NEWS

Aerial overview including proposed changes at Galgorm Castle, Ballymena Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has received a full planning application for the restoration of Galgorm Castle for hotel use, as part of a £14 million investment. The proposed development at the estate outside Ballymena includes the restoration of the stables and courtyard for hotel use, an extension to the outer courtyard building, and the change of use of existing business units to hotel accommodati

Rob with his wife Danielle and 5 sons (Alfie, Rueben, Jacob, Carter and Cooper) A Portstewart father-of-five who once faced a life-threatening stage 4 cancer diagnosis is preparing to take on one of Northern Ireland’s toughest endurance events — as he raises vital funds for a charity that supported him through his journey. Rob Humphrey will take part in the Mourne Wall Challenge on 15 August 2026 in aid of Cancer Focus Northern Ireland, drawing on his own experience of diagno

(L-R) Stephen Baillie, Treasurer, Ballymena Table Tennis Club, Martin Mann, Vice-Chair of Ballymena Branch of Parkinson’s UK, Winifred McHugh, member of the Ballymena Branch and Bran Shannon, member of Parkinson's Bat ‘n’ Chat in Ballymena. A community initiative supporting people living with Parkinson’s in Ballymena has received a timely boost, after Ballymena Table Tennis Club donated £480 to help sustain and grow the popular Bat ‘n’ Chat sessions. The funding will support

Pic: Phill McAlinney at Irish Transport Heritage Dozens of historic and modern buses will take to the roads of Northern Ireland this weekend as leading manufacturer Wrightbus marks the start of its 80th anniversary year with a major public rally culminating at Stormont. The large-scale event on Saturday, April 25 will see a convoy of heritage buses and coaches travel from the Ulster Transport Museum in Cultra to the Stormont estate, bringing together decades of engineering hi

24-year-old Aoife Tinnelly The Police Service of Northern Ireland has named the young woman who died following a two-vehicle road traffic collision in Kilkeel as 24-year-old Aoife Tinnelly from the local area. The fatal crash occurred on the Newry Road on Monday evening, April 20, with emergency services called to the scene shortly before 6.30pm. PSNI confirm identity of victim In an update issued on Tuesday, the PSNI confirmed the identity of the woman who died in the collis

Actor Anna Maxwell Martin Appearing on ITV’s The Assembly ITV’s bold interview series The Assembly continues this week with two new episodes featuring actor Anna Maxwell Martin and rapper Aitch , as both stars describe the intensity, honesty and emotional impact of taking part in one of television’s most unfiltered formats. The acclaimed series, which sees a panel of autistic, neurodivergent and learning disabled interviewers ask direct and deeply personal questions, airs at

A woman in her 20s has died following a two-vehicle road traffic collision in Kilkeel, prompting an active police investigation and a public appeal for information. The fatal crash occurred on the Newry Road on Monday evening, April 20, with emergency services called to the scene shortly before 6.30pm. Emergency response and confirmation of death Detective Inspector Stewart from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Collision Investigation Unit confirmed the details of the

Ballymena racer Brandon McCaughan on track in the Ligier European Series. (Pics: DPPI Images) A blistering opening to the 2026 Ligier European Series saw Ballymena driver Brandon McCaughan lead both races in Barcelona—only for penalties to strip away what could have been a double podium finish. The Northern Irish prototype racing prospect showcased standout speed across the opening round at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya (10–11 April), but a combination of pitstop and restart

A 12-year-old child has been left with serious injuries after being knocked down by a car in Lisburn on Monday afternoon, prompting a police appeal for dashcam footage from anyone who may have witnessed the incident. The collision happened on Prince William Road at around 3.15pm on April 20 and involved a black Honda Civic. Child taken to hospital with serious injuries Emergency services attended the scene following the incident, where the child sustained injuries described a

The winning team from the Rotary Club Generation Chef competition, are pictured with, from left, Georgie Briota, Business Development Manager at Galgorm Collection, Iris Houston, General Manager, Adair Arms Hotel, Gary Stewart, Judge and Chef Tartine of Distillers Arms, Chad Shaw, Northern Ireland Hospitality School, Samantha Wade, Quinn Merrigan, Northern Ireland Hospitality School, Eddie McGarvey, Judge and Chef at Salt House, Debbie Chestnutt, President of Ballymena Rotary

North Antrim Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland at the scene of the incident in The Diamond, Ballycastle Political representatives have warned that the deliberate fire at the derelict Antrim Arms building in Ballycastle must act as a turning point in how long-term vacant properties are managed, as concerns grow over safety, disruption and the future of the site. Mulholland: fire exposes dangers of long-term dereliction Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland said the arson attack had deeply

19-year-old Jamie Matthews from Antrim has been selected to represent the UK at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 A 19-year-old apprentice from Antrim is set to compete on one of the world’s biggest stages for vocational talent after being selected to represent the UK at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 — a global contest where elite young professionals go head-to-head in high-pressure, precision-based challenges. Jamie Matthews, who is training with Mivan and studying a Level 3 Apprentice

Jailed: Curtis Dunlop (23) A 23-year-old man who took part in sustained rioting on the streets of Ballymena during three nights of disorder last summer has been jailed for 32 months, as police reiterated their commitment to pursuing all those involved in the violence. Kurtis Dunlop, 23, was sentenced at Antrim Crown Court on Monday, 20 April, after pleading guilty to the offence of riot linked to the disturbances that erupted in June 2025. He will serve half of the sentence —

A batch of a commonly prescribed blood pressure medication is being recalled across the UK after a manufacturing error raised the risk of patients unknowingly taking a lower dose than prescribed. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has ordered an immediate halt to the supply of one batch of Ramipril 10mg capsules , after it emerged that some packs may contain blister strips of the lower 5mg strength instead. Pharmacies and healthcare providers have

A 42-year-old woman wanted in Hungary to stand trial for fraud and money laundering has been arrested in Carrickfergus, as part of a wider international investigation into organised crime. The arrest was carried out on Monday 20 April by officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s International Policing Unit. The woman is sought by Hungarian authorities in connection with offences alleged to have taken place in 2024. She was detained on a Hungarian extradition warr

A 40-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after police officers were targeted with crossbow bolts during a prolonged and violent stand-off in Kilkeel on Sunday night. The incident unfolded in the Moorfield Court area at around 9pm on 19 April, when members of the public reported a masked man in the street armed with a crossbow and threatening residents. Armed suspect sparks major police response Officers responding to the reports found the suspect h

Passengers across Northern Ireland will no longer be allowed to bring e-scooters and other powered transporters onto public transport or station premises from June 1, under new safety measures introduced by Translink in response to growing concerns over lithium-ion battery fires. The changes, which come into force across the Translink network at the start of June, will also restrict where e-bicycles can be carried — with access permitted on trains only, while being banned ent

Patients struggling to access NHS dental care in Northern Ireland are set to see immediate improvements after Health Minister Mike Nesbitt announced an £8 million funding package aimed at stabilising services, expanding the workforce, and easing pressure on emergency departments. The investment, confirmed today, targets some of the most persistent pressures facing general dental services — from workforce shortages to reduced patient access — while longer-term structural refor

A major fire that tore through the derelict Antrim Arms building in Ballycastle on Sunday evening is now being treated as a deliberate act, police have confirmed. The blaze at the prominent Castle Street property was reported shortly after 8pm on Sunday 19 April, triggering a large-scale emergency response and leading to multiple road closures in the town centre. Police confirm fire was deliberate In an update issued on Monday 20 April, the Police Service of Northern Ireland

Gallaher Trust’s Chairman, Ian Paisley, alongside Trustees, Lauren McAteer and James Perry MBE . A major funding push aimed at driving job creation and skills development across Ballymena has been launched, as The Gallaher Trust reopens applications for 2027 projects alongside a landmark event marking the town’s 400th anniversary. Business leaders, social enterprises and charities are being urged to step forward with new ideas as £400,000 in funding becomes available, with or