NEWS

Jailed: Cullybackey man Adam Connolly A Cullybackey man has been sentenced to four years after unlawfully entering and damaging a Ballymena home while a terrified family hid in the attic for almost five hours during the disorder that engulfed the town last year. Adam Connolly, 34, was sentenced at Antrim Crown Court today, Wednesday 16 September, after being convicted of burglary with intent to cause unlawful damage. He will spend half of the four-year sentence in custody and

Seven Towers Leisure Centre in Ballymena Wednesday 16 September 2026 Mid and East Antrim councillors have backed plans to restore bank holiday opening at the borough’s three main leisure centres, giving members access to facilities in Ballymena, Larne and Carrickfergus on public holidays. The council’s Neighbourhoods and Communities Committee, meeting at The Braid in Ballymena on Tuesday evening, approved the move, which would see the centres open from 8am until 4pm on bank h

The newly launched M&S Too Good To Go bakery Surprise Bags Tuesday 15 September 2026 M&S Ballymena shoppers can now pick up more than £10 worth of surplus bakery products for £3.80 as the retailer launches a new partnership with Too Good To Go across Northern Ireland. The Ballymena store is one of 13 M&S Food locations taking part, with Surprise Bags containing three to four products from its in-store bakery that would otherwise be left unsold at the end of the day. Customers

CGI design drawing showing aerial view of the proposed IFA National Football Centre outside Ballymena Tuesday 15 September 2026 A campaign opposing the proposed location of the Irish FA’s National Football Centre in Galgorm has challenged North Antrim MP Jim Allister to subject the project to the same level of scrutiny he applied to Casement Park — prompting the MP to insist he will not be “pressurised or bullied” into adopting objectors’ position. The intervention from the R

CGI design drawing of the proposed new Ballymena Health, Leisure and Wellbeing Centre Consultancy and related expenditure disclosed across four major Mid and East Antrim Borough Council projects had reached more than £3.55 million by the end of June — including almost £1.14 million across two Ballymena projects. The figures have prompted Ulster Unionist Party Braid Councillor Alan Barr to press the council over whether delays, changes or contract extensions could result in fu

Asda’s Ballymena store on Broughshane Street Police are appealing for witnesses after a quantity of alcohol was stolen during a burglary at commercial premises in Ballymena town centre. The break-in happened at the Asda premises on Broughshane Street in the early hours of Thursday 10 September, with police receiving a report at around 4.30am. Two suspects seen leaving scene Two male suspects were seen making off on foot following the burglary. Police said both were wearing ba

CGI image of how the new development could transform the streetscape in Ballymena town centre. Final design drawings with a full planning permission application have not yet been submitted. Plans for a major redevelopment in the heart of Ballymena have been unveiled, proposing 79 new apartments alongside refurbished Church Street shops, a community hub and a landscaped pedestrian route through the town centre. The emerging “Meeting House Mews” scheme is being brought forward

Andrew, Ballymena Rural Warden; a resident of Cullybackey Fold and Paul, PSNI Crime Prevention Officer educate senior citizens on scams. Senior citizens across Mid and East Antrim are being given practical advice to help them recognise scams and protect themselves from fraud. Community Safety Wardens are distributing copies of The Little Book of Big Scams, which explains some of the most common types of fraud, the warning signs people should watch for and steps they can take

Galgorm Collection has announced its support for local tennis ace, Emma Mezei. Pictured with Emma is Georgie Briota, Business Development Manager at Galgorm Collection. Ten-year-old Ballymena tennis player Emma Mezei has secured a three-year partnership with Galgorm Collection after becoming the first member of Ballymena Lawn Tennis Club in more than 40 years to reach an All-Ireland junior final. Emma recently finished runner-up in the William Fry All Ireland Under 10 Junior

Crime fiction has taken the top spot at Waterstone’s Ballymena this week, with Ann Cleeves’ The Killing Stones leading a varied bestseller chart featuring thrillers, historical fiction, romance, fantasy and non-fiction. Lyse Doucet’s The Finest Hotel in Kabul takes second place, while Robert Harris’ Agrippa completes the top three. Elsewhere, readers are picking up titles from Lee Child, Virginia Evans, William Boyd, Pierce Brown and Richard Osman. There is also plenty arrivi

Photos from 2025 Fashion Show, featuring local models and professional models from ACA Modelling Agency. ACA will be partnering with organisers again for this year’s show. Ballymena’s Autumn/Winter Fashion Show is returning for a fourth year next month, promising a night of new-season style, live music and entertainment following a sell-out event in 2025. The popular annual event will take over The Braid on Friday 9 October, bringing independent boutiques and high street reta

Almost 900 complaints were made to the Northern Health and Social Care Trust during a nine-month period, as new figures reveal a sharp rise in complaints across Northern Ireland’s health service. The Northern Trust recorded 896 complaints between April and December 2025 — 17% of the 5,222 received by all six Health and Social Care Trusts, including the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. Across Northern Ireland, the total was up by 1,208 — or 30% — from 4,014 during the same

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Tom Gordon The Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Tom Gordon, has led tributes to four respected figures with connections to communities across the borough who died recently. Speaking at a meeting of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council at The Braid in Ballymena earlier this week, the mayor paid tribute to Janetta Scott, Joe Carmichael, Liam Kelly and award-winning Ballymena journalist and author Stephen Walker. Ald Gordon offered con

Redbay RNLI launched after a 46ft yacht became trapped off Cushendall, on the Antrim coast. Six people have been brought to safety after Red Bay RNLI volunteers spent seven hours at sea in gale-force conditions when a 46ft yacht became trapped at a fish farm off Cushendall. The overnight Mayday operation began in the early hours of Saturday morning after the yacht, which was travelling from Oban in Scotland to Portugal, lost all power and steering after making contact with th

CGI showing an impression of the new building Planning permission has been granted for the proposed partial redevelopment of St Louis Grammar School on Cullybackey Road, Ballymena. Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Planning Committee approved proposals including a new school meals block, improved outdoor areas and a reconfiguration of the front of the site aimed at improving traffic flow and reducing congestion on Cullybackey Road. New school meals block and play area The

Ballymena Town Hall, and (inset) Braid Councillor Alan Barr Mid and East Antrim councillors have backed a call for a dedicated Stormont funding programme to help community groups tackle weeds, litter and neglected public spaces across the borough. The proposal would provide financial support for community organisations and social enterprises carrying out environmental improvements, although several councillors cautioned that any new scheme must not allow councils or other sta

Ahoghill is gearing up for a packed Saturday of family entertainment, music and marching bands, with a Family Community Fun Day from noon before around 45 bands are expected to take part in the village’s annual parade. The Family Community Fun Day at Bar Indigo will run from 2pm until 6pm tomorrow, Saturday 12 September, before Ahoghill Loyal Sons of William FB Annual Band Parade gets underway from the Community Centre at 7.30pm. Organisers say bands, friends, families and su

DfI contractors on site refreshing the road markings outside Ballymena Primary School on the busy Ballymoney Road North Antrim MLA Paul Frew has welcomed action to improve road safety outside Ballymena Primary School after he raised concerns with the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) on behalf of the school. Fresh yellow zig-zag markings have now been installed after the school’s principal highlighted faded road markings and malfunctioning flashing school safety signs. Whil

An alleyway in Killane Park, Ahoghill where residents have raised concerns over weeds and moss across the estate TUV Alderman Stewart McDonald has called for action over the condition of footpaths and alleyways at Killane Park in Ahoghill after residents raised concerns about overgrown weeds, vegetation and moss. The local representative said he was contacted by residents unhappy with the condition of the area and subsequently raised their concerns with North Antrim MP Jim Al

Waveney Road and Clonavon Terrace in Ballymena Residents across Harryville and Clonavon are being encouraged to put their homes forward for a new competition celebrating the everyday efforts helping to improve both neighbourhoods. The Harryville and Clonavon Best Kept Property Competition offers cash prizes of up to £100, with judging due to take place from Monday 14 to Friday 18 September 2026. Small efforts can make a difference Organisers have stressed that entrants do not