A public meeting over GAEC-2 and Nature Restoration in the north west is to take place in Tubbercurry this evening.

There's major confusion locally over the schemes with farmers voicing their concerns on how it could impact their locality.

Under new GAEC-2 rules, any land that is recorded as being over 50% peatland, will be considered as 100% peatland.

This has caused confusion over how people can legally farm their land, due to restrictions around peatland.

Local Councillor Michael Clarke is hopeful the meeting will provide further clarity to those affected:

There's renewed hope for a static speed camera outside a county Sligo primary school.

Pupils at St. Lasarra's National School previously conducted a speed detection survey on the road outside the school which proved that some motorists continue to travel in excess of the 50km limit currently in place there.

The speed of 179 vehicles was monitored at the drop-off time at the school, which showed 94 vehicles were travelling at speed over the permitted limit.

Earlier this week, it was confirmed that two static speed safety cameras will be place in both Wexford and Cork from this Friday.

Sinn Féin Councillor, Thomas Healy feels a similar measure locally would have huge benefits:

An investigation has been launched into an alleged assault in Sligo Town.

The incident happened at the bus stop on John Street yesterday.

It's alleged that the victim was assaulted while attempting to board the Strandhill bus.

Gardai attended the scene and are now appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

Fianna Fail Orga International Officer and Sligo resident Padraig Cawley witnessed the incident.

Speaking to Ocean FM news, he says it wasn't for the swift actions of the bus driver and a bystander, the situation could have escalated further:

It’s emerged that Counties Sligo and Donegal have more people on the electoral register than their entire population.

The Electoral Commission says it's dealing with multiple legacy issues and as a result, it can’t quantify how many mistakes there are.

There are hundreds of thousands of duplicate or redundant entries on the electoral register.

Both Sligo and Donegal have been cited has having the lowest accuracy indicators in the country.

Chief Executive of the Commission Art O’Leary, explains why there are so many inaccuracies:

The Government is being urged to strengthen the seafood sector as part of the National Planning framework.

The document sets out plans and how to address the likes of housing, infrastructure and economic growth.

A motion on the final draft was debated in the Dail last night.

Donegal Sinn Fein TD Padraig MacLochlainn says there needs to be vision for fishing communities as part of the plan:

The Justice Minister is being urged to intervene in the ongoing investigation into the death of Leitrim pensioner Liam Farrell.

The body of Mr Farrell was found unconscious, lying at the back of the family home where he lived alone in Rooskey on January 12th, 2020.

Last month, the family of Liam Farrell expressed major concern over the Garda inquiry.

They have now requested that a new independent inquiry by a separate policing team be carried out into the circumstances into Mr. Farrell’s death.

Independent Ireland MEP Ciaran Mullooly has written to the Minister asking him to sanction a separate probe:

The Health Minister is under fire over the itinerary for her imminent visit to the North West.

Health Minister Jennifer Carroll McNeill is due to in Sligo tomorrow (Fri) for a number of engagements, including the turning the sod at the new 42 bed unit at Sligo University Hospital and the official opening of the health hub at Ballinalack Community Park in Buninadden.

Before that, the Minister is in Donegal today and will carry out what's been described as a flying visit to Letterkenny University Hospital.

Fianna Fail Donegal TD Pat the Cope Gallagher says it's indefensible:

The north west is set to continue to benefit from pleasant weather conditions during the upcoming Bank Holiday weekend.

Dry, sunny spells have covered counties Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal in recent days with temperatures hitting the mid-twenties in a number of areas.

According to Met Éireann, while the weather will break slightly for a time, the weather will return to mostly dry weather for the long weekend.

The rise in temperature does increase the risk of gorse fires, however, with the public urged to be vigilant and take extra care.

Meteorologist, Aoife Kealy says the region will be in for some pleasant conditions as the high pressure continues.

An investigation has been launched into illegal dumping on the outskirts of Drumkeerin.

A large volume of pallets among other items were discovered in a wooded area in recent days.

Local Sinn Fein Cllr Padraig Fallon has hit out at those responsible but says that thankfully the amount of dumping incidents in Leitrim has decreased overall.

Speaking to Ocean FM news, Cllr Fallon also says there's a certain irony to what's been dumped Drumkeerin and that the pallets could have put to other uses:

A Donegal Senator is calling for more supports for children with special educational needs and of Traveller and Roma ethnicity.

As it stands, particular students are being placed on reduced school timetables, and it's feared not enough is being done to compensate for it.

Senator Eileen Flynn raised the issue in the Seanad today to Minister of State Noel Grealish.

Senator Flynn says it breaks her heart to see children being failed by the education system: