Ocean FM News Reports

Another weather warning has been issued for the North West. The yellow alert is coming into effect at 5pm tomorrow and is valid until 5pm on Sunday. Met Eireann is warning of falls of sleet and snow which could lead to hazardous driving conditions. Meteorologist with Met Eireann Deirdre Lowe has been speaking to Ocean FM says it’s going to be bitterly cold in the North West this weekend:  

A nationwide status yellow low temperature and ice warning remains in place this morning. Freezing temperatures overnight have left widespread frost and ice on the roads across the region. The weather warning is due to expire at 11am - but an advisory for sleet and snow will come into effect at midnight. Climate scientist Cathal Nolan from Ireland's Weather Channel says conditions will deteriorate...

It's expected the flu season will peak in around two weeks' time. The number of people in hospital with the virus has nearly doubled in the last week with face masks now mandatory at both Sligo and Letterkennys EDs. There's been a rise of almost 500 cases, with over 1 thousand in hospital yesterday. Donegal GP and President of the Irish Medical Organisation, Dr. Denis McCauley wants the new govern...

Sligo Rovers have confirmed this afternoon that goalkeeper Conor Walsh has signed a new contract extension with the club.   The new deal will see Hutchinson into his fourth season at The Showgrounds, having already racked up 6 appearances for the club to date.   The 19-year-old has previously spent time on loan at Finn Harps and more recently Wexford FC.   A native of Westport, Wals...

There may be a few teething problems with moves to reduce speed limits on rural roads in the North West. Limits will drop from 80 kilometres per hour to 60 kilometres per hour on some roads across the region on a phased basis from next month. It comes as a total of 22 people lost their lives on roads across Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal last year. Manorhamilton MD Fianna Fail Cllr Mary Bohan is hopef...

Gardaí in the north west are urging the public to add road safety to their list of resolutions in 2025. Gardaí say by making conscious choices to reduce risks and increase safety on the roads, we can all help prevent accidents and save lives. 178 people lost their lives in road incidents in Ireland in 2024. Sergeant Aoife Hayes, of the Sligo Roads Policing Unit says more caution is needed from dri...

A blanket of frost and ice is set to cover the north west this evening.   Counties Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal are all under a nationwide status yellow low temperature and ice warning.   The warning will begin at 6 o’clock this evening and remain in place until 11am tomorrow morning.   Met Éireann say temperatures are set to fall to -3 degrees or below in many areas.   Forecaste...

There are calls for the incoming Government to help middle income earners in the North West and elsewhere. It comes as some changes announced in Budget 2025 have now come into effect. The cut-off limit for the standard rate of income tax was increased yesterday by 2 thousand euro. Social Welfare rates have risen by 12 euro a week, while the cost of fuel went up by 2 cent a litre. Minimum wage incr...

Concern has been expressed over an increase in the number of suspected cat poisonings taking place in south Donegal. It's been claimed that four cats were poisoned in the Fair Green area of Ballintra in recent days. Three of the cats received treatment and survived, however one pet passed away. Charity 'Animals in Need Donegal' has issued an urgent appeal to people to stop putting down poison. Jit...

Motorists are being encouraged to slow down on the roads this morning after a very cold night. Temperatures are expected to stay low over the coming days, and drop below freezing after dark. There's a increased chance of sleet and hail in the west this morning. Carlow Weather's Alan O'Reilly says snow could fall in places:

A Donegal TD has highlighted key issues that need to be addressed over 2025.   In providing an outlook, housing and healthcare were mentioned as two services in need of great improvement over the next 12 months.   Sinn Féin Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn stressed that Ireland is a great country, but there is work to be done.   Deputy MacLochlainn says people provide great leadership in...

The public are being advised to stay away from New Years Eve parties if they have flu symptoms. The HSE 984 people were in hospital with the virus on Monday morning. Donegal-based GP, Dr Denis McCauley is President of the Irish Medical Organisation. He says people need to be sensible if they feel sick:

The Mayor of Sligo Borough Council says he hopes 2024 will be the year of major progress in terms of housing in the county.     The lack of affordable housing is said to having serious implications for a number of potential homeowners throughout Sligo.     Coupled with increased rental costs, has left many feeling frozen out of the process.     Councillor Tom MacSharr...

A status yellow rain warning has been issued for Donegal tomorrow. It comes amid fears the country could be hit by a 'snow blast' for the New Year. Cathal Nolan from Ireland's Weather Channel says after a mild winter, conditions are getting colder and more unsettled.

Every effort will be given to assist families affected by the defective concrete block crisis in Donegal in 2025. That's according to Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council as they provided an outlook for the upcoming year. More affordable housing along with support for SMEs are also among the priorities for the council. Independent Cllr Niamh Kennedy says a lot of families have been left devasta...

As we had into the New Year, possible stormy conditions could be on the way. Forecasters are keeping a close eye on weather movements as the location of strong winds will determine what conditions it brings. Upper level weather warnings for wind and even snow in some parts of the country are all possible. However, Cathal Nolan from Ireland's Weather Channel says what we can be sure of is, the inco...

10-thousand blood donors are needed over the festive period to maintain hospital operations. It's a challenging time for The Irish Blood Transfusion service because 45 clinics are lost due to the way Christmas falls this year. Additional clinics are being held on Sundays to compensate for the lost slots. Paul McKinney, Operations Director of the IBTS, is urging people to give the gift of blood thi...

Christmas tree recycling is available within Leitrim in the coming days. People looking to get rid of their trees are asked to avail of the service, which provides an environmentally friendly way of disposal. A site will be set up in both Manorhamilton and Mohill for collection. Local Independent Cllr James Gilmartin has welcomed the initiative:

Makers of the famous Donegal tweed are calling for specific legal protection for their product. Weavers in County Donegal say they are increasingly facing cheaper imitations of their material. The industry is hoping to secure a protected status from the EU for the tweed, known for its distinctive flecks of colour. Kieran Molloy, from Molloy and Sons, says many variations on the market are not made...

Sligo University Hospital has been praised following the latest National Inpatient Experience Survey. The aim of the survey is to find out about patients’ experiences in public hospitals and use their feedback to identify areas of good experience, and areas needing improvement.  In relation to SUH, 87% of participants said they had a ‘good’ to ‘very good’ overall experience. Patients rat...

Tributes have been paid to Jimmy Burnside, following the passing of the former Sligo Rovers player. Burnside, a native of Forthill made 140 appearances for the club, scoring 40 goals in the 1950s and 60s.  Affectionately known as ‘Burgo’, he was part of the Rovers team that reached the semi-finals of the FAI Cup in the 1965/66 season. Sligo Rovers Chairman, Tommy Higgins shared his thoughts f...

Sligo Sinn Fein Councillor Arthur Gibbons talks about next Tuesday's vigil in Sligo Town.

Calls made for recreational use on town hall in Leitrim

Local Councillor confirms Santa's expected arrival

Those in the north west are set to be treated to unseasonably mild temperatures this Christmas week. Unsettled conditions such as rain, sleet and snow are often associated with this time of year. The north west has taken the brunt of recent storms Bert, Conall and Darragh over the last number of weeks. However, Met Éireann has forecasted dry, mild temperatures for the most part in the days ahead....