NEWS

Police discovered a cannabis cultivation operation in the garage of a home in Maghera A report of erratic driving in Maghera has led police to uncover a large-scale cannabis operation with an estimated street value of more than £130,000, resulting in two arrests and the seizure of drugs, cash and weapons. The discovery was made on Saturday, 13 June, when officers from Mid Ulster Police carried out follow-up enquiries at a residential property after receiving a complaint about

The Police Service of Northern Ireland has strongly defended its handling of the recent nights of public disorder across Belfast and beyond, insisting officers “acted appropriately and undoubtedly saved lives” amid scenes that saw homes and vehicles set alight, families forced to flee, and dozens of officers injured. The robust response comes amid criticism of policing tactics during the unrest, which erupted in the days following the attempted murder of a man in Belfast’s Ki

Missing County Tyrone woman Lyndsey Rankin The search for a missing County Tyrone woman has entered its tenth day, with police renewing their appeal for information as extensive searches continue around Lower Lough Erne and the Castle Archdale area. Thirty-one-year-old Lyndsey Rankin, from Castlederg, was reported missing after she was last seen in the Castle Archdale Marina area of Lisnarick at approximately 9.30am on Friday, 5 June. She was wearing black leggings and a dark

A motorist escaped unharmed after a group of masked men allegedly attempted to drag him from his vehicle during a brazen daylight incident in Cookstown. Police have launched an investigation following what detectives are treating as an attempted hijacking on the East Circular Road on Wednesday afternoon. The incident occurred between 2.10pm and 2.15pm on Wednesday, 10 June, when the driver was travelling along the road and noticed a number of males dressed in dark clothing, w

The burnt out vehicle on Sunday morning A car was completely destroyed after a deliberate fire in a residential area of Ballymena in the early hours of Sunday morning, prompting a police appeal for information. The incident happened in the Shetlands Gardens area of Ballykeel II shortly after 3.10am on Sunday, June 14, when emergency services were called to reports of a vehicle on fire. Police officers attended the scene alongside crews from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescu

Ballymena LNPT Inspector Jock McToal For more than two decades, Inspector Jock McToal has been a familiar and trusted figure across Ballymena and the wider district. Now, his dedication to community policing has been recognised at the highest level after being awarded the King’s Police Medal (KPM) in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2026. The honour places the Ballymena Local Neighbourhood Policing Team (LNPT) inspector among a select group of police officers and staff recogn

Jailed: Neil Jackson A Belfast man who subjected three young children to years of sexual and physical abuse has been jailed for 20 years after being convicted of a catalogue of offences described by police as “predatory, manipulative and entirely depraved”. Neil Jackson, 44, was sentenced today to 20 years’ imprisonment, comprising 10 years in custody followed by 10 years on licence, for a series of offences committed against three victims over a prolonged period. The court h

A significant reduction in disorder was recorded across Northern Ireland on Thursday night, with police reporting a much calmer situation after several days of unrest, but senior officers have warned that an extensive policing operation will remain in place over the weekend. The update from the PSNI comes after a week of disturbances that have led to 19 arrests, multiple criminal investigations and a series of court appearances, with detectives continuing efforts to identify

Senior figures from the Ulster Unionist Party have met with the Secretary of State to press a series of urgent concerns arising from this week’s attack on Stephen Ogilvie in North Belfast and the disorder that has followed across Northern Ireland. The meeting took place on Thursday between Ulster Unionist Party Leader Jon Burrows MLA, North Antrim MP Robin Swann and South Antrim MLA Dr Steve Aiken OBE, and Secretary of State Hillary Benn. It comes amid heightened tensions fol

The scene on Wednesday evening outside Chimney Corner Hotel. (Image: NIbySky) A second night of serious disorder across Northern Ireland has left police officers injured, businesses disrupted, transport services suspended and communities facing renewed uncertainty, as the PSNI launched a major operation to identify those responsible for violence on the streets. Senior police officers say the unrest has now gone far beyond any form of legitimate protest, with petrol bombs, fla

