NEWS

The Independent Remuneration Board has published its first draft determination proposing a 26.8% increase in MLA salaries to £67,200 per year from 1 April 2026, alongside automatic financial sanctions if an Executive is not formed following future Assembly elections. The newly established Board, which is responsible for setting the salaries and pensions of Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), has launched a two-week consultation seeking views from MLAs, the Assembly Co

Officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) have arrested two people in Lisburn on suspicion of illegal money lending and associated criminality, as part of an ongoing investigation by its Predatory Lending Team. The arrests were made on Thursday, 19 February. A 59-year-old woman and a 36-year-old man were detained during the operation, and a significant amount of cash was seized. Both suspects have since been released on bail pending further enquiries. Cash s

Tobermore Concrete, County Londonderry A County Londonderry concrete products manufacturer has been fined £160,000 following the death of an employee at its Tobermore production site. Tobermore Concrete Products Limited was sentenced at Londonderry Crown Court on 19 February 2026 after pleading guilty to a single health and safety offence, following an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI). The prosecution followed the death of Mr Colin

The derelict Antrim Arms Hotel in Ballycastle Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has said it will initiate further legal proceedings in relation to the potential demolition of the historic Antrim Arms Hotel in Ballycastle. The listed building, elements of which are more than 400 years old, was declared a dangerous structure by the council last year. At February’s meeting of the Environmental Services Committee, Alliance councillor Lee Kane put forward a motion seeking

Castlewood Holiday Park, in Antrim, unveils new luxury accommodation and enhanced visitor facilities Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has welcomed the completion of the 5-star Blair’s Castlewood Holiday Park development at Shane’s Castle, marking a significant investment in local tourism on the shores of Lough Neagh. The expanded Castlewood Holiday Park introduces new luxury accommodation and enhanced visitor facilities, strengthening the borough’s position as a short-

Julie Martin from Northern Ireland Hospice with Mittlè McFadden and Jennifer Gardiner and members of Farmers’ Choir NI Farmers’ Choir Northern Ireland has raised £2,200 for Northern Ireland Hospice and Rural Support following its Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols held at St Patrick’s Parish Church, Kilrea last December. The fundraising total was generated through a freewill offering at the seasonal carol service, which drew strong support from local farmers, families and me

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) recorded 779 speeding detections across Northern Ireland on two days earlier this year when heavy rain weather warnings were in place, spanning all 11 policing districts. Figures released by the PSNI show that on 30 January and 6 February — both subject to official weather warnings for heavy rain — hundreds of motorists were caught exceeding the speed limit despite difficult driving conditions. High speeds recorded during poor wea

TUV MLA for North Antrim Timothy Gaston Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) MLA Timothy Gaston has strongly criticised a £14,000 pay rise for Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), after a determination increased Stormont salaries by 27% from £53,000 to £67,200. In a statement, Mr Gaston said the decision by the Independent Remuneration Board would result in a substantial uplift in pay at a time when many households across Northern Ireland are facing ongoing financial press

The former banking centre in Belfast approved for change of use to a Transitional Care Centre A former banking call centre in Belfast is to be transformed into a Transitional Care Unit following a decision at City Hall. Elected representatives on Belfast City Council’s Planning Committee unanimously approved an application on Tuesday (February 17) for the proposed change of use from offices to a short-term Transitional Care Unit at Santander House, 1 Mays Meadow, Belfast, clo

Ballymena could become the site of Northern Ireland’s first grid-scale hydrogen-to-power (H2P) system, as BS Holdings Ltd confirms plans to partner with POWERHOUSE ENERGY GROUP PLC in a zero-emission energy project aimed at supporting the National Grid. The proposed development, which is dependent on support from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, would combine renewable electricity with hydrogen production to provide back-up power when wind generation drops and

The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has renewed its call for responsible dog ownership after new figures revealed that farm animals in Northern Ireland worth an estimated £152,000 were severely injured or killed in dog attacks during 2025. The warning comes ahead of the busy lambing season, a critical period for sheep farmers, when pregnant ewes and newborn lambs are particularly vulnerable. Figures released by NFU Mutual show a 30% decrease in the financial cost of livestock att

Pictured with the Commissioner for Older People Siobhan Casey (second right) are from L-R George Bell, Wilma Stewart, Colin Flinn. Older people across Northern Ireland say they feel increasingly shut out from the health and social care system they paid into throughout their working lives, according to a new report published by the Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland (COPNI). Voices of Concern: The Reality of Health and Social Care for Older People in Northern

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council looks set to join a neighbouring authority in restricting commercial use of household recycling centres (HRCs). The issue was discussed behind closed doors at Monday’s meeting of the borough council at The Braid in Ballymena. At last month’s meeting of the council’s Environment and Economy Committee, councillors were asked to “reinstate the system used during Covid” , which restricted access by commercial vehicles and limited use of househo

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir announces next steps towards introducing new rules on selling and supplying puppies and kittens in Northern Ireland. Minister Muir is pictured with Laura Orr and Adam Clowes from Dogs Trust, members of Northern Ireland Companion Animal Welfare Group (NICAWG). Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir has announced the next steps towards introducing new rules on selling and supplying puppies and kittens in Northern Ireland, incl

The Police Service of Northern Ireland has received more than 4,000 applications for its 2026 student officer recruitment campaign, with 4,104 people applying before the process closed on Wednesday, 4 February. The significant response highlights continued interest in policing careers across Northern Ireland, as the service prepares to begin a rigorous multi-stage selection process. The recruitment campaign offers successful candidates a place on an intensive 22-week training

Inset: Northern Ireland Health Minister Mike Nesbitt Northern Ireland’s Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has praised Health and Social Care (HSC) staff after new encompass data revealed the scale of daily patient care delivered across the region, including more than 43,000 appointments and over 70,000 domiciliary care calls in a single day. Providing an update on the encompass programme nearly ten months after all five geographic Trusts went live, the Minister said the integrated

Thousands of Northern Ireland pupils have called for a reduction in exam pressure as the Department of Education publishes its long-awaited report on the future of CCEA GCSE, AS and A Level qualifications. Nearly 4,500 young people responded to a dedicated survey, alongside more than 3,500 individuals and organisations who took part in a public consultation between September and November 2025. The findings will inform a new Qualifications Policy Framework, with revised CCEA s

The 2026 Líofa Gaeltacht Bursary Scheme is now open for applications, the Department for Communities has announced, offering financial support to eligible students and adult learners to attend Irish-language courses in Gaeltacht areas. The scheme provides attendees with an opportunity to immerse themselves in an Irish speaking community, increase their knowledge and use of Irish through attending classes, and take part in a wide range of cultural activities including sport an

Nexus NI has been awarded the contract to manage the Domestic and Sexual Abuse (DSA) Helpline, a free, confidential 24/7 support service for anyone impacted by domestic and/or sexual abuse in Northern Ireland. The contract was jointly awarded by the Department of Justice, Department of Health and Department for Communities. It will run for an initial three-year period, followed by two optional extension periods of two years each. 24/7 support for victims and survivors The Dom

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for Northern Ireland for rain and snow, in force from 04:00 to 20:00 on Wednesday 18 February 2026, with disruption to travel possible across the province. The warning, which impacts all parts of Northern Ireland, highlights the risk of outbreaks of rain, hill snow and strong southeasterly winds throughout the day. Rain, snow and strong winds forecast across the province According to the Met Office, an area of rain — falling