NEWS

Robin Swann MP and John Stewart MLA have led a cross-sector delegation to Westminster to warn that proposed changes to UK funding arrangements could place Northern Ireland’s community and voluntary organisations at serious risk. The delegation travelled to London to challenge the planned replacement of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) with the new Local Growth Fund, raising concerns that the transition could result in a damaging gap in support for frontline services reli

A 1970s County 1254 Ballymena is set to take centre stage in the international vintage machinery market as Europe’s leading agricultural machinery auctioneer, Cheffins , brings one of its flagship Vintage and Classic Tractor sales to Northern Ireland. The high-profile auction marks only the third time in Cheffins’ 200-year history that the firm has taken a major machinery sale across the Irish Sea, underlining both the significance of the event and the growing reputation of N

Lucy McAleese was diagnosed with Kawasaki disease when she was a toddler. The disease is rare, affecting around 8 in every 100,000 children under the age of 5 in the UK. A young woman from Ballymena is speaking publicly for the first time about growing up with a rare and potentially life-threatening heart condition, in a bid to raise awareness that heart disease does not only affect older people. Lucy McAleese , 22, has lived with Kawasaki disease since she was a toddler — a

Inset: Ulster Unionist Party leader and education spokesperson Jon Burrows MLA Ulster Unionist Party leader and education spokesperson Jon Burrows MLA has issued a stark warning over proposals contained within the Executive’s proposed Five-Year Education Budget Strategy, cautioning that cuts to classroom assistants and the use of unqualified substitute teachers would have devastating consequences for schools, staff and pupils across Northern Ireland. Responding to the public

Inset: SDLP Councillor Malachy Quinn SDLP Councillor Malachy Quinn has expressed delight that his campaign for the introduction of Caoimhé’s Law is continuing to gather momentum, with the Justice Minister and two Northern Ireland local authorities now pledging their support. In October 2025, the Torrent DEA representative tabled a motion calling for legal restrictions on the sharing on social media of images and videos taken at the scenes of serious road traffic collisions.

Justice Minister Naomi Long pictured with Nexus NI CEO Joanne Barnes at the annual conference of charity Nexus NI, which works with survivors of abuse, and which this year had the theme ‘Unmasking sexual abuse – uncomfortable truths’. Justice Minister Naomi Long has said that sexual abuse continues to thrive in silence, secrecy and discomfort, warning that confronting it requires sustained action from everyone across society. The Minister was speaking in Belfast at the annua

Country Manager, Coca-Cola Ireland, Amruta Vaidya, Chief Executive, Irish FA, Patrick Neslon, General Manager, Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland, Simon Fitzpatrick and Chief Executive, NI Football League, Gerard Lawlor. Coca-Cola has announced a new partnership with Northern Ireland football, becoming the official soft drinks partner of both the Irish Football Association (Irish FA) and the Northern Ireland Football League (NIFL). The agreement, announced by The Coca

Concerns over the handling of the PSNI data breach have intensified after the names of 41 serving police officers were published on publicly accessible online court lists, sparking political criticism and renewed calls for urgent action from the Justice Minister. The Department of Justice confirmed that the names appeared on the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service website in connection with civil actions linked to the PSNI data breach scandal. The department has sin

First Minister and deputy First Minister welcomed Catherine Connolly, President of Ireland to Stormont Castle during her visit to Belfast. Pictured left to right are: First Minister Michelle O’Neill, President of Ireland Catherine Connolly and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly. First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly have welcomed Catherine Connolly, President of Ireland , to Stormont Castle during her official visit to Belfas

Portballintrae Harbour slipway An investment of more than £100,000 has been approved to repair and enhance Portballintrae Harbour slipway, bringing welcome news for local residents, harbour users and visitors to the north coast village. Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Elected Members have given the green light for the Portballintrae Harbour Slipway repair project to progress to Stage 3 of the Council’s Capital Programme, a key step that paves the way for the appointm

Ballymena comedian Gary Pollock pictured at The Braid auditorium where he will host his debit solo show in May. Ballymena-born comedian Gary Pollock is set to return home for the biggest performance of his career to date, with his debut solo show Bucket List already reaching almost half capacity at The Braid Arts Centre—four months ahead of the curtain rising. The much-anticipated hometown show will take place on Friday 22 May 2026, and with close to 200 tickets already sold,

John Ferris (Ulster Bank), Stephanie, Gillian McCandless, Ruth McGilligan (both Ulster Bank) A Co Antrim woman who turned personal hardship into a thriving community business has been recognised with a prestigious award from The King’s Trust at a ceremony held at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens. Stephanie, 28, was named the winner of the NatWest Enterprise Award at the Northern Ireland final of The King’s Trust and TK Maxx Awards on Friday 30 January. The accolade recognises

Lisnamurrican YFC members Stuart, Claire, Alexis, Ruth and Rachel visited Air Ambulance NI headquarters to present the cheque for an incredible £15,000 Members of Lisnamurrican Young Farmers’ Club (YFC) have proudly presented a cheque for £15,000 to Air Ambulance Northern Ireland, marking a major fundraising achievement during the club’s 85th anniversary year. A group of club members — Stuart, Claire, Alexis, Ruth and Rachel — travelled to the charity’s headquarters in Lisbur

An 11-year-old boy has died following a road traffic collision in Co Down, police have confirmed. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said the fatal incident occurred on Tuesday 3 February on the Corcreaghan Road in Kilkeel, and involved a car and a child. Emergency services were alerted to the collision shortly after 8am. Despite the efforts of police officers and paramedics, the young boy was later pronounced dead in hospital. Detective Inspector Stewart from the

Education Minister Paul Givan has unveiled a comprehensive package of measures in response to a recent Supreme Court judgment on Religious Education (RE) and collective worship in Northern Ireland schools. The announcement includes a full review of the Religious Education curriculum, the introduction of formal inspection arrangements for RE across all schools, and the publication of new guidance to strengthen and clarify the right of withdrawal for pupils and parents. While t

Police in Antrim & Newtownabbey issued a warning to drivers on Monday (2nd February) after receiving reports of a large pothole on Tully Road, towards Antrim, that caused damage to a number of vehicles Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins is working to secure an additional funding package to address widespread damage to roads caused by recent severe weather, adding to the £30 million already announced before Christmas. The move follows weeks of disruptive conditions across No

Interim Chief Executive of the NI Ambulance Service (NIAS), Maxine Paterson Chest pain and stroke patients in Northern Ireland waited an average of two hours and 29 minutes for an ambulance last week, according to figures revealed by the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS). The stark statistics were disclosed by NIAS Interim Chief Executive Maxine Paterson at last Thursday’s (29 January) board meeting of the Southern Health and Social Care Trust, where she warned that

A Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officer has received management advice over his conduct after referring to a member of the public as “scum” , telling him he “punched like a fxxxxxx woman” , and failing to caution him during an arrest, a Police Ombudsman investigation has found. The findings follow an investigation into an incident at a private address in County Antrim in August 2023, after police were called to the scene. The complainant alleged that during his ar

Pictured with tenant Doreen (second from left) is Alpha Housing Chief Executive Cameron Watt, Councillor Anna Henry of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston. The first tenants have moved into Alpha Housing’s £4.4 million residential development in Cullybackey, marking a significant milestone in the regeneration of the County Antrim village less than two years after construction began. Keys were officially handed over this week at the Main Str

Wetlands at Dungonnell Dam in the Antrim hills. Northern Ireland’s rich network of wetlands is being celebrated this week as World Wetlands Day is marked across the globe on 2 February, with this year’s theme focusing on ‘Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Heritage’. Closer to home, NI Water is using the international awareness day to highlight the vital role wetlands play in supporting biodiversity, protecting water quality and safeguarding community wellbeing.