More than 2,00 people have been protesting in Sligo against the awarding of the north-west local radio licence to Ocean FM Radio.
In its submission to the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland, Ocean FM described North-West Radio listeners as old, conservative and from a lower social class. The new station will take up the franchise in September.
Loyal supporters gathered outside Sligo Courthouse to show solidarity with the station that has been serving their local needs for fourteen years.
NWR broadcasts to north Sligo, Leitrim and south Donegal and employs 15 staff.
But in a move that shocked many people in the local community, the BCI revoked NWR's licence last May in favour of Ocean FM.
The former Irish goalkeeper, Packie Bonner, and the Sunday World crime correspondent, Paul Williams, are high profile names associated with Ocean FM. But the majority of shareholders are prominent business people in the region.
The Managing Director of NWR, Paul Claffey, said the station had maintained excellent listenership figures in all national surveys and the decision of the BCI defied logic.
