Ocean FM News Reports

The incoming Government is facing renewed calls to address infrastructure deficits in the North West. It's long been thought that a dual carriage way should be constructed from Donegal through Sligo down to Galway. Meanwhile a number of Seanad hopefuls have also been canvassing across the region looking for votes from local Cllrs ahead of the election at the end of the month. Independent Cllr Mich...

Residents in Leitrim, Sligo and Donegal are being urged to check in on their elderly or vulnerable neighbours during the ongoing cold snap. Many people, particularly those living in rural parts of the region could be effectively cut off as many minor routes have gone untreated. Manorhamilton Fianna Fail Cllr Mary Bohan says postal services in certain areas have also been impacted. Cllr Bohan has a...

Fintra Bridge is expected to be allocated significant funding in 2025. The Department of Transport has indicated that the project is in line for a major funding boost to allow construction commence. Back in September, it was given the go-ahead to proceed to tender stage. The multi million euro project has been in the pipeline for many years and will see a complete replacement of the notorious brid...

Met Eireann has come under fire over leaving Donegal out of two Orange weather warnings. Donegal was one of four counties omitted from last night's warning while it's the only county in Ireland not included in the orange alert kicking in at 6pm this evening. This is despite numerous school closures and services impacted right across the county as a result of road conditions today. Independent Cllr...

Pressure on Sligo and Letterkenny University Hospitals looks set to continue, despite flu cases expected to peak this week. Some elective procedures were cancelled at Sligo University Hospital this week due to several flu outbreaks on wards and a high level of those being treated on site for respiratory illnesses. Meanwhile, there were 45 people awaiting admission to the hospital yesterday, down 1...

Tonight could even be colder than last night in the North West. Another orange alert comes into effect at 6pm this evening and will be in place until 11am tomorrow. The warning for this evening includes the entire country apart of Donegal. Met Eireann has also extended the yellow alert until midday on Friday. Speaking to Ocean FM, Kenneth Conlon from the Donegal Weather Channel says temperatures c...

As a cold spell continues across the North West, people have been reminded of the importance of animal welfare. A status orange low temperature and ice warning is currently active in the region along with yellow alert for snow. Weather alerts has been in place since Saturday, which left thousands of homes without power and water in the south of the country. Sligo IFA Chair, Michael O'Dowd, highlig...

A Midlands North West MEP has called on the Sligo Leitrim Deputy, Marina Harkin to once again outline her opposition to the EU-Mercosur Deal during the Government formation talks     Ciaran Mullooly, has written to Independent TDs in the region urging them to make their opposition to the trade deal a red line issue in the upcoming government formation talks.    The Independent...

Very cold days and extremely cold nights are expected in Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal this week. As it stands, Sligo and Leitrim are under an orange weather warning of low temperatures and ice, while along with Donegal also being under a yellow alert of snow and ice. Temperatures may plummet as low as -8 degrees in certain areas of the North West. Rebecca Cantwell, forecaster with Met Eireann, says...

Questions are being asked over why Donegal has been omitted from the Orange weather warning. Donegal is one of just four counties along with Northern Ireland not included in the alert and is set to remain under a yellow warning. Residents across the county are still being warned of potential wintry showers will bring further accumulation of snow. Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Independen...

Health chiefs in Northern Ireland are holding an emergency meeting later over winter-related pressure on the health service.   In similar fashion to what has been happening in the Republic of Ireland, front line staff in the north are dealing with a spike in flu case, and other respiratory illnesses during the cold snap.   Hospital emergency departments have also been particularly busy....

The general public are being urged only to contact the national ambulance service in emergency situations only over the next few days.   With snow and ice warnings extended until at least Friday there are fears that ambulance crews may be put at risk attending non-emergency call out's.   Paramedic Crews have expressed frustration prior to Christmas after being called out to deal with suc...