The family of Stephen Ogilvie have issued an emotional public statement condemning the violence and disorder that followed the attack on their loved one, while appealing for privacy as he continues his recovery in hospital. In a strongly worded message, the family said they had been left “completely devastated” by the attack on Kinnaird Avenue and described the incident as a massive shock that has consumed their focus as they remain by his bedside. They also moved to correct

The scene in Bushmills where a car and property were attacked. (Images: McAuley Multimedia) A car fire in the early hours of Wednesday morning is being treated by police as a hate-motivated incident after further damage was discovered at a nearby property. Emergency services were called to the scene shortly after midnight on Wednesday 10 June following reports of a vehicle on fire. Police officers attended alongside crews from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, who

Chief Constable Jon Boutcher and Secretary of State Hilary Benn at police headquarters in Belfast today. Disorder that spread across towns and cities in Northern Ireland overnight has been branded an “act of self-harm” against local communities by Chief Constable Jon Boutcher, after violence left homes, businesses and public transport damaged and forced families to flee their homes with children. The PSNI chief issued the stark warning during a media briefing at police headqu

The scene on Tuesday night at Cloughfern Roundabout, Newtownabbey 📸 NIbysky The first criminal charge linked to the recent disorder in Northern Ireland is due before the courts today, as police warn a major investigation is continuing with further arrests and prosecutions expected. A 39-year-old man has been charged with riot following his arrest in Newtownabbey on Tuesday night, 9 June 2026. He is scheduled to appear before Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday afternoon,

Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service faced an intense night of emergency callouts on Tuesday as crews responded to dozens of incidents linked to escalating disorder across the Greater Belfast area, with additional appliances drafted in from across Northern Ireland to cope with demand. In an operational update issued shortly after midnight, NIFRS revealed its Regional Control Centre handled 256 calls between 7pm and midnight alone, resulting in attendance at 62 separate inci

A 30-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder following a serious knife attack in north Belfast that left a man in hospital. Detectives investigating the incident in the Kinnaird Avenue area on Monday night confirmed the suspect has also been charged with possession of an article with blade or point in a public place and threats to kill. The charges follow a fast-moving police investigation into the attack, which sparked significant concern in the local community a

The UK Home Office has confirmed that the man arrested over the brutal attempted murder in north Belfast is a Sudanese national who was granted refugee status in the UK after arriving in 2023 — with questions around the attacker’s status sparking a heated Commons clash today involving North Antrim MP Jim Allister and Secretary of State Hilary Benn. In a statement issued on Tuesday afternoon, a Home Office spokesperson said: “We can confirm the individual is a Sudanese nationa

ACC Ryan Henderson speaking to media at police headquarters. A man remains in hospital with devastating injuries to his eyes, face and back after what police have described as a “brutal” attempted murder in north Belfast that has sparked shock, fear and growing political tensions across Northern Ireland. Police confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that a Sudanese man in his 30s remains in custody on suspicion of attempted murder following the attack in the Kinnaird Avenue area on M

Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows MLA speaking on Tuesday in the Northern Ireland Assembly Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows MLA has called for calm across Northern Ireland following a shocking attempted murder in north Belfast that has left a man in a serious condition in hospital. Speaking after raising the incident in the Assembly on Tuesday morning, Mr Burrows condemned what he described as a “barbaric attack” and warned against escalating tensions as graphi

Jim Allister says attack reflects ‘alien culture’, while UUP Leader Jon Burrows has secured Matter if the Day for the brutal incident to be discussed in The Assembly TUV leader Jim Allister has linked brutal knife attack in north Belfast to “unchecked immigration” and Stormont Speaker Edwin Poots accepted a Matter of the Day from Ulster Unionist leader Jon Burrows following the declaration of a PSNI critical incident. The chilling attack has left a man with serious injuries t