Ocean FM News Reports

The vast majority of children under the age of four in Roscommon's second largest town can't access childcare. A meeting of the Boyle Community Childcare Committee heard that 77 percent of children in the area can't get places. The group is highlighting the lack of spaces for children in the town - with just one provider. Chair of the committee is Christina Egan Marnell - she believes the issue isn't confined to Boyle:

A Sligo-Leitrim TD has jokingly suggested to the Tanaiste that politicians should spend less time on their phones. This follows a discussion in the Dail, where Deputy Frank Feighan highlighted the importance children spending time away from their phones and social media. Deputy Feighan used the opportunity to call for €9 million to be ringfenced for the proposed phone pouches that were to be introduced in schools. The Tanaiste responded about the introduction of pouches for the Dail:

Questions are being asked over the increasing level of illegal parking in north Leitrim. Images have been circulating on social media in recent days over alleged misdemeanours in Drumkeeran over the weekend. It's felt that this in turn results in wheelchair users and other users, such as buggies being forced to get off the path and out on the road. Just two fines were handed out for illegal parking in county Leitrim in 2023. Local Councillor Pádraig Fallon feels an awareness campaign needs to be introduced:

The lack of parking in Sligo is said to be 'haemorrhaging' the town. It's claimed that the long running issue is worsening further, with fears growing that it's severely impacting on local businesses. There are renewed calls to explore the ideal of establishing new car parking facilities and enhancing new ones. Local Fine Gael Cllr Thomas Walsh this infrastructure must be improved to meet the future needs of the town and an ever growing population:

The Ballymote Playground has reopened today following being closed for a number of years. The development of the playground has been a priority for Ballymote Community Council since it’s establishment in 2022. This has been made possible through community efforts which fundraised over €50,000 along with state grants. During the summer months, the playground will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. More information can be found on Ballymote Community Council's Facebook Page, along with a video showcasing the new playground. Shane Rafferty, Chair of the Ballymote Community Council, praised all those who helped get the project over the line: