NEWS

Colleagues from the Northern Trust’s Eating Disorder Service. For two decades, the Northern Health and Social Care Trust has quietly supported some of the most complex and misunderstood mental health conditions in our community. Now, as it marks 20 years of its Eating Disorder Service, the Trust is calling for greater understanding to reduce stigma and help more people reach recovery sooner. The milestone coincided with Eating Disorders Week, which ran February 23 to March 1

farmdrive co-founders - Gareth Gordon, CTO, and Gareth McDonald, CEO A fast-growing agri-tech company founded by two men from the Ballymena area has secured a major six-figure investment to accelerate its next phase of growth — with new jobs and export expansion firmly in its sights. Antrim-based farmdrive has received £690,000 in equity funding through Techstart Ventures, part of Invest NI’s Access to Finance programme. The investment will support the development of its live

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

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

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

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

(L-R) Paula Marshall, Volunteer Service Manager, Northern Health and Social Care Trust; Ita McErlean, Secretary, Causeway Hospital Radio; Vinny Hurrell, BBC NI Radio Presenter; Rodney Magee, Chairman, Causeway Hospital Radio; Louise Gillespie, Volunteering Programme Delivery Officer, Northern Health and Social Care Trust. The power of a friendly voice can mean everything to someone in a hospital bed — and this week, volunteers behind Northern Trust’s hospital radio service we

A routine patrol in Toomebridge turned into a major police response on Sunday evening after officers were alerted to reports of a man carrying a gun in a residential area. Two men were arrested following the incident in the Red Row area at around 7pm on Sunday, 22nd February. Armed officers attended the scene and suspected Class A drugs were also seized during follow-up searches. Inspector McCallion outlined how events unfolded. “Officers were on mobile patrol in the Red Row

In an industry where long hours and solitary work are often the norm, a simple invitation to sit down, share a meal and talk can carry real weight. The Northern Health and Social Care Trust joined forces with the UFU Ballyclare Group to host a ‘Breakfast and a Blether’ event at the Five Corners Guest Inn in Ballyclare, bringing farm families together for a morning focused on connection, conversation and community. Also attended by local industry leaders, the event offered far

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

Castlewood Holiday Park, in Antrim, unveils new luxury accommodation and enhanced visitor facilities Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has welcomed the completion of the 5-star Blair’s Castlewood Holiday Park development at Shane’s Castle, marking a significant investment in local tourism on the shores of Lough Neagh. The expanded Castlewood Holiday Park introduces new luxury accommodation and enhanced visitor facilities, strengthening the borough’s position as a short-

Young Greenisland FC U12 players Alfie, Josh, Teddy, Jake, Zach and Theo are pictured as the Budget Energy SuperCupNI confirms the elite international academies who will travel from Europe, North America, the Middle East and Central America to compete in the 2026 Boys’ Minor Section of the tournament. Eight elite international academies from across Europe, North America, the Middle East and Central America have been confirmed for the 2026 Budget Energy SuperCupNI Boys’ Minor

Belfast International Airport will host its second Jobs Fair of 2026 later this month, offering more than 100 full-time, part-time and seasonal vacancies as it prepares for the busy summer season and continues its £100 million investment programme. The recruitment event will take place on Saturday 21 February at The Dunsilly Hotel in Antrim, from 11am to 3pm , with airport teams and partner companies on hand to discuss roles, salaries and benefits. Wide range of roles across

Claudia Jaczyk, 23, sadly died in a road traffic collision in County Antrim Claudia Jaczyk, 23, from the Newtownabbey area, has been named as the woman who died following a collision involving a bus and a car on the Ballyrobin Road in Templepatrick on Saturday, February 14. The Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed the young woman’s identity as enquiries continue into the fatal crash, which occurred on the busy route near Belfast International Airport. The collision in

A woman has died following a road traffic collision involving a bus and a car on the Ballyrobin Road in Templepatrick on Saturday, February 14, the Police Service of Northern Ireland has confirmed. The fatal crash occurred at approximately 8:00am and involved a bus and a black Citroen C1. Emergency services attended the scene, but sadly the driver of the car was pronounced dead. Detective Inspector Stewart from the Collision Investigation Unit said: “Police received a report

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

Ballyrobin Road in Templepatrick has been closed for several hours following a serious collision between a bus and a car on Saturday morning, February 14. Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officers and emergency services are currently at the scene, with diversions in place and motorists — particularly those travelling to Belfast International Airport — advised to allow additional time for their journeys. The PSNI first advised of the incident shortly after 8:30am, con

Buyers and suppliers (L-R) – The judges: Jonathan Mitchell (Our Brewery’s co-founder), Esther Paul, (Business Development Manager at Armagh Cider Company), Chelsea McCullagh (Marketing Manager at Heaney Brewery), Michael Crealey ( Lead Packaged Buying Manager at Tesco NI), Karen O’Neill (Sales Manager at Anzac Drinks/ Farmageddon Brewing Co), Bernard Sloan (Managing Director at Whitewater Brewery) and Peter McKeever (Production Manager at Longmeadow Cider). A Randalstown-base

South Antrim MP Robin Swann South Antrim MP Robin Swann has called on the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) to make urgent investment in the deteriorating road network surrounding Belfast International Airport and the M2 motorway, warning that the current condition poses safety risks and damages vehicles on one of Northern Ireland’s most important transport corridors. Highlighting the scale of the problem, Mr Swann said the state of the roads serving the airport and M2 w