NEWS

Glenhugh Flute Band Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to participate in or watch Twelfth demonstrations across Northern Ireland on Monday, July 13, as over 18 towns and cities host one of the largest annual cultural festivals in Europe. The traditional parades are taking place a day later than usual because July 12 falls on a Sunday this year. Thousands of Orangemen, Orangewomen and junior members from more than 1,000 lodges will be joined by approximately 600 marc

(L-R) UUP party leader and North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows, TUV Bannside councillor Anna Henry, and Alliance Party Braid councillor, Chelsea Harwood Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows has condemned reported comments by DUP councillor Reuben Glover about girls’ clothing and an alleged sexual assault in Ballymena, saying such views should have been “consigned to the 70’s”. Alliance councillor Chelsea Harwood has also called for an investigation and disciplinary action, descr

A community in East Belfast has been left heartbroken following the death of Warren “AKA” Lyttle after a tragic accident at the Braniel bonfire on Friday night. July 11. Friends and community organisations have paid tribute to Warren, describing him as a familiar face who was known and loved by many. Following discussions with his family, Saturday night’s bonfire will proceed at their request, with a minute’s silence to be held in Warren’s memory before it is lit. ‘A tragic l

Families looking to keep the cost of the school holidays down can now search for free children’s meals, discounted attractions and cheaper activities close to home. Offers already available in Northern Ireland include kids eating free at YO! Belfast, reduced admission and children’s meals at The Ark Open Farm, and discounts on food and trampoline sessions at Airtastic. A new postcode-search website brings the participating deals together, allowing parents to see what is avail

Recalled to prison: Jonathon White Police have issued an appeal for help in locating Jonathon White, who is wanted for the revocation of his licence and has been recalled to prison. The Police Service of Northern Ireland has asked anyone who knows where Mr White is to contact officers immediately. Description issued by police Mr White is described as being approximately 6ft 2in tall and of medium build. He has a shaved head, is clean-shaven and has blue eyes. Police said he a

A motorcyclist has died following a collision involving a lorry near Markethill in County Armagh. The two-vehicle collision happened on the Coolmillish Road at around 11.40am on Friday, 10 July. Police, the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service attended, but the motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene. Police appeal for witnesses and footage Detective Inspector Stewart, from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Collision

The new All-Ireland Pollinator Plan 2026-2030 was launched on Thursday at the National Botanic Gardens, Dublin, by Andrew Muir, Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Northern Ireland and Ireland’s Minister for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD. Pictured with Dr Úna FitzPatrick, Co-founder of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan and Chief Scientific Officer, National Biodiversity Data Centre. Northern Ireland is backing an ambitious new

Vapes could be kept behind counters or inside closed cabinets in Northern Ireland shops under proposed new rules aimed at reducing their appeal to children and young people. The public is being asked for its views on plans that could also require plain white packaging, restrict flavour names and limit vape devices to white, black or grey. Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said he intends to introduce regulations in Northern Ireland following the UK-wide consultation, which forms p

Larne RNLI volunteers rescuing a fishing boat on the Antrim coast. Three people aboard a broken-down fishing boat were brought safely ashore after Larne RNLI launched a rescue operation off the County Antrim coast. The callout on Thursday evening, 9 July, marked the first operational shout for volunteer crew member Andy Purves, who recently joined Larne RNLI. The fishing vessel was found around half a mile north of Portmuck, close to the cliffs, after suffering a mechanical f

Inset: Justice Minister Naomi Long Justice Minister Naomi Long has made an explicit appeal for an end to effigies and symbols of hatred being placed on bonfires ahead of the Twelfth celebrations. The Minister said such displays cause “deep, unnecessary hurt”, widen divisions and distract from cultural events intended to be peaceful and family-orientated. Her intervention comes as communities across Northern Ireland prepare for bonfires, parades and other events over the bank

Former MP, convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Donaldson Anyone who directly experienced abuse or inappropriate behaviour by convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Donaldson while he was an MLA or a visitor to Parliament Buildings is being urged to come forward as Stormont launches a formal review into his conduct. The review, which opened today, Friday 10 July, follows Donaldson’s conviction for rape, indecent assault and gross indecency against two women when they were child

Detectives have launched an attempted murder investigation after several shots were fired at a house in County Antrim while two people were inside. The attack happened at a property in the Craigahullier area of Portrush shortly before 11pm on Thursday, 9 July. No injuries were reported, despite bullets striking two bedroom windows and the front door of the house. Burnt-out car may be connected Police were alerted at around 11.25pm and officers subsequently searched the surrou

DUP Ballymena councillor Reuben Glover, and TUV Bannside councillor Anna Henry A TUV councillor has strongly condemned reported comments by DUP Ballymena representative Reuben Glover linking girls’ clothing with an alleged sexual assault, describing the remarks as “blatant victim blaming”. Bannside councillor Anna Henry said women and girls were never responsible for the actions of sexual predators and warned that comments from elected representatives could reinforce harmful

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust has acknowledged “higher than usual absence rates” within its maternity services team over recent months after concerns were raised by campaign group SOS Causeway Hospital. SOS Causeway Hospital recently met with senior Department of Health officials to highlight what it described as “severe pressures within Antrim maternity services following the centralisation of births”. All hospital births in the Northern Trust have taken place at

A major police operation to remove a replica mosque and anti-Islam banners from the Moygashel bonfire was at an advanced stage when the structure was set alight. The Police Service of Northern Ireland said officers had begun a “significant and complex” operation on Thursday night to secure the site, remove the display and seize the material as evidence. However, the bonfire was lit before police could complete the operation. Police moved to secure site and remove display The

Machinery moved in around midnight to demolish The Antrim Arms, a derelict listed building in the middle of Ballycastle, County Antrim. (Photos: McAuley Multimedia) The overnight demolition of the former Antrim Arms Hotel has marked the end of one of Ballycastle’s most recognisable historic buildings, as Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council investigates whether the work was legally carried out. Machinery moved in toward midnight on Wednesday night, July 8, with much of th

The Education Authority has said planned changes to classroom support for pupils with Special Educational Needs will be introduced gradually, with the first phase focused on schools already ready to move towards a new model. The reassurance comes after more than 3,000 responses were received to a public consultation on the future of SEN classroom support in Northern Ireland. The proposed reforms centre on the Enhanced Support Model, which aims to move towards more flexible, n

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Thomas Gordon is pictured with George Doherty, Programme Officer at FCN Northern Ireland. Farmers, agricultural workers and rural residents across Mid and East Antrim are being encouraged to seek medical help early if they notice possible signs of cancer, after councillors agreed to support the ‘Nip it in the Bud’ campaign. The initiative, led through the Rural Communities Cancer Project, aims to raise awareness of cancer symptoms among

North West 200 Event Director Mervyn Whyte MBE celebrates after receiving an Honorary Doctor of Science (DSc) from Ulster University at its Coleraine campus today. Mervyn Whyte MBE has been awarded an honorary doctorate by Ulster University in recognition of more than 50 years of service to motorsport and his role in helping turn the North West 200 into one of Northern Ireland’s most important sporting events. The North West 200 Event Director received an Honorary Doctor of S

PSNI custody photo: Derek McManus, aged 54 A Limavady man has been jailed after a woman was severely beaten, locked inside his house overnight and left needing emergency brain surgery. Derek McManus, aged 54, was sentenced yesterday at Laganside Crown Court for domestic abuse offences, including grievous bodily harm with intent and common assault. McManus was handed a sentence of three years and two and a half months in prison, followed by three years and two and a half month