NEWS

The home in Broughshane boarded up following the incident, and (inset) Braid UUP councillor Alan Barr An attack on the home of two Indian men living in Broughshane is being investigated as a racially motivated hate crime, prompting condemnation from political representatives and concern across the local community. Police were called to a property on Main Street in the village after all front windows were smashed and the front door was broken during an incident at around 11.45

Inset: Victor Hamilton who was murdered in Ballymena in 2022 A man charged with the murder of a Ballymena resident has been arrested in Portugal, reigniting scrutiny of serious criminal justice and deportation failures highlighted by Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie. Victor Hamilton, a 63-year-old man who had only recently moved to Ballymena, was stabbed to death in July 2022. His body was discovered in the driveway outside his home on Orkney Drive in the Ballykeel area of th

Murder victim Victor Hamilton, and the scene of the incident in Orkney Drive, Ballymena. Ulster Unionist justice spokesperson Doug Beattie MC MLA has challenged serious failures in the deportation of foreign national offenders, citing the murder of a Ballymena resident as a stark example of systemic breakdowns within Northern Ireland’s Criminal Justice System. Speaking about the killing of Victor Hamilton in July 2022, Mr Beattie said the case exposed “yet another failing” i

Missing 21-year-old woman, Kayleigh Girvan Police have issued an urgent public appeal as concern continues to grow for the welfare of a missing 21-year-old woman who has links to the Ballymena area. Kayleigh Girvan was reported missing and is believed to have travelled to Belfast, specifically the Great Victoria Street area, on Sunday, 25 January. Officers say they are increasingly worried about her wellbeing and are asking the public to remain vigilant. While Kayleigh is tho

Sentenced: Kornelijus Bracas A man who murdered his sister and deliberately set fire to her home, placing the life of his 12-year-old niece in grave danger, has been told he will serve at least 24 years in prison. Kornelijus Bracas, 27, appeared before Belfast Crown Court on Monday, 26 January, where the minimum tariff of his life sentence was formally set. Bracas was sentenced last October after pleading guilty to murder aggravated by domestic abuse, along with a series of s

Murdered: Coleraine man Wayne Reid Detectives investigating the murder of Wayne Reid in Coleraine have carried out further searches in the town as part of ongoing enquiries into his death. Officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Major Investigation Team were conducting searches on Saturday, 24 January, in the Lisnablagh Road area and surrounding locations. Mr Reid, aged 43, was pronounced dead at an address in the Society Court area of Coleraine on Monday, 12 J

Slew of offences uncovered when Nissan Micra vehicle stopped by PSNI Road Policing Interceptors in Ballymena town centre A routine stop by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Road Policing Interceptors has uncovered a catalogue of alleged motoring offences after officers intercepted a Nissan Micra in the Ballymena area late last night (Friday 23 January). Police say the driver appeared to be missing several of the most basic legal requirements for being behind the w

Missing man: Gary Bain from Belfast An extensive multi-agency search is continuing today for missing Belfast man Gary Bain, as police renew their appeal for public assistance. Gary, aged 37, was last seen in the Ormeau Bridge area on Wednesday morning, 21st January, and officers say searches will continue throughout the area as efforts intensify to trace his whereabouts. The operation, now entering its second day, is being led by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI)

PSNI Chief Superintendent Sam Donaldson A senior officer with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has renewed an urgent appeal to motorists to prioritise road safety, after new figures revealed hundreds of drink and drug driving arrests during the Christmas period. Chief Superintendent Sam Donaldson issued the warning as data from the PSNI’s winter anti-drink and drug drive campaign highlighted the continuing scale of dangerous behaviour on Northern Ireland’s roads.

Inset: Cairndhu House, Larne Police in Larne have issued a public safety warning following a rise in reports of people entering derelict and abandoned buildings across the district, highlighting the serious risks associated with so-called “urban exploring”. Officers say the trend, which often involves individuals accessing disused industrial sites, vacant homes or former commercial premises, can carry life-threatening dangers and potential legal consequences. Larne Neighbourh

Murdered: 43-year-old Wayne Reid Detectives investigating the murder of Wayne Reid have issued a renewed appeal for information as police activity continues in the Society Street and Society Court areas of Coleraine. Officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Major Investigation Team carried out further searches in the area earlier today, Wednesday 21 January, as part of the ongoing investigation into the death of the 43-year-old man. Wayne Reid was pronounced dea

A 36-year-old man has been arrested in the Antrim area on suspicion of a number of drug-related offences following police searches in Randalstown and along the Ballymena Road. The arrest followed the search of a vehicle on the Ballymena Road shortly before 2.00pm on Tuesday, 20 January. During the search, officers seized a quantity of suspected Class B controlled drugs along with a sum of cash. Police then carried out a further search at a residential property in The Parade a

Convicted 70-year-old Edward Allen Police have praised the courage and resilience of a victim after a 70-year-old man was sentenced for a series of sexual offences at Dungannon Crown Court. Edward Allen, aged 70 , was sentenced on Monday 19 January for two counts of sexual assault and one count of sexual assault by penetration. The court handed down a four-year prison sentence, with half to be served in custody and the remainder on licence . A Sexual Offences Prevention Order

Convicted Murderer Colin Howell (Image: Pacemaker Press) A new BBC documentary series is set to revisit one of Northern Ireland’s most disturbing murder cases, revealing chilling police recordings that have never before been broadcast and shedding fresh light on crimes that went undiscovered for almost two decades. Confessions Of A Killer tells the story of dentist Colin Howell, who on 29 January 2009 walked into a police station in Coleraine, County Londonderry, and confesse

Around 700 senior pupils at St Louis Grammar School in Ballymena took part in a powerful and emotive road safety experience this month as the Ballymena Neighbourhood Police Team (NPT) attended the award-winning Roadsafe Roadshow. The event, held on Thursday, January 15, brought together the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS), the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and a range of partner organisations to deliver a hard-h

Police are appealing for information following a one-vehicle road traffic collision on the A26 Crankill Road in Ballymena in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Officers received a report of the incident shortly before 4.30am on Tuesday, January 20. Police attended the scene alongside colleagues from other emergency services. Two people were taken to hospital for treatment. There is no immediate update on the extent of their injuries. The A26 Crankill Road was closed for a pe

Detectives investigating the murder of Wayne Reid in Coleraine have charged a man in connection with the case. The Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed that on Sunday 18 January, a 33-year-old man was charged with murder. He is due to appear before Coleraine Magistrates’ Court on Monday 19 January. As is standard procedure, police said the charge will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service. Six other people remain in police custody as enquiries continue. They i

Detectives investigating the murder of Wayne Reid in Coleraine have been granted a court extension to continue questioning three suspects as the inquiry remains ongoing. The Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed that on Sunday 18 January, detectives were given an additional 36 hours to question two women aged 39 and 33, and a man aged 41. The three were arrested on suspicion of murder on Friday 16 January. Police have also confirmed that a 19-year-old woman was arreste

Colin Howell A new BBC documentary series will bring to light chilling, never-before-broadcast police recordings from one of Northern Ireland’s most disturbing murder cases, shedding fresh insight into crimes that remained hidden for almost two decades. Confessions Of A Killer tells the story of dentist Colin Howell, who on 29 January 2009 walked into a police station in Coleraine, County Londonderry, and confessed to murdering his wife, Lesley Howell, and his former lover H

One of the fake £20 Bank of England notes that was passed to a local retailer Businesses across Ballymena are being urged to remain vigilant following reports of a significant rise in counterfeit bank notes circulating in the town over the past fortnight. Several local traders have contacted Love Ballymena to warn fellow business owners after discovering fake notes being passed during everyday transactions, particularly in busy retail settings. According to reports received,