NEWS

A Ballymena property investment company has strengthened its growing retail portfolio with the acquisition of one of Derry’s best-known retail parks in a move that underlines continued confidence in Northern Ireland’s retail warehouse market. Magmel (Ballymena) Limited, headed by Ryan Walker and owners of Fairhill Shopping Centre and Braidwater Retail Park in Ballymena, as well as Riverside Retail Park in Coleraine, completed the purchase of Faustina Retail Park in Derry last

Co Antrim farmer Denis Minford. A County Antrim farmer who spent three weeks in a coma after a devastating farm accident is urging others to make safety part of every working day as this year’s Farm Safety Week draws to a close