Communities in south Donegal are being urged to be on high alert in the wake of last week's seizure of suspected cannabis vapes. Garda searches were conducted in Bundoran and Donegal Town, following reports of a medical incident, in which a member of the public had fallen ill. An investigation is continuing. Local Sinn Fein Cllr Michael McMahan say…

There's renewed calls for the VAT rate for the hospitality sector to return to 9%. The VAT rate for the hospitality sector in Ireland currently stands at 13.5%, with a number of businesses across the north west struggling to keep their doors open. Earlier this month, Minister Paschal Donohoe poured cold water on the matter saying it would cost more…

A Donegal Sinn Féin TD has backed his party’s affordable housing plan that promises to be a “game-changer”. The 39 million euro plan published today aims to build 300 thousand homes over the next five years, if elected. The plan proposes many changes, include rent freezes and a 100% redress for the defective block scheme. Deputy Pearse Doherty says…

It’s a difficult situation for teachers and students to reach their full potential. That’s according to a local councillor in relation to the overcrowded classrooms in the North West. Current figures show that one in 10 students are enrolled in oversized classes of 30 or more. There were 27% of Leitrim pupils in classes of 30 or more in the recent …

Some might say it was a weekend of disappointment for Oasis fans in the North West. Many were left gutted some standing tickets for the Croke Park gigs which went on general sale for 86.50 plus booking fees, shot up to over 400 euro. It's led to calls for the country's consumer watchdog to investigate Ticketmaster's handling of the band's ticket sa…

Farm safety inspections will be taking place across the north west over the next two weeks. A new campaign by the Health and Safety Authority will focus on the dangers of working at height on farms. Inspectors will advise farmers on carrying out risk assessments around potential hazards and the methods of addressing them. IFA Sligo branch chairpers…

Sitting TD Frank Feighan has iterated his belief that a General Election will be called this side of Christmas. It comes as Deputy Feighan was selected by Fine Gael to represent the party in the Sligo-Leitrim constituency at the next election. Fine Gael have now chosen 34 General Election candidates in 22 constituencies - in the Donegal constituenc…

Fine Gael Cllr Thomas Walsh has expressed his disappointment over developments leading up to the party's selection convention last night. Sitting TD Frank Feighan was selected by Fine Gael to represent the party in the Sligo-Leitrim constituency at the next General Election. But earlier in the evening, Cllr Thomas Walsh withdrew as a candidate afte…

A national slow down day is being held today aimed at reducing road deaths caused by speeding. A joint campaign by gardaí and the Road Safety Authority aims to tackle bad driver behaviour, with over 70,000 people caught breaking the limit in the year to July. The initiative hopes to curb rising road deaths which currently stands at 127. Superintend…

Sligo Rovers confirmed on Sunday that defender Nando Pijnaker has left the club to return to New Zealand. The Kiwi joins Austin O'Callaghan on 'The Rovers Review.

Sligo Rovers defender Nando Pijnaker has left the clulb to pursure his football career in his native New Zealand. He spoke to Ocean FM Sport's Austin O'Callaghan.

As the fallout continues over exorbitant ticket prices to Oasis’ two Croke Park gigs, Ticketmaster Europe’s former executive vice-president has defended the company. Calls have been made for the Consumer and Competition Protection Commission to investigate the pricing system on Ticketmaster’s website with hundreds queuing online for tickets, with m…

Passengers must remove liquids under 100ml from hand luggage at Dublin Airport security from today. Management at the airport says it hopes the EU restrictions will only be in place for a short time. Previously, it began bringing in C3 scanners which would mean passengers would not have to remove liquids from hand luggage. Travel Extra Editor Eogha…

Sligo Rovers boss John Russell, back in dugout, after serving his three-match touchline ban, pays tribute to his players following their 2-0 home win against Waterford FC.

It's hoped that any concerns relating to the proposed one way system for Collooney will be teased out during the trial period. Both a business and a public consultation on the project took place this week and while the majority of the community are in agreement of the plans on the table, there's said to be a small number of concerns locally. It's s…

There are renewed fears over overcrowding at Sligo University Hospital ahead of the winter months. The hospital has been experiencing unseasonably high ED waiting figures over the last few months. It has led to concern that the facility could enter an even bigger crisis when faced with flu and other winter viruses. Local Independent Cllr Michael Cl…

The level of service being provided at the Physiotherapy Department at Letterkenny University Hospital is said to fall far short of what's required. Currently, the department is said to be only operating with only 40% of the staff required. The information was disclosed by the HSE via a letter to GPs last week, which has led to an expectation that …

Assurances have been given that a faulty generator that has been irritating residents in Cregg House will be repaired by the weekend. Earlier this week, an electrical fault caused Cregg House, inconveniencing its residents. A generator was installed to restore power, however, due to faulty parts, it has been making a lot of noise which has frustrat…

A consultation on the proposed one way system for Collooney is nearing conclusion. A public consultation, well attended by member of the community, took place last evening, and both residents and businesses are said to have bought into the plans. It's set to be introduced on the trial basis in the coming weeks - people can still make submissions vi…

This week's programme brings you highlights from the two homecoming celebrations in Ballyshannon and Grange for Olympic bronze medallist Mona McSharry.

It's thought that people from Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal will be hit the hardest over alleged hotel price gouging in the Capital ahead of the Oasis gigs next summer. Room prices at several hotels in Dublin have shot up this week, following the bands announcement of two Croke Park gigs on August 16th and 17th. For many, particularly in the North Wes…

Coastal erosion is said to be worsening in south Donegal. Inver is a particular area of concern, with some residents said to be growing increasingly concern over the future of the lands. The issue is currently affecting 20% of Ireland's coastline. Local Fine Gael Cllr Manus Boyle has been in contact with the OPW over what has described as an alarmi…

The annual school bus debacle is beginning to rear its head in parts of Leitrim. The notorious issue surrounding the School Transport Scheme means a lot of parents missing out on a bus seat for the child because of the distance they are from the local school. There have been numerous calls to allow more school children - both concessionary and non-…

Edel McSharry has been selected by Fianna Fáil to contest the next General Election. At the selection convention held last night, Councillor McSharry was the only candidate put forward and was selected unopposed. She was recently elected to Sligo County Council for the first time in the local elections in June. Speaking to Ocean FM News, Councillor…

Crowds turned out in their droves again last night, as homecoming events continued for Mona McSharry. The Olympic Bronze medallist was welcomed back to Ballyshannon last night, where she honed her craft as a swimmer. A parade was hosted by Ballyshannon Marlins Swimming Club, with celebrations kicking off at 6pm and lasting long into the night. Last…

Much-needed repairs of a county Sligo road have moved a step closer. The Ballygawley Village to Castle Dargan road has moved to planning stage. It is expected that the planning process will be complete in the coming months. Concerns have previously been expressed over the condition of the road and its lack of suitability for all road users includin…

Listen back to Ocean FM Sport's live coverage of Olympic bronze medallist Mona McSharry's homecoming in Grange, north Sligo, on Tuesday, Aug 27th, 2024 - introduced by Dónal Ryan.

The INTO is warning the shortage of primary school teachers has reached a crisis point where some schools are forced to employ people with no teaching qualifications. The union says schools across the country are being impacted, with those in Dublin, Kildare, Wicklow and Meath being hit hardest. It’s pointing to a worsening housing and cost of livi…

New figures have shown that a significant number of pubs in the North West are among almost 2,000 that have closed in Ireland since 2005. According to new research carried out by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland shows that in that timeframe, 28.6% of pubs closed in Leitrim, with 26.3% closing their doors in Donegal. Limerick, Cork and Roscommon…

New data shows that Leitrim has some of the highest number of homes available to buy per head of population. There are only 12 homes for sale, per 10-thousand people, in Monaghan while Meath and Kildare were the counties with the next greatest shortage. Leitrim and Roscommon, had the highest number of homes available according to the analysis by Sa…

It's felt locally that the Early Years Education and School Aged Care system is in need of a radical overhaul. Many facilities across the sector have been struggling, with childcare fee increases, a shortage of places for schoolchildren and services exiting core funding, or closing altogether, cited as some of the main reasons. In Sligo alone, 5 ch…

Reassurances have been given that no junctions on the Sligo side of the N17 will be impacted as part of a wider road safety plan along the route. It's understood that the plans include potential temporary and permanent closures at a number of junctions in County Mayo for improvement works to take place. More details are set to be revealed in the co…

There are calls for the Sligo to Swinford bus to be urgently reinstated. Otherwise known as route 922, the service which had been running by a private operator, was withdrawn during the pandemic but hasn't been brought back since. It had been catering to areas in south Sligo likes Tubbercurry and Ballinacarrow and the various communities affected a…

A Sligo Leitrim TD has described the administration of the ACRES scheme as an absolute shambles. Under the scheme, many farmers have only received interim payments, instead of the full amounts promised under the Acres agreement. Two years into the scheme and for many, especially for hill-farmers, the scoring process attached to the scheme has not b…

