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NEWS


Police name 31-year-old man as victim of Co Antrim Road traffic collision
Victim of road traffic collision: 31-year-old Matthew McIlroy The man who died following a single-vehicle collision in Ballyclare on Friday evening has been named by police as 31-year-old Matthew McIlroy, from the County Antrim area. Emergency services were called to the scene on Green Road at around 6.45pm on Friday, June 26, following reports that a black Audi A5 had crashed and overturned. Officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland attended alongside colleagues f
Jun 27


Man in his 30s sadly dies following single-vehicle collision in Co Antrim
A man in his thirties has sadly died following a single-vehicle collision in County Antrim on Friday evening. Emergency services were called to the scene of the crash on Green Road area of Ballyclare at approximately 6.45pm on Friday, June 26, after reports that a black Audi A5 had crashed and overturned. Police officers attended alongside colleagues from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service. Despite the efforts of emergency resp
Jun 27


Randalstown sisters launch new community walking group to help locals get active and connect
The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Henry Cushinan, congratulates sisters Aislinn (far right) and Meagan Joyce on the launch of Randalstown’s new walking group, The Maine Walkers. Also pictured is Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Walking for All Officer, Bridie Kelly. Residents in Randalstown are being invited to lace up their walking shoes and explore their local area as two sisters launch a new community walking group aimed at improving health, wellbei
Jun 25


Northern Trust chief says strike day has been ‘quite challenging’ as doctors walk out
The interim chief executive of the Northern Health and Social Care Trust has described today as “quite a challenging day” for operational teams as consultants and specialist doctors took part in 24-hour industrial action. Speaking at a meeting of the Trust Board at Antrim Hospital on Thursday morning, Suzanne Pullins acknowledged colleagues taking part in the strike and thanked everyone who had worked to make Northern Trust services “as safe as possible today”. “We never know
Jun 25


From robotic welders to trailer production: CAFRE students get an inside look at local engineering
Land-based Engineering students from CAFRE visited McCauley Trailers to expand their learnings in machinery manufacturing. Students studying land-based engineering at CAFRE were given a firsthand look at modern manufacturing during an educational visit to McCauley Trailers in Toomebridge, offering valuable insight into the technology, skills and career opportunities that drive one of Northern Ireland’s leading engineering businesses. The visit allowed Level 3 Land-based Engin
Jun 24


‘That I cared’: Retiring Groggan principal Cathy Humphrey reflects on a lifetime of shaping young lives
Groggan Primary School recently marked the occasion as principal Cathy Humphrey prepares to retire from a lifetime dedicated to education “That I cared.” After a lifetime spent helping children learn, grow and find their place in the world, that is how retiring Groggan Primary School principal Cathy Humphrey MBE hopes former pupils will remember her. For a woman who was recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List in 2023 with an MBE for services to education in Northern Ir
Jun 24


Two arson attacks within hours leave vehicles destroyed in Co Antrim
Residents in rural County Antrim have been left shaken after two suspected arson attacks within hours of each other destroyed multiple vehicles and damaged property over the weekend. Police are investigating a series of incidents in the Moorfields area, including two fires targeting machinery and vehicles in Carnlea Road North, as well as a separate criminal damage incident in nearby Doagh. The most recent attack occurred in the early hours of Monday morning when emergency se
Jun 22


‘Sugar Bear’ and daughter Georgia: Asda Antrim duo share work, laughs and a special Father’s Day bond
Ballymena dad and daughter duo Trevor and Georgia Steele work together at the Asda Antrim store. A father and daughter who work side by side at Asda Antrim have become well known among colleagues for an affectionate nickname that has spread throughout the store – with dad Trevor Steele now better known to many as “Sugar Bear”. The Ballymena family’s story is one of shared shifts, shared friendships and plenty of workplace banter, with Trevor and daughter Georgia Steele disco
Jun 21


Police officer narrowly escapes serious injury after attempted stabbing at Antrim hospital
A 53-year-old man has been charged after a police officer narrowly avoided serious injury during an alleged stabbing attempt at a hospital in Antrim on Friday night. The incident, which police say involved an attempt to seriously assault an officer with a long, sharp item, has resulted in the man being charged with a number of serious offences. The officer escaped without suffering life-changing injuries, despite what police describe as an attempt to inflict significant harm.
Jun 21


Asda Community Champions join conservation effort to help protect one of Lough Neagh’s hidden treasures
Asda Community Champions paid a visit to Ram's Island A team of Asda Community Champions from across Northern Ireland has swapped the shop floor for the shoreline to help safeguard one of Lough Neagh’s most unique and historic locations. Seven Community Champions travelled to Ram’s Island, a community-managed conservation and heritage site on Lough Neagh, where they joined volunteers in a hands-on effort to tackle invasive plant species and support the island’s ongoing preser
Jun 20


Local mum says SureStart was ‘integral to my survival’ through motherhood challenges
Stock image Becoming a first-time mum can be overwhelming, isolating and frightening. For one Ballymena mother, support from a local SureStart programme proved so transformative that she now describes it as being “integral to my survival” during some of the most challenging years of her life. “The past four years have been the best of my life,” says Ballymena mum Paige*. It is a statement she does not make lightly. During that time, she has also faced significant personal cha
Jun 16


Co Antrim firefighter honoured in King’s Birthday Honours after decades of service to community
NIFRS On-Call Crew Commander at Ballyclare Fire Station, Sam Todd A firefighter from Ballyclare who has spent nearly four decades serving his local community has been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours, highlighting a lifetime of public service both on the frontline with Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service and through his long career with Translink. Sam Todd, an On-Call Crew Commander at Ballyclare Fire Station, has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in rec
Jun 15


DAERA advises against swimming at Rea’s Wood during 2026 bathing season
Rea’s Wood at Loughshore Park, Antrim Bathers are being advised to stay out of the water at Rea’s Wood on Lough Neagh this summer after the site was again classified as “poor” for water quality due to faecal contamination and recurring blue-green algae. The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has advised against bathing at Rea’s Wood on Lough Neagh in Antrim, councillors have been told. A report presented to Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council
Jun 14


Thousands expected as Home and Garden Show Ireland blooms into bigger and wetter-proof event
Joan Whittaker and Elizabeth Connor at the Home and Garden Show Ireland Visitors turned out in force as Home and Garden Show Ireland 2026 opened its gates at Antrim Castle Gardens on Friday, marking the start of a packed weekend celebrating gardening, food, home living and outdoor inspiration. The event, formerly known as Garden Show Ireland, has returned this year with a significantly expanded format and one major improvement that quickly proved its worth on opening day — a
Jun 13


Violence spreads across Northern Ireland as police fire AEP rounds after second night of disorder
The scene on Wednesday evening outside Chimney Corner Hotel. (Image: NIbySky) A second night of serious disorder across Northern Ireland has left police officers injured, businesses disrupted, transport services suspended and communities facing renewed uncertainty, as the PSNI launched a major operation to identify those responsible for violence on the streets. Senior police officers say the unrest has now gone far beyond any form of legitimate protest, with petrol bombs, fla
Jun 11


First person charged over recent disorder to appear in court today as police warn more arrests will follow
The scene on Tuesday night at Cloughfern Roundabout, Newtownabbey 📸 NIbysky The first criminal charge linked to the recent disorder in Northern Ireland is due before the courts today, as police warn a major investigation is continuing with further arrests and prosecutions expected. A 39-year-old man has been charged with riot following his arrest in Newtownabbey on Tuesday night, 9 June 2026. He is scheduled to appear before Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday afternoon,
Jun 10


Northern Trust launches new support programme for unpaid carers across community
Members of the carers walking group pictured in Antrim Castle Gardens with Claire Campbell and Louise Feeney from the Northern Trust’s Carer Hub. Unpaid carers across the Northern Trust area are being offered new support through a wide-ranging programme of wellbeing classes, peer support groups and activities designed to help them look after their own physical and mental health. The Northern Health and Social Care Trust has launched its latest Carer Support Programme during C
Jun 9


Robin Swann to host Toome event to help protect declining swift populations
Pictured: South Antrim MP Robin Swann South Antrim MP Robin Swann is set to host a public conservation event in Toome focused on protecting native swifts as concern grows over the future of the birds across Northern Ireland. The free event will take place between 1pm and 2pm on Friday 12 June at the Lock Keeper’s Cottage in Toome as part of the upcoming Great Big Green Week. Mr Swann will be joined by local swift conservationists, including representatives from the RSPB Antri
Jun 8


Families gather in Co Antrim to honour forgotten heroes of the Yangtze incident with memorial plaque
Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick pictured alongside the son of Stoker Sammy Bannister, Andy Bannister at a special memorial plaque at Hazelbank Park. A deeply personal chapter of Northern Ireland’s naval history has been permanently commemorated in County Antrim following the unveiling of a new memorial honouring local sailors caught up in one of the Royal Navy’s most dramatic post-war incidents. Family members travelled from across the UK and beyo
Jun 7


Young skaters to have their say on plans for new skate plaza at Antrim Forum
A young people’s group is to be given a key role in helping shape plans for a new skate park in Antrim. Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has approved proposals for a new “granite-style skate plaza” with floodlighting at the Peace Play Park beside Antrim Forum. Councillors backed the project during a meeting of the local authority’s Operations Committee last month. A report presented behind closed doors said the project would “adopt the design and engagement approach us
Jun 6
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