The Funeral Mass of Alan Singh has heard how he was full of kindness and had a gentle nature.

The seven year old died after getting into difficulty in the water at Lissadell Beach.

Alan’s life was celebrated today at a service in the Church of the Assumption in Collooney.

Fr Martin Convey provided the homily, and spoke of how Alan would be remembered:

It's thought that plans by the RSA to tackle driving test waiting times won't go far enough.

Learner drivers in Sligo could wait up to seven months for a test, in Leitrim it could be six while in Donegal Town the wait is almost 5 months.

The RSA plans to cut waiting times by more than half come September - the target is 10 weeks.

The Road Safety Authority plans to open more centres and train more examiners to get rid of the backlog.

But Independent Donegal Cllr Jimmy Brogan feels that we've heard it all before:

There are calls for a number of measures to be introduced in Sligo in the wake of another arson attack.

An investigation is continuing after a vehicle parked in Cartron Estate was completely gutted by fire in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Gardai are appealing witnesses to come forward and for information on any person with unexplained burns or who has presented for any medical advice or treatment for burns since the early hours yesterday.

It's the latest in a string of incidents across the town in recent weeks.

Local People Before Profit Cllr Gino O'Boyle has hit out at those responsible:

A Barn Owl survey has been launched in Sligo and Leitrim.

Members of the public and landowners are being asked to report any information on Barn Owls in the region to Birdwatch Ireland, as they look to record the population of the species across the North West.

Although once widespread in Ireland, Barn Owls have experienced a sharp population decline.

Alan McCarthy, Barn Owl Research Officer with Birdwatch Ireland, highlighted the importance of local contribution to the survey:

Just over €250,000 has been allocated for marine projects in Sligo today.

The funding was announced by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, as it aims to develop and enhance local harbour and fishing facilities.

Three locations that will have repairs carried out are Enniscrone Pier, Raghly Harbour and Mullaghmore Harbour.

Sligo-Drumcliffe Fine Gael Cllr Thomas Walsh praised those who made the successful application:

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It's claimed that discrimination against members of the travelling community still happens in the North West.

It comes as this week marks Traveller Pride Week with a range of events taking place right across the country.

Speaking in the Seanad, Donegal based Independent Senator Eileen Flynn says many who are in employment are still ashamed to express their identity and that has to change.

Senator Flynn is calling for a debate on the issue, and says that policies are no good unless they are implemented:

The Government have been called to intervene over a vacant block of apartments in Ballisodare.

The Old Mill Apartments have been vacant since 2009, and has been labelled as an “eyesore” in the area.

It has been argued that the empty apartments are only worsening the ongoing housing crisis, as other dwellings in the region are increasing in cost due to demand.

Local Sinn Fein Cllr Thomas Healy says the buildings have to be demolished:

More than 5,500 badgers have been culled across the North West under a government programme from 2014 to 2024, with a large portion of them testing negative for TB.

According to a report from The Journal Investigates, over 80% of badgers culled through the scheme were found to be free from the disease following a post mortem.

Over the last ten years, there were just over 2,000 badgers culled in Leitrim, just under 2,000 in Donegal, and just under 1,800 in Sligo.

Alex Muschketat, zoologist and ecologist with Wildlife West Rescue, says this is proof that the animal can no longer be used as a scapegoat for TB:

People across the North West are being urged to donate blood as stocks are said to be extremely low.

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service is seeking an additional 2,000 blood donations over the next 4 weeks to maintain the national blood supply.

Some blood groups have fallen to under 3 days of stock and hospital demand has been consistently high, particularly since the Easter and May Bank holidays.

Paul McKinney, Director of Donor Services and Logistics says the good weather has also affected attendence at local clinics:

The lack of investment in health services locally has been raised on the floor of the Dáil.

While a greenfield site has been identified as a potential location for surgical hub in Sligo, campaigners in Donegal continue to voice their hopes for one in the county.

Patients throughout Donegal are currently forced to travel long distances to access care and undergo surgeries.

100% Redress Party TD, Charles Ward feels there is an imbalance in healthcare to meet the demand and has called for two surgical hubs to be established in the north west.

Deputy Ward says the issue needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency: