A huge security operation is underway in Vatican City today ahead of Pope Francis's funeral tomorrow.

More than 100-thousand mourners have so far filed past the Pope's open casket - as he lies in state for a final day in St Peter's Basilica.

The pontiff's been there since Wednesday following his death in Vatican City on Easter Monday, aged 88.

Donegal-born Monsignor Eamonn McLaughlin, is a Canon of the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome where Pope Francis has chosen as his final place of rest.

Monsignor McLaughlin has been speaking to Ocean fm news this afternoon:

Parents across the North West are being reminded that today is the final day to apply and reapply to the school transport scheme.

Every academic year the scheme causes major controversy locally, with some pupils struggling to get a seat on the school bus.

This is down to the terms and conditions with concessionary and non-concessionary tickets.

The fees for the new year are €50 for primary students, €75 for post-primary, and are set at a maximum €125 per family.

Sinn Fein Cllr Thomas Healy is urging people to get their applications in today:

Two Donegal sites have been included in the latest EPAs 2024 National Priority list.

The report out today identified Aurivo Consumer Foods Limited for discharges to water and Glenmore Biogas in Ballybofey for odour issues.

Water pollution and bad smells are the most common failures the EPA has found in breaches by waste and industrial facilities.

The environmental watchdog says food and drink, as well as waste facilities are most likely to breach compliance rules.

Meanwhile, complaints from the public around noise and bad smells have reduced by nearly half in the past three years.

Programme Manager at the EPA Office of Environmental Enforcement, Pamela McDonnell, says they focus on certain sites where they found problems in the past:

It's been claimed that cancer patients south of Donegal Town are being excluded from accessing the Letterkenny-to-Galway HSE-funded transport.

There's said to be a large number of cancer patients in this region who have to make the long journey to Galway for treatment.

However, people living along the N15 corridor between Ballyshannon and Rathcormac are said to be unable to access the cancer bus traveling down from Letterkenny.

Instead they must travel to Sligo to access a similar service there.

Independent Cllr Marie Casserly says it doesn't make sense:

US firm Sazerac have announced the renaming of Lough Gill Distillery in Sligo, which will now be known as Hawk’s Rock Distillery.

The distillery is currently closed to the public during renovations, but it has been confirmed that Sazerac has received planning permission to develop ‘a future visitor experience’ at the site.

Hawk’s Rock will continue to produce and age Irish Whiskey under the watchful eye of Master Blender Helen Mulholland on the over 100-acre site located at Hazelwood, which includes the nationally listed historic landmark Hazelwood House.

Speaking to Ocean FM news, Ms Mullholland says its an exciting time for the distillery:

The lack of unity among Irish MEPs over EU trade decisions has been called into question.

A recent European Parliament vote on the Mercusor trade agreement brought forward a number of amendments.

Midlands-North West MEP Ciaran Mullooly has hit out at a number of his colleagues, including those aligned to Fine Gael for rejecting those amendments, saying the deal impacts EU sustainability and food safety standards.

Party leader and Tánaiste Simon Harris has previously stated that the agricultural sector is “extraordinarily important to Fine Gael.”

Speaking to Ocean FM, MEP Mullooly is calling for Irish members of parliament to stand together and reject the deal, to the benefit of the sector here.

There's concern that the future of the Strandhill peoples market hangs in the balance.

The market held at Sligo Airport was initially due to reopen for the 2025 season in March but has been delayed, with over 160 traders are said to be displaced as a result.

This centres on ongoing training for the new Irish Coastguard helicopter service taking place in the area where the market is traditionally held.

Now with Bristow Ireland announcing that the rollout is being further postponed until 2026, major concern has arisen over where or if the market will get back up and running.

Speaking with some of the traders of the market, David O’Connor reports:

Farmers across the region are being urged to reject lower price offers for their beef stock.

The IFA say factories are trying to get back control of the market as steer prices have risen by over 18 cent per kilo since the start of the month.

While demand is high, supplies remain low, Bord Bia is predicting a reduction of 87 thousand cattle in the beef market this year.

The association's Connacht regional chairperson, Brendan Golden feels the current situation is completely at odds with the realities facing the sector.

He's calling on farmers to remain firm:

There's still no reopening date for Waterworld in Bundoran.

Major refurbishment works at the facility are ongoing, with approximately €2.2 million being invested into the overall upgrade.

The works include the addition of a new reception and viewing area, the extension and a total revamp of the changing area

An upgrade to disabled access through the changing rooms will also ensure full accessibility for guests.

As a result, Waterworld will open later in the season than usual for 2025 with hopes that it will be in line with school summer holidays.

But Sinn Fein Cllr Michael McMahon says it'll be worth the wait:

Relay for Life Sligo is being officially launched at the City Hall tomorrow 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.

Monica McElhinney Community fundraiser for the Irish Cancer society for Connaught Ulster has been sharing more information about the event to Ocean FM news: