NEWS

The scene of incident on Old Cullybackey Road, Ballymena (Images: Steven McAuley, McAuley Multimedia) A murder investigation has been launched after three members of the same family were found dead at a house in Ballymena on Monday morning. Detectives from the PSNI’s Major Investigation Team are leading the investigation after the bodies of a man and two women were discovered at a property on the Old Cullybackey Road at around 9am. Police have stressed that there is no ongoin

Glenarm Castle, County Antrim Planning permission has been granted by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for the installation of solar panels at Glenarm Castle. The listed building consent application was submitted by Antrim Estates Company. Glenarm Castle is a Grade A listed building, recognised for its special architectural and historic interest. A planning officer’s report said the Department for Communities’ Historic Environment Division (HED) raised no objections to the

Ellen McClure’s group of ewe lambs One of Northern Ireland’s leading pedigree Dorset sheep flocks has been crowned overall champion in this year’s Northern Ireland Dorset Horn & Polled Sheep Breeders’ Club Flock Competition, with the prestigious awards setting the stage for the club’s annual premier show and sale in Ballymena later this month. The competition, judged by James and Craig Robson of the Ballyhamage Flock, recognised outstanding breeding, stock quality and flock

The scene on Monday morning in Ballymena Police are investigating after three members of the same family were found dead at a house in Ballymena on Monday morning. The bodies were discovered inside a property in the Old Cullybackey Road area, prompting a major police response and the closure of roads as detectives began investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths. Police say there is no ongoing risk to the public. Police investigation under way The scene of the sho

Red Bay lifeboats. (Image: Colin King) A lone kayaker who became stranded in rough seas off the County Antrim coast was rescued by RNLI volunteers late on Sunday night after spending around six hours on the water. The kayaker had set off at approximately 6.30pm on Sunday (July 12) but got into difficulty around one-and-a-half miles north of Cushendun when his kayak became swamped by heavy sea swells, leaving him unable to paddle back to shore. Cold and exhausted, he managed t

Kellswater Flute Band at the Ulster Memorial Tower, Thiepval, France Kellswater Flute Band has returned from what members described as one of the most significant engagements in the band’s history after taking part in the 110th anniversary commemorations of the Battle of the Somme in France and Belgium. The band participated in a series of remembrance events marking the anniversary of the opening day of the Battle of the Somme on July 1, performing at some of the most importa

The walkway at the side of Ballycastle’s police station. (Images: Anne Kelly) Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has agreed to seek information on the ownership of a popular pedestrian walkway in Ballycastle. The decision follows a motion put forward by Sinn Féin councillor Cara McShane at the June Corporate Policy and Resources Committee meeting, requesting that council officers contact Greer Hamilton Gailey Solicitors, Ballymoney, to seek any available information reg

The vacant premises in Larne town centre will plans approved to be used as a place of worship Planning permission has been granted by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for the change of use of a former coffee shop and bakery in Larne town centre into a place of worship. The proposal relates to a vacant commercial premises on Lower Cross Street. A development management officer’s report said the application proposes internal alterations only, with no external changes to the

With another school year now at an end, ten teachers and school staff from across the Ballymena area have been recognised after hundreds of local pupils nominated the people who made the biggest difference to their lives in the classroom. The winners of Ballymena BID’s popular ‘Treat Your Teacher’ competition were announced following an overwhelming response from families, with children sharing heartfelt stories of kindness, encouragement, patience and support shown throughou

Thousands of people heading to Twelfth of July parades, family celebrations or just enjoying the summer break are being urged to protect themselves from the sun, stay hydrated and think carefully before drinking alcohol if they are taking medication, as Northern Ireland prepares for a hot and sunny week ahead. With prolonged periods expected outdoors, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding people to take simple precautions against sunburn, dehydration and heat-related il

Carnlough Heritage Hub, County Antrim A drop-in event was held on Monday evening (July 6) at the Heritage Hub in Carnlough Town Hall to gather the views of the community on healthcare provision in the coastal area. The event was organised by Rural Community Network to gather residents’ views on primary and community healthcare services locally. Rural Community Network says it wants to hear opinions on “what is working and what can be improved locally”, with feedback helping t

Most recent participants and course leaders from the Medical Administration Academy in Mid & East Antrim Area People across Mid and East Antrim looking for a career in healthcare administration are being encouraged to register their interest for the next Medical Administration Academy after the latest programme helped participants build the skills needed to work in local GP practices. The eight-week academy, delivered by the Northern GP Federation Support Unit (NFSU) in partn

A man has been left with serious injuries after being attacked by a group of up to eight masked men armed with bats outside a property in Ballyclare in the early hours of Sunday morning. Police are appealing for witnesses and any CCTV or dash-cam footage as detectives investigate what they have described as a violent assault that has left the victim with both significant physical injuries and lasting psychological trauma. The attack happened at around 12.40am on Sunday, 12 Ju

The devastating scene of the blaze on Sunday morning in Greenisland. (Images: Conor MacAuley, RTE) Families were forced from their homes after a major fire tore through a row of properties in Greenisland, destroying two houses and damaging two others. Around 45 firefighters were sent to Knockleigh Walk after Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service received its first emergency call at 12.13am on Sunday, July 12. At the height of the incident, flames had spread across a number o

20-year-old TJ Kennedy A 20-year-old motorcyclist has died in hospital one week after suffering serious injuries in a collision in west Belfast. TJ Kennedy, from the Poleglass area, was taken to hospital following a two-vehicle crash on Shaws Road on Sunday, July 5. Police confirmed that he died from his injuries on Saturday evening, July 11, while continuing to receive treatment. Collision involved car and motorcycle The collision happened at around 6pm close to the junction

RNLB Machiko Nancy, set to be officially named in a cermony next weekend in Larne Larne RNLI’s new £multi-million Shannon class lifeboat will be officially named Machiko Nancy next Saturday, honouring the remarkable woman whose family helped fund a vessel expected to save lives for generations. The lifeboat, which entered service in February, will be named during a ceremony at East Antrim Boat Club at 2pm on Saturday, 18 July. Machiko Nancy replaces the station’s Trent class

Murdered in Larne: Andrew Cairns Detectives have renewed an appeal for information on the 26th anniversary of the murder of Andrew Cairns, who was beaten and shot after attending an Eleventh Night bonfire in Larne. Andrew was at a bonfire at Boyne Square on 11 July 2000, ahead of the annual Twelfth celebrations, when he was attacked by a group of men near Greenland Drive. He was taken to the nearby Moyle Hospital but died in the early hours of 12 July from a single gunshot wo

Two homes were completely destroyed and two others damaged after a major fire in Greenisland during a demanding night in which firefighters responded to 151 incidents across Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service received 303 emergency calls between 6pm on Saturday, July 11, and 2am on Sunday, July 12, with 54 of the incidents attended linked to bonfires. Fire crews also withdrew from a bonfire in the Cookstown area after encountering what NIFRS described as

Larne RNLI all-weather lifeboat Machiko Nancy. (Image: Jason Bain) Two paddleboarders have been brought safely back to shore after being found on the Isle of Muck off Islandmagee on Saturday evening. Larne RNLI’s volunteer crew was returning from an earlier emergency call when it received a fresh request from HM Coastguard at around 5.20pm on 11 July. A member of the public had spotted that the paddleboarders were in difficulty and raised the alarm — a decision the lifeboat c

Glenhugh Flute Band Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to participate in or watch Twelfth demonstrations across Northern Ireland on Monday, July 13, as over 18 towns and cities host one of the largest annual cultural festivals in Europe. The traditional parades are taking place a day later than usual because July 12 falls on a Sunday this year. Thousands of Orangemen, Orangewomen and junior members from more than 1,000 lodges will be joined by approximately 600 marc

(L-R) UUP party leader and North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows, TUV Bannside councillor Anna Henry, and Alliance Party Braid councillor, Chelsea Harwood Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows has condemned reported comments by DUP councillor Reuben Glover about girls’ clothing and an alleged sexual assault in Ballymena, saying such views should have been “consigned to the 70’s”. Alliance councillor Chelsea Harwood has also called for an investigation and disciplinary action, descr

A community in East Belfast has been left heartbroken following the death of Warren “AKA” Lyttle after a tragic accident at the Braniel bonfire on Friday night. July 11. Friends and community organisations have paid tribute to Warren, describing him as a familiar face who was known and loved by many. Following discussions with his family, Saturday night’s bonfire will proceed at their request, with a minute’s silence to be held in Warren’s memory before it is lit. ‘A tragic l

Families looking to keep the cost of the school holidays down can now search for free children’s meals, discounted attractions and cheaper activities close to home. Offers already available in Northern Ireland include kids eating free at YO! Belfast, reduced admission and children’s meals at The Ark Open Farm, and discounts on food and trampoline sessions at Airtastic. A new postcode-search website brings the participating deals together, allowing parents to see what is avail

Recalled to prison: Jonathon White Police have issued an appeal for help in locating Jonathon White, who is wanted for the revocation of his licence and has been recalled to prison. The Police Service of Northern Ireland has asked anyone who knows where Mr White is to contact officers immediately. Description issued by police Mr White is described as being approximately 6ft 2in tall and of medium build. He has a shaved head, is clean-shaven and has blue eyes. Police said he a