NEWS

People across Northern Ireland are advised to expect potentially disruptive weather after the Met Office issued a yellow thunderstorm warning covering the entire region for Tuesday. The warning comes into effect from 12 noon until 9pm on Tuesday, August 4, with forecasters warning that slow-moving heavy showers and thunderstorms could cause disruption to travel and outdoor activities. Heavy rain and thunderstorms expected According to the Met Office, showers will begin develo

Two people were brought safely ashore after both of their jet skis broke down off the County Antrim coast on Saturday afternoon, prompting a rescue operation by Larne RNLI. The volunteer crew launched their D class inshore lifeboat Terry at 2.24pm on Saturday, 1 August, after HM Coastguard received a distress call from one of the jet skiers reporting that the pair had become stranded near Browns Bay. Weather conditions were favourable at the time, with calm seas and a light n

Police have seized 23 scramblers, e-bikes and e-scooters during a two-day operation targeting illegal and anti-social riding in the Lurgan and Craigavon areas, with officers also uncovering suspected drug offences, drink-driving and a stolen e-bike. The enforcement operation, carried out on Friday, July 31, and Saturday, August 1, followed ongoing complaints from local residents about the dangerous and anti-social use of two-wheel vehicles. In total, police seized 23 vehicles

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons presents medals for the Men’s 90kg Boxing, including Bronze for Garyn McAllister, at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Northern Ireland’s athletes are returning home from the 2026 Commonwealth Games with 16 medals, three of them gold, after producing one of Team NI’s strongest performances on the international stage. Across the competition, Team NI competitors claimed three gold, four silver and nine bronze medals, while many others rec

Summer fiction, psychological thrillers and literary favourites continue to capture readers’ attention at Waterstone’s Ballymena, with this week’s bestseller chart showcasing an eclectic mix of contemporary novels, timeless classics and anticipated new releases. The latest update from the Ballymena bookshop also highlights half-price offers, new titles from bestselling authors, an exclusive Gruffalo pre-order promotion, back-to-school offers and the newly announced 2026 Booke

(L-R) Annette McWilliams, Mary Waide, Maire McCormack, Johnny O'Boyle, and Clare Barr Volunteers from St Vincent de Paul (SVP) Conferences in Ballymena and Antrim have come together at a Mid Antrim Area Gathering as the charity continues to respond to increasing demand for support from people experiencing poverty and hardship across Northern Ireland. The event brought together local members to share experiences from the communities they serve, discuss emerging challenges and

The scene of destruction at a farm in Fivemiletown, County Fermanagh Political pressure is mounting on the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) over a controversial cattle destruction operation in County Tyrone, with politicians from across the political spectrum and Northern Ireland’s largest farming organisation demanding greater transparency over how the operation was planned and carried out. The controversy does not centre on the court order th

Ballymena Pet Vets on Henry Street, Ballymena For most pet owners, there are few decisions more important than choosing the right vet. Whether it’s an excited puppy’s first vaccination, an ageing dog beginning to slow down, a rabbit refusing to eat or the heartbreaking moment a beloved companion becomes seriously ill, every visit comes with one thing in common: trust. It’s that trust that Ballymena Pet Vets has worked to earn since opening its independent practice on Henry St

Amble and John Creedon in Creedon's Musical Atlas of Ireland 2026 (Episode 2) Music, memory and identity take centre stage this weekend as John Creedon returns to RTÉ One with a new series exploring the stories behind Ireland’s musical heritage. The broadcaster’s acclaimed documentary series, Creedon’s Musical Atlas of Ireland, begins on Sunday 2 August at 6.30pm, taking viewers on a journey across the country to discover how music has helped shape Irish identity through gene

A man has been arrested after two members of staff at a Carrickfergus off-licence were threatened during what police have described as a terrifying armed robbery on Friday evening. The incident happened shortly before 8.10pm on Friday, 31 July, when a man allegedly entered the store, grabbed a female employee from behind and held what was later established to be a screwdriver to her throat while demanding money. According to detectives, the woman was forced into the rear of t

A total of 260 new homes were completed across Mid and East Antrim during the financial year from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026, according to a new council report. Presented to Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Planning Committee at The Braid in Ballymena on Thursday, the Housing Land Availability Report shows Ballymena accounted for 41 per cent of all new homes completed during the year, ahead of Carrickfergus (13 per cent) and Larne (almost 12 per cent). The report also

Preparations are continuing to get the premises in Ballymena town centre ready for the new coffee shop and amusement arcade. Planning permission has been approved by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for the change of use of a retail unit into a coffee shop and amusement arcade in Ballymena town centre. The proposal relates to a vacant retail premises at 41–43 Church Street, which planning documents say has stood empty for several years after accommodating a number of diffe

