The Taoiseach is defending the government's approach to housing targets.

It's after the number of homeless people reached another record high, with more than 15 thousand 400 people accessing emergency accommodation last month.

169 adults were accessing emergency accommodation in Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal during this period - Sligo had the higest figure at 82.

The government is promising to build 41 thousand homes this year - despite missing last year's target of 34 thousand.

Micheál Martin insists they are taking steps to accelerate delivery:

It's hoped that investment being pumped into An Garda Siochana may reduce crime rates in Sligo.

It comes as Sligo Garda Station experienced crime rates above pre-pandemic levels in 2024.

New figures show that there were just over 1,500 offences recorded in Sligo last year, with theft accounting for almost a third at 479.

Crime in rural parts of Sligo has decreased overall.

Gurteen in south Sligo was on the only rural station to have recorded a marginal rise.

Speaking to Ocean FM news, Fine Gael Cllr Thomas Walsh says he isn't overly surprised at the data:

Local authorities in the North West have been allocated additional funds today to improve the collection of electoral register data.

The total funding of 3 million euro is to enable county and city councils to modernise electoral registration and build on work done over the last two years.

Significant changes to electoral registration process in 2022 included introducing rolling voter registration and enabling online applications

Minister for Housing and Local Government, James Browne says a lot of work is going into updating the system:

Donegal are back in the Ulster football final following Sunday's 1-19 to 0-16 semi-final victory against Down.

Martin McHugh and Manus Boyle give their postmatch assessment - as Donegal get ready to take on All-Ireland champions Armagh on May 10th in the provincial decider.

There's disgust in Sligo following reports that a local bring bank was left in deplorable state over the weekend.

Numerous bags of clothing and other household items were dumped beside the recycling and clothing bank on the Cranmore Road in recent.

Sinn Fein Cllr Arthur Gibbons believes that while people should return another day if the banks are full, ultimately the companies should be empting them more often.

He also says it's not fair on the local tidy town groups who are trying their best:

It's feared the government will not deliver on their promise to tackle homelessness.

Recently released figures show that there were a total of 169 adults accessing emergency accommodation in Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal during this period.

In terms of County breakdown, Sligo recorded the highest number at 82, followed by Donegal at 67 while there were 20 people registered homeless in Leitrim.

41 thousand new homes were promised by the government this year, however last year's figure of 34 thousand wasn't met.

Research and Policy Analyst with Social Justice Ireland Susanne Rogers says the arrow on the chart is going in the wrong direction.

Over a quarter of a million people attended the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome today.

People from all corners of the globe travelled to the Vatican to pay their respects to the late Pontiff.

Earlier this morning people queued for hours before the funeral, while during the funeral, flags from different countries could be seen, representing the many nationalities in attendance.

Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday has broken with tradition when it comes to where he is being laid to rest – at Santa Maria Maggiore.

Newtownmanor native Fr. Gerry Comiskey is based in Rome and attended today’s funeral.

He’s been telling Ocean FM why Pope Francis chose to against the grain when it comes to his burial:

Large crowds attending the official launch of Relay for Life Sligo at the City Hall on Friday evening.

The two-day event itself is set to take place over the weekend of September 13th & 14th on the ATU Sligo campus.

Relay For Life is a celebration of solidarity and helps to raise awareness of the services provided by the Irish Cancer Society locally and nationally.

It's already been a huge success in the likes of Letterkenny and elsewhere.

Ciara Hughes, Relay for Life Campaign Manager with the Irish Cancer Society is encouraging everyone to get involved:

The disparity of household income across Ireland, but in particular, in the north west, has been highlighted.

Earlier this week, a CSO report showed that Donegal had the lowest median gross household income in the country just over €42,400.

The figure in Leitrim was over €47,200, while Sligo was just shy of €50,000.

Irish Rural Link say they believe the figures reflect the quality of the jobs available in the region.

It's CEO, Seamus Boland says income remains low despite cost-of-living figures reaching an all-time high.

The Emergency Aeromedical Service responded to 64 critical incidents across the north west in 2024.

Missions frequently involve significant trauma resulting from falls, road traffic collisions as well as medical emergencies.

Run by the National Ambulance Service, these calls are separate to Resuce 118's search and rescue helicopter, they do offer some of the same services.

In total, 27 missions were carried out in Leitrim, 20 in Sligo and while 17 occurred in Donegal.

Local Fianna Fáil Cllr Dónal Gilroy says ultimately, both operators provide much-needed services: