Ocean FM News Reports

Funding set for widening footpaths in Ballymote is now on hold as a review is conducted.   There were calls to reallocate the funds towards areas such as road repairs.   Local Election Candidate for the Ballymote Tubbercurry municipal district, Keith Henry, raised the issue and requested a half to the proposed widening.   Me Henry says the wording surrounding the propasal will be ch...

Letters have been sent to a number of relevant bodies over the high level of vacant and derelict buildings in Manorhamilton.   There's said to be schools, churches, community centres and other HSE owned buildings in the area which are currently vacant.   There's ongoing concern that they are falling into a state of disrepair and that they could be put to better use.   Labour Local e...

Questions are being asked over checkpoints being carried out by Gardai in County Sligo.   It comes as the number of personnel assigned to the Roads Policing Unit in the Sligo Leitrim Division has dropped dramatically over last few years.   The issue is to be raised at the latest sitting of the Sligo JPC meeting this morning.   Local Independent Cllr Marie Casserly is worried that th...

The lack of podiatry services for diabetic patients in Leitrim has been described as appalling.   There's said to be numerous people across the county who currently can't access the service.   The root of the problem is reportedly down low staffing levels and the ongoing HSE recruitment freeze. Sinn Fein Sligo Leitrim TD Martin Kenny says these people need to be cared for locally and the...

Irish Water has come under fire over charging what's been described as outrageous fees for water connections in south Donegal.   It's been claimed that one local resident has been quoted 53 thousand euro for a connection to their home.   People must apply to the utility for a connection once they have secured planning permission for a particular project.   But Local Sinn Fein Cllr M...

The plight of junior doctors will be under the spotlight of the medical profession today.   The Irish Medical Organisation is holding day two of its AGM in Killarney, County Kerry.   New IMO President, Dr Denis McCauley says the contribution of doctors needs to be acknowledged:

Signposts have been erected in a Sligo area to direct people to the nearest available defibrillators. There are currently 12 defibrillators between Gurteen, Keash and Culfadda with public access. 34 road signs have been set up by local first responders with the assistance of sponsors from the community. Councillor Paul Taylor of the Ballymote-Tubbercurry municipal district, has praised the introdu...

The Insurance industry continues to rip off consumers and small businesses and pocket the savings. That’s according to Sinn Féin spokesperson on finance Pearse Doherty TD, who responded to a new report from the Central Bank. Public liability and employer Insurance premiums rose by 8 per cent in 2022, while profit margins for insurance companies increased by over 50 per cent. Deputy Doherty critici...

The north west is set to bear the brunt of unsettled conditions over the next few days. Met Éireann is forecasting prolonged spells of rain, which much of it expected to fall at night. The forecaster is also warning of strong winds, particularly in coastal areas. Forecaster with Met Éireann, Liz Gavin has been telling Ocean FM news a bit more about what to expect.

The 9% VAT rate should be returned to the entire tourism and hospitality industry.   That's according to the newly appointed Donegal Chair of the Irish Hotels Federation Aisling Arnold, who has been reacting to calls for a new 'split' VAT rate to be introduced to help struggling small businesses.   It would be a two-tier VAT rate, one for larger firms and a lower 9% rate for SME's. &nbsp...

It's thought that a United Ireland would benefit communities across Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal.   This is despite a new report out today which suggests austerity-like tax hikes and spending cuts for those living south of the border if it were to come to pass.   The Institute of International and European Affairs has done an evaluation of the costs associated with reunification.   It...

An Independent Donegal TD is not expecting a call from Simon Harris looking for his backing as Taoiseach.   The Minister for Higher Education is gaining some support outside the coalition in Government from the likes of Sligo Leitrim Independent TD Marc MacSharry and Donegal Fine Gael TD Joe McHugh.   Independent TD Marian Harkin has already declared that she won't be backing the Fine Ga...

A Donegal man is set to become President of the Irish Medical Organisation today.   Dr. Denis McCauley will give his first address later in the Europe Hotel, Killarney at the IMO’s annual general meeting.   Improving conditions for public sector doctors will be a key focus for the AGM   The Irish Medical Organisation says 20 per cent of all consultant positions within the HSE are cu...

Questions are being asked over why the North West hasn't been allocated new Garda cars.   Six Garda stations around the country are set to get new EV squad cars - but none in Sligo Leitrim or Donegal.   There's ongoing concern over the condition of some of the vehicles Gardai currently have in this region, with many reaching end of life and taking time to replace.   Sinn Feins Trans...

Amid worsening weather conditions facing farmers, the effects this has to their mental health has been highlighted. Current ground conditions are very poor, which is preventing planting and the turning of livestock out of sheds. Sligo Chair of the IFA, Michael O’Dowd, has called for a financial package for fodder to be made available. Mr O’Dowd says the constant poor weather has had a negative imp...

The Funerals of Una Carlin-Bowden and her two daughters has heard their passing has left people "shook with the hardest of sorrows" Una, originally from Raphoe in county Donegal, suffered serious injuries alongside her daughters 14-year-old Ciara and 10-year-old Saoirse following a road traffic collision on the N17 in Mayo last Tuesday. The funeral masses are currently underway at St. Eunan's Chur...

Serious safety concerns have been raised again over the state of some of the buildings on the most derelict street in Sligo.   It's been claimed that some of the structures on High Street are on the brink of collapse despite strengthening works being carried out.   While there are concrete bollards are in place outside of the buildings as a protective measure to the general public they'r...

There's further calls on the Government to step in and provide support the childcare sector in the North West.   It comes following a new survey today which shows vast differences in the cost of creches in the region.   Parents in certain parts of Donegal could be paying up to 780 euro more than those in Leitrim for full day childcare.   Leitrim Sinn Fein Councillor Padraig Fallon s...

An open space in the centre of Ballisodare village is said to be in an appalling state.   The area in question is adjacent to the Avena Complex and a number of businesses and according to Land Registry is undergoing transfer of ownership.   As a result, the area has now fallen into a serious state of disrepair and the local Tidy Towns hands are tied as they're not allowed to carry out a...

Future governments have been asked to ensure that action is taken so that the defective blocks crisis never happens again.   The appeals were made following last week's launch of "The People's Document", which highlighted what exactly affected homeowners are looking for to ensure they get full redress.   Independent Donegal TD, Thomas Pringle, has hit out at Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael for...

The level of verbal and racial abuse that staff at the Rathcormac roadworks have been subjected to has been described as 'off the charts'.   The resurfacing works are set to finish tomorrow (Friday) but had resulted in huge tailbacks when they initially started, causing frustration among road users.   It's been claimed that some have been venting their rage over the delays to the staff o...

The new Connolly Motor Group West of Ireland golf champion, Keith Egan (Carton House), talks to Austin O'Callaghan about his win - and his Sligo connections.

A clampdown of illegal parking in Ballyshannon has been deemed necessary. Operation Enable began in the town earlier week with people parking in the likes of disabled bays or not displaying appropriate permits being dealt with accordingly. The operation is in place until 8am on Monday April 8th. Fine Gael Cllr Barry Sweeney says there's a lot of issues locally and is hopeful that the initiative wi...

Calls have been made to the Department of Higher Education to open undergraduate degree courses for primary teaching in the North West of Ireland within the next three years. The motion was raised at the Irish National Teachers Organisation Annual Congress today, and the need for resources was highlighted. Tomás O’Reilly, of the Roscommon North Branch, says it’s about giving future teachers a chan...

The owner of a local shop that was burgled over the weekend has said he was devastated over the incident. Queenan's shop in Enniscrone was broken into in the early hours of Good Friday morning. A large quantity of cigarettes were taken during the course of the incident. Speaking to Ocean FM News, shop owner and local councillor, Joe Queenan, says it will take some time to recover from the shock.