Sligo Airport have highlighted that their priority must remain aviation as the Strandhill People's Market announced its closure.

The Market have operated from Hangar One at the airport since it began eleven years ago.

The Market issued their thanks to everyone who made it possible, but said it would not be returning in the future.

Albert Higgins, Chairman of Sligo Airport, says an offer still stands for the market to use the airport car park:

A significant number of projects in Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal have been allocated money under the 2025 Community Recognition Fund.

Among the local highlights include 132,000 for upgrade works in the Manorhamilton Youth Resource Centre, and 110,000 for upgrades to Dromahair Community Playground.

Arrow Harps Football Club in Riverstown are receiving over 88 thousand for pitch floodlighting.

While €70,000 has been awarded to Dunkineely Community CLG to purchase a building for community use.

Fine Gael Deputy Frank Feighan says its important that these communities are supported:

The government has agreed to allow for retrospective payments to homeowners under the Defective Concrete Blocks Scheme.

Legislation will now be drawn up to ensure those that have incurred eligible scheme costs since March 2024 can benefit from the increased grant amounts announced late last year.

So far, there have been over 2,500 applications to the scheme nationwide, including the areas of Donegal and Sligo.

100% Redress Party TD Charles Ward has welcomed the development but urged caution:

The Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht visits Boyle today.

Minister Dara Calleary will turn the sod of the site of the new town library at An Ríoga.

It will be located behind the old Royal Hotel and will replace the current library in King House.

The Minister's visit will be part of a wider trip to north Roscommon which includes the official opening of the 'accessible for all water' launch at nearby Doon Shore.

Chairman of Boyle Town Team, Ciaran Sheerin says it's a momentous day for the town.

Plans for a €650 million Liquefied Natural Gas facility in Kerry is expected to have a big impact in Leitrim.

Last week it was announced that Shannon LNG Ltd has reactivated its plans to develop and energy site to An Bord Pleanala.

They were previously refused planning, however government policy has now changed and a decision by the board on the new application is due in September.

Independent Manorhamilton Cllr Eddie Mitchell says the terminal will look towards Leitrim's resources in the future:

The construction of almost a thousand new prison spaces is being fast-tracked by the government.

The Justice Minister is presenting the plan to Cabinet today, as the overcrowding crisis in jails worsens.

Jim O'Callaghan will inform ministers that the Irish Prison Service can deliver 150 additional spaces at Castlerea, 180 at the Midlands Prison and 150 at Mountjoy — all 12 months ahead of schedule. 

The latest stats from the Irish Prison Service show there are currently 5 thousand 412 prisoners, but just 4 thousand 665 bed spaces.

Deputy General Secretary of the Prison Officers’ Association and Dromahair native, Gabriel Keaveny says while the move is welcomed, short-term solutions are needed for an already-stretched service.

A number of Electric Vehicle charging ports are to be installed across the Ocean FM franchise area.

The announcement by the Department of Transport is part of an allocation of almost €8 million to support grants for recharging infrastructure with chargers set to be in place by the end of this year.

The announcement is part of a wider plan to build a reliable recharging network across the country, with the distance between recharging hubs to be 60km or less.

Three are set to be installed on the N15 in Ballyshannon, Grange and Laghey.

Four are to be put in place in county Sligo, with two both on the N4 and N17 respectively.

While EV users will be able to avail of a charger, on the N16 in Manorhamilton.

There’s been a stark warning that the delayed balancing payments under the ACRES scheme could come “too little, too late”.

Over 200 farmers in the north west are still awaiting their 2023 balancing payment under the scheme.

122 are awaiting in Donegal while 70 and 40 is the figure in Sligo and Leitrim respectively.

While 520 still have been left without payment for 2024 locally.

The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers’ Association (INHFA) has said that the hold-up to these payments has caused “irreparable damage” to ACRES.

Association Chairperson and Donegal farmer Pheilim Molloy says the patience of farmers in schemes in wearing thin:

The North West Hospice will be running their Sunflower Days fundraiser on Thursday and Friday this week.

During the campaign, all money raised in Sligo, Leitrim, South Donegal and West Cavan will go directly back into the local hospice.

Volunteers will be out on the streets across the region as they aim to promote awareness of the service and the work they do.

Olive McTague, Charity Manager of the North West Hospice, says their work wouldn't be possible without the support of the local community:

It's emerged that there are around 100 homes in Donegal recently finished but not occupied.

It follows what's been described as a productive meeting between Donegal County Councillors and housing developers in recent days.

There is now said to be renewed hopes that housing development will be fast tracked in Donegal.

Donegal Fianna Fail Cllr Michael Naughton says a lot of was learned during the meeting but that it's crucial that that is implemented going forward: