NEWS

Justice Minister Naomi Long pictured with Nexus NI CEO Joanne Barnes at the annual conference of charity Nexus NI, which works with survivors of abuse, and which this year had the theme ‘Unmasking sexual abuse – uncomfortable truths’. Justice Minister Naomi Long has said that sexual abuse continues to thrive in silence, secrecy and discomfort, warning that confronting it requires sustained action from everyone across society. The Minister was speaking in Belfast at the annua

John Ferris (Ulster Bank), Stephanie, Gillian McCandless, Ruth McGilligan (both Ulster Bank) A Co Antrim woman who turned personal hardship into a thriving community business has been recognised with a prestigious award from The King’s Trust at a ceremony held at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens. Stephanie, 28, was named the winner of the NatWest Enterprise Award at the Northern Ireland final of The King’s Trust and TK Maxx Awards on Friday 30 January. The accolade recognises

Interim Chief Executive of the NI Ambulance Service (NIAS), Maxine Paterson Chest pain and stroke patients in Northern Ireland waited an average of two hours and 29 minutes for an ambulance last week, according to figures revealed by the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS). The stark statistics were disclosed by NIAS Interim Chief Executive Maxine Paterson at last Thursday’s (29 January) board meeting of the Southern Health and Social Care Trust, where she warned that

Clive Fulton, of Clive Fulton Eyecare, announcing the special Nuance Audio Glasses demonstration morning on Wednesday 11 February Clive Fulton Eyecare (Galgorm) has announced the arrival of an innovative new hearing solution designed to transform how people with mild to moderate hearing loss experience sound in everyday life. Nuance Audio Glasses combine advanced hearing technology with modern, stylish eyewear, offering discreet hearing support without the appearance or fee

Joanne McCook in conversation with Northern Trust Clinical Nurse Specialist Yvonne McGraw. “Everyone should be cancer aware.” That is the clear message from Co Antrim woman Joanne McCook, who has shared her personal breast cancer journey ahead of World Cancer Day on Wednesday 4 February. Joanne, who lives in Ballybogey, was diagnosed with Grade 3 breast cancer in 2022 despite feeling well and having no warning signs. Now, through a partnership with the Northern Health and Soc

Cullybackey Community Partnership (CCP) has been awarded £59,000 from The Gallaher Trust. Pictured are CCP Trustees, Elizabeth Boyd, Ruth Orr and Community Development Officer, Samantha Peden, alongside James Perry MBE, a Trustee at The Gallaher Trust. A Cullybackey-based community organisation is set to significantly expand its reach after securing £59,000 in three-year funding from The Gallaher Trust, enabling hundreds more local residents to benefit from wellbeing, ski

Inset: Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan, chair of Northern Ireland Health Committee Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan has said the introduction of minimum unit pricing (MUP) for alcohol would help to save lives and reduce alcohol-related harm, after Stormont’s Health Committee agreed to formally back proposed legislation. The North Antrim MLA, who chairs the Assembly’s Health Committee, was speaking after members heard detailed evidence on the impact of excessive alcohol consumption

Staff members at Archway Community Mental Health Service pictured with the Health Minister, Mike Nesbitt. The Northern Health and Social Care Trust has strengthened its commitment to community-based mental health care with the opening of new bespoke facilities in Carrickfergus. The newly launched Archway Community Mental Health Service , located within the grounds of Carrickfergus Health Centre, provides assessment, diagnosis and treatment for individuals experiencing mental

Catherine Sherry, a 42-year-old mother from Co Armagh, died after being forced to travel to London for treatment that was available around 60 miles away in Dublin Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council is to write to the Health Ministers in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to seek progress on an all-Ireland provision of CAR T-cell therapy. The move follows a successful motion brought forward by Sinn Féin councillor Leanne Peacock at the council’s Corporate

A new free Digital Skills training programme aimed at people who are deaf or have hearing loss is being rolled out across Northern Ireland, with accessible sessions taking place in local libraries throughout February and March. The initiative, delivered by AdaptNI and supported by the Department of Finance, is designed to tackle digital exclusion by providing deaf-aware, visual and practical training tailored to the everyday needs of people who often face barriers when acces

