NEWS

Students from St Oliver Plunkett Primary School Toome are pictured on their recent tour of NI Water’s Moyola Water Treatment Works. With World Health Day fast approaching on Monday, 7 April, NI Water is once again opening the doors of its water treatment works to schools across Northern Ireland, offering pupils a rare opportunity to see first-hand the science and expertise that keeps the region’s drinking water safe. The initiative comes as this year’s global World Health Day

Two men are in hospital in a critical but stable condition after a serious single-vehicle collision involving a motorbike in Lisburn on Saturday afternoon. Police have issued an appeal for witnesses following the crash on Pond Park Road East, which happened at around 4.25pm on Saturday 4 April. The incident involved a motorbike which is understood to have collided with a crash barrier, leaving both riders with serious injuries. Serious injuries after collision with crash barr

A 20-year-old man has died following a single-vehicle road traffic collision on the Castlecat Road in Dervock in the early hours of Sunday morning. The fatal crash happened shortly before 1am on Sunday, April 5, prompting an overnight emergency response and a police investigation at the scene. The Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed on Sunday that the driver, a man from the Crossgar area, was taken to hospital after the collision but later died from his injuries. Col

One of the North Coast’s most eagerly anticipated community events is officially back, with organisers confirming that the Portrush RNLI Raft Race 2026 will take place on Saturday 23 May. The much-loved annual fundraiser, which draws rafters, families and spectators from across the area, is once again being staged in aid of RNLI Portrush, with entries now officially open. Organisers say the event is “all systems go” , with extensive planning already under way behind the scene

Alice in Wonderland and the Mad Hatter (Hannah and Arthur Nelson) as they help launch this year’s Spring Fair at Malone House. Belfast’s popular Spring Fair is set to return later this month, with families invited to step “down the rabbit hole” for a free Alice in Wonderland-themed celebration at Malone House and Barnett Demesne. The much-loved annual event, organised by Belfast City Council, will take place on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 April 2026, running from 1.30pm until 5

Castlecat Road in Dervock remains closed this morning, Sunday 5 April, following a serious one-vehicle road traffic collision in the early hours. Police were called to the scene at approximately 2am after the incident occurred overnight. The road closure remains in place as emergency response and any necessary investigation work continues at the scene. Diversions in place for motorists Diversions have been put in place, with motorists being urged to avoid the area and seek an

Researchers at Queen’s University Belfast are calling on the public across Northern Ireland to help track mosquito populations after launching the region’s first dedicated mosquito reporting system. The new initiative, MosquitoNI, marks the first time people in Northern Ireland have been invited to directly submit mosquito sightings online as part of a major scientific study examining what species are present here, where they are concentrated, and whether they may pose future

Cancer services in Northern Ireland remained under intense strain at the end of 2025, with the latest Department of Health figures showing that almost all key waiting time targets continued to be missed despite an increase in the number of patients beginning treatment and a sharp rise in breast cancer assessments. The newly published Accredited Official Statistics cover the quarter ending December 2025 and set out waiting times for patients accessing cancer services at hospit

The Ulster Farmers’ Union has written to the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland warning that rising agricultural input costs, driven by renewed global instability, are placing increasing pressure on farm businesses and could threaten food production across Northern Ireland. Representing around 12,000 farm families, the Union said ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are creating fresh volatility in the cost of essential farming inputs,

Retired Irish League footballers Jeff Hughes Patients receiving care at Holywell Hospital are taking part in a new 12-week football coaching programme designed to support mental health recovery, build resilience and reduce social isolation. The initiative, launched by the Northern Health and Social Care Trust , is giving service users meaningful time away from the ward through structured coaching sessions led by former Irish League footballers and fully qualified coaches. The

Mid and East Antrim Mayor Cllr Jackson Minford Mid and East Antrim Mayor Cllr Jackson Minford led tributes to former first citizen PJ McAvoy following his recent death, before councillors stood in the chamber to observe a one-minute silence. Speaking at a full meeting of the borough council at The Braid in Ballymena on Monday evening, Cllr Minford said: “I was very saddened to learn of the passing of the former mayor of Ballymena Borough Council, PJ McAvoy.” The mayor sa

A Carrickfergus apprentice has been recognised as one of Northern Ireland’s brightest emerging engineering talents after being crowned Apprentice of the Year at the NI Apprenticeship Awards 2026, before going on to secure a second major accolade on the very same day. Paula Bamford, who is employed by Caterpillar , was honoured at the awards ceremony held at Titanic Hotel Belfast , in recognition of her outstanding technical ability, professionalism and commitment throughout h

Motorists travelling across Northern Ireland over the Easter weekend are being warned to expect increased police activity on the roads, with officers set to carry out enforcement operations alongside DVA vehicle checks as traffic volumes rise. Police said on the evening of Goid Friday, April 3, that officers will be conducting operations throughout the weekend to ensure vehicles travelling in the area are road-worthy, with a particular focus on routes expected to be busy with

McCarroll McConnell & Co. Ltd In Pennybridge, Ballymena One of Ballymena’s longest-established insurance brokers has been acquired by a major UK insurance broking group, with customers told their cover, contacts and local branches will remain unchanged. McCarroll McConnell & Co. Ltd confirmed this week that the business has been recently acquired by Adler Fairways Insurance Group, marking a significant new chapter for the long-running local firm which has served the area for

Curlew (Photograph by Matthew Dean, RSPB volunteer) As Northern Ireland heads into the Easter weekend, the Police Service of Northern Ireland has joined forces with RSPB NI and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency to issue a strong public warning over the disturbance of native breeding waders and other ground-nesting birds. The appeal comes at one of the most critical times of the year for some of the region’s most vulnerable bird species, with conservation bodies warnin

North Antrim TUV MLA Timothy Gaston Fresh questions have been raised over spending at Stormont after newly revealed documents showed the refurbishment of the Assembly’s Blue Flax canteen cost almost £200,000 more than originally budgeted, prompting sharp criticism from TUV MLA Timothy Gaston. The final bill for the renovation of the canteen at Parliament Buildings came to £530,532, according to documents obtained by BBC News NI through a Freedom of Information request. The Bl

The Education Authority has confirmed that Northern Ireland’s C2k school system has been the target of a cyber attack, with access to the network currently unavailable following emergency action to contain the incident. The development is expected to affect schools, staff and pupils across Northern Ireland, with the authority acknowledging particular concern for students preparing for exams or completing coursework during the Easter period. In a statement issued on Friday, 3

Ecos Nature Park, Ballymena Early risers across Ballymena are being invited to start their day with purpose later this month as Turning Point NI hosts a community 5km Sunrise Walk in support of its vital mental health services. The walk will take place on Saturday 25th April , with participants gathering for a 5am start at ECOS Nature Park. Organisers are encouraging people from across the community to come along and take part in what promises to be a meaningful and uplifting

Ulster Unionist Party Leader and North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows with Deputy Party Leader and Economy Spokesperson Diana Armstrong outside Mr Burrows’ constituency office in Ballymena The strength and growth ambitions of businesses across North Antrim were brought into sharp focus following a day of constituency engagements led by Ulster Unionist Party Leader and North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows alongside Deputy Party Leader and Economy Spokesperson Diana Armstrong . The visits, w

The Met Office has updated its yellow weather warning for Northern Ireland as Storm Dave is now expected to bring a more intense spell of damaging winds from Saturday afternoon into Easter Sunday morning, with forecasters warning that some areas could briefly see gusts of up to 80mph. The updated warning is now in force from 14:00 on Saturday 4 April 2026 until 03:00 on Sunday 5 April 2026, extending the period of concern into the early hours of Easter Sunday. The latest fore