Ocean FM News Reports

Criticism has been levelled towards a number of Midlands-North West MEPs for not opposing Ursula Von der Leyen’s continuation as EU Commission President.

Ms. Von Der Leyen and her team of Commissioners secured a comfortable majority in the vote in Strasbourg.

Former Sinn Fein MEP and General Election candidate Chris MacManus condemned Fianna Fail’s support in the vote and Independent Ireland’s abstention.

Mr MacManus says the support for Von der Leyen will have a negative impact on Irish farmers:

The Government have today agreed to add Killybegs to the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme in the wake of Storm Bert.

Floods ripped through the town last weekend, causing extensive damage to a number of buildings and business premises in the process.

The decision was taken incorporeal today, as Cabinet members are currently out in their constituencies ahead of Friday's General Election.

Speaking to Ocean FM News, General Election candidate in Donegal, Pat the Cope Gallagher, is hopeful that the process can move quickly to help those affected.

Frustration has been expressed after the contractor awarded tender for the construction of an extension for Sligo University Hospital has pulled out of the project.

A large amount of work went into the application for the work to be carried out, with the 42-bed extension seen as a key development to the future of health care in the region.

This month’s Regional Health Forum West heard of the withdrawal with a new tender process to commence with hopes of construction beginning in Q1 or Q2 in 2025.

Sinn Féin General Election candidate in Sligo-Leitrim, Martin Kenny says in it’s a further blow in what are already challenging times for the facility:

Tributes have been paid to the young man who lost his life in a crash on the N17 on Monday evening,

32-year-old, Sean Maye, a native of Tubbercurry died when the car he was driving collided with a lorry at Corbally, just outside of Claremorris, shortly after 5pm.

Gardai are continuing to appeal for witnesses to come forward.

The late Mr Maye is survived by his partner Niamh, daughter Ella, son Kyle and wider family and friends.

Parish priest of St John the Evangelist Church, Tubbercurry, Fr. Vincent Sherlock says the wider south Sligo community is devastated by his loss.

Claims that the redevelopment of the N17 is on track as planned have been reiterated by a General Election candidate.

Outgoing Fine Gael TD, Frank Feighan, says that if elected, he will also ensure that the matter remains a top priority for the next Government.

Doubts were cast over the project following a General Election debate for Sligo/Leitrim candidates last week after it was claimed that meetings were held "behind closed doors" to progress the development, after cold water was initially poured on it by the Green Party.

But speaking to Ocean FM News, the outgoing Deputy Feighan says that he is satisfied that the N17 is continuing at pace.

Summerhill College in Sligo has been issued an approval to tender for a long-awaited extension.

Some of the developments included are four mainstream classrooms, two science labs and two SEN bases.

The approved infrastructure aims to keep up with a growing population while catering for those with additional needs.

Fianna Fail General Election candidate and Cllr Edel McSharry praised those who worked hard for the improvements:

There are fears that south Donegal would be severely impacted over a proposal for the return of Town Councils to bigger towns.

A motion was passed by Donegal County Council earlier this week by Fianna Fail Cllr Fionán Bradley, who is calling town councils be created in towns with a population of over 5,000.

But Independent Cllr Jimmy Brogan says while he would welcome the reinstatement of Town Councils, it would need to be done in fair way.

He believes that if this plan were ever to proceed, south Donegal would not benefit from it.

A leading Donegal farming official has called for robust measures to curb dog attacks on sheep.

Recent incidents across the country has led to the deaths of over 25 sheep, and it is also issue faced by farmers in the north west.

The IFA have highlighted dog ownership laws currently fall between two different departments which has led to gaps in oversight, enforcement, and accountability.

IFA Sheep Chairman, Adrian Gallagher, says the fault does not lie with the dogs, but with dog owners.

There have been calls locally to ease the drain of recently qualified health professionals to other countries.

Many doctors, nurses and other workers have been forced to seek employment opportunities abroad.

General Election candidate in the Donegal constituency, Mary T. Sweeney says with an increased strain on the health sector, Ireland cannot afford to lose its talent.

The Aontú candidate feels better candidates and greater awards, as outlined in her party's 'Operation Shamrock' would go some way to improving the situation.

Sligo County Council have been awarded over 3.6m euro through the Local Community Peace Action Plan.

The funding will go towards a number of cross-border intiatives across the county of Sligo.

Among the projects set to benefit from today's announcement are the Armada Cross Seasons Border project in North Sligo, and the development of the Brother Walfrid centre in Ballymote.

Speaking to Ocean FM News, Fianna Fáil councillor Dónal Gilroy says that Sligo was among the highest recipients of this year's allocation.