NEWS

*Stock image A dog owner has been banned from keeping dogs for 20 years after a series of attacks involving an unlicensed French Bulldog left three women injured — including victims who suffered severe facial injuries. The case, which was brought before Laganside Magistrates’ Court earlier this month, followed three separate attacks between October 2024 and April 2025 that triggered a major investigation by enforcement officers from Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council. Co

Police have launched a malicious communications investigation after threatening emails sent to schools and businesses across County Antrim caused widespread disruption and alarm on Tuesday. The PSNI confirmed six schools were affected in areas including Randalstown, Ballycraigy and Antrim town, while multiple businesses also received the email — the majority in Antrim, with one business impacted in the Ballycastle area. Detectives are now examining whether the incident is lin

The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick made a special visit to Creavery Primary School where children from the school and Creggan Primary School took part in a fun Healthy Kids session. Children from two primary schools came together for an energetic Healthy Kids session this week as Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council confirmed the programme has now reached more than 30 schools across the borough. The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillo

Children across the borough will once again be able to take part in a packed summer of sports, games, creative activities and outdoor adventures as Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council officially launches its 2026 Summer Schemes programme. Running throughout July and August, the annual schemes are set to return to leisure centres, community venues and the grounds of Antrim Castle Gardens, with families already being encouraged to plan ahead amid expectations of high demand

A planning application has been submitted to Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council for a proposed new solar farm adjacent to Belfast International Airport. The proposal is for the installation and operation of a solar farm of up to 24MW, along with associated infrastructure, access routes and landscaping, on land located around one kilometre west of the main airport terminal building between Seacash Road and British Road, Crumlin. The application has been submitted by an ag

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick promotes her Party in the Parterre at Antrim Castle Gardens in aid of her chosen charities. Families across the borough are being invited to Antrim Castle Gardens later this month as the Mayor’s Party in the Parterre returns with an afternoon packed full of entertainment, activities and fundraising for local charities. The community event will take place on Saturday 30 May from 1pm to 4pm in the scenic surrounding

Ballymena Magistrates’ Court A dog owner has been prosecuted after a serious incident in which a dog strayed and attacked a child, prompting enforcement action and a court ruling in Ballymena. Owner prosecuted after child attacked by dog Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council brought the case under the Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order 1983 (as amended) following an investigation into the attack. Council enforcement officers identified Ms Geraldine Millen, from the Toome area, a

An investigation into recurring blue-green algae in Lough Neagh is set to focus on the shoreline at Rea’s Wood in Antrim. A report due to be presented to the Operations Committee of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council at a meeting in Antrim Civic Centre on Tuesday evening (5 April) states that, following a preliminary site assessment, a company has identified Rea’s Wood as “a particularly suitable location for the deployment of its equipment during the summer months”. Th

Dunsilly Ulster Unionist councillor Stewart Wilson Dunsilly Ulster Unionist councillor Stewart Wilson has welcomed a decision by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council to approve the installation of CCTV at Neillsbrook Community Centre in Randalstown. Cllr Wilson confirmed the decision on social media after the issue was discussed behind closed doors at a meeting at Mossley Mill on Monday evening. Commenting online, he said: “This is a positive step, but it’s important to re

Ballymena Town Hall Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s interim chief executive was paid £151,725 in 2024-25, placing the borough among the higher-paid councils in Northern Ireland as the latest Town Hall Rich List records a new UK-wide high in six-figure local authority remuneration. Across Northern Ireland’s 11 councils, 59 employees received total remuneration of more than £100,000 in 2024-25, up from 51 the previous year, while all Northern Ireland councils also increas

Blue household recycling bins replaced in Antrim could soon find a new home in Mid and East Antrim. Members of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Environment and Economy Committee were told at a meeting in March that a director would contact neighbouring Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council to make enquiries about the potential reuse of the wheelie bins. A triple-stack wheelie box system was rolled out to 25,000 households across the Antrim, Randalstown, Crumlin, Temple

Inset: South Antrim UUP MP Robin Swann A move to reduce the impact of fireworks on communities and animals has been welcomed as a “step in the right direction” by South Antrim MP Robin Swann , following a positive response from Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council. The council has confirmed it will now consider using silent or low-noise fireworks at future public events, after adopting a motion on the issue and reviewing its approach to event planning. Council commits to r

Antrim & Newtownabbey Crematorium There were 1,407 cremations at Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s crematorium during 2025, the latest figures show. Of these, 491 were residents and 916 were non-residents. The figures were detailed in a bereavement services quarterly update presented behind closed doors at last month’s meeting of the council’s Operations Committee. The highest monthly total occurred in January 2025, when 143 cremations were recorded. The committee rep

(L-R) Joleen Cunningham, Carers NI; Oscar winning actor Dr. James Martin MBE; Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick; Deputy Mayor, Councillor Julie Gilmour and Prof Suzanne Martin at Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s special International Women’s Day celebration shining a light on carers. Carers from across the borough were placed firmly in the spotlight on Friday morning as Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council hosted a powerful Internationa

The DUP has voiced opposition to calls for a Basic Income for Artists scheme to be introduced in Northern Ireland. At Belfast City Council this week, DUP Group Leader Councillor Sarah Bunting spoke out against the proposal as the rest of the council voted to lobby Stormont to introduce the scheme. The Republic of Ireland is establishing a permanent Basic Income for the Arts scheme, which will pay 2,000 eligible artists €325 per week for three years. The scheme follows a long

Cotter’s Park glamping site near Randalstown An annual indoor entertainment licence application for a glamping site outside Randalstown has been deferred following discussion at a meeting of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Operations Committee at Antrim Civic Centre on Monday evening. The application relates to dancing, singing and music – entertainment of a “like kind” – at Cotters Park on Clonkeen Road, operating Thursday to Sunday from 2.00pm until 1.00am, for

Antrim Jobs and Benefits Office Employer Adviser, Natasha Lamont, The Junction Retail & Leisure Park Director, Chris Flynn, Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick and Business Development Project Officer, Jessica Smyth. For anyone in Antrim considering a fresh start — whether that means improving wellbeing, building confidence or stepping into new employment — a free support event later this month aims to make that next step easier. The Wellbeing and Em

Site plan for the proposed BESS in rural Kells, Ballymena A proposed 150MW battery energy storage facility (BESS) at Lisnunnan Road, Kells, is set to be considered by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Planning Committee on Monday night (February 16), with planning officers recommending approval subject to conditions. The application, submitted by Valor Power of 73 Ballyscullion Road, Bellaghy, seeks permission for the erection of a large-scale battery storage facility

The proposed site for the new Home Bargains store in Antrim, and inset, the newly built Home Bargains store in Ballymena which opened in 2025 Plans for a major new Home Bargains store in Antrim have moved forward after Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council approved a Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) submitted by TJ Morris Ltd. The approval marks the first formal stage in the planning process and paves the way for public consultation on proposals to develop a new discoun

Mossley Mill, County Antrim Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has agreed one of the lowest district rate increases in Northern Ireland, striking a 2.99% rise for the 2026/27 financial year at a Special Council Meeting held on Monday 9 February. The modest increase, which is lower than the current rate of inflation, will apply across the borough and equates to an additional £14.67 per year, or 28 pence per week, for an average household. One of the lowest rates increase