NEWS

Thursday 24 September 2026 A driver has been arrested near Ballymena on suspicion of being unfit through drink or drugs after police stopped a vehicle which they say was also being used in a dangerous condition. The stop was made in the Lettercreeve area on Wednesday afternoon, 23 September, after officers from Ballymena District Support Team spotted what police described as a moving road traffic offence while on mobile patrol. Tyre condition highlighted by police Following

William on parade with Kells Sons of William Flute Band. (Photo: Loyal Ulster Scottish Bands) Tributes have been paid to William ‘Booey’ Young, a well-known member of Kells Sons of William Flute Band, whose sudden death following Friday night’s parade in Rasharkin has brought shock and sadness to the Kells, Ballee and wider bands communities. Mr Young, from Lettercreeve in Ballee, Ballymena, had been taking part in the parade on Friday evening, 21 August, when he became ill.

Extensive Trust Ford garage proposed by Turkington for Ballee Playing Fields site. Fresh development proposals for the former Ballee Playing Fields have reignited one of Ballymena’s most closely watched local controversies, with local businessman Josh Mulholland issuing a strongly worded open letter warning the town’s future is at stake. The latest plans, now entering pre-application community consultation, outline a mixed-use development including drive-thru restaurants, a

A Ballymena resident has been left shaken after suspected petrol bombs were thrown at their home in a dangerous early morning attack that police say could have had devastating consequences. Detectives have launched an urgent investigation following the incident in the Drumtara area in the early hours of Saturday, 28 March, which is being treated as arson with intent to endanger life. Terrifying early morning attack Police received a report at approximately 3.05am that two sus

A consultation is launching on the proposed site of mix use development on former publicly owned land at Ballee Playing Fields, in Ballymena . A new chapter in the long-running debate over the future of Ballee Playing Fields in Ballymena is about to begin, after Mid and East Antrim Borough Council approved a Planning Application Notice (PAN) for a major mixed-use development on the site. The land off Ballee Road West — formerly owned by the council — could be transformed into

Councillor Alan Barr Residents in Drumtara who have waited years for long-promised housing upgrades now face the prospect of further delays — or even cancellation — as mounting budget pressures threaten planned improvement schemes. Braid Ulster Unionist Councillor Alan Barr has raised alarm after being informed in recent days that renovation works in the area may not proceed as expected. The planned improvements include new kitchens and bathrooms for homes, but uncertainty ha