Ocean FM News Reports

The new Family Resource Centre in Drumkeerin will be allocated an annual funding allocation of 180,000 euro towards its running costs. The news was confirmed earlier this morning by Sligo Deputy Eamon Scanlon. The Family Resource will be located in the former Garda Station in the village. Speaking to Ocean FM news Deputy Scanlon says the funding will help the Centre provide funding.

A Sligo/ Leitrim TD and Junior Minister says overseas visits as part of St Patrick's Day events are far from junkets for Government representatives. Minister of State Frank Feighan was responding to the news that no fewer than 50 cities around the world would be afforded visits from government officials during the St Patrick's Day celebrations. His constituency colleague, Junior Minister Marian Harkin, will visit France and Monaco. While Donegal based Minister of State, Charlie McConalogue will travel to Thailand and Vietnam. Minister Feighan will travel to Singapore and the Philippines. He says these trade missions involve difficult and important work:

A leading member of the Green Party in the North West says the appointment of Dublin City Councillor, Hazel Chu, as deputy party leader is ‘a positive appointment’. Dr Bláithín Gallagher speaking in a personal capacity Says the Dublin councillor received massive support from across the Country and she will help to drive the party onwards as they continue the rebuilding process following the 2024 general election where they lost all bar one of their Dáil seats. Concern has been expressed by some grassroots members that the leadership of the party is too Dublin centred and lacks rural representation. The Chairperson of the North West Greens says no rurally based candidate declared an in interest in contesting the contest.

Work-integrated learning remains a cornerstone of Ireland's tertiary education system, supporting both apprenticeships and traineeships. Apprenticeships provide structured, hands-on routes into employment, while traineeships offer more flexible, shorter-term options. Budget 2026 includes €79 million for apprenticeships, bringing total funding to over €410 million and expanding programmes nationwide. Speaking in the Dáil, Minister Marian Harkin wants the Government to remain fully committed to investing in apprentices and trainees in the North West.

A Donegal Senator is calling for one of four new government helicopters to be based in Finner Camp. Senator Michael Boyle says a local air ambulance could cut response times across the county and save lives. He highlighted Donegal’s size and rural challenges, urging the government to treat the county as a special case. The Senator also praised the Defence Forces and Coast Guard for past lifesaving patient transfers across Donegal.

Drivers in the North West have been asked to reduce speed on this bank holiday Monday. Many commuters across the counties of Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal are expected to take to the roads as the February Bank Holiday begins to wind down. Gardai will continue to carry out an enhanced Road Safety and Traffic Enforcement campaign until 7 a.m. tomorrow morning.

Austin O'Callaghan, Gavin Dykes and Jessica Farry look ahead to Sligo Rovers prospects for the new League of Ireland season.

Reflections on Donegal's 1-22 to 1-18 Division 1 win over a David Clifford-less Kerry in Ballyshannon on Sunday. Host Paddy McGill hears contributions from Martin McHugh, Jimi McGuinness, Peter Campbell, Sylvester Maguire and Colm Keys (Irish Indo).

Donegal Senator calls for financial packages for fishing industry

Local hotel to possibly reopen this year following council application

Donegal TD addresses lack of infrastructure on Donegal road

Bundoran RNLI urges public to check the weather before swimming in sea

Gardaí are warning road users across the North West to drive safe over the bank holiday weekend. A higher volume of traffic than usual is expected on roads across the region over the weekend. The main risk factors are drink and drug driving, as well as distracted driving and speeding. Inspector Sean McDaid, who has responsibility for roads policing in Donegal, is urging people to slow down this weekend.

A new ESRI report has highlighted significant economic and social inequalities between the north and south of Ireland. Sinn Féin MLA Jemma Dolan says people in the north have around 10 per cent less disposable income and shorter life expectancy than those in the south. She described the findings as deeply concerning for border communities, calling it a “postcode lottery” that affects income and even how long people live. Speaking to Ocean Fm News Jemma says the report strengthens the case for greater fiscal powers and expanded all-island cooperation, particularly in health and public services.

A local county councillor and teacher says the amount of time that some children are missing from schools could well be a lingering effect of the Covid-19 era One in three children in disadvantaged schools are missing more than four weeks of school per year, according to a new report. Research by the Economic and Social Research Institute found 'chronic' school absenteeism is showing little signs of improvement. When a student misses more than 20 days in a school year Tusla are notified. Leitrim Councillor James Gilmartin says that children are less miss to attend time if they are attending smaller primary schools. The Independent Councillor says the number of day being missed by some students are concerning.

The Sligo Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards have officially launched for 2025. Winners across five categories will be revealed at the annual Sligo Chamber Gala Dinner on Friday, March 6th, at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Co. Sligo. Reporter Dervla Carr, takes a closer look at what this year’s event has to offer. For more information, visit sligochamber.ie.

A Sligo Councillor has claimed there needs to be a roundabout for traffic from Ballymote entering the N17. Barry Gallagher raised a motion on the matter at the latest sitting of the Ballymote-Tubbercurry MD. The N17 has seen a large number of road traffic accidents in the last space of time prompting calls for an upgrade to the route. The Fianna Fail Councillor says the roundabout would be near any potential N17 upgrade:

Ahead of a busy weekend for shops across the North West a Sligo Councillor is urging shoopers to treat staff in the retail sector with respect and kindness. Many stores in Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal are bracing themselves for a busy period over the Bank Holiday Weekend. Earlier this week it was reported that Up to 70% of retail workers have experienced abusive language or behaviour from customers, according to new research released as part of Kindness Week. The survey of 500 retail workers found verbal abuse is the most common issue, with one in three saying it happens at least once a week. Speaking to Ocean FM News, Fianna Fáil Councillor Cllr Dara Mulvey says it costs nothing to be kind and respectful to retail staff.

A Sligo Councillor has called to front load funding for SEAI grants so that elderly and vulnerable people can address heating issues in many homes across the North West. A new package of SEAI grants announced by the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O'Brien this week The National Residential Retrofit Plan 2026 introduced a suite of enhanced supports designed to make home energy upgrades more affordable and accessible. It's thought that the funding could help the Country meet it's climate emission targets. Sligo Councillor Tom McSharry says the cost of living and heating homes is a primary concern for many people at present. He says it's vital financial barriers that have prevented many from making their homes warmer are remove without delay.

A Leitrim Councillor is calling on Local Authority to address the serious safety concerns on the approach to road to Ballinaglera from the Dora side. Cllr Enda McGloin tabled a motion on the issue at the January meeting of the Ballinamore Municipal District of Leitrim County Council. The Fine Gael elected representative is looking for assessment be conducted on the hedging and drain along the road close to St Hugh's Park. Speaking to Ocean FM news Cllr Mc Gloin believes there is a real and present danger that vehicles could easily overturn at this location if the drive too close to the verge.