Sheep farmers in the North West have backed calls for a co-ordinated all-island measures to address the growing crisis of uncontrolled dogs across the country.

A recent meeting of the Irish Farmers’ Association and the Ulster Farmers Union resulted in a number of new measures being proposed to address the problem.

It’s thought that the current fragmented approach to dog ownership regulation is failing farmers, particularly in border areas where enforcement is vulnerable.

At present there is also no system in place to identify or to deal with dogs that leaver their own jurisdiction to attack animals across the border.

Leitrim sheep farmer and former IFA National Sheep Chairman Kevin Comiskey has called on the respective governments to be more proactive in tackling the problem adding that efforts to address the situation have been ongoing the best part of a decade

A Sligo Leitrim TD says the funding allocation for the Tubbercurry Family Resource Centre will enable the facility to provide child-minding services for over 50 additional children in the area.

A funding allocation of 695,000 has been made available to the resource Centre towards the cost of construction of a new extension.

The funding has been allocated by the Minister for Social Protection and Rural, Community Development, Dara Calleary.

Speaking to Ocean FM Deputy Eamon Scanlon says the allocation will help ease some of the pressure that many families are facing when it comes to

The Government is under pressure to increase its efforts in a bid to curb the rental and housing crisis in the North West.

It comes as rents in Leitrim were on average 11.4% higher in the first quarter of 2025 than a year previously, according to latest report from Daft.ie.

Rents in Sligo rose by 6.3% over the same period while Donegal had the lowest increase at 3.1%.

Sligo Leitrim Sinn Fein TD Martin Kenny says that it's an incredibly difficult and complex situation but is of the firm belief that the Government could be doing more:

Schools across the North West could be experiencing disruption in August.

School secretaries and caretakers say they are prepared to strike at the beginning of the next academic year.

Fórsa members who are unable to join the public service pension scheme, will be balloted for strike action from Tuesday.

Manorhamilton based school secretary, and Forsa Union member Frank Considine says threating industrial action is the last thing they want to do entering into the new school year.

A Critical Incident Management Policy is in place at St. Johns National School in Ballisodare following the tragic death of pupil Alan Singh.

The seven year old was a second class student at the school and passed away on Saturday after getting into difficulty in the water at Lissadell Beach.

An investigation is continuing.

Local Independent Cllr Marie Casserly says the community is still trying to come to terms with the devastating event:

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 A mass amount of nappies have been dumped in on the on the Ardaghey to Ardara Road.

 The grim discovery was made in a forest area along the route over the weekend by a local clean up group.

 Due to the high temperatures, the clean-up operation had to be shelved due to the stench.

 An investigation has been launched.

 Fine Gael Cllr Michael Boyle has hit out at those responsible:  

Tributes are being paid to the young boy who died after getting into difficulty in the water at Lissadell Beach on Saturday.

Seven year old Alan Singh from nearby Ballisodare was a second class pupil at St. John's National School.

He was airlifted to Sligo University Hospital where he later died.

An investigation is continuing.

Local Parish Priest in Magheraow, Father Tom Hever a day which brought such joy locally with First Holy Communions descended into unspeakable sadness:

There are further calls for enhanced childcare facilities in the Manorhamilton area.

The issue is said to be becoming increasingly worse with claims that it is causing financial hardship for both mothers and fathers who cannot return to the workplace because of lack of space available in the town.

Leitrim County Council is now being asked to identify suitable empty buildings in the town and seek out funding for new facilities.

Independent Cllr Felim Gurn says the problem needs to be rectified as a matter of urgency:

The long driving test backlog has been highlighted in Sligo once again.

This comes after recent reports of cancellation slots being bought and resold online.

Long term solutions are now being called for as inadequacies in the system are being exploited.

Local independent Cllr Marie Casserly says the current set up is not working:

Coillte and Failte Ireland are being encouraged to meet and provide funding for public toilets in Sligo.

A number of local outdoor spots have been highlighted as being in need of the amenity, such as Hazelwood and Slishwood.

It's feared that the lack of such facilities are deterring people with health issues and tourists from visiting the areas.

Sligo Sinn Fein Cllr Arthur Gibbons says these public areas need to be more inclusive: