Orchard Care Group is hosting a Recruitment Day tomorrow to mark the opening of their new office in Sligo.

They are hiring for roles across Sligo, Mayo, Roscommon, Longford, Leitrim, Cavan, and Galway, including social care workers and healthcare assistants.

The event will help fill positions in their growing network of care facilities.

Speaking to Ocean FM News, HR Manager Yvonne Branigan said the event is a key step in providing local, high-quality care across the region.

The process for securing a new Sligo to Galway cancer bus is still ongoing.

A bus currently catering to patients does not have toilet facilities or wheelchair access after the previous vehicle reached end of life several months ago.

It had been hoped that new bus would be on the road by now, and while local fundraising efforts have raised 80% of the money needed, the remainder of the funding still needs to be found.

The issue was raised in the Dail by Sligo Leitrim Fine Gael TD Frank Feighan while responding, Minister of State for Mental Health Mary Butler says that the Department remains committed to working towards a resolution.

But Deputy Feighan wasn’t happy with the lack of progress to date:

The Justice Minister is under increasing pressure to meet with the family of Leitrim farmer Liam Farrell in the coming weeks.

In the Dail yesterday, Minister Jim O'Callaghan agreed to meet with the family but a date has yet to be set.

There are ongoing calls for the case into Liam Farrell's death to be reopened, particularly in light of a recent RTE Prime Time report.

The 87 year old was found badly bruised outside of his home in Rooskey in January 2020.

His case was raised with the Minister by Sinn Fein Sligo Leitrim TD Martin Kenny - speaking to Ocean FM news today, Deputy Kenny says the meeting must happen soon in order to get family's wishes progressed:

An action plan to deal with the winter surge at Sligo University Hospital is currently being finalised.

It comes as Emergency Department attendances in the North have increased by 4% this year compared to 2024, with rises of 6% in July and 7% in August.

As a result, over 5,000 additional bed days have been lost the region due to Delayed Transfers of Care in the first seven months of 2025 compared to last year.

Fianna Fail Cllr Edel MacSharry who is also member of the Regional Health Forum says the specifics of the plan are to be revealed shortly:

The Justice Minister is to meet with the family of Leitrim farmer Liam Farrell to discuss their concerns relating to the investigation into his death.

There are ongoing calls to reopen the case, particularly in light of a recent RTE Prime Time report into his death.

The 87 year old was found badly bruised outside of his home in Rooskey in January 2020.

Speaking in the Dail yesterday, Sligo Leitrim Sinn Fein TD Martin Kenny says the initial Garda investigation was completely inadequate.

Responding, Minister Jim O'Callaghan gave a commitment to meet with the family:

Leitrim County Council has confirmed the return of textile recycling banks, with all 39 sites across the county expected to be operational by the end of September.

The move follows successful discussions with the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, securing much-needed funding.

Cllr Brendan Barry is urging the public to reuse or donate good-quality clothing where possible, and to support local charity collections.

Speaking to Ocean FM News, Cllr Barry says the return of the banks will help tackle illegal dumping and promote recycling.

A meeting is taking place this evening over ongoing safety concerns on the Knockbeg Road in Collooney.

The stretch between Collooney and the N17 is said to be experiencing a number of issues including overgrowth, lack of public lighting and other infrastructure.

A key meeting with a delegation of residents is getting underway later with a view towards putting pressure on the road department at Sligo County Council to carry out the much needed works.

Fine Gael Cllr Thomas Walsh says the road must meet the current and future needs of the local community:

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The Government has made an utter mess of the immigration system and Donegal is the perfect example of that.

That's according to Donegal Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty who has been reiterating comments he made in the Dail last week as meeting of the Oireachtas Migration Committee gets underway today.

Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan and department officials will discuss the management and operation of the asylum application process and other immigration matters.

Deputy Doherty says it's not acceptable that these centres are located in already deprived areas and that Government needs to have a proper regime in place:

A meeting has been sought with the CEO of Sligo County Council over the Old Mill Apartment Complex in Ballisodare.

The owners have now received a report from the consultants who they engaged to carry out a structural survey which will inform the future direction of the property.

The local authority is liaising with the owners of the property on this.

But Sinn Fein Cllr Thomas Healy says there are still a lot of questions yet to be answered and further discussions are needed:

There's a warning that insurance costs for hauliers are crippling rural Ireland.

The Irish Road Haulage Association has demanded urgent Government action, warning that soaring premiums are forcing small businesses across rural Ireland to shut down.

The association has submitted proposals to the Department of Finance as part of the new Insurance Action Plan 2025-2029 consultation.

IRHA President Ger Hyland said hauliers feel helpless: