NEWS

Jake Quigley A 21-year-old man from Ballymena has been jailed for his role in a violent, race-motivated disturbance that took place in the town’s Clonavon area earlier this year. Jake Quigley was sentenced at Antrim Crown Court today, Wednesday 12th November, for his involvement in the large-scale disorder on 9th June. He received a two-year custodial sentence, followed by two years on licence. The incident, described by police as “shameful scenes” , saw significant damage ca

The British Heart Foundation Northern Ireland (BHF NI) is calling on the Ballymena community to don their elf hats and lend an “elfing” hand in their local charity shop this festive season. As Christmas approaches, the charity is seeking volunteers – or “elves” – to help bring festive cheer while supporting life-saving heart research. From decorating the shop and sorting donations to chatting with customers, volunteers can make a real difference in their local community this

Back row: Damien McLaughlin (Charge Nurse Renal Unit), Dr Bob Mullan (Nephrologist), Stephen Watson (BBC presenter and ambassador for Northern Ireland Kidney Research Fund & Kidney Care UK) Front row: Audrey Harris (Northern Trust Director Medicine and Emergency Medicine), Louise Sloan (Specialist Nurse), Gerry Totten (ex-Charge Nurse), Niall Gallagher (Lead Nurse), Caroline Speedy (Assistant Director Medicine and Emergency Medicine) and Natalie McLaughlin (Clinical S

Ballymena is set to host a special performance of Handel’s iconic masterpiece, Messiah, performed with authentic period instruments later this month. Taking place in St Patrick’s Church, Ballymena, on Friday 28 November at 7:00pm, the concert will feature the Ulster Consort – Northern Ireland’s newest professional vocal ensemble – in an intimate, historically informed performance that echoes the sound of Handel’s original debut in Dublin in 1742. The Ulster Consort will prese

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has secured funding from The Executive Office to support community relations initiatives following recent public disorder in Ballymena and Larne. According to the council’s funding application , “civil unrest and public disorder occurred in the Ballymena and Larne areas following a peaceful protest which was arranged after an alleged attack on a young girl by members of a minority community. The protest focused on the message of ‘Ending Vio

The Ballymena NI Hospice Support Group is inviting everyone to get into the festive spirit at their 37th Annual Christmas Fair, taking place at Tullyglass House Hotel on Wednesday 12 November 2025 from 11:00am to 7:00pm. Admission is £5 at the door, with all proceeds going to the Northern Ireland Hospice . Organisers have ensured ample parking at Tullyglass, with additional overflow spaces available at Wellington Presbyterian Church nearby. This much-loved event has become a

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has confirmed that 100 people have now been arrested as part of its ongoing investigation into the serious disorder that unfolded in Ballymena during the summer. To date, 91 individuals have been charged with offences including riot, arson with intent to endanger life, and burglary with intent to cause arson. All of these cases are currently being prosecuted before the courts. Photographs of 60 potential suspects were previously i

A County Antrim charity supporting children with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus has unveiled a groundbreaking all-terrain mobility wheelchair — the first of its kind in Northern Ireland. Love Hope & Faith has announced the arrival of the Quadrix Watts E3, a specialist mobility innovation designed to offer greater freedom and accessibility for children and families living with lifelong conditions. Thanks to £20,000 in funding from The National Lottery Community Fund Northern

The Joyce on display Loughshore Park, Antrim Antrim and Newtownabbey councillors have agreed to work with a group of veterans to help maintain a historic wartime boat that has been returned to the borough. The Joyce — a 40-foot torpedo retrieval vessel which operated on Lough Neagh during the Second World War — is now on display beside The Gateway Visitor Centre at Antrim’s Lough Shore. The restored craft was unveiled earlier this year as part of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borou

Iris Houston, General Manager of Adair Arms Hotel (left) and McKeever Hotels Board. The Adair Arms Hotel in Ballymena is set to play a key role in an ambitious new five-year growth strategy launched by McKeever Hotels, as the family-owned hospitality group sets its sights on further expansion across Ireland and beyond. The plan, titled ‘Beyond Now’, was unveiled by Managing Director Eddie McKeever at a stakeholder event, outlining the company’s vision for growth, performance

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, officially launches the Borough's Christmas celebrations, marking the start of the festive season. A Season of Christmas Magic Coming to Mid and East Antrim Mid and East Antrim Borough is set to sparkle this festive season, with a packed programme of Christmas lights switch-ons, parades, markets, and family entertainment bringing festive cheer to towns and villages across the borough. The celebrations begin this Saturd

The scene outside the former Northern Regional College campus at Trostan Avenue, Ballymena on Sunday evening. Firefighters from the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) responded to a blaze at the former premises of the Northern Regional College on Trostan Avenue, Ballymena. The incident occurred on Sunday evening (November 9) and is being treated as deliberate. At 6:08pm, NIFRS received a call reporting a fire at the derelict building on Trostan Avenue. Two applia

Patients at Antrim Area Hospital are now benefiting from faster, more accurate diagnoses thanks to a state-of-the-art multifunctional gamma camera, one of only two in Northern Ireland. Installed last year, the scanner combines CT and nuclear imaging in a single device, enabling healthcare professionals to detect diseases at an earlier stage, tailor treatments to individual patients, and reduce the need for multiple scans. Marie Harvey, Lead Radiographer for Nuclear Medicine ,

An offensive racial slur daubed on the railway bridge on the Toome Road, Ballymena. Editor’s note: This article contains images of racist graffiti which has been blurred to obscure offensive language. It is included solely to illustrate the location and nature of the incident reported. Alliance MLA for North Antrim, Sian Mulholland, has issued a strong condemnation after racist and hateful graffiti, including a swastika and racial slurs, was discovered on a bridge over Toome

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for rain across Northern Ireland on Tuesday 11 November 2025, with forecasters warning of travel disruption and localised flooding throughout the day. The warning is in place from 06:00 to 21:00 (UTC) and covers the entire region, as a band of persistent and at times heavy rain is expected to move in early Tuesday morning. According to the Met Office , “a spell of persistent rain is expected to arrive across Northern Ireland

North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows and Constituency Manager Colin Crawford with members of Ballymena Squash Club North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows has given his backing to Ballymena Squash Club’s campaign to “Free Court 3” and secure the long-term future of squash in the town. Mr Burrows met with members of the recently formed club, which has grown rapidly since its launch in January 2024, now boasting a membership of 40 enthusiastic players. “I was delighted to meet with members of Ba

Photos: Jason Bain / RNLI Larne Larne RNLI launched its all-weather lifeboat on Saturday afternoon (9 November) to assist four divers stranded after their rib suffered engine failure off the County Antrim coast. The volunteer crew launched the Dr John McSparran lifeboat at 1.47pm at the request of HM Coastguard, after one of the divers onboard the rib raised the alarm. Coxswain Barry Kirkpatrick, Mechanic Scott Leitch, and crew members Jordan McIlhinney, Catherine Lee, Ross

Antrim residents flocked to The Junction on Wednesday 29th October to celebrate the official opening of Murdock Home Centre & Builders Merchants, a major new addition to the town and a landmark moment for the Murdock Group. The much-anticipated launch drew large crowds for a day of family fun, live entertainment and community celebration, marking a significant milestone for both Murdock and The Junction retail complex. Visitors were treated to giveaways, goodie bags and live

A touching tribute to those who served their country is on display at St Colmanell’s Parish Church, Ahoghill, where a Remembrance Exhibition is running until Tuesday 11 November 2025. The exhibition has been lovingly created by the church family, featuring hundreds of poppies, wall hangings, floral arrangements, wartime artefacts, secret trench diaries, and stories of local people and unsung heroes. Visitors can explore a deeply personal collection of displays that not only c

County Antrim boxer Zoe McCaughran – crowned the new IIBU Lightweight Champion Carrickfergus boxer Zoe McCaughran has been crowned the new IIBU Lightweight Champion after a superb performance at Belfast’s iconic Ulster Hall on Saturday night (8 November), capping off a triumphant evening for the Evolution Boxing Club team. Facing a strong and experienced opponent in Aoife Connor, McCaughran displayed her trademark composure, determination and technical skill from the opening