Ocean FM News Reports

Sligo County Council have provided an update on the Public Realm plan for the town. The plan will see the redevelopment of a number of streets in Sligo town. The first phase will see upgrade works carried out on Stephen Street, Holborn Street, Rockwood Parade, Water Lane and Tobergal Lane. The plan is currently at the detailed design phase, and the work is set to begin at the end of 2024. Just ove...

As the rainfall increases, temperatures decrease, and grass growth slows, farmers are being urged to use cubicle lime to their advantage this year and to adhere to all health and safety guidelines.     Keeping cows’ udders clean is vital to reducing the risk of infection, so it is critical to have your cubicles winter ready and disinfected.     The purpose of cubicle lime is to...

The SLNCR Greenway is moving on to the second stage of public consultation.   The much-anticipated greenway, which will pass through five counties, is now at the route selection phase, which is the last stage before designs for the greenway can be drawn up.   The in-person stage of the public consultation will take place on November 6th in the Sligo Park Hotel from 12pm-8pm, in the commu...

Childcare must be made more affordable for families upon the resumption of the Stormont Assembly.   That's the view of Sinn Féin MLA for Fermanagh South Tyrone, Jemma Dolan, who has been campaigning to cut childcare costs.   Some households have been reported to be paying upwards of 550 pounds a month for childcare, which is another factor to contend with amid the cost of living crisis....

There needs to be more incentives for labourers in Sligo and elsewhere to return to the construction sector.   That's according to local Fianna Fail Cllr Paul Taylor, who has been reacting to a new report published by the Banking and Payments Federation has found 60 per cent of firms are having difficulty recruiting machine operators and tradespeople.   There are fears that the shortage...

There are calls for enhanced bus services to and from a number of HSE day care centres in Sligo. Some of the centres locally have increased their opening hours for service users however the current local link bus schedule is not meeting the demand. A number of people wishing to avail of centres in Collooney, Easkey and Enniscrone are said to be impacted. Local Sinn Fein Cllr Thomas Healy says it's...

The community of Sligo is horrified by what happened in the town on Halloween night.   That's according to People Before Profit Cllr Gino O'Boyle who has been reacting to Tuesday nights assault on Mail Coach Road.   Three teenage boys who were arrested yesterday, are due before Sligo District Court this morning, charged in connection with the incident.   The victim, a 14 year old bo...

Could Leitrim become a top film location?   That's certainly the hope of Fine Gael Cllr Enda McGloin, who is calling for extra funding from to help the local film industry.   The WRAP fund was created specifically to fund productions in the television and film sector in a number of counties including Sligo and Donegal.   Councillor McGloin feels that not only is there a lot of buddi...

Defective Block campaigners in Donegal have been let down time and time again.   That's according to Sinn Féin MEP, Chris MacManus who was one of six MEPs who travelled to the County this week to engage with residents, campaigners and experts as well as Donegal County Council on the defective block issue.   This delegation from the European Parliament's Petition's Committee allows MEPs t...

Sitting Councillor Dónal Gilroy has been added to the Fianna Fáil ticket to contest the 2024 local elections in the Sligo-Drumcliff Municipal District.   Mr Gilroy, a native of Streedagh, was first elected in 2019 but was defeated by Edel Mac Sharry at a party convention last month.   However it's since been confirmed that he now join party colleague Edel McSharry on the ticket.   S...

There are calls for a bigger clampdown on those who are illegally parking in disabled bays in Sligo.   It's reported that there were several incidents over the weekend where people parked in disabled bays without having permits displayed.   The Wine Street area of Sligo is said to be a particular area of concern.   Local Sinn Fein Cllr Arthur Gibbons says it's a reoccurring issue an...

It's hoped Ireland will soon have closer ties with South Korea as an Irish delegation heads there this week.   Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, alongside Ministers Simon Coveney, Charlie McConalogue and Simon Harris are travelling for talks with the President of Korea.   They will hold a series of meetings to open up new trade, investment and education links with the world's 12th largest economy...

Further fears have been raised over how a lack of tourism accommodation is impacting the North West. Many hotels in the region are currently housing Ukrainian refugees and this is said to be having a serious knock-on effect on small local businesses. Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council Martin Harley says the 2023 tourism season was badly hit by the issue. He's calling for an immediate plan in...

Irish hospitals could be in for a tough winter if something isn't done to alleviate overcrowding.   The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation yesterday revealed 730 were admitted to Sligo University Hospital without a bed last month, making it the third most overcrowded facility for the month of October.   It flagged "acute pressure along the western seaboard" and said its members are "...

There are renewed calls for a deer cull in the North West in the wake of a number of crashes.   A motorist collided with a deer between Donegal Town and Ballybofey last Wednesday while there were other similar incidents in both Sligo and Leitrim in recent days.   Gardai have issued a warning to road users to stay alert, particularly in more rural areas, as deer rutting season in place fo...

Works have commenced on Luke's Bridge in Gortaleck. The route, which is the main route to the summit of Benbulben, is also surrounded by commonage for sheep farmers. Upon completion, a 12ft x 12ft cattle grid will be installed to stop sheep from getting on to the road. A gate and turnstile will also be put in place, which will allow safe access for walkers and cyclists. Speaking to Ocean FM News,...

More clarification is being sought from Leitrim County Council over its position on estates in Dromahair. Councillor Mary Bohan says there are a number of estates in the area that need taking over by the local authority. Ahead of the winter months, Councillor Bohan believes that the general upkeep and maintenance is imperative. Speaking to Ocean FM News, the Fianna Fáil Councillor says she will ke...

There are renewed fears that a lack of proper resourcing of Garda roads policing units will lead to more collisions and fatalities in the North West and elsewhere. There was a major Garda clampdown over the Bank Holiday weekend, which resulted in a number of arrests locally for speeding drink and drug driving offences. Sligo Leitrim TD and Sinn Feins Transport Spokesperson Martin Kenny says the hi...

People in the North West can no longer be treated as second class citizens in terms of healthcare.   That's according to Donegal Sinn Fein TD Padraig MacLochlainn who has been reacting to revelations that hundreds of scans are being reviewed at Letterkenny University Hospital.   It's after an internal check found more than one-third of a locum radiologist's work contained errors.  ...

High value mackerel from Irish waters should be used for human consumption in Ireland, not as an animal feed in other countries. That's the view of the Irish Fish Producers Organisation, ahead of the EU’s fishing quota negotiations with Norway beginning this week. Non-EU states have been seeking access to Irish waters in a bid to share quotas and fish large amounts of mackerel. Speaking to Ocean F...

A delegation from the European Parliament will visit Donegal as part of an investigation into defective concrete blocks. MEPs from Spain, Estonia and Latvia as well as Ireland also visit Dublin. The visit follows several petitions and debates by the Committee on Petitions, highlighting the issue of defective mica blocks used in construction in Ireland. Midlands-North West MEP Colm Markey, who is p...

Local members and supporters of the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign held a vigil outside Sligo’s General Post Office on Saturday afternoon. Organisers say It’s one of a growing number of protests and events being organised throughout the country to show solidarity with the people of Gaza and Palestine. They have called on the Irish government to use its influence, at EU level, to call for an...

A Donegal TD has called on the government to call out the treatment of journalists during the ongoing conflict in Gaza. A number of journalists have been killed or wounded with media premises destroyed and censorship threatened. Deputy Thomas Pringle has previously been vocal on the issues. Speaking in the Dáil, Independent Deputy Thomas Pringle says journalists should be able to operate freely wi...

Water quality issues at Mullaghmore look finally set to be addressed.   A swimming ban has been implemented there on several occasions, particularly during the summer months, after high levels of Intestinal Enterococci were present in sampling.   The inadequate local wastewater treatment plant combined with big influx of people had been cited as the root of the problem.   A new proj...

Emergency services have been praised for their swift response to overnight flash flooding in Bundoran.   The Eastend of the town in particular was under threat from heavy rainfall for a time.   However, the local fire brigade put about the necessary measures to prevent homes and businesses from being flooded.   Local Sinn Fein Cllr Michael McMahon says if it wasn't for their quick a...