45-year-old Damien Paul Bintley A 45-year-old man from Holywood has died following a road traffic collision involving a car and a lorry in Co Tyrone. The collision happened on the Crossowen Road, Clogher, at approximately 12.40pm on Friday, 31 July. Police said the crash involved a white MG HS car and a Volvo lorry. Emergency services, including the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, attended the scene and medical treatment was provided to a number of people. The driver of t

16-year-old Connor Magee Campbell A 16-year-old boy has sadly died following a collision involving a scrambler motorcycle and a lorry in Co Tyrone. The teenager has been named by police as Connor Magee Campbell, from the Clonoe area. He was seriously injured in the collision on Derryloughan Road, Coalisland, on Thursday evening and later died in hospital. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is now appealing for witnesses and any video footage that could help investi

Overall Champion A ewe lamb from a County Antrim breeder’s flock claimed both the championship and the highest sale price at this year’s Northern Ireland Dorset Horn and Polled Dorset Sheep Breeders’ Club Premier Show and Sale in Ballymena. Held at Ballymena Livestock Mart on Monday, 27 July, the club’s 54th annual event saw Ellen McClure’s Mountdale flock continue a remarkable run of success, with her champion ewe lamb selling for 2,800gns after catching the eye of judge Joe

Nerell Browne and Emily Morgan A charity-funded support programme is helping the Northern Health and Social Care Trust retain more newly qualified nurses as they make the often-challenging transition into frontline healthcare roles. Funded through the Trust’s Charitable Trust Funds, the initiative has improved support for newly registered nurses working across Medicine and Emergency Medicine services, with the Trust reporting better retention rates and increased confidence am

Andrew Todd with the RNLI lifeguard team at Whiterocks Beach A father who was rescued alongside his two children after being caught in a powerful rip current at Whiterocks Beach, Portrush, has returned to thank the RNLI as the charity marks 25 years of its lifeguard service. The visit coincides with International Lifeguard Appreciation Day on Friday, 31 July, with the RNLI paying tribute to the lifeguards who patrol beaches across the UK and Ireland and highlighting the role

Lyra McKee, 29, was killed after being shot by terrorists on 18 April 2019 Detectives investigating the murder of journalist Lyra McKee have renewed their appeal for information more than seven years after she was shot dead during disorder in Derry/Londonderry, as an independent charity offers a reward of up to £20,000 for information leading to those responsible being brought to justice. The renewed appeal is backed by the independent charity Crimestoppers, which is offering

David Kelly flew to his first ever ITRC win on the Circuit of Ireland. (PHOTO: D Harrigan Images) The countdown is on to one of Northern Ireland’s biggest motorsport weekends, with the 50th Modern Tyres Ulster Rally set to bring thousands of competitors, fans and visitors to Ballymena and across County Antrim on Friday 7 and Saturday 8 August. The landmark anniversary event will feature many of the UK’s and Ireland’s leading rally drivers, iconic closed-road stages through no

Police Ombudsman figures released following internal review show that 26 serving PSNI officers and three former officers are now under investigation over allegations of abuse of position for sexual purposes (APSP). The updated figures were disclosed after the Police Ombudsman changed an earlier decision to withhold a breakdown of serving and former officers in response to a Freedom of Information request. The information was released just one day before the Police Ombudsman a

Jay Reardon was just 21 when he died The family of a young County Down man who died in a motorcycle crash a decade ago have issued a heartfelt appeal to all road users, urging them to remember that “every person deserves to get home safely.” Jay Reardon was just 21 when he died on 31 July 2016 after the motorcycle he was riding was involved in a single-vehicle collision on Belfast Road in Newtownards. No other vehicle was involved. Marking the 10th anniversary of his death, J

Northern Ireland’s skiers and snowboarders can now book their Winter 2027/28 flights to the Austrian Alps after Jet2.com launched its latest ski programme from Belfast International Airport. The airline has put its weekly Saturday service to Salzburg on sale, giving travellers the opportunity to secure flights more than a year in advance for the 2027/28 ski season. Weekly flights to Austria Jet2.com said the service will operate from mid-December 2027 and continue throughout

Northern Ireland dentists working in General Dental Services (GDS) saw their average taxable income rise by almost 14% during 2024/25, according to newly published official figures. The latest estimates show the average taxable income for self-employed NHS dentists increased from £77,000 in 2023/24 to £87,600 in 2024/25 — a statistically significant increase of 13.7%. The figures, published by NHS England, provide an insight into the earnings and business costs of self-employ

Thomas Haighton, manager of Hawthorns Adult Centre in Carrickfergus, pictured with service users Julia, Lauren and Roy who between them have accumulated almost 150 years of attendance at the centre. Five decades of friendship, opportunity and inclusion were celebrated this week as Hawthorns Adult Centre in Carrickfergus marked its 50th anniversary with service users, families and staff reflecting on a remarkable journey. The centre, which first opened in July 1976, has suppor