Ocean FM News Reports

Mixed weather conditions are expected in the week ahead for counties across the North West. Following from the yellow wind and rain warning on Sunday, conditions will be calmer although still subject to change. Periods of sunshine and showers are predicted, with also the potential of thunderstorms and hail. Michelle Dillon, of Met Eireann, says weather will improve as the week progresses:

A number of local groups are set to receive funding under the Community Recognition Fund. Among the local highlights include almost 180,000 for the refurbishment of Dromahair Garda Station to change its use into a community hub and men's shed. In Bundoran, €160,000 is to be awarded to the Réalt na Mara GAA club for the development of a community walkway, along with a kicking and handball wall. €20...

Leitrim recorded the highest increase in rent prices nationally in 2024. The latest Daft.ie report shows that rents in the county were 13% higher than a year previously, with the average rent price in the county now standing at €1,187. Sligo recorded a 7.4% increase bringing the average rent price to €1,344. Similar to its fellow north west counties, Donegal also recorded an increase at 2.7% with...

The recent power and water outages in North Leitrim are to be discussed at a key meeting tonight. It was an area worst hit in the aftermath of Storm Eowyn, due to the close proximity of forestry to powerlines. The main aim of the event is explore what can be done to prevent prolonged future outages. It's getting underway at the Killargue Community Centre at 8pm. Matt Conlon, Treasurer of the Killa...

A public meeting over the N15 in County Sligo is taking place tonight. There's major safety concerns over the route in its current state, with calls for the construction of a new road for some time. The project needs to be put back onto the National Planning Framework before it can progress. The meeting is getting underway at Rathcormac Hall at 8pm. Fianna Fail Cllr Donal Gilroy says that it will...

With the spiralling costs of new house builds, it's hoped that timber log cabin and other modular-style dwellings can be put in place locally. Some prospective home builders have received quotations of over €450,000 or more. New planning minister John Cummins is pursuing changes to provide exemptions for the structures at the back of properties. Ballymote-Tubbercurry Municipal District Councillor...

Paddy McGill and Peter Campbell bring us a sea-area weather forecast from Pearse Stadium - and they talk a bit of football too - following Sunday's 0-21 to 0-14 loss to Galway in Division 1. There are also some two-pointer contributions from Donegal boss Jim McGuinness, outgoing Donegal GAA Central Council delegate Sean Dunnion (after a momentous Congress weekend), Galway Bay FM's Jonathan Higgins...

It's hoped that a tourism office will open in Manorhamilton.   Leitrim was recently included in Fáilte Ireland's new five-year sustainable tourism development plan alongside Cavan and Roscommon.   The plan aims to extend the tourism season and spread business across the region over the next five years.   Independent Councillor Eddie Mitchell feels a central hub would have wide-rangi...

Wet and windy conditions are expected to sweep across the north west on Sunday. A status yellow wind and rain warning will come into place for counties Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal from Wicklow and Wexford from 2am and lasting until 3pm on Sunday afternoon.   While a status yellow wind warning will be in place from 3pm until 12 midnight.   Met Éireann are advising of difficult travel condi...

It's hoped that more can be done to assist those who may be impacted by future adverse weather conditions.   Storm Éowyn ripped through the north west leaving many homes, farms and businesses without power for almost three weeks.   Leitrim Councillor Padraig Fallon feels that grant aids should be introduced to assist elderly and vulnerable households in installing generators.   The...

A proposed forming of a north Leitrim branch of Mácra will be discussed at a meeting on Saturday evening. Branches currently exist throughout the county, including in the north west. The club provides a valuable social outlet for those from the area, who may or may not be interested in farming. Saturday evening’s meeting will take place at Heraghy’s Bar in Manorhamilton at 9.30pm. Shane O’Hara, or...

Met Eireann has clarified what the North West can expect as adverse weather arrives on Sunday. A yellow wind alert for wind and rain will be in place for Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal from 2am Sunday until 3pm. The rain alert will then end, with the wind alert continuing until midnight. It’s expected that this may result in poor travelling conditions, fallen trees, and localised flooding. Brandon Cre...

A former Donegal Garda Sergeant has questioned the new updates to the Garda Trainee pre-selection Physical Competency Test. A review commenced in the summer of 2024, with the aim of ensuring all candidates possess an acceptable level of fitness. Among the changes will be the removal of push ups and sit ups, and a standardised pass/fail for all applicants, regardless of age or gender. Retired Garda...

