NEWS

The crowded streets of Belfast city centre during the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann The success of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann has become a “tipping point” for the debate over greater pedestrianisation in Belfast city centre, a councillor has claimed, amid growing calls for some of the temporary traffic restrictions to lead to permanent change. Belfast Green Party Councillor Brian Smyth says the “bottom line” is that the Fleadh “would not have worked without pedestrianisation in th

Thousands of musicians, dancers and visitors are converging on Belfast today as the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann reaches a major weekend of competition — with people being urged to leave the car outside the city centre and use dedicated Park & Ride services. Around 5,000 musicians and dancers from 22 countries are taking part in competitions across Belfast on Saturday 8 August, adding to what has already been an exceptionally busy week in the city. Competition judging begins at

Police Dogs (PD) Kodi and Larry helped with today’s searches in Antrim Detectives investigating suspected criminal activity linked to the Belfast INLA have arrested a 29-year-old man after drugs were allegedly found hidden in a young child’s bedroom during a search in Antrim. The Paramilitary Crime Task Force (PCTF) said officers also recovered cash during the operation earlier today, Friday 7 August. The man was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class

More than one million passenger journeys have been made across Northern Ireland’s public transport network during the first five days of the Fleadh, as Translink prepares for another surge in demand for the festival’s final weekend in Belfast. The operator says the figure represents around 275,000 additional passenger journeys compared with the equivalent period last year, highlighting the extraordinary impact of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann on bus and rail travel. With the fest

Police making the arrest in Belfast city centre on Tuesday. Published: Wednesday, 5 August 2026 The PSNI has urged the public not to share unverified claims online after issuing a statement to correct misinformation surrounding the arrest of a 24-year-old man in Belfast city centre. The clarification follows the circulation of social media posts after a police incident in the Cornmarket area on Tuesday, 4 August, which prompted speculation about the circumstances of the arres

Missing: 35-year-old Sian McClean Monday, August 3, 2026 Police have appealed for the public’s help to find a 35-year-old woman who has been reported missing from north Belfast. Sian McClean was reported missing on Monday, 3 August, and officers say they are becoming increasingly concerned for her welfare. Last seen on Cavehill Road Sian was last seen walking on Cavehill Road in north Belfast at around 11am on Monday morning. She is described as having blonde hair worn in a b

Pictured at an event in the Great Hall, Parliament Buildings to mark Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026were the Assembly Speaker, Edwin Poots MLA with dancer Laila Hendrick and musicians Riley McAuley and Michael McErlane; Labhrás Ó Murchú, Director General of Comhaltas Ceóltóirí Eireann and Attracta Ní Bhrádaigh, President of Comhaltas Ceóltóirí Eireann. Traditional music and dance from across Northern Ireland took centre stage at Parliament Buildings on Wednesday as the Norther

Motorists travelling on the M2 tonight (Friday) are being advised to plan ahead as a section of the motorway will close in both directions after resurfacing work progressed faster than expected. The overnight closure, between Junction 4 at Sandyknowes and Junction 5 at Templepatrick, will allow contractors to remove the temporary contraflow system and reinstall the central safety barrier before the motorway fully reopens on Saturday morning. Closure brought forward The Depart

Max Gray, from K9 Search and Rescue, is pictured with owner Ryan. Max was awarded Animal of the Year for gallantry in Public Service An award-winning search and rescue dog from Northern Ireland has been recognised by Queen’s University Belfast for his bravery and public service, with Max Gray receiving the University’s Animal of the Year award after helping locate missing people both at home and overseas. The specially trained search dog, who works alongside handler Ryan Gray

Murdered: 44-year-old Paul Mackin Junior A murder investigation has been launched after a man who was seriously injured in an assault at a house in north Belfast earlier this week died in hospital. Police have confirmed that 44-year-old Paul Mackin Junior, from the north Belfast area, died on the evening of Wednesday, 22 July, two days after officers responded to an assault at a residential property in Duncairn Parade. His death has prompted detectives from the Police Service

Northern Ireland will gain a new direct air link to Scotland next winter after easyJet announced it will launch flights between Belfast International Airport and Aberdeen. The new service, which begins on 4 January, will operate twice a week on Mondays and Fridays, with easyJet becoming the only airline to offer a direct connection between the two cities. The route is one of three new winter services unveiled by easyJet⁠ on Wednesday, alongside a new Bristol–Strasbourg route

Two of the three lion brothers now at home in Belfast Zoo Three endangered Northern lion brothers have arrived at Belfast Zoo, giving visitors the chance to see one of the world’s rarest big cat populations while strengthening an international effort to protect the species from extinction. Kumo, Djibo and Mao arrived at the Cave Hill zoo on 15 July after travelling from Zoo de La Boissière du Doré near Nantes in western France. Their transfer forms part of the European Associ

Three men have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a man was seriously assaulted inside a house in north Belfast on Monday evening. Police were called to a residential property in the Duncairn Parade area shortly before 6pm following reports that a man had been assaulted. Three men arrested The three suspects — one aged in his 30s and two aged in their 40s — were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. All three remain in police custody while detectives co

24-year-old Raven Adams A 24-year-old woman has sadly died and a man has been left seriously injured after they were struck by a vehicle in a hit-and-run collision in north Belfast during the early hours of Thursday morning. The woman has been named by police as Raven Adams, originally from the Tipperary area. A 22-year-old man was also seriously injured in the collision, which happened in the York Street area at around 2.40am on Thursday, 16 July. Driver arrested after leavi

20-year-old TJ Kennedy A 20-year-old motorcyclist has died in hospital one week after suffering serious injuries in a collision in west Belfast. TJ Kennedy, from the Poleglass area, was taken to hospital following a two-vehicle crash on Shaws Road on Sunday, July 5. Police confirmed that he died from his injuries on Saturday evening, July 11, while continuing to receive treatment. Collision involved car and motorcycle The collision happened at around 6pm close to the junction

Two homes were completely destroyed and two others damaged after a major fire in Greenisland during a demanding night in which firefighters responded to 151 incidents across Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service received 303 emergency calls between 6pm on Saturday, July 11, and 2am on Sunday, July 12, with 54 of the incidents attended linked to bonfires. Fire crews also withdrew from a bonfire in the Cookstown area after encountering what NIFRS described as

A community in East Belfast has been left heartbroken following the death of Warren “AKA” Lyttle after a tragic accident at the Braniel bonfire on Friday night. July 11. Friends and community organisations have paid tribute to Warren, describing him as a familiar face who was known and loved by many. Following discussions with his family, Saturday night’s bonfire will proceed at their request, with a minute’s silence to be held in Warren’s memory before it is lit. ‘A tragic l

Drugs and cash seized by police in County Antrim A man in his thirties has been arrested and suspected drugs with an estimated street value of £225,000 seized following a planned police operation which stretched from north Belfast into Newtownabbey and Mallusk. The arrest followed a proactive operation by detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Paramilitary Crime Task Force targeting the suspected supply of Class A drugs. Police said officers attempted to sto

Louise Black, Market Senior Partner for PwC Belfast A Carnlough woman has been appointed to lead Northern Ireland’s largest professional services office outside London, as PwC unveiled one of its biggest leadership and promotion rounds in recent years. Louise Black has been named Market Senior Partner for PwC Belfast, taking responsibility for the strategic direction of the firm’s Belfast operation and its workforce of approximately 2,400 people. The appointment places the Co

(L-R) Ray Lee, Mark Millar, and Elijah Lee Older people across parts of Northern Ireland, including victims in the Antrim area, were robbed of almost £205,000 in cash and jewellery by criminals who posed as police officers in a cruel fraud operation targeting vulnerable members of the community. Six members of the gang were sentenced at Belfast Crown Court on Monday, June 29, after being convicted in connection with offences including conspiracy to commit fraud by false repre