There are major fears that sections of the N17 and other routes around Tubbercurry and Ballymote will be treacherous again this evening. Despite best efforts by Sligo County Council, many roads were in a dangerous condition in the area due heavy snowfall. With the orange weather alert for ice coming into effect later, there's concern that it could result in an even more serious situation tonight....

A Status Orange - Low Temperature/Ice warning has been issued for both Sligo and Leitrim.   The warning also applies to the remainder of Connacht and a host of other counties.   Met Éireann is warning of extremely cold temperatures with widespread severe frost, ice and lying snow.   Dangerous travelling conditions on roads and underfoot, travel disruption and delays and animal welfa...

All journeys on the Sligo to Dublin Connolly rail line are operating as scheduled today. A number of routes in other parts of the country have been cancelled due to snow and ice. However, passengers travelling to and from the north west are being hit with either no or very minor delays despite overnight conditions. Iarnród Éireann's Barry Kenny has this advice for train passengers today:

There are fears that recent homeless figures for the North West are only the tip of the iceberg. The data shows that in November, the rate of homelessness has risen across Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal.   72 were in Sligo, 62 in Donegal, while in Leitrim there were 15- this accounts for 1% of the national total.   But Independent Cllr Jimmy Brogan believes the issue runs much deeper, with m...

Commuters in many parts of the North West Region are facing difficult driving conditions this morning as the cold snap has impacted the counties of Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal.   Met Eireann have issued a Status Yellow low temperature warning ice warning for the entire country until Friday.   Local Council Crews have been gritting many of the main roads overnight, however drivers are urge...

A Donegal GP has highlighted that many newly qualified GPs are leaving the country due to expense of setting up a general practice in Ireland. There are fears that the North West region will face increased difficulties in the future in relation to access to GPs due to an increase in population. It is also understood that the setting up of a practice in rural areas is proving particularly challengi...

Ireland West Airport is fully operational today despite the current yellow weather warning in place. The snow and ice warning has caused mass travel disruption within the UK and Ireland over the weekend, and low temperatures are set to continue in the week ahead. However despite some long delays for passengers in Knock yesterday, all flights ultimately operated. Head of Marketing at Ireland West A...

Fresh snowfall is reported in Barnesmore Gap in Donegal this lunchtime, with further snowfall also around Tubbercurry and Knock. The risk is set increase for the North West throughout today especially tonight into tomorrow morning with further accumulated possible. It comes as a nationwide Status Yellow low temperature and ice warning has been extended until midnight on Thursday. Met Eireann has a...

There were 55 people waiting for a bed at Sligo University Hospital this morning - making it the second most overcrowded in Ireland today. 25 people were waiting in its Emergency Department while a further 30 were waiting on wards or in overflow areas. It's the highest figure in some time. Nationally, there were 761 people waiting at hospitals across the country today with the INMO calling for an...

On online Sligo business has now been without broadband for over a month, since the line was cut down by an individual. Format Web Design LTD works from home and have been unable to continue operations as normal over the Christmas period, the busiest time of year for the company. The business has been in constant contact with Eir since the issue began, with a resolution yet to be found. Lisa Lomax...

Those heading from airports are being told to check with their airline before travelling. It's expected that weather warnings will impact operations at Knock, Cork, Dublin and other airports. Shannon Airport is one of those affected by a status orange snow and ice warning. Niall Kearns of Shannon Airport, says they may also be impacted by flights being diverted from Cork or Dublin:

It's hoped that more can be done in terms of infrastructure for the health service in the north west.   Sligo University Hospital recorded the fourth highest figure nationally in terms of numbers waiting for beds across 2024.   Sligo University Hospital's figure of over 7,600 was a decrease on 2023, however the facility is said to be struggling in terms of staffing and bed capacity. &nbs...

There are renewed calls for the Sligo's winter gritting programme to be extended. It comes as a number of regional routes were reportedly in a treacherous condition this morning - some impassable - because they were not treated. The gritting programme in County Sligo which covers primary roads can only be expanded if the Government provides extra funding. Fine Gael Cllr Thomas Walsh says in the in...