A Leitrim Councillor has warmly welcomed the relaxing of Planning rules on mobile homes and modular homes that wold be situated close to family homes. It's understood that the measure is being examined by the Junior Minister, John Cummins in line with recent changes to planning laws. Kinlough based Fianna Fail Councillor Justin Warnock had earlier this year tabled a motion in relation to such a mo...

There's renewed calls for drivers who hold a full licence to be retested. It's thought that the move may promote better driver behaviour in the North West and further afield. Meanwhile figures released earlier this week revealed that the Sligo Leitrim Garda division recorded the highest number of uninsured drivers in the country between 2023 and 2024. Fianna Fail Cllr Donal Gilroy feels that more...

The Dail has heard that many communities across Leitrim have been destroyed by Storm Eowyn. It's been widely documented in recent weeks that the level of forestry that fell on powerlines in the County had a devastating impact. There have been ongoing calls for such infrastructure to be better protected going forward. Sinn Fein Sligo Leitrim Martin Kenny says the Government need to urgently look at...

Families who lost loved ones during the Creeslough tragedy have been left with no answers for three years. That's according to a spokesperson for many of the families, Senior Counsel Damien Tansey. Mr Tansey says they'll be appealing the decision by Donegal County Council to allow for the re-development of a service station on the site where 10 people lost their lives. He says the application appr...

There are calls for a feasibility study for a surgical hub in Sligo to be completed as soon as possible. The Programme for Government previously committed to explore the provision of one additional surgical hub for the North-West in a timely manner. It'll depend on the study though, and if the findings of that will warrant one. Fianna Fail Cllr Edel MacSharry says it's important for all aspects to...

The Final Whistle takes you behind the preparations for the GAA's Annual Congress 2025, which is being hosted by Donegal - in the Abbey Hotel, Donegal Town. Contributions from Mary Coughlan, Sean Dunnion, Bill Collins, Gearóid Tobin (Middle East GAA) & Paul Keane (US GAA). Also - we hear from Sligo GAA Chair Sean Carroll ahead of Sligo v Clare in Division 3 of the national football league this...

A Sligo Councillor says the news that the Local Authority in Sligo has granted planning permission for a large-scale residential development on a 15-acre site at Oakfield Road in Sligo Town is to be welcomed.   People Before Profit Councillor, Gino O Boyle has called for an allocation of the new homes to fall under the ‘social and affordable bracket.   Novot Holdings Ltd were granted pla...

A Donegal Senator has missed out on being selected as Leas Cathaoirleach in Seanad Eireann. Senator Eileen Flynn is the first elected Senator from a Traveller background to be nominated for the position. Although unsuccessful, it's seen as a momentous occasion in Irish politics as Senator Flynn represents many who have faced racism and exclusion. Sligo Senator Nessa Cosgrove, who seconded the nomi...

There's said to be a renewed sense of hope over the future of the Donegal Education Centre. It follows last night's crisis meeting between local TDs and Education Minister Helen McEntee. The centre is set to relocate to Letterkenny - a move which has caused uproar in Donegal and the surrounding area. The Minister has given a commitment to investigate the matter further A protest is also being arra...

Applications are now open to join a team of lifeguards that monitor the beaches of Donegal. Ahead of the summer bathing season, a recruitment is underway to find people willing and capable to provide supervision and emergency recue along the North West coast. The closing date for submissions is 12 noon, on Monday 3rd March. Ken Keane, Beach Lifeguard Supervisor & Water Safety Coordinator with...

The Health Minister is under further pressure to explain why Donegal and the North West was omitted from the Governments surgical hubs plan. Six hubs are being established across the country, none of which are to be situated in Sligo or Donegal. Speaking in the Seanad, Senator Manus Boyle believes Minister Carroll McNeill should revisit the case for a hub in this region. He feels that geographical...

It's hoped that preventative measures can be introduced in the event of collapse of phone networks during adverse weather conditions. Concerns were raised at this month's meeting of the Manorhamilton Municipal District that during Storm Éowyn, many were unable to carry out routine phone calls. Independent Cllr Felim Gurn says easier means of communication are needed going forward.