use and the rules surrounding them. Previously concerns have been raised on environmental impacts, visual pollution and safety concern...

A community in Sligo is said to be traumatised over a suspected petrol bomb attack. The incident happened in the Cranmore area in the early hours of yesterday morning. A house was engulfed in flames after a petrol bomb was thrown through a downstairs window. It's not yet known if the house was occupied at the time. Gardai say that investigations are ongoing and no arrests have yet been made. Local...

Someone will be co-opted onto Donegal County Council by Fine Gael tonight. The seat has to be filled after it was vacated due to the departure of Manus Boyle to the Seanad. Two candidates have put themselves forward for selection - they are former Cllr Barry Sweeny and Michael Boyle, brother of Manus Boyle. Both men will be seeking support from fellow party members. Chairperson of Fine Gael in the...

There are calls in Sligo to increase the speed limit of one road back up to 80km/hr. Earlier this year, local and rural roads saw the speed reduced to 60km/hr, however it is seen by some to be causing a hazard along the old N4 road, now the L3700. Numerous reports have been made since the reduction of people speeding and overtaking along the stretch, due to the road being in good condition. Ballym...

A greenfield site has been identified as a potential location for surgical hub in the north west. Currently, a business case is being updated with it expected to be submitted nationally be early April. The Programme for Government previously committed to explore the provision of one additional surgical hub for the north west in a timely manner. Councillor Edel McSharry says its high time there wou...

Sligo Abbey saw a decrease of over 10% in visitor numbers in 2024 when compared to 2023. According to latest figures from the Office of Public Works, Sligo Abbey had 34,135 visitors last year, down from 39,145 the year previous. It’s thought the heritage site may be a victim of its own success following what was labelled as an exceptional year in 2023. Andrew Whitefield, Head Guide at Sligo Abbey,...

A Donegal TD has highlighted that hundreds of children may have undergone unnecessary surgeries in recent years. Allegations focus on a large number of patients that received hip surgery in Children’s Health Ireland hospitals in Dublin. During Leaders Questions - Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said the State understands the stress this has caused to parents and children affected. Speaking in the...

There are calls for North West farmers to be given transparency on prices from the retail sector. As it stands, there are concerns over what may be considered an imbalance in the food supply chain and unfair trading practices. North West MEP Ciaran Mullooly highlighted the lack of retail stores publishing where they bought cattle from, and how much was paid for it, which they are obliged to do by...

There are further warnings that the imminent move of the Donegal Education Centre to Letterkenny will have a major impact on the footfall in Donegal Town. While the move looks all but final, there are hopes, even in the eleventh hour, for the Department of Education to intervene and halt proceedings until such time as an investigation into the consultation process is conducted. In the Seanad earli...

A Sligo Leitrim TD has defended Sinn Feins behaviour in the Dail Chamber this week. It comes as the Opposition is set to press ahead with a motion of no confidence in Verona Murphy, which will take place next week. The Government's indicated it supports Verona Murphy in the position with Micheál Martin stating the attitude of the opposition towards the Ceann Comhairle in recent days has been 'quit...

A teacher at the Donegal Education Centre says many teachers were surprised and disappointed at how last night’s AGM was facilitated.   The 2023 AGM was held in Letterkenny as opposed to Donegal Town where it usually takes place.   It took place against the backdrop of plans to move the facility from its base in Donegal Town to Letterkenny.   Teachers say that they were denied the o...

The Dail has heard that many roads across Donegal are in an awful state and in urgent need of upgrading. It comes as the Government is being urged to review the Local Improvement Scheme with claims that it's currently inadequate. 100% Redress Party TD Charles Ward has claimed that there are hundreds of people in the county who have been on the LIS waiting list for years. He also says that rural an...

It's been confirmed that Sligo County Council have made an application to the Rural Regeneration Development Project for the Rosses Point marina project.   The project, if successful would be seen as a safe landing space for, boats yachts and sea anglers in north Sligo.   The purpose of Category 2 funding is defined as "project development and enabling initiatives”, in order to apply for...

A Donegal Councillor has expressed his disappointment with reports of how teachers were denied the opportunity to voice concerns about the future of the Donegal Education Centre at a meeting in Letterkenny last night.   Independent Councillor Jimmy Brogan says many teachers at the facility which is currently based in Donegal Town were left frustrated after last night’s AGM.     Cllr...