NEWS

Ten years after the Brexit referendum reshaped British politics, Northern Ireland remains deeply divided over whether the historic vote has ever truly been delivered. Marking the 10th anniversary of the UK’s vote to leave the European Union, the Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) and Alliance Party have set out starkly different visions for Northern Ireland’s future, highlighting how Brexit continues to define political debate across the region. While the TUV argues Brexit rema

Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald is pictured with George Healy (Go Succeed, Belfast City Council), Prof Thomas Cooney (Technological University Dublin), and Marty McLaughlin (Disability Action) to launch this year’s programme. People with disabilities across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to turn their business ideas into reality through a specialist entrepreneurship programme that is now open for applications for a second year. The Self Employment for Persons wit

UUP Party Leader and North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows, and (inset) convicted former MP and DUP Party Leader Jeffrey Donaldson. Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows has called for sweeping changes to parliamentary pension rules, arguing it is “absolutely reprehensible” that former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson remains entitled to a taxpayer-funded parliamentary pension following his conviction for sexual offences against children. The intervention comes in the aftermath of Dona

As temperatures climb across the UK and parts of the country face a rare red heat warning, Dogs Trust Ballymena is urging dog owners to rethink their daily walking routines, warning that a missed walk is far safer than a dog suffering painful burns or potentially life-threatening heatstroke. The charity says many owners underestimate how quickly hot weather can become dangerous for dogs, particularly when pavements, roads and other hard surfaces absorb heat throughout the day

Planning permission has been approved by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for a proposed new bingo hall at Murrayfield Shopping Centre in Larne town centre. The proposal involves the change of use of a vacant retail unit, formerly occupied by Poundland, into a bingo hall and adult gaming centre at the Point Street premises. A development management officer’s report noted that 21 letters of support and three letters of objection were received. One objection came from Toal’s

Families across Northern Ireland who have experienced the loss of a baby before 24 weeks of pregnancy can now apply for an official Baby Loss Certificate, marking a significant change in how early pregnancy loss is formally recognised. The new scheme, which has now gone live following the passing of the Baby Loss Certificate Regulations in the Northern Ireland Assembly, allows parents to obtain official recognition of a loss that, for many, has previously gone unacknowledged

Men in Northern Ireland diagnosed with prostate cancer could soon benefit from faster access to advanced diagnostic imaging closer to home, following confirmation that progress is being made towards establishing a local PSMA PET-CT scanning service. North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows has welcomed confirmation from the Minister of Health that work is advancing to deliver the specialist service in Northern Ireland, a move that could spare some patients the need to travel elsewhere in

Guilty: Former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson The conviction of former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson on multiple sexual offence charges has prompted immediate calls for his knighthood to be revoked, with political leaders across unionism describing the verdict as a profound betrayal of public trust and praising the courage of the women who came forward to give evidence. Donaldson was found guilty on all charges by a jury, bringing one of the most significant political an

The six-year-old girl who sadly died following a tragic road traffic collision in Newry has been named by police as Kourtney Khloe McCormick. The Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed Kourtney’s identity on Monday as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the incident in the Springfarm Heights area of the city. Kourtney had recently celebrated her sixth birthday before the collision, which occurred on the evening of Sunday, 21 June. The young girl s

Football, family entertainment and the chance to meet Ballymena United’s newest signings will all be on offer when the club hosts a free community fun day at the Ballymena Showgrounds next month. With free admission for everyone, the event on Saturday 4 July is designed to bring supporters, families and local residents together for an afternoon packed with activities both on and off the pitch as excitement builds ahead of the new season. Visitors can look forward to face pain

A five-year-old girl has died following a road traffic collision in Newry, with police continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. The child suffered fatal injuries after a collision involving a van in the Springfarm Heights area on Sunday night, 21 June. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said the girl was taken to hospital following the incident but later died from her injuries. A 40-year-old woman was arrested at the scene and remains in

Two men were assaulted and subjected to alleged racist abuse during a late-night incident in Coleraine, prompting a police appeal for witnesses and information. The attack happened in the Railway Road area on Sunday night, June 21, with police receiving a report of a fight involving a number of men at around 11.10pm. According to the PSNI, officers attended the scene and separated those involved after two men were assaulted during the altercation. Police say racist abuse was

Thousands of music fans heading to see Zach Bryan in Belfast this week are being urged to plan their journeys carefully, with significant road closures and traffic restrictions expected around Boucher Playing Fields on both concert nights. The American country music star will perform at Boucher Playing Fields on Tuesday 23 June and Wednesday 24 June, with traffic disruption anticipated across the surrounding area between 5pm and midnight on both evenings. Motorists, concertgo

Residents in rural County Antrim have been left shaken after two suspected arson attacks within hours of each other destroyed multiple vehicles and damaged property over the weekend. Police are investigating a series of incidents in the Moorfields area, including two fires targeting machinery and vehicles in Carnlea Road North, as well as a separate criminal damage incident in nearby Doagh. The most recent attack occurred in the early hours of Monday morning when emergency se

Air Ambulsnce NI departing from the scene of the serious collision in Larne. Image: Jason Bain A motorcyclist remains in a critical condition in hospital following a serious road traffic collision in Larne on Sunday afternoon. Police have launched an appeal for witnesses and footage after a motorcycle and a van were involved in a collision in the Circular Road area of the town. The incident occurred shortly before midday and prompted an emergency response from police and the

Professor Christine Brown Wilson Dementia is set to become one of the biggest health challenges facing Northern Ireland in the coming decades, with the number of people living with the condition expected to almost double by 2040. That warning comes from a leading dementia expert at Queen’s University Belfast, who is urging greater understanding, earlier diagnosis and stronger community support as thousands more families are expected to be affected. Currently, more than 22,000

*Stock photo Police removed a knife for disposal after responding to reports of a group of men, one of whom was believed to be carrying a knife, at Portstewart Strand on Sunday afternoon. Officers were called to the popular beach area on 21 June following concerns about a number of men in the vicinity, prompting an immediate police response. When officers arrived, they located the men and spoke with them to establish the circumstances surrounding the report. Search reveals in

Ballymena dad and daughter duo Trevor and Georgia Steele work together at the Asda Antrim store. A father and daughter who work side by side at Asda Antrim have become well known among colleagues for an affectionate nickname that has spread throughout the store – with dad Trevor Steele now better known to many as “Sugar Bear”. The Ballymena family’s story is one of shared shifts, shared friendships and plenty of workplace banter, with Trevor and daughter Georgia Steele disco

Some of the members of Carrick Pool League Pool clubs across Carrickfergus are being recognised as more than just places to compete and socialise, with a local league using the game’s strong community spirit to encourage men to open up about their mental health and seek support when they need it. Recently, during Men’s Health Week, the Carrick and District Pool League (CDPL) joined forces with the Public Health Agency (PHA) to promote the message that talking about mental hea

Stock photo A Ballymena dog owner has appealed for witnesses to come forward after his 10-year-old Border Collie was left fighting for her life following a violent attack by two loose Bully-type dogs in the town’s Demesne estate. The incident happened at around 8.15pm on Thursday, June 18, on a green area at Glenshesk Drive near Demesne Avenue. The owner says his dog, who was being walked on a lead at the time, suffered multiple puncture wounds to her face, legs and stomach a