NEWS

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

Image: McAuley Multimedia A major fire broke out in Ballycastle on Sunday evening, sending thick plumes of smoke across the town and prompting urgent safety warnings for residents as dozens of firefighters worked to bring the blaze under control. The incident unfolded at the derelict former Antrim Arms building in The Diamond area, with emergency services receiving the first call at 8:08pm on Sunday 19 April 2026. Firefighters battle blaze at prominent town centre site Witnes

A new public health campaign urging people to protect themselves from harmful UV exposure has been launched across 500 community pharmacies in Northern Ireland, as figures show more than 4,000 people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year. Running throughout April and May, the ‘Care in the Sun’ initiative is being delivered through the Living Well pharmacy service, a partnership between the Public Health Agency (PHA), Community Pharmacy NI (CPNI), and the Department of Hea

Northern Ireland U17 international and tournament graduate Chloe Beckinsale and Charlotte Havern are pictured alongside Ballymena United Minor Section players Curtis McKeown and Isaac Dixon, with former Northern Ireland international and current Northern Ireland U21 Manager Tommy Wright and Karl Bradley from Budget Energy at the official draw for the 2026 Budget Energy SuperCupNI. The stage is set for one of Northern Ireland’s biggest sporting events of the summer, after the

Antrim Area Hospital ED, and Ballee Cemetery, Ballymena More than 1,000 people in Northern Ireland are estimated to have died in 2025 after waiting 12 hours or more in Emergency Departments, according to a major new report warning the system is no longer functioning safely. The Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) said 1,032 excess deaths were associated with long waits last year — the equivalent of almost 20 lives lost every week — as pressure inside hospitals contin

Adam Patterson and Declan Lawn. (Image: Khara Pringle) A new BBC political thriller rooted in the shadowy world of government secrecy has been commissioned from Ballymena writer Declan Lawn and long-time collaborator Belfast man Adam Patterson , placing a little-known national security mechanism — the D-Notice — at the centre of a major primetime drama. The six-part series, titled D-Notice , will explore how the British state can quietly intervene in journalism by advising e

Fibrus specialist with students in Mount St Michael’s Primary School, Randalstown. A new campaign to help children across Northern Ireland navigate the risks of the digital world has been launched, with a key rollout event taking place at Mount St Michael’s Primary School in Randalstown. Full fibre broadband provider Fibrus has begun delivering its “Surf Smart Stay Safe” initiative in primary schools, aiming to equip pupils with practical skills to stay safe online — from

A new Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) campaign is urging the public to recognise the warning signs of stalking after nearly 1,000 arrests were made since the offence was criminalised, with officers warning that behaviours often dismissed as romantic can escalate into serious harm. Launched to coincide with National Stalking Awareness Week (20–26 April) , the campaign uses a two-minute “romantic comedy” style trailer to challenge misconceptions around stalking, highl

Marks & Spencer has cut the price of 19 vegetable staples and moved 22 everyday items into its value ranges, in a direct bid to win more family shoppers who want healthier food without paying more. The move, announced as part of the retailer’s wider growth strategy, comes amid clear evidence that UK households are prioritising health in their weekly shop while remaining highly price-conscious. Price cuts target everyday essentials in weekly shop The retailer confirmed that mo

A BMW and Seat Leon seized by police Police have seized two vehicles and reported three drivers for court after a series of road policing incidents yesterday, including one motorist clocked at more than 135mph on the A26 dual carriageway. Officers from Road Policing Interceptors based in Sprucefield carried out the enforcement activity on Friday evening, 17 April, targeting uninsured driving and dangerous speeds. Two uninsured drivers stopped and vehicles seized During patrol

A free eight-week training academy aimed at preparing local people for careers in GP practices is returning to Ballymena, after delivering strong employment outcomes and sustained job placements for participants over the past year. The Northern GP Federation Support Unit (NFSU) has confirmed the second year of its Medical Administration Training Academy, delivered in partnership with Mid and East Antrim Labour Market Partnership (LMP) and funded by the Department for Communit

Residents, businesses and visitors are being invited to have their say on the future of Carrickfergus, as a major £42.2 million regeneration scheme moves into its next phase with a new public consultation event later this month. Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has confirmed it will host a free drop-in session on Thursday 23 April 2026 at Carrickfergus Museum & Civic Centre , giving the public an opportunity to view the latest designs for the Carrickfergus City Deal Regene

Hannah Scott MBE who received the Freedom of the Borough at a special civic ceremony at Coleraine Town Hall. (Pics: Steven McAuley/ Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council) Coleraine’s Olympic gold medallist Hannah Scott MBE has been awarded the Freedom of the Borough — the highest civic honour available — in recognition of her historic achievement at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The honour was formally conferred by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council during a special

Ballymena Causeway Credit Union (BCCU) on William Street, Ballymena Ballymena Causeway Credit Union will begin operating under a new trading name, Evolve Credit Union , from 30 April 2026, marking a significant shift following years of expansion and the integration of members from across multiple local credit unions. The move comes after a period of sustained growth and a series of Transfers of Engagement that brought together members from Causeway, Antrim, Randalstown and su

North Antrim MP Jim Allister KC A call for urgent Government action on lobular breast cancer research has been made by Jim Allister KC MP , who warned that patients are continuing to receive treatments not designed for their specific disease due to decades of underinvestment. The North Antrim MP said that while recent engagement between Ministers, senior scientists and the Lobular Moon Shot Project is welcome, it has so far failed to deliver the decisive commitment needed to

Police have warned that enforcement action will be taken where necessary as new online calls for protests across Northern Ireland this weekend and into next week prompt preparations for a fresh policing operation. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed it is actively planning its response amid concerns over potential disruption to key transport routes and public services, particularly where demonstrations involve vehicles. Police preparing response to renewed

Pictured with one of the two refurbished snooker tables at Loughgiel Community Centre are, (left to right) Gareth Doran, Housing Executive Good Relations Officer, Causeway, Michelle Smyth, Operations Manager, Loughgiel Community Association, Paddy Coyles, Men’s Shed, Patrick McCullough, Men’s Shed, Deirdre Rafferty, Housing Executive Neighbourhood Officer, Lee-Anne Doherty, Loughgiel Community Association, and Gerard Dallas, Men’s Shed. A community hub in Loughgiel is seeing

Missing 75-year-old Ballymena man James Adair Police have issued an urgent appeal for information after a 75-year-old man was reported missing from Ballymena, with growing concern for his wellbeing. James Adair was reported missing to officers on Thursday, April 16, 2026, after last being seen in the Chichester Park area of the town. Police raise concern for wellbeing Officers say they are increasingly concerned for Mr Adair’s safety and are urging the public to come forward

Seven Towers Roundabout, Ballymena Police have confirmed they are preparing a response to planned protests across Ballymena this evening, with multiple key roundabouts identified as potential flashpoints amid rising discontent over fuel costs. The Police Service of Northern Ireland said it is aware of calls circulating online for coordinated action from 5:00pm on Friday, 17 April, as demonstrators threaten to “shut down the town” in protest at soaring prices linked to escala