NEWS

Thursday 15 October 2026 Eighteen farms across Northern Ireland have been awarded more than £130,000 to improve facilities and accessibility for people with disabilities and learning difficulties, helping provide opportunities to build confidence, develop practical skills and connect with others through everyday farming activities. The funding, announced by Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir, will support the development of social farming, an alte

Sainsbury’s petrol station in Ballymena, one of eight sold and set to be rebranded to LCC’s Go brand. Thursday 15 October 2026 Sainsbury’s is to sell its petrol stations in Ballymena and Coleraine as part of a major deal covering all eight of the supermarket chain’s forecourts across Northern Ireland, with the sites set to be rebranded and converted to self-service Pay at Pump facilities. The retailer confirmed on Thursday (15 October) that it has signed an agreement to trans

Ballymoney Train Station Thursday 15 October 2026 Passengers using Ballymoney Train Station are facing difficulties accessing the station building and toilet facilities, prompting calls for action after local residents complained about arriving to find them closed. Concerns have been raised about the impact on people travelling to work, education and medical appointments, particularly parents with young children who may need access to toilets while waiting for trains. Ulster

The scene on the Bridge Street area of Ballymena during the June riots of 2025 Thursday 15 October 2026 Forty-one children never returned to Harryville Primary School following the June 2025 riots in Ballymena, while 90% of surveyed residents who fled the town say they do not intend to return, according to a major new report exposing the devastating human cost of the violence and serious concerns about failures in public services and political leadership. The report reveals t

Former DUP leader and MP, Jeffrey Donaldson Thursday 15 October 2026 Former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for sexually abusing two girls, both of whom were just seven years old when the abuse began. The 63-year-old was sentenced at Newry Crown Court on Thursday (15 October) for 18 offences, including the rape of a child under the age of 13, following abuse spanning the years 1985 to 2008. Donaldson will also be placed on the Sex Off

Thursday 15 October 2026 A heavy goods vehicle has been seized by police in the Ballymena area after officers discovered it was displaying cloned registration plates and being driven by a company director whose HGV licence had been revoked on medical grounds. The roadside stop also uncovered a series of other issues, including no vehicle insurance, no valid operator’s licence and a goods vehicle certificate that had expired nearly three years earlier. Cloned registration plat

The scene of a blaze in Ballymena on Tuesday night, into the early hours of Wednesday morning. Wednesday 14 October 2026 Firefighters from five stations were called to a warehouse in Ballymena late on Tuesday night after a forklift caught fire, prompting a major emergency response involving eight fire appliances and a command support unit. The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) was alerted to the incident at Silverwood Business Park on Raceview Road at 11.38pm o

Pictured are (L-R): Men’s Advisory Project Chief Executive Rhonda Lusty, the Housing Executive’s Steve Anderson, John McCandless, Dixie-Jo McNally, Elaine McMeekin, DCI Colin Neill from the PSNI and Karen Devlin from Women’s Aid NI. Wednesday 14 October 2026 The Northern Ireland Housing Executive is bringing together housing providers, police and specialist support organisations for a week of events aimed at tackling domestic abuse, highlighting its links to homelessness and

Detective Sergeant Andy Hull, and Detective Inspector Rachel Miskelly, pictured with host of the PSNI's new podcast series, Beyond the Badge – Lara Sharma Wednesday 14 October 2026 Human trafficking and modern slavery could be happening in communities across Northern Ireland, with police warning that victims may be suffering exploitation and abuse in plain sight, unable to speak up or escape those controlling them. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is urging the p

Wednesday 14 October 2026 Detectives have seized approximately 20kg of suspected cocaine with an estimated street value of £2.4 million following a vehicle stop in County Antrim. A man in his 40s was arrested after police stopped and searched a van in the Hillsborough Road area of Lisburn on Tuesday evening (13 October). The discovery was made by officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Organised Crime Branch, who were carrying out patrols in the area. Van stopp

Alliance Party leader Naomi Long Wednesday 14 October 2026 Alliance Party leader Naomi Long has called on Northern Ireland’s political parties to agree a shared approach to transforming health and social care, warning that vital services cannot continue on their current course. The appeal comes on the tenth anniversary of the Bengoa report, which set out recommendations for reshaping Northern Ireland’s health service, amid continuing concerns about hospital services, GP provi

Leyland Road roundabout in Ballycastle Wednesday 14 October 2026 Motorists travelling through Ballycastle are being advised to plan ahead as a £238,000 road resurfacing scheme gets under way next week, bringing daytime closures and diversions around Leyland Road Roundabout. The Department for Infrastructure has confirmed that work will begin on Monday 19 October, with road closures operating daily from 9am to 4.45pm until Thursday 29 October. The scheme will cover approximate

Slim’s Healthy Kitchen founder Gary McIldowney launches the search for a new tasting crew, giving food lovers the chance to sample the brand’s latest meal creations before they hit the shelves. Wednesday 14 October 2026 Food lovers across Northern Ireland are being offered the chance to sample new dishes before they reach customers, as Slim’s Healthy Kitchen launches a search for people to join its new tasting crew. The local food brand is recruiting enthusiastic tasters to t

Principal of Buick Memorial Primary School, Rikki Peters, named Northern Ireland Primary Principal of the Year Wednesday 14 October 2026 The principal of Buick Memorial Primary School in Cullybackey has been named Northern Ireland Primary Principal of the Year, recognising a decade of leadership and her commitment to helping children reach their full potential. Rikki Peters received the prestigious honour at the Local Women Magazine Education Awards, held at Belfast’s Europa

Former U.S. President Barack Obama and President speaking at the ceremony at Queen’s University Belfast Tuesday 13 October 2026 Former US President Barack Obama has praised Northern Ireland’s transformation since the Good Friday Agreement, while warning that peace and democracy must never be taken for granted, as he received an honorary doctorate from Queen’s University Belfast. Speaking at a special ceremony attended by students, staff and invited guests, Mr Obama challenged

Asda Antrim Customer and Community Champion Ashley Ricthie and Service Colleague Mary Letch Tuesday 13 October 2026 A colourful fundraising event at Asda Antrim has raised £358.46 for breast cancer charities, bringing customers and colleagues together to support a cause that has touched the lives of many families. The store hosted a ‘Spin to Win’ game and merchandise stall as part of Asda’s annual Tickled Pink campaign, with shoppers trying their luck at winning prizes while

Former Ulster Unionist Party leader Lord Empey Tuesday 13 October 2026 Twenty years after the St Andrews Agreement reshaped Northern Ireland’s power-sharing arrangements, former Ulster Unionist Party leader Lord Empey has accused the DUP of making a “strategic blunder” that ultimately allowed Sinn Féin to secure the office of First Minister. Marking the anniversary of the October 2006 negotiations, Lord Empey claimed that changes to the rules for appointing Northern Ireland’s

(L-R) New managerial appointments at McKeever Hotels: Jonny Bailie, Scott Smyth, and Kris Cunningham Tuesday 13 October 2026 McKeever Hotels has appointed three general managers to lead some of its best-known hotels in Northern Ireland, with new leadership at Dunadry Hotel & Gardens, Dunsilly Hotel and Corrs Corner Hotel. The appointments see Jonny Bailie take charge at Dunadry Hotel & Gardens in Antrim, Scott Smyth become General Manager at Dunsilly Hotel, also in Antrim, an

Pictured is store owner Elaine McCosh with Anthony Brown, Carl Wilson, Mark Kilpatrick and Danny Ramsey, Club Chair at Twin Village Football Club. Tuesday 13 October 2026 Twin Village Football Club has received a welcome boost after local retailer McCosh’s SPAR Kells stepped forward to sponsor the team’s new football kit. The sponsorship strengthens the connection between the village football club and a business whose owners and customers are part of the same local community.

(L-R) Irish Black Butter’s International Ambassador Alastair Bell, PRM Group Key Account Sales Development Manager Gary Hopkins, David Thompson, Buying Manager – Dairy at Tesco Northern Ireland and Clandeboye Estate Yoghurt Commercial Director Patrick Black. Tuesday 13 October 2026 Tesco Northern Ireland is expanding its range of locally produced dairy products, with new yoghurt, flavoured milk and award-winning cheddar being introduced in stores and online. The additions bri

Tuesday 13 October 2026 A 28-year-old Portadown man has been sentenced to six months in prison after throwing a bottle at a police Land Rover during disorder linked to the Drumcree/Garvaghy Road dispute. Malachy McCann was sentenced at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday 9 October, having been convicted of disorderly behaviour and attempted criminal damage. The offences followed an incident on the Garvaghy Road on Sunday 27 September, when McCann stepped out from a crowd a

Tuesday 13 October 2026 Antrim Castle Gardens will be transformed into a spectacular festive wonderland this December as the popular Enchanted Winter Garden returns with new rides, dazzling light displays and a host of Christmas attractions for families. Running from 2 to 28 December, the event will also offer discounted tickets for Antrim and Newtownabbey residents, dedicated inclusive evenings and free shuttle buses to help visitors enjoy the festivities. With tickets start

Pictured with Finance Minister John O’Dowd are Ulster University students Erin Bradley (Second from Left) and Sean McClure, (Second from Right), along with Department for Infrastructure Permanent Secretary Emer Morelli. Tuesday 13 October 2026 University students across Northern Ireland are being offered the opportunity to earn £25,796 while gaining valuable workplace experience, with approximately 110 paid placements available through the Northern Ireland Civil Service for t

Models (ACA) who lit up the catwalk on Friday night at the Ballymena Fashion Show Tuesday 13 October 2026 Ballymena Town Centre took centre stage on Friday evening as more than 200 fashion enthusiasts gathered for a sold-out Autumn/Winter Fashion Show, celebrating local retailers while raising £1,340 for charity. Returning to The Braid on 9 October for its fourth year, the popular event brought together independent boutiques, department stores and high street favourites to sh