Ocean FM News Reports

It's emerged that it may be the end of 2026 until some homes in south Donegal will have high speed fibre broadband. It's understood that communities in the likes of Killybegs and elsewhere have been informed of the projected time frame, despite the rollout of the National Broadband Plan beginning some years ago. It has led to fears over the impact that this may have on people exploring the idea of remote working. Independent Deputy Thomas Pringle says this is totally unacceptable as many would like to stay and work in their hometown. Deputy Pringle has also accused those promoting the roll out of misinformation:

Duration:00:02:23

Supermac's wins Big Mac trademark case with McDonald's

Europe's highest court has ruled in favour of Supermac's in a legal battle with McDonald's. The European Court of Justice issued its decision today in a dispute over trademarks. Founder of Supermacs Pat Mcdonagh is delighted with today's ruling:

Duration:00:00:11

Area of Collooney affected by water supply disruption

Irish Water is under pressure to come clean on the water quality in a housing estate in Collooney. It's understood that the supply has reduced greatly in the St. Mary's Green in recent years and residents are seeking reassurances that supply will fully return. Local election candidate Amanada Gallagher is calling on Uisce Éireann and the local authority to carry out on an investigation the matter. She is urging all parties to come together to find a solution:

Duration:00:01:55

Enforcement key in reducing dog attacks

The death of a woman following a dog attack in Limerick has been condemned by a local election candidate. The 23-year-old woman died as a result of the attack at a house in Ballyneety shortly after half 11 last night. Just last November, the Department of Rural and Community Development announced a raft of measures to enhance dog control laws across the country. Despite the introduction of these laws and regulations, Fine Gael candidate in the Manorhamilton electoral area, Kevin Comiskey believes enforcement is key.

Duration:00:01:42

Questions asked over Donegal broadband rollout

There are calls for urgent clarity as to what stage the rollout of broadband is at in south west Donegal. It's believed who wish to live and work in the area have been forced to move elsewhere over the lack of progression on the matter. Independent candidate in the upcoming local elections, Derek Vial says a time when more people are considering the remote working option, it's imperative the county is equipped with adequate broadband. He says serious questions need to be answered.

Duration:00:01:48

Reassurances given that crime rates in Skreen are being kept down

Reassurances have been given over recent crime statistics for Skreen. CSO data shows that the area was one of a few nationwide which recorded 20 year high figures. One of the more prominent incidents in Skreen was the brutal assault and robbery of Tom Niland in 2022 - he died in September last year in hospital where he remained since it happened. But Local Independent Cllr Michael Clarke says major efforts have been made by Gardai locally since then to allay fears.

Duration:00:01:51

Two Sligo schools to get additional classrooms

New funding has been announced for the addition of new classrooms at Scoil Mhuire agus Iosaf National School in Collooney. Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD revealed the investment for the national school under the additional school accommodation programme. The development will include three new mainstream classrooms. Fine Gael Sligo-Leitrim TD Frank Feighan has welcomed the funding and congratulated the school on their successful application:

Duration:00:01:29

PARC welcomes penalty point increase proposals

A Donegal based road safety group has welcomed the proposed doubling of penalty points and say disqualified drivers must be prosecuted if they don't surrender their driving license. Drivers caught speeding or using their mobile phone could face six points after the RSA said emergency legislation should be introduced. 80 people have lost their lives so far this year which is an increase of six compared to this day last year. Susan Gray from PARC says the current system for the confiscation of a driving licence must be scrapped:

Duration:00:00:21

Local election candidate hopes to see more females elected this year

With just 3 female councillors elected in the 2019 local elections, one candidate is hoping that number will increase following this year's edition. While the two other municipal districts saw one and two female councillors respectively, there was no female representation in the Ballymote-Tubbercurry electoral area. People Before Profit candidate Emma Hendrick is a former member of South Dublin County Council. She says female representation is pivotal in understanding the real issues women face on a daily basis.

Duration:00:01:53

Hopes Garda Bodycams will be rolled out in North West soon

Following the roll out of body-worn cameras on a pilot basis for frontline gardaí in Dublin, it is hoped similar measures will be put in place across the north west. It is expected that a country-wide release to all Garda members will take place in early 2025. Gardaí will not have to tell members of the public when they are in use but will be encouraged to do so as best practice where possible. Former Donegal Garda Sergeant Christy Galligan says the cameras have wide-ranging benefits:

Duration:00:01:58

Over 1,700 in north west granted disability allowance on appeal

It’s emerged that over one thousand seven hundred applicants in the north west had their disability allowance granted on appeal. Figures released to Aontú show that 2,759 applications were made to the Department of Social Protection from 2014 to April 2024. Of the 1,786 in Donegal, 1,083 were granted on appeal following on initial refusal. Over 650 applications were made in Sligo during the period, 427 were given the green light while 219 of the 319 appeals in Leitrim were successful. Donegal Aontú Councillor Mary T Sweeney has questioned why so many were rejected initially.

Duration:00:02:06

Donegal IHF Chair sends open letter to all election candidates

The chair of the Donegal branch of the Irish Hotels' Federation has penned an open letter to all local elections candidates seeking their support for pro-tourism policies in advance of polling day. Tourism enterprises is currently the country's largest indigenous employer, with 8,000 employed in the county. Aisling Arnold says that a flourishing tourism and hospitality industry is vital for Donegal's prosperity and economic well-being. She believes supports should be put in place to ensure the long-term future of the industry in the county:

Duration:00:01:52

Dromahair bus service not keeping up with demand

It's emerged that the current supply of local link buses servicing Dromahair is not meeting the demand. Route 563 currently makes 6 return journeys daily to Sligo which includes stops at the university hospital and ATU. However, it's believed with an increase in population in the area, those who traditionally availed of the service are missing out. Local Independent Councillor Felim Gurn says it is just one many problems that may arise in the area with population growth.

Duration:00:01:40

Local fears allayed over Ardara Health Centre future

6/1/2024

Fears that that the Ardara Health Centre faces an uncertain future have been allayed. On Thursday, its GP handed her resignation to the HSE. Dr. Mirelle Sweeney confirmed the decision after 29 years in the position on a post on social media. Dr. Sweeney says she has highlighted to the HSE the looming manpower crisis that single handed rural GPs are facing, while also proposing practical solutions to these problems. Local Fianna Fáil Councillor Anthony Molloy, however, says the HSE has confirmed to him that that recruitment process is underway.

Duration:00:00:26

New funding announced for Kinlough primary school

New funding has been announced for the addition of new classrooms to the Four Masters Primary School in Kinlough. Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD revealed the investment for the national school under the additional school accommodation programme. The development will include 3 Special Education Tuition rooms and 2 Special Education Classrooms. Sligo-Leitrim TD has welcomed the funding and congratulated the school on their successful application.

Duration:00:02:04

Sean Mac Diarmada summer school kicks off in Kiltyclogher

The annual Sean Mac Diarmada Summer School will have its official opening this evening in Kiltyclogher. Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will be in attendance at the Sean Mac Diarmada Homestead, to kickstart the program. Beginning at 5:30pm and continuing over Saturday, they will cover a range of themes from historical to economical, with a variety of speakers in attendance. The event coordinator, Regina Fahey, says the program can appeal to so many different people.

Duration:00:04:45

Owners served legal notice to demolish High Street buildings

Owners of a number of buildings on High Street in Sligo Town have been ordered to demolish them. The notice, served by Sligo County Council, has instructed the owners to demolish the structures known as 9, 8, 7, 6 and 5 High Street. The derelict buildings have been a topic of discussion for the longest time, with sections of the street blocked off as work was carried out on the buildings, which saw them cordoned off and parking spaces on the street significantly reduced. Mayor of Sligo Declan Bree says time was running out for the owners of the buildings to carry out remedial works themselves.

Duration:00:01:51

CATU Sligo Leitrim branch disappointed after lack of response on housing

A local branch of a housing union say that 90% of local election candidates have ignored their questions on housing. The Sligo Leitrim branch of the Community Action Tenants Union say they contacted over 60 candidates on the issue and gave them five days to respond, to which only 7 candidates did. CATU say that no Fianna Fail or Fine Gael members replied. Group representative Rhue Mallett says that candidates had more than enough time to answer.

Duration:00:02:11

Irish Rail defends stance on Sligo-Dublin increased services exclusion

Questions have been raised after a recent announcement by Irish Rail excluded the Sligo-Dublin Connolly route from a list of increased services. Proposals included new services between Dublin to Galway and Waterford, as well as significant commuter services in the capital. After consulting the NTA, Irish Rail decided to address routes which haven't had service improvement in a number of years and areas where they've seen significant growth in demand. However, Barry Kenny, Corporate Communications Manager of Iarnród Éireann, says they are adding carriages to cater for the growth in Sligo.

Duration:00:02:08

Calls for more road safety measures across Donegal