More calls have been made for the land surrounding the Cairn at the top of Cairns Hill to be bought by the state. It comes after a scheduled tour of the Cairn for Heritage Week was called off last Saturday, after the caretaker of the land opposed to the tour going ahead on the day. The cairn is viewed as key to Sligo's bid to becoming a UNESCO Worl…

Sligo Rovers have been drawn against Athlone Town at home in the semi-finals of the Women's FAI Cup for the second year running. The Bit O'Red made it into the semi-finals for the second year in a row, following a 3-1 win over DLR Waves in the quarter finals in Dublin at the weekend, while Athlone saw off Treaty United by a scoreline of 2-1. The ot…

Following the news this morning that Oasis will play two gigs in Dublin in August next year as part of their reunion tour, one BnB is gearing up to potentially host two famous guests. Liam and Noel Gallagher's mother comes from Charlestown in Co. Mayo, where the owners of the Riverside Guest House are hopeful that the Oasis frontmen will come and v…

Doherty’s XL shop in Carrick in south Donegal is set to close after eight years in business. Friday will be the final day of business for the supermarket. Owners Andrea and Dermot Doherty have cited the high rising costs of running a small business as the main factor behind the move. In a statement, they also say the business can no longer compete …

Fine Gael's charge for the General Election in Donegal will revolve around candidates working together and sharing the same goals. That's the view of Senator Nikki Bradley, who made it through the selection convention unopposed along with John McNulty last night. It's been a whirlwind few weeks for Senator Bradley, who was recently made a Senator b…

Newly selected Fine Gael candidate for Donegal John McNulty has acknowledged that the hard work begins now in earnest. He and Senator Nikki Bradley were selected by Fine Gael to represent the party in the Donegal constituency at the next general election at the party's convention last night. Fine Gael has now selected 30 General Election candidates…

The Government is being called on to take responsibility for providing student accommodation in Sligo. With the new college term just weeks away, there are said to be a limited number of houses to rent in the town. Meanwhile rents in Sligo have risen by over 11% when compared to the same period last year. Local People Before Profit Cllr Gino O'Boyl…

Hopes have been further dashed over a potential reopening of the hydrotherapy pool at Cregg House in Sligo. Following negotiations, an agreement has been reached in principle which could pave the way for the facility to reopen for an interim period of six months – subject to funding and resources. A Business Case Proposal with updated costs has bee…

Business consultation begins this week regarding a new one-way system for Collooney. The village continues to bear the brunt of a number of issues including traffic congestion. The with an in-person public consultation event also taking place in the Reading Wing Community Room in St. Paul's Church on Tuesday from 6.30pm until 7.30pm. Local Fine Gae…

The late Tommy Higgins, former Alderman, member of Sligo Corporation and County Councillor is to be remembered with an award in his honour. The 'Tommy Higgins Community Recognition Award' is to be unveiled and presented by Labour Party Leader, Ivana Bacik, at a special ceremony on September 23rd, in Treacy Avenue in Sligo. He served on both on Slig…

Workers at Abtran have been told that they could face potential disciplinary measures if they proceed with planned industrial action. Earlier this month, members of the Independent Workers Union voted overwhelmingly in favour of undertaking industrial action as they look for better pay and conditions. That industrial action began recently on a mino…

A substantial amount of people in the North West didn't take all their holidays last year. Sligo had the lowest among of workers missing out on all their annual leave at 14%, followed by Donegal at 26% while 27% of workers in Leitrim didn't take all their holidays in 2023. All three counties came in below the national average, with 42% of people ar…

Frustration has been expressed locally over the lack of Gardaí allocated to the north west region. In recent days it emerged that just one Garda has taken up a new position across the Sligo-Leitrim and Donegal divisions. The appointment was confirmed om the latest appointments and allocations published by the Garda Press Office. Ballymote-Tubbercur…

Rent prices in counties Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal were among the highest increases in rent prices in the second quarter of 2024. The latest Daft.ie report shows that rents in Sligo were 11.3% higher than a year previously, with the average rent price in the county now standing at €1,330. Leitrim also recorded double figures in terms of increases w…

There have been further calls for increased incentives for recently qualified GPs. Earlier this week, it emerged there are not enough GPS in the country and with retirement that situation is going to get more acute. A study from the Irish College of General Practitioners shows where counties align with the WHO’s recommendation of 100 GPs per 100,00…

Sligo Rovers assistant manager Ryan Casey apologised to the supporters immediately after Friday night's 7-0 loss to bottom-of-the-table Drogheda United in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division. Manager John Russell is still serving a three-game touchline ban. Casey spoke to Ocean FM Sport's Dónal Ryan.…