Gardai in the North West are continuing an extensive Roads Policing Operation throughout St. Brigid's Bank Holiday Weekend. It started at 7am on Thursday morning and finishes at 7am tomorrow morning. Throughout this weekend's Roads Policing Operation, Gardaí across the region are conducting both statutory Mandatory Intoxicant Testing and regular, h…

With Labour's Nessa Cosgrove set to depart Sligo County Council, attentions are now turning to who will fill her seat. Cllr Cosgrove was elected to the Seanad's Labour Vocational panel over the weekend. It was her first Seanad election and she was elected Sligo County Council for the first time only last June. Her departure will mean someone from t…

The S3 bus is finally operational in Sligo. The service officially began in the town yesterday, catering to various areas like Finisklin, Maugheraboy and into town. It follows a major campaign locally to get it up and running Independent Cllr Marie Casserly says it's hoped that the service will be extended further down the line but that this is hug…

Listen back to a selection of interviews from the Donegal Sports Star Awards ceremony in Letterkenny, celebrating the 2024 sporting year in Donegal.

Labour Party candidate Nessa Cosgrove has been elected to the Seanad’s Labour Vocational panel. Cosgrove, contesting her first Seanad election, was elected Sligo County Council for the first time in June 2024. She also contested the 2020 and 2024 General Elections in the Sligo-Leitrim constituency. Senator Cosgrove will be one of eleven members on …

Figures published by the INMO place the facility fourth overall in terms of patients waiting on trolleys throughout January. 852 people waited for a bed at the hospital over the course of the month. It reflects an increase in the number of those who waited over the course of January 2024, where over 701 people were left without a bed at the facilit…

Drivers across the north west are being warned about getting behind the wheel this morning if they were out last night. Gardaí are cracking down on driving under the influence of drink or drugs and speeding as part of their St. Brigid's weekend road safety campaign. The risk of being killed or seriously injured on the roads is at its highest betwee…

Donegal have got the start they wanted to this year's Division 1 league campaign. A four-point win against Dublin, in front of 12,250 spectators in Ballybofey will do nicely. Paddy McGill returns for a new season of podcasts - and canvasses the postmatch assessments of Martin McHugh, Jim McGuinness, Ryan McHugh, Frank Craig (Donegal Democrat) and D…

Three Maritime organisations are reminding swimmers and walkers to be careful this Bank Holiday Weekend. The Coast Guard, RNLI and Water Safety Ireland have said falling into cold waster can result in cold shock, which can lead to hypothermia. Members of the public are being advised to wear appropriate clothing like wetsuits, brightly coloured swim…

The final stage of the XL bully ban comes into effect today. The ban was ruled into law in October 2024, however owners and animal charities had until yesterday to register and rehome XL bully type dogs to prevent them from being seized and destroyed. At the start of the year, just 10 dogs were registered to local councils across the north west. Th…

Leitrim school celebrates competition victory

It's been claimed that 150 Welsh electrical technicians due to help in restoring power in the North West were not provided with accommodation. The crew, along with other crews from several countries have been drafted in to assist the ESB with the ongoing mammoth task. It's not yet known if the contingent from Wales have come to the region or not So…

Fishing cap to be implemented on Sligo river

Storm Éowyn continues to impact a number of businesses across the region. Many offices have been unable to reopen their doors due to continued power outages and broadband cut-offs. This has left staff seeking alternative arrangements including at remote working hubs and desks for rent. Among those is The Spool Factory co-working hub in Boyle. It’s …

Disappointment has been expressed locally following a Sligo-Leitrim TD missing out on junior minister position. The government roles were divided out earlier this week, and Fine Gael’s longest serving sitting TD Frank Feighan was not included. Throughout the election campaign, it was hoped that Deputy Feighan would be in line for a cabinet position…

In County Leitrim, there are many residents still waiting to get their power restored there too. There's serious concern for families, particularly those with children who may have additional needs, entering into their second week without power. Declan Conboy, Principal of Carrigallen Vocational School believes that overall, Leitrim has been used a…

'Theme Night Academy' was officially launched this week in Sligo. It aims to nurture the development of teenagers through music performance and education and to give them a platform to perform in a professional, safe and friendly environment. The Academy has been inspired by the popular Theme Nights Shows. Founder Kieran Quinn is hopeful that this …

Range of issues said to be impacting Irish prisons

Local Councillor comments on the challenges to restoring power

Calls have been made for more forestry harvesters to be introduced into rural areas, to assist with the removal of fallen trees. The call has been made by Sligo Leitrim TD Martin Kenny, who has called on the government to deploy foresters in order to assist ESB employees in restoring electricity in homes, farms and businesses. Speaking to Ocean FM …

Communities in part of Donegal and Fermanagh have been left devastated following a fatal workplace accident in Ballyshannon. Gerry Keown, of Belleek, Co Fermanagh, lost his life earlier this week in the incident. Tributes have been paid by the local residents since Mr Keown's passing. Donegal County Councillor, Michael McMahon says people in the su…

Gardaí will be stepping up their bank holiday campaign as they crack down on speeding and drink drivers. Motorists in counties still affected by Storm Éowyn have been urged to be extra careful, as many roads remain blocked by fallen trees and debris in the northwest and midlands. Assistant Garda Commissioner for Roads Policing, Paula Hillman says r…

There's still hundreds of people in south Donegal without power, one week on from Storm Eowyn. The ESB, like in all areas, are continuing to working on restoring power to everyone. Cathoirleach of Donegal County Council Independent Cllr Niamh Kennedy says there's still a lot of residents in a desperate situation. Cllr Kennedy believes that a lot of…

This week, we hear about the 'Sligo' ingredients helping Cuala’s rise in the Dublin club football in recent seasons - which culminated in anAll-Ireland club football title earlier this month. Former Sligo goalkeeper Philip Greene, a Cuala clubman, shares some insights. New Leitrim manager Steven Poacher on the start of their Division 3 campaign thi…

Local Councillor hopes for improvements on local link service

A North West MEP has called upon the European Commission to clarify details of a €1 billion Mercosur support fund for farmers. The safety net allocation aims to offset losses suffered by the sector as a result of South American beef imported into Europe. However, questions are being raised over how the funding will be applied with Irish farmers set…

Reasons behind the Donegal Education Centre's decision to relocate from Donegal Town to Letterkenny has been disputed locally. In a statement issued by the Management Committee of the Centre, accessibility was cited as a key factor in the decision. It was also noted that the choice was not made lightly, but that it would benefit the broader educati…

Former election candidate calls for national emergency to be declared

Kacper Dudek has been remembered as a young man full of joy, passion and energy. The 20 year old tragically lost his life in a road collision during Storm Éowyn in Donegal in the early hours of Friday morning. A tree fell on his car at Feddyglass, Raphoe - the section of N14 where the crash happened is to remain closed for the rest of this week. Hi…

The Geevagh Community Resource Centre is one of many facilities locally which are open for people experiencing a power outage due to the recent storm. The centre opens at 10:30am each day and has showers, charging points for devices, hot water, and tea and coffee. Sligo Civil Defence team will be on site, providing assistance and guidance throughou…

A public meeting is to be held over the Education Centre in Donegal Town. It follows the first meeting of the Save Our Education Centre Group last night. Plans are afoot to move the centre to Letterkenny, something has received huge backlash from the community of Donegal Town and further afield. It's also been claimed that staff who currently work …

The Sligo Leitrim TD, Frank Feighan has been selected by Fine Gael as their nomination for the position of Leas Ceann Comhairle. The move takes place after Deputy Feighan failed to secure a Junior Ministers position yesterday. The Fine Gael TD had previously served as Minister of State during the Covid-19 pandemic at the Department of Health. Deput…

Gardai are reminding the public to watch out for bogus tradesmen in the wake of Storm Eowyn. Several homes, premises and farm buildings across the North West have suffered damage as a result of last Friday's storm. There are still several homes, farms and businesses in Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal without power and water almost a week on from the sto…

The HSE and Minister for Health are to be contacted over a lack of home help staff in Sligo. There are fears that if the staffing isn't addressed soon, there will be an increase in attendance at hospitals and elderly homes. It's thought that the current recruitment restrictions in place at the HSE has led to the shortage. Independent Cllr Michael C…

Thousands of premises across Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal continue to go without power. ESB crews are now into their fifth day of repairs works in the region. While many have had their power restored, a substantial amount are still left in the dark and are expected to remain so for days to come. This North Sligo resident has had thousands of euro wor…

