The Government has agreed to a request from Sligo County Council for additional funding for grant applications.

This will allow the Council to progress a number of additional applications in the current year, which would otherwise not be funded until 2026.

Notwithstanding the additional funding, the Scheme remains paused.

New applications for Housing Adaptation Grants for Disabled People, Mobility Aids Grants and Housing Aid for Older People Grants have all been suspended other than applications that meet Priority 1 criteria.

The move caused some backlash earlier this week.

Local Cllr Michael Clarke says it's a step in the right direction but more funding needs to be urgently provided:

There are calls for an urgent meeting over delays in emergency response times on Arranmore Island.

The issue centres on vehicles blocking access to the main pier on the island.

It's emerged that one such incident earlier this week, crews were said to be severely impacted from attending an emergency due to a large number of cars parked on the pier.

The incident in question was described as time-critical, with Rescue 118 also involved in the operation.

Cllr Micheal Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig says the situation is totally unacceptable, and that a master plan needs to be done as a matter of urgency:

There were no HAP properties available for rent in Sligo Town or County Leitrim in June.

Nationally, only 32 properties were available to rent for HAP tenants in 16 parts of the country last month.

This is a drop of over a fifth since March.

Today's Locked Out of the Market Report by Simon Communities shows there were no properties available in eight areas.

The charity's Executive Director Ber Grogan says it's harder to get HAP rentals in rural areas:

The fear of crime is instilled in many rural communities across the North West.

That's according to Sligo Leitrim Sinn Fein TD Martin Kenny, who has been reacting to the developments in the trial of the man accused of the unlawful killing of Tom Niland.

John Irving, from Shanwar, Foxford, Co Mayo, had initially denied any involvement in the violent burglary that led to his death, but changed his plea yesterday.

Tom Niland was beaten so badly that his own neighbours barely recognised him when he stumbled across the road from his home in Skreen.

Speaking just before the Dail broke for summer recess, Deputy Kenny says what happened has caused terror for many:

A number of plant pots have been vandalised in Sligo Town.

The flowers were removed and thrown into the river in the town centre at some stage on Thursday night last.

With Tidy Towns judging season set to get underway, there's concern that the incident may detract from the efforts of local volunteers.

Finbarr Filan of Sligo BID has appealed to the culprits' better nature:

A Sligo Leitrim TD has attributed the latest increase that Independents are enjoying in opinion polls to Catherine Connolly announcing this week that she is running for the Aras.

Sinn Fein’s support has taken a hit in the latest political opinion poll.

The party has dropped 4 points in the survey published by the Irish Times.

They're now on 22 per cent support, the same as Fianna Fail which remains unchanged since the last poll carried out during the spring.

Fine Gael are up 1 point to 17 per cent, while Independents and others have risen by 5 per cent.

Sinn Fein’s Martin Kenny says there are number of reasons that shapes the makeup of such poles including the upcoming Presidential Election

The cost of living has dominated Leaders' Questions on the final day of the Dáil before the summer break.

TDs won't be back in Leinster House for another nine weeks as this Dáil term ends.

The cost of living and massive increases in the number of families who are in energy arrears dominated leaders questions.

Sinn Féin Donegal TD Pearse Doherty says it's disgraceful electricity credits are being scrapped in the budget:

A man who has been on trial accused of killing Sligo farmer Tom Niland has changed his plea.

John Irving, from Shanwar, Foxford, Co Mayo, had pleaded not guilty to the unlawful killing of Mr. Niland at his home in January 2022.

At the Central Criminal Court today, the defence offered to change his plea to guilty and the jury was subsequently dismissed.

Irving is due to be sentenced in October.

Speaking from the Central Criminal Court today, friend of the late Mr. Niland and local Cllr Michael Clarke paid an emotional tribute to the Gardai for their exceptional work in the case:

A Leitrim Councillor and ICSA member says many farmer will be giving careful consideration to their futures after yesterday’s announcement in Europe in relation to CAP.

The European Commission has announced a 20 per cent drop in resources for the sector as part of the 2 trillion euro budget for 2028 to 2034.

The reduction has described as a hammer blow with farmers receiving a pension set to lose their right to funding altogether.

Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon will open the first meeting of the CAP Consultation Committee this morning following the announcement.

Brendan Barry is a Leitrim member of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association.  He says more negotiations will take place in the weeks to come, however the lack of security provided by the CAP payment will leaving farmers with planet of food for thought

Staff shortages are said to be impacting one of Donegal's top tourist attractions.

The castle at Glenveagh National Park is unable to open to tourists on certain days of the week because there's not enough staff on site.

The park attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year, with the historic castle said to be the centrepiece.

Speaking in the Seanad, Fine Gael Cllr Manus Boyle says the Tourism Minister needs to be get handle on the situation: