Ocean FM News Reports

Ballymote has been selected for the next round of Town Centre First Plan.   Tubbercurry has already been selected for phase 1 and Ballymote has been announced for phase 2.   The Government initiative aims to tackle vacancy and dereliction in more rural towns and villages.   Fianna Fail Local Election Candidate Keith Henry says both the local community and businesses will be consulte...

It has been confirmed that a long-waited permanent cardiac service will finally be established at Sligo University Hospital.   For a number of years, there have calls for a full-time service a permanent cath lab at the facility, which could mean over 2,000 patients could be treated locally rather than having to travel to the likes of Galway.   However, during his visit to Sligo last week...

ATU Sligo Security staff and Gardai have been praised for their swift response to yesterday's incident on campus.   A man was arrested after reportedly brandishing a knife and threatened students.   Gardai say that he has since received medical attention at Sligo Garda Station and been released from custody.   They say that nobody was injured and that enquiries are ongoing.   G...

Sinn Féin says it voted against EU Nature Restoration Laws due to a lack of supports for farmers.   The European Parliament passed the legislation by a margin of 54 votes yesterday, with Sinn Féin Midlands North West MEP Chris MacManus in opposition.   It looks to restore 20 per cent of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030 and all ecosystems by 2050.   Sinn Féin TD Claire Kirrane say...

There's further concern over the future of smaller private nursing homes across Sligo and Leitrim.   It comes as a new organisation representing nursing homes say a new funding model is needed to stop more facilities closing down.   The Alliance is hosting a major conference in Limerick today to plan for a viable future for the sector.   Over 50 homes across the country have closed...

A Midlands North West MEP says voting against introducing mandatory regular medical tests for motorists was common sense.   It had been proposed that car, tractor and motorcycle drivers should be tested every 15 years, and drivers of trucks and buses every 5 years, in an effort to reduce road deaths.   MEPs have voted not to introduce it.   The EU is aiming to reduce road fatalities...

A man has been arrested after an incident on the ATU Sligo campus this afternoon.   It’s reported that the man was brandishing a knife and threatened passers-by.   Gardai were quickly on scene and apprehended the man.   He is currently being detained at Sligo Garda Station.   A spokesperson for ATU Sligo has confirmed to Ocean FM news that there were no injuries.   ATU is...

Farmers in Sligo and Leitrim are planning to hold demonstrations this coming Monday. The demonstrations are set to take place outside the offices of Sligo County Council and the Kinlough Community centre, where the meeting of Leitrim County Council is due to be held. It follows farmers across Cork descending on Cork Airport on Monday morning to vent their frustrations with policy. The 'Enough is E...

Work is expected to begin on the new unit at Sligo University Hospital in the third quarter of this year.   It's understood that the contract for the new 42-bed unit will be awarded in the second quarter, with the work expected to last up to 30 months.   The new unit will also include en suite rooms and ancillary accommodation.   Fine Gael TD, Frank Feighan, says its crucial that th...

Sligo has the highest commercial vacancy rate in the country, according to a new report.   A study by GeoDirectory shows that Ireland's commercial vacancy rate has reached its highest level since records began in 2013.   Sligo was found to have had the highest commercial vacancy rate in the country with just over fifth - 20.5% - of units vacant.   Donegal's figure was 18.2% while in...

There may be some relief among families in the North West following news that a new school transport scheme could be phased in over the next few years.   A number of key changes have been recommended to make the scheme more accessible.   Many parents in Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal have struggled for years to try get their child a place on the bus to and from school.   The issue has b...

A prominent Sligo businessman has rubbished a new report from GeoDirectory which shows Sligo has the highest commercial vacancy rate in the country.   Sligo was found to have had the highest commercial vacancy rate in the country with just over fifth - 20.5% - of units vacant.   Donegal's figure was 18.2% while in Leitrim, the vacancy rate is 17.4%.   But Finbarr Filan of Sligo BID...

Another candidate has confirmed their intentions to contest this year’s local elections.   Filmmaker and long-time environmental campaigner Johnny Gogan has been ratified by the Green Party.   He will look to secure one of six seats in the Sligo-Strandhill Municipal District.   Mr Gogan was founder of the Green Party’s north west constituency group in 2003.   Speaking to Ocean...

The Funeral Mass of nineteen-year-old Rickie Devine (jnr) has heard that he will be missed by many people.   Rickie Junior, originally from Larkhill near Ballymote, sustained serious injuries when the SUV he was driving veered off the N17 shortly before 8.15pm on Thursday evening.   Rickie Junior’s Funeral Mass is currently underway at St. Kevin’s Church, Keash.   Burial will follow...

North west members of the Irish Farmers Association could be set to hold a demonstration in the coming days in a similar fashion to scenes in Cork this morning:   This morning, around 60 farmers gathered near Cork Airport before travelling in their tractors into the city for the demonstration outside the monthly meeting of Cork County Council.   They say part of a wider IFA campaign targ...

Defective block campaign groups in Donegal have joined forces to publish 'The People's Document' which is said to articulate the key principles of a true 100% Redress Scheme.   The move coincides with the upcoming local and European elections.   A meeting is being held next Monday at An Grianan Hotel in Burt where affected homeowners will be presented with the work that has been done on...

New legislation is set to allow credit unions expand their membership and services in Sligo.   It's set to bring about significant reforms for the Credit Union sector in Ireland like enhancing competitiveness in lending markets.   It'll also mean that credit unions will be able to compete more effectively in the mortgage market.   Local Fine Gael Cllr Thomas Walsh believes that it w...

It's understood that the Department of Housing has finalised documents as it relates to adding Sligo homeowners to the Defective Block redress scheme.   Sligo County Council is set to review the documents before being sent back up to the Department for final approval from the Housing Minister.   Frustration is said to be building among homeowners in Sligo after hopes of being added to th...

Concern is growing over resources in An Garda Siochana in the North West and elsewhere.   It comes as Justice Minister Helen McEntee is being accused of failing to properly resource and future plan for the force.   6,417 Gardaí are set to retire by 2028.   Former Donegal Sergeant Christy Galligan says it doesn't bode well for the future of the force:

Plans are finally afoot by the National Transport Authority for the construction of bus shelters in Drumkeeran.   There have been numerous calls for the much needed infrastructure in the village but now it's understood that the project has moved to the next stage.   It's anticipated that work on the shelters could start in the next few months.   Local Sinn Fein Cllr Padraig Fallon i...

Saturday night produced one the Showgrounds biggest crowds in years, 4,317 spectators, and a hard-earned 0-0 draw for Sligo Rovers against Derry City. We hear the postmatch analysis of manager John Russell and former Rovers player and manager Gavin Dykes.

Major funding is being sought for investment in Irish language and education programmes. Conradh na Gaeilge is holding it's Ard Fheis this weekend where over 130 groups passed a motion calling for political parties to action an investment model called An Plean Fáis. The proposal would see 0.4% of government spending allocated to Irish language initiatives. General Secretary Julian De Spáinn says a...

The reaction of Sligo Rovers manager John Russell to Saturday night's 0-0 draw with Derry City at the Showgrounds.

The ruins of Staad Abbey in north Sligo are to be further at risk of falling into the sea.   A new Noteworthy investigation for The Journal shows it's due to rising erosion rates. This will only weaken already vulnerable landmarks, such as that at Staad Abbey. Noteworthy Investigative Journalist, Patricia Devlin says storms are damaging monuments:

Work has begun on two projects in Ballygawley this week. A footpath with pedestrian access is to be constructed in the middle of Ballygawley village, while work has also started on a new carpark for the Sligo Way at Union Wood. Two local companies received the contracts for the seperate projects. Local Fine Gael Councillor, Thomas Walsh, says the much-needed infrastructure was a long time coming f...