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has backed a motion supporting the use of silent fireworks at council events and on council-owned property. The motion was proposed by Antrim DUP Councillor Paul Dunlop BEM at a meeting of the council in Mossley Mill, Newtownabbey, on Monday evening. Cllr Dunlop asked the council to note the “negative impact” the noise of fireworks can have on children, pets and livestock, and called for a council-led campaign to raise awareness of

(L-R) Professor Mark Lawler, Professor of Digital Health at Queen’s University Belfast and Co-Lead of the eHealth Hub for Cancer; Margaret Grayson, Patient Advocate, Northern Ireland Cancer Research Consumer Forum (NICRCF); Minister of Health for Northern Ireland, Mike Nesbitt; Miriam Staunton, Chairperson, United Cancer Advocates Network Ireland (UCAN); and Professor Aedin Culhane, Professor of Cancer at University of Limerick and Programme Co-Lead of the eHealth Hub for Can

The derelict Crumlin Road Courthouse in Belfast Plans to transform Belfast’s historic Crumlin Road Courthouse into a Neurodiversity Campus have reached an important milestone after a Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) was formally accepted by planners at Belfast City Hall. The PAN, submitted by BBE (NI) Ltd and considered on Monday 26 January, relates to the future redevelopment of the long-derelict courthouse on the Crumlin Road, a landmark building that has stood vacant a

The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for parts of Northern Ireland as Storm Chandra is forecast to bring very strong winds, heavy rain and the risk of disruption on Tuesday. The amber warning will be in effect between 05:00 and 21:00 on Tuesday 27 January 2026 , covering County Antrim, County Down and County Londonderry. Forecasters warn that easterly winds will strengthen rapidly early on Tuesday morning, with gusts of 60–70 mph expected across eastern and nort

North Antrim TUV MLA Timothy Gaston has raised profound concerns about the state of Northern Ireland’s health service, using a tragic local case to highlight what he described as systemic failures in ambulance response policy. Speaking in the Assembly on Tuesday, January 20, Mr Gaston said the Department of Health had become “by far the most frustrating Department” he had dealt with during his first 19 months as an MLA, accusing it of ignoring Assembly contributions, delayi

Claire McCleery, JAM Card Director (centre) at the Housing Centre customer reception with Rosanna McSorley (left) and June McGrath from the Housing Executive’s Tenancy Support and Sustainment team The Northern Ireland Housing Executive has reaffirmed its commitment to being a JAM Card-friendly organisation as part of the NOW Group’s JAMuary awareness campaign this month, highlighting ongoing efforts to improve accessibility and inclusion for customers across its services. The

Back in the Game Ballymena representatives Ian Getty (right) and Gary McFetridge (left with Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Councillor Jackson Minford Back in the Game Ballymena has underlined the importance of community connection and men’s mental wellbeing after attending a major wellbeing event in Ballymena. The local group was invited to take part in the annual ‘Wellbeing Monday’ event, hosted by Radius and Triangle Housing Associations, working in partnership with Turning P

Northern Ireland has recorded its highest number of house fire fatalities in a quarter of a century, prompting an urgent appeal from the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) for the public to prioritise home fire safety and check on vulnerable loved ones and neighbours. Newly released figures show that 2025 saw 16 people lose their lives in house fires, the highest annual total since 1999. The data highlights stark and preventable risks, with smoking materials respo

Helping to launch the new initiatives alongside Titanic Belfast’s Head of Operations, Paula Bradley is Niamh Givens. Titanic Belfast has unveiled a range of new accessibility initiatives aimed at ensuring every visitor can enjoy the world-renowned attraction in a comfortable, welcoming and inclusive environment. The new measures include the introduction of Sensory Backpacks and Quiet Sessions, further strengthening the attraction’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion fo

Planning permission has been approved for the construction of a £3.5 million cancer support centre at Antrim Hospital, members of the Northern Health and Social Care Trust board have been told. Paddy Graffin, the Northern Trust’s Divisional Director of Infrastructure, informed members at a meeting held at Antrim Hospital on Thursday that permission has been granted by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council for the proposed new facility. The centre is being funded through a p