There's major disappointment in the Sligo Borough following confirmation that no new bus shelters are to be established for 2026.

New infrastructure is set to be installed across 21 areas in the County this year but none are planned for the likes of Sligo Town or Strandhill.

Each shelter is set to cost twenty five thousand euro with areas like Mullaghmore, Carney Village, Drumcliff Ballygawley and Collooney all set to benefit from the rollout.

But Fine Gael Fergal Nealon says to have nothing planned for Sligo town is outrageous:

It’s been claimed that a cohort of people in Sligo Town are illegally dumping in secluded locations.

Shopping bags full of rubbish have been discovered dumped in the likes of alleyways and other areas in recent weeks.

Theres major disappointment locally over the issue, particularly in light of Sligos recent accolade from IBAL while the good work of the Tidy Towns Committees is also being undone.

Sinn Fein Cllr Arthur Gibbons says these individuals must be deterred and the local authority have a responsibility in introducing measures that will do that:

A Leitrim Publican has added his voice to calls for pubs to be granted an extension to opening hours in the event of the Irish soccer team qualifying for the World Cup.

The tournament is due to take place in the summer.

The boys in green will have to first of all navigate two qualifiers.

Leitrim independent Councillor Felim Gurn is also a publican, he says there is a generation in Ireland that have never experienced Ireland in a world cup, the Manorhamilton based business man says pubs could also do with a boost:

€360 million in Government funding for Active Travel and Greenways in 2026 has been announced this morning.

The funding is dedicated to the development of walking and cycling projects that offer safe, sustainable, and healthy transport options to communities around the country.

The funding will enable almost 1,000 projects of varying scale to progress in 2026.

Over 18 million has been allocated to the Local Authorities of Donegal, Sligo, and Leitrim.

Over 10 million has been secured by the local Authority in Donegal, almost 3 and a half million in Leitrim while just over 4 million has been allocated to Sligo County Council.

Sligo Independent Councillor Marie Casserly says many projects will benefit in Sligo

Meanwhile Junior minister Frank Feighan says the funding shows the government's commitment to the North West.

The government is awarding €75,000 to support the design phase of the Sligo Greenway.

Sligo County Council has approved consultants to bring forward firm development proposals.

The project is seen as a step forward while plans for the Western Rail corridor continue.

Speaking to Ocean FM News, Minister Marian Harkin says the funding is “an important step to get the Greenway back on track.

The government is awarding €70,000 to support the design phase of the Sligo Greenway.

Sligo County Council has approved consultants to bring forward firm development proposals.

The project is seen as a step forward while plans for the Western Rail corridor continue.

Speaking to Ocean FM News, Minister Marian Harkin says the funding is “an important step to get the Greenway back on track.

A North West TD says the recent actions of the US President, Donal Trump are dangerous for international relations and for global trade.

Deputy Martin Kenny says President Trump has little regard for international law and described some of his actions as bully boy tactics.

The Leitrim based TD says events in Venezuela and the threats to take over Greenland by the US President have to be called out by politicians across the world.

Questions are being asked over how far along plans are for purpose built student accommodation in Sligo.

It's almost a year since it the ATU was given approval to purchase land near its Sligo campus that has been earmarked for student accommodation.

In February of last year, it was said that planning was at an early stage.

Meanwhile, at the beginning of the latest academic year in September, Sligo ATU Students Union highlighted that the lack of accommodation continues to be one of the biggest challenges facing students.

ATU Sligo’s Student Union President Emil Kindl says more has to be done by the Government to allow Universities more flexible:

Safety concerns have been raised over the junction of Cregg Road and Rosses Point Road, particularly around the bus stop where pedestrians get off.

Sligo County Council is being asked to carry out a safety assessment, review public lighting and examine signage and visibility at the junction.

Residents have reported poor lighting, heavy traffic and near misses, with schoolchildren and walkers especially at risk during winter evenings.

Speaking to Ocean FM News, Cllr Edel McSharry says the junction is pitch black and is a clear danger spot that urgently needs improved lighting and safety measures.

The EU's approval of the Mercosur deal has led to concern among farmers in the North West.

The deal would allow South American beef to enter Ireland at reduced costs, undercutting the efforts of Irish farmers, particularly those in this region.

There are also worries around the safety of South American beef with it not being subject to the same health checks as in Ireland and the EU.

Leitrim farmer Patrick Rooney, who is a representative of the Irish Beef and Lamb Association, says that the North West's agriculture sector could be destroyed: