NEWS

Pictured at Ulster Farmers' Union headquarters following the stakeholder meeting (L-R) Sergeant Ross Hakin, Inspector Sorcha Irwin, Brian Megahey (UFU), Deputy President Glenn Cuddy, Policy Officer Daniel Toft, Dr Lizzy Pinkerton (Belfast Hills Partnership) Illegal scramblers, broken gates, frightened livestock and farmers left feeling intimidated on their own land — that is the stark reality behind renewed calls for action in the Belfast Hills. The Ulster Farmers’ Union  (UF

A living symbol of remembrance now stands in the heart of Ballymena after a ‘Tree of Hope’ was planted in People’s Park to commemorate the millions murdered during the Holocaust. The commemorative cherry tree, accompanied by an inscribed plaque, was planted on Friday 27 February 2026 during a special civic ceremony hosted by the Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford , alongside pupils from Cambridge House Grammar School . Set against the backdrop of People’

Plans for a new 3G pitch and stand at Ballymena Showgrounds A planning application for a new full-size 3G football pitch and spectator stand at Ballymena Showgrounds has been approved by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Planning Committee. A planning officer told the committee, which met at The Braid in Ballymena on Thursday, that the existing grass pitch (number seven) is one of several within the Ballymena Showgrounds complex. In addition to upgrading the pitch to a 3G

North Antrim DUP MLA Paul Frew The battle over funding at Kirkinriola Early Years has intensified, with DUP MLA Paul Frew declaring the rural Ballymena unit “is here to stay” and pledging to fight what he described as a “daft policy” by the Education Authority (EA). Mr Frew visited the school on Friday morning to meet staff at the Early Years Unit, reinforcing the message that both the unit and Kirkinriola Primary School are thriving despite the shock decision to withdraw p

Nineteen towns and villages across Northern Ireland — and one in County Donegal — will host the 2026 Twelfth of July demonstrations, the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland (GOLI) has confirmed. The annual celebrations, which date back more than 230 years, remain a central fixture in the cultural calendar, drawing participants and spectators from across the United Kingdom and further afield. Announcing the venues, the Grand Master, Most Wor. Bro. Harold Henning , reflected on the e

Kirkinriola Primary School A rural pre-school on the outskirts of Ballymena has been left reeling after the Education Authority (EA) confirmed it is withdrawing funding for the year ahead — a decision described as “completely unacceptable” by those at the heart of the setting. Kirkinriola Early Years (KEY), based at Kirkinriola Primary School , was informed on Monday 23 February that funded pre-school places would be removed for the 2026/27 academic year. The move affects a

Northern Ireland’s homelessness system is under “extreme pressure”, trapped in a reactive cycle that is costing tens of millions each year while failing to deliver long-term solutions. That is the stark conclusion of a new report from the Northern Ireland Public Accounts Committee (PAC), published following an inquiry into the effectiveness and value for money of homelessness services. The Committee says spiralling spending on temporary accommodation — including a sharp rise

BBC Sounds podcast presenter Eve Blair on location recording Your Farm And Mine A new BBC podcast is set to shine a fresh light on rural life in Northern Ireland — and at its heart is a presenter who knows exactly what farm life demands. Your Farm And Mine, a six-part series coming to BBC Sounds, will see Eve Blair step beyond the studio and into farmyards across the country, bringing listeners face to face with the people, animals and graft that shape the agricultural commun

Specialist Nurse Julie Donnelly and Dr Beckett from the Northern Trust’s Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (FH) Paediatric Clinic, which provides a specialist service for children newly diagnosed with FH. A new specialist clinic in Northern Ireland is changing the outlook for children born with a hidden but potentially life-threatening genetic condition — offering families earlier answers, expert support and a clearer path forward. The Northern Health and Social Care Trust has l

Knockan Road Play Park in Broughshane on Tuesday, January 27, when Storm Chandra brought heavy rainfall leading to the River Braid bursting its banks. Four weeks after floodwater tore through Broughshane, families are still waiting for their local play park to reopen — and questions are now being asked at Stormont level. North Antrim DUP MLA Paul Frew  has raised concerns over the continued closure of Broughshane Play Park on Knockan Road following severe storm damage last mo

Pictured (L-R) is Lisa McCarthy (Kinecx Energy’s Transportation Services Business and Planning Manager, and chair of the Corporate Social Responsibility Committee), Jane Leatham (Kinecx Energy’s Regulatory Affairs Analyst), Sorcha Mathews (Corporate Fundraising Manager at Autism NI), Andy Booth (Business Analyst at Kinecx Energy) and Lorna Leese (Kinecx Energy’s HR Business Partner). At a time when autism diagnoses continue to rise across Northern Ireland, a new corporate par

The abandoned cat found in a pet carrier cable-tied to the gates of Mid-Antrim Animal Sanctuary A cat was discovered secured inside a carrier and cable-tied to the gates of Mid-Antrim Animal Sanctuary on Wednesday evening (25 February), prompting a renewed appeal from the charity about the risks of abandoning animals. The cat is now safe and receiving veterinary care, the sanctuary confirmed. However, the animal was not microchipped, making it impossible to trace an owner. Wh

Lidl Northern Ireland announce a £2.3m investment in pay increases for their workforce across the region - pictured is Maeve McCleane, Chief People Officer for Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland and colleagues from Lidl's store team. (Pic. Robbie Reynolds) More than 1,300 Lidl Northern Ireland employees will see their pay increase from next month, as the retailer announces a £2.3 million investment in wages across the region. From 1 March, Lidl Northern Ireland store and wareh

Pictured 25-year-old Lisa Dorrian who disappeared in February 2005 Nearly 21 years after 25-year-old Lisa Dorrian vanished, detectives have made two further arrests in a case that continues to cast a long shadow across Northern Ireland. Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Major Investigation Team, investigating the disappearance and murder of Lisa Dorrian, confirmed that a 42-year-old man was arrested in Scotland earlier today, Wednesday 25 February. He w

Inset: Education Minister Paul Givens A major shift in how schools in Northern Ireland become Integrated has been unveiled today, marking the first full operational roadmap since new legislation came into force. On 25 February 2026, the Department of Education published revised guidance titled Transforming Together – Understanding the Pathway to Integrated Education , setting out a clearer, more structured process for schools seeking to change status. The document replaces th

US Air Force F22 Raptor jet A loud rumbling noise that echoed across parts of County Antrim on Tuesday night has been linked to US military aircraft crossing UK airspace — and further activity could follow. Residents reported hearing a sustained roar overhead, prompting speculation online. Flight tracking later showed two US Air Force Boeing KC-135 Stratotankers transiting UK airspace alongside a number of F-22 Raptor fighter jets and a smaller US Navy aircraft under the sign

A Ballymena gym owner has been fined after unlicensed weight-loss medicines were discovered at his business — prompting a stark warning from health officials about the dangers of buying or supplying drugs outside regulated healthcare channels. Daniel O’Neill, 59, owner of DISQ Gym at Ross Court in Ballymena, appeared before Ballymena Magistrates’ Court where he pleaded guilty to an offence in breach of the Human Medicines Regulations. He was fined £1,000 plus an offender levy

Education Minister Paul Givan at Ballymoney HS, announcing the full rollout of defibrillators to all schools across Northern Ireland. From l to r: Michael Allen (NIAS), Education Minister Paul Givan, Ballymoney HS Principal Jonny Bingham and Head of British Heart Foundation Fearghal McKinney. Every school in Northern Ireland now has a life-saving defibrillator on site — a milestone described as “hugely significant” for the safety of pupils, staff and the wider community. Educ

PD Ice after the discovery A police dog’s nose for hidden cash has helped detectives uncover £90,000 and make two arrests in a County Antrim during a targeted operation against suspected illegal money lending. Officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Predatory Lending Team (PLT) carried out planned searches at three residential properties in the Donard Drive and Tirowen Drive areas of Lisburn on Thursday, 19 February. What they discovered — thanks in large part

A customer uses a Royal Mail locker (Photos: Royal Mail) Royal Mail has taken a significant step in reshaping how people send and collect parcels in Northern Ireland, launching its first-ever parcel lockers across four key locations — including Ballymena. The move marks a clear shift towards greater flexibility for customers, as online shopping and second-hand marketplaces continue to grow at pace. With 24/7 access in busy, high-footfall areas, the lockers are designed to mak

CGI of Lidl’s proposed new store on St Patrick’s Link Road, Ballymena. A significant new retail investment is being proposed for one of Ballymena’s busiest gateway locations — with plans submitted for a large-format Lidl foodstore at the junction of St Patrick’s Link Road and Broughshane Road. The planning application is supported by a detailed Planning, Design and Access Statement setting out proposals for a purpose-built store with a gross internal floor area of 2,560 squar

Belfast International Airport, County Antrim A major international accolade has placed Northern Ireland’s busiest airport firmly on the European stage — with Belfast International Airport crowned Best Airport at Departures (5 to 15 million passengers) in Europe. The award, presented as part of the 2025 Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Customer Experience Awards by Airports Council International (ACI), recognises excellence in the departing passenger experience — and is based ent

Farmers across Northern Ireland are being left “in the lurch” by a compulsory purchase system they no longer trust, according to the Ulster Farmers’ Union , which is now calling for a fundamental overhaul of vesting rules. Following a meeting with Land and Property Services  (LPS), the UFU said too many landowners are facing uncertainty, inadequate compensation and prolonged disruption as land is acquired for infrastructure projects. Speaking on behalf of the organisation,

USPCA Chief Executive Heather Weir with DAERA Minister Andrew Muir at the USPCA shelter in Newry. The festive glow may have faded, but for some animals across Northern Ireland, the fallout is only beginning. The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and the Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (USPCA) are urging the public to think twice before abandoning a pet in the wake of post-Christmas “pet regret”. Each year, once the excitement