Ocean FM News Reports

One of the worst storms to ever hit the country is expected overnight. The entire island is under a red, 'danger to life', warning as Storm Eowyn prepares to make landfall. Red Alerts will kick in for Sligo and Leitrim at 4 a.m. while in Donegal ther red alert will commence at 7 a.m. The red alerts as things stand will be down-graded to Orange at 12 and 2 p.m in the respective areas. An orange win...

Nearly 30 Traveller families in Sligo are said to be under severe threat ahead of the arrival of tonight's storm. The families, which include almost 70 children, are living in caravans right across the County and there's major fears that their homes will not stand up to the elements. They are looking for a number of ratchet belts to ensure they're more secure. Manager of the Sligo Traveller Projec...

A Donegal TD has questioned the new Taoiseach’s attitude towards the formation of his government. Micheal Martin has been elected as Taoiseach by the Dail this afternoon, after receiving 95 votes to 76 following a roll-call vote. Meanwhile Simon Harris, will become the next Tanaiste. However Sinn Fein Deputy Pearse Doherty criticised the new Taoiseach’s dealings with Independent Deputy Michael Low...

A Donegal TD says the arrogance of the incoming Taoiseach, Michael Micheal Martin and the Independent TD Michael Lowry were major contributing factors to yesterday disruptive scenes witnessed in the Dáil.   Talks earlier today between Simon Harris, Micheál Martin and opposition leaders at Government Buildings managed to defuse a row which led to the Dáil being suspended yesterday.   A te...

There's an air of relief in Rosses Point following confirmation that the Yeats Country Hotel is not being considered for Direct Provision. The Department of Integration clarified the matter this week, putting an end to mass speculation and rumour in the area. Attentions are now turning to who is buying the hotel, with a renewed sense of hope that it will be refurbished and revamped into much neede...

Met Eireann has warned of the possible dangers posed by the imminent arrival of Storm Eowyn. As it stands, a red weather warning is in place for Sligo and Leitrim from 4am until 12pm, and in Donegal from 7am until 2pm. There will also be an orange wind warning in place for the whole country from midnight. Aoife Kealy, Meteorologist with Met Eireann, says the storm will bring a danger to life:

Ahead of tomorrow's storm a Leitrim Councillor wants the appropriate pressure to be applied to Coillte and private forestry owners to clear trees that pose a threat to powerlines. Drumkeerin based Fianna Fail Councillor Mary Bohan wants the Local Authority to contact the new Minister for Agriculture to take action and avoid situations where a large number of homes, businesses and farms were left w...

A spokesperson for Leitrim County Council says the Says the Local Authority are today continuing to plan for a period of time ahead that is expected to be damaging, dangerous and disruptive.   He Says Council staff are on standby for a major clean-up operation in the aftermath of Storm Eowyn and will only be responding to extreme emergencies during tomorrow’s red Alert.   Kieran Brett ha...

Unprecedented levels of wind are expected to be felt across the North West on Friday. As it stands, a red weather warning is in place for Sligo and Leitrim from 4am until 12pm, and in Donegal from 7am until 2pm. There will also be an orange wind warning in place for the whole country from midnight. Gary Martin, director of emergency services at Donegal County Council, says there will be exceptiona...

The Dáil will reconvene this morning to elect a Taoiseach after chaotic scenes forced it to be suspended four times yesterday.   It's related to a row over opposition speaking time to a bunch of government-supporting Independents in the Regional Technical Group.     There were explosive scenes in the Dail chamber with the Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy eventually suspending the Dáil...

Sligo Bay RNLI has issued a stark warning ahead of the arrival of Storm Éowyn.   A red weather alert is coming into effect for Sligo and Leitrim at 4am tomorrow morning and will be in effect until 12 noon on Friday.   A separate red warning will be in place for Donegal at 6am tomorrow morning until 3pm tomorrow.   The storm is set to cause a danger of life, bringing hazardous and un...

The North West Region along with the entire country is coming under a 'danger to life' warning as the countdown continues to Storm Eowyn.   Met Eireann is issuing a red wind alert for all counties from the early hours of tomorrow morning.   The warning was upgraded to status red for Sligo and Leitrim yesterday.  It'll be in place from 4am Friday until 12 noon on Friday.   A sep...

The Dáil has failed to vote in the new government following its resumption.   Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy previously suspended the house twice earlier this afternoon amid calls for scrapping of the proposed recess until February 5th.   Deputy Murphy was also questioned over her fairness and objectivity in her role as Ceann Comhairle.   The sitting did resume shortly after 4.20pm f...

Mercy College Sligo basketball coach Louise Harte gives her reaction to Wednesday's All-Ireland senior 'B' schoolgirls cup title in Dublin, thanks to a 35-27 win over Naas Community College.

Donegal recorded the highest number of callouts from Emergency Medical Response charity CRITICAL in 2024. Out of a total 1,308 taskings, volunteers responded to 230 calls in Donegal. The type of taskings included chest pain, stroke, cardiac and respiratory arrest, falls and road traffic collisions. CEO of CRITICAL, David Tighe, says the volunteers do amazing things within their communities:

Failte Ireland has launched a new 5-year sustainable tourism development plan for Leitrim, Cavan and Roscommon. The plan aims to extend the tourism season and spread business across the region over the next few years. A range of key initiatives will be employed to raise awareness of the destination, increase length of stay in the area, and expand the range and quality of visitor experience. Grainn...

The Dáil has descended into a chaos following its resumption earlier this morning.   Opposition TDs have spoken out against several measures including the fact members will not reconvene until February 5th following the approval of the new cabinet today.   While, Sinn Féin’s Matt Carthy has questioned Verona Murphy’s fairness and objectivity in her role as Ceann Comhairle.   Deputy...

The majority of second-level teachers believe incoming changes to the Leaving Cert will create difficulties in authenticating students' work. A survey by A-S-T-I shows 88 per cent of teachers feel the Additional Assessment Component will cause problems in the grading process. The component will see projects, worth a minimum of 40 per cent of the overall grade, introduced for all subjects at senior...

Met Eireann has issued A Status Orange wind warning for the north west and entire country as Storm Éowyn makes its way towards Ireland.   The forecaster says Friday morning will see severe, damaging and destructive winds with gusts of up to 130 kilometres per hour widely across the country- and even higher gusts for a time.   The Orange wind warning comes into effect at 2am Friday mornin...

The Mayor of Sligo Borough says the confirmation that the Yeats Country Hotel will not be used for direct provision purposes is a major boost to the local tourism and hospitality. Sligo-Strandhill Councillor, Tom MacSharry was reacting to an announcement from Deputy Frank Feighan who was provided with the assurances by the Department of Integration. The Department also said the facility is not lis...

It's feared that many farmers across, Sligo, Leitirm and Donegal are facing an uncertain future due to a major delay with ACRES payments. A number of farmers inspected and cleared as part of the ACRES environmental scheme, are still waiting for payment two years on. They've been told the problem's being caused by a glitch on the IT system which can't tell if a farmer is clear or has a penalty. Ind...

Business owners, homeowners and farmers in Leitrim that were negatively impacted by the recent storm Darragh will have an opportunity to air their concerns at a special public meeting later this week.   The meeting is being organised by Leitrim Public Participation Network and will take place at 7pm in the Den which is situated on the Swanlinbar Road, Ballinamore.   The meeting aims to b...

A Sligo Leitrim TD has moved this morning to end speculation that the Yeats Country Hotel in Rosses Point could be sold for direct provision purposes.   The hotel, which had been used to house Ukrainian refugees for the last couple of years, went on the market late last year.   The property which comprises of almost 100 bedrooms is located right beside the County Sligo Golf Club.  ...

The North West could be set for snowy and stormy conditions over Thursday night and Friday as Storm Eowyn approaches. Met Éireann are expecting to announce weather warnings closer to the time, with the exact weather conditions yet to be confirmed. The forecaster will be monitoring the developing situation and encouraged the public to keep up to date. Andrew Doran Sherlock, of Met Eireann, says the...

It's emerged that a shortage of beef supplies in the north west and elsewhere will result in further price increases. Current supplies do not meet the ever-growing demand for beef products. While adverse weather conditions have been blamed for recent reduced kill numbers with snow and ice causing logistical challenges in getting cattle transported to factories. IFA Connacht Chairperson, Brendan Go...