Serious momentum seems to be building behind Heather Humphreys Campaign for President among Fine Gael members in the North West.

The former Minister for social protection and rural development is battling it out with MEP Sean Kelly for the right to contest the election for the party.

At the close of nominations yesterday to replace Mairead McGuinness as the fine Gael candidate both allowed their names to go forward.

Sligo Drumcliff Councillor Thomas Walsh says that although Sean Kelly is well worthy of receiving a nomination, party members in the North West are more likely to back the Monaghan based candidate.

Cllr Walsh says the work that Heather Humphreys has done for rural Ireland will stand to her come the election.

The chair of Irish Rail says introducing new fleets of trains will increase capacity across the national networks.

The All-Island Strategic Rail Review is a plan to increase connectivity by 2050 - which Irish Rail says it is committed to delivering.

The body says a priority is ensuring there are double tracks around the island, which would decrease journey times.

Steve Murphy is chair of Irish Rail - he says new carriages would increase capacity everywhere:

Tents, dirty nappies and BBQs is just some of the mess campers left behind them on Coney Island in recent days.

Gardai in Sligo have launched a scathing attack on those responsible, stating that the shameful actions have a negative effect on the land, wildlife, locals and tourism.

They say it's extremely disappointing when some people treat the area with such disrespect.

Gardai are also warning that they have a zero tolerance for this conduct and endeavour to prosecute offenders engaging in this behaviour.

Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council Cllr Donal Gilroy has also slammed those responsible:

The Lough Allen Hotel in Drumshanbo has been taken over by new owners.

The popular tourism destination on the banks of Lough Allen has been closed for a number of years and in more recent times provided accommodation for Ukrainian nationals that were fleeing the Russian invasion.

Signs have been placed at the entrance to the building which states that the hotel will be refurbished over the coming months and it will reopen for business as soon as possible.

Local Councillor Enda MGloin says it’s his understanding the building has been purchased an original investor in the Hotel when it first opened over twenty years ago and that it will be used for providing accommodation for the tourism sector

It's hoped that there will be a 24 hour refuge in Sligo soon.

Work is ongoing to identify a suitable site in the town and the Domestic Violence Advocacy Service, (DVAS) which covers Sligo, Leitrim and West Cavan anticipates that this could be finalised by years end.

The charity was founded in 2003 and yet there is still no dedicated emergency facility for women in the region.

Carmel McNamee, DVAs Manager says an increase in those accessing the service is a positive thing and they are working continuously to improve that service locally:

There are calls for opening hours to the Carrowmore Megalithic cemetery to be extended.

The historic site is currently closed to facilitate essential conversation works and visitor facility upgrades.

While it is set to reopen again this month, it's thought that it should be open more for the next tourism season.

Fine Gael Cllr Thomas Walsh feels that it's as a hugely important asset to the County of Sligo and that it should be available for both locals and tourists as much as is possible:

A former North West local election candidate says any attempt to end tax breaks for those that install solar panels would be another example of the current government punishing people who want to play their part in establishing a cleaner environment.

A tax exemption for homeowners who sell electricity back to the grid will end in December.

Currently, people with solar panels can earn up to 400 euro a year tax free by giving power they generate back to their supplier.

It's believed the withdrawal of the exemption will make the installation of solar panels less attractive for owners.

Adam Ó Ceallaigh contested the 2024 Local elections for the Green Party in Leitrim he says ending the scheme would show that the current government do not understand the importance of climate change

1. In an effort to find accommodation in Dublin for students travelling from as far as way Donegal, UCD have asked Dubliners to rent them a room.

    

    

   The Student’s Union in UCD says students are traveling from all parts of the Country and that some are commuting as far away as the North West to attend college in Dublin.

    

    

   The Students Union is targeting commuters at Luas stops this morning as part of a ''Digs Drive''.

    

    

   Education Officer Matt Mion says students are coming to him desperate for accommodation.

There are renewed calls for more Gardai to be stationed in the North West in the wake of the latest crime figures.

The statistics released this week show that an average of fourteen homes were burgled every day in the first half of the year.

Reports of aggravated burglary have fallen by almost a quarter compared to the same time in 2024.

Cllr Michael Clarke says the issue of crime remains a major challenge for rural communities and says last week's damning report into the roads policing unit has also caused great concern:

A Sligo Councillor says the lack of stepdown facilities in the North West is behind why Letterkenny and Sligo University Hospitals having the second and third highest figure in the Country when it comes to weekly average number of patients in hospital who are well enough to be discharged.

A recent report in the Irish Independent claims another Hospital in the Saolta Group, Galway University Hospital has the highest weekly average at 44, followed by Letterkenny and Sligo University Hospital where the numbers are 33 and 26 respectively.

The report claims that More than 5,500 patients have been in hospital for longer than medically necessary so far this year, with 29 patients having stayed in hospital for more than six months due to delays in accessing care they need in the community.

A delayed transfer of care occurs when a patient is ready to leave inpatient care but is still occupying a HSE-funded bed.

Reacting to the figures Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council Donal Gilroy says the lack of stepdown facilities has been an ongoing issued in the North West.