Ocean FM News Reports

Charlie McConalogue has been confirmed as Senator Niall Blaney's director of elections for upcoming European election campaign. In a joint statement, the two Donegal natives said they would be putting maximum effort into winning a European seat. McConalogue, who is currently the Minister for Agriculture, described his appointment as an "honour". Senator Blaney will contest the elections on June 7t...

Significant funding has been allocated to North West communities under the Community Recognition Fund. 50 million euro has been allocated to projects nationwide, with Sligo to get 1.7m euro, Leitrim receiving 2.2m, and Donegal getting 3.3m. The funds are aimed at communities hosting large amounts of refugees, with a number of amenities set to be upgraded. Sligo Leitrim TD, Fine Gael's Frank Feigha...

A Sligo Leitrim TD has insisted that she will not be endorsing Simon Harris as Taoiseach later today. Leo Varadkar resigned last night, paving the way for Harris to become Taoiseach when the Dail returns this afternoon. Many though, some from the Fianna Fail back bench, believe that a General Election should be called instead. While Harris has received the backing of some Independent TDs, Deputy M...

A Donegal=based road safety campaigner says more needs to be done to examine the effectiveness of existing road safety laws.   61 people have died on the country's roads so far this year= an increase of 16 on the same period last year.   The founder of PARC road safety group and Donegal woman Susan Gray have previously met with the Taoiseach and senior ministers to discuss the increase i...

Half a million euro is to be made available to local community-based projects nationwide to support the integration of migrants.   Successful organisations will receive funding of between one and five thousand euro to support local initiatives.   However, local election candidate Bernie Linnane thinks more needs to be done on the issue than just a small amount of funding.   The Labo...

TDs from the North West should not back Simon Harris to become Taoiseach tomorrow. That's the view Donegal Sinn Fein TD, Padraig MacLochlainn, who described the current leadership regime as "tired". Simon Harris is set to become Taoiseach tomorrow when the Dáil returns, following the expected resignation of Leo Varadkar this evening. Speaking to Ocean FM News, Deputy MacLochlainn says a general el...

It is hoped that a number of cross-border issues can be ironed out following a meeting of two elected representatives in recent days.   Midlands North West MEP candidate Niall Blaney met with UUP Fermanagh General Election candidate Councillor Diana Armstrong at Belleek Bridge on the border.   Senator Blaney believes both regions are affected by similar concerns and work can be done to r...

It’s been claimed that there’s been two knife attacks on staff at Sligo University Hospital over the last two months. In another shocking incident, it’s reported that a consultant was pepper sprayed by a patient in the Emergency Department. Other incidents involving hammers have also been highlighted at todays sitting of Sligo County Council. Currently there’s three security staff operating per sh...

Calls have been reiterated for the hydrotherapy pool in Cregg House to be reopened. The pool has been closed since the Covid-19 pandemic, and it's widely felt that its services would benefit many people with disabilities from across the region. It's understood that contact between the HSE and Woodbrook Care, the management company representing Cregg House, on the matter has been minimal. Independe...

Efforts are being made to keep Leitrim clean - but litter and dumping continues to be an issue. Leitrim's annual Big Clean Up took place this weekend, with a significant number of volunteers turning out. Large amounts of litter have been found along the N16 in recent weeks, while what appeared to be seats from a minibus were found dumped just off the greenway in Glenfarne a number of weeks ago. Lo...

Issues relating to border counties in the North West are set to be discussed at the North South Ministerial Council this morning. It's the first meeting of the council since power-sharing in Stormont was restored. Health and transport infrastructure are among key topics to be discussed, with the meeting getting underway at 10am this morning. Minister for Agriculture and Donegal TD, Charlie McConal...

There are currently sixteen Garda personnel attached to the roads policing unit at Sligo Garda station.   This number includes the likes of Sergeants and Inspectors.   Chief Superintendent Aidan Glacken has confirmed that Gardai from other units are drafted in on a rotational basis to beef up the numbers.   He also says the unit is adequately resourced in terms of fleet.   The...

Latest figures show mixed fortunes for the North West in relation to housing prices for the start of 2024. The new MyHome.ie Property Price Report shows property prices in Sligo have fallen by €4,000 in the first quarter of this year, while Leitrim prices remain steady, and Donegal prices have a marginal rise. Which means the median asking price for a property in Donegal is €209,975, in Sligo it d...

It's estimated that around 85% of motorists are speeding on the approach road into Ballisodare. A recent survey, conducted by Sligo County Council also shows that a lot of the speeding vehicles are lorries and other HGVs. It has to major safety concerns among the local community. Local Sinn Fein Cllr Thomas Healy says while the TII is looking at introducing some safety measures in the area, Gardai...

Sligo County Council does not currently have a Road Safety Officer in place, but the role is set to be filled in the coming weeks. The roles and responsibilities of the Road department are currently under review by the Council, and a Road Safety Officer will be instated once complete. Sligo Independent Councillor Marie Casserly followed up a query about the current situation, amid the rise in road...

The new Donegal-based IMO president has described waiting lists at Irish hospitals as “frighteningly long”.   Dr. Denis McCauley addressed colleagues at this weekend’s Irish Medical Organisation AGM in Killarney.   Dr. McCauley referenced the chronic shortage of beds, consultants and GPs which have left thousands of people with the care they need.   He feels not enough is being done...

Donegal County Council are exploring options to allow people to recoup the cost of vacant and derelict property grants.   The conditions of the grants mean that a full payment has to be made up front, before the cost can be recounted through the various schemes.   It's understood that Donegal County Council are in discussions with Credit Unions around the county to provide bridging loans...

The latest candidate to enter their name into the hat for this year's European elections says he's looking forward to the campaign.   On Friday night, it was confirmed that former RTÉ correspondent Ciaran Mullooly will be the newly-formed Independent Ireland party's candidate in the Midlands North West constituency.   Formed last November, the Independent Ireland party currently comprise...

The Justice Minister has announced one million euro worth of additional funding for community CCTV schemes. Local Authorities can now also seek a once-off grant of up to €5,000 for minor maintenance costs. Sligo Drumcliffe Councillor Thomas Walsh has welcomed the news that the funds can be used for both new CCTVs, and upgrading older ones too. The Fine Gael councillor called it a step in the right...

People with disabilities get forgotten about when it comes to the government.   That's according to Aontú's new election candidate for the Donegal Municipal District, Patrick Brogan.   It will be his first election, and he said his priorities are to represent people with autism and other disabilities.   Mr Brogan is the father of four children with autism, and wants to be an advocat...

ATU Sligo and ATU St Angela's will once again open their campuses to the public as they welcome prospective students and families to an Open Day on Saturday 20th April.   Open days provide future students with the opportunity talk with current third level students and academic staff.   Sean Kelly of Marketing, Communication, and Student Recruitment, at ATU St Angela's, highlighted the im...

Sligo's Chief Superintendent has stated that there is both a will and desire among Garda management for a new Garda station in Sligo.   The current building on Pearse Road has long been flagged as not fit for purpose.   Assessments of the existing building are nearing conclusion - it's expected that this will prove that it's no longer suitable.   This assessment is set to be complet...

New figures show that there have been 535 checkpoints conducted in County Sligo so far this year.   The data shows that nearly 40 people have been caught either drink or drug driving in the county since January.   In 2023, Gardai conducted over 1400 checkpoints in Sligo.   Local Independent Cllr Marie Casserly had been questioning the level of such activity – she says it’s crucial t...

Gardai in Sligo have confirmed that a number of safety measures are being progressed for  Ballinacarrow.   There’s major concern locally over the speed some motorists are travelling through the village, which is situated along the N17.   Figures released today by chief superintendent Aidan Glackan show that a total of 123 Garda checkpoints have been conducted at Ballinacarrow since...

Gardai in Sligo have confirmed that a number of safety measures are being progressed for  Ballinacarrow.    There’s major concern locally over the speed some motorists are travelling through the village, which is situated along the N17.    Figures released today by chief superintendent Aidan Glackan show that a total of 123 Garda checkpoints have been conducted at Ballinac...