Thousands of premises across Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal continue to go without power as a result of Storm Eowyn. ESB crews are now into their fifth day of repairs works in the region. While many have had their power restored, a substantial amount are still left in the dark and are expected to remain so for days to come. This North Sligo resident ha…

Speculation is mounting that a Sligo-Leitrim Fine Gael TD is set to miss out on a junior minister position. The roles are to be announced later today, and Fine Gael's longest sitting TD Frank Feighan looks unlikely to secure a spot. This is set to be a major blow for the North West region with it widely thought that the former Junior Minister would…

A Donegal TD has criticised the Office of Public Works for its latest case of spending. It's emerged the OPW spent almost half a million euro replacing a 70 metre wall outside the Workplace Relations Commission in Dublin. That's double the estimated cost and follows on from the infamous bike shelter outside Leinster House. Sinn Fein's Spokersperson…

The Sinn Fein Party Chief Whip says a quick glance at the front benches of his party and that of the government’s will give people in this region an indication of how the respective parties are prioritising the development of the North West region. Two North West TDs will form part of Sinn Fein’s front bench spokespersons for the new Dáil term. Don…

A Midlands North West MEP has accused the government for failing to listen to the various warnings that were sounded in advance of storm Éowyn battering the country on Friday last The EU have provided 17 power generators to Ireland so that water can be restored to thousands of customers. The assistance is being provided after the EU Civil Protectio…

It's emerged that 90% of properties in Donegal were without power after the damage which was caused by the recent storm Eowyn. Calls have been made for ESB to meet with members of Donegal County Council to identify possible weaknesses in the infrastructure that is supplying the county. Donegal MD Councillor Niamh Kennedy says even though the seriou…

An emergency meeting is taking place tonight over the future of the Education Centre in Donegal Town. It was revealed a few months ago that plans may be afoot to relocate the facility to Letterkenny, which could ultimately put jobs at risk. The Save our Education Centre group is holding its first meeting tonight and represents local teaching bodies…

It's 20 years since Shaun Duffy was murdered in his home in West Donegal. Mr Duffy was attacked and fatally wounded in his home at Meenacross in Dungloe in the early hours of Saturday, 29th January 2005. His body was discovered in his home shortly before 2.30pm that afternoon. Speaking on social media, Superintendent David Kelly of Milford Garda St…

Harrowing stories are emerging in County Sligo from people who are continuing to be impacted by outages. The stories are emerging as emergency teams are again working across the North West to renew power and water supplies around the region this morning. As of last night, nationwide there were 142 thousand customers still without power and around 3…

The North West is set to see continued improvement in weather conditions this week. Counties Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal had all been under status yellow, orange and red weather warnings over the past week. However, while temperatures are still set to be cold, winds recorded during Storm Eowyn will reduce considerably. Forecaster with Met Eireann, M…

Many local facilities are continuing to offer services for those who are still without power. St Molaise's GAA Club in Grange is providing showering and charging facilities to anyone who may need them. There's still a substantial amount of people in the North Sligo area still impacted by outages. Chairman of St. Molaise GAA Club Mel Casserly says t…

A for clarity has been raised over the route selection for the newly proposed N17. There are a number of concerns in the suggested road layout, with a number of farms and homes set to be demolished. While the road is suggested to bypass Charlestown and Curry, which is understood to have left many local residents unhappy. Independent Cllr Michael Cl…

Thousands of homes, farms and businesses across the North West are still without electricity since the record breaking winds caused by Storm Éowyn last Friday. The ESB is welcoming crews from Austria, Finland, the Netherlands and France to the region as they look to get power up and running over the next few days. Adrian Walsh, Storm Manger with th…

A Sligo Councillor says moves like providing low cost housing to attract staff, could be used in the public sector to address shortages of key workers in the North West. Proposals in the Programme for Government are indicating that housing will be reserved for key workers such as Guards, teachers, Doctors and nurses in cost-rental developments. The…

A Sligo Leitrim TD wants the Dáil to be recalled in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn. Sinn Fein Deputy, Martin Kenny, was echoing the calls made by his Party Leader, Mary Lou McDonald in an attempt to lure politicians back into the Chamber. The Dáil is on a two week break to allow the new Ministers to bed into their roles. The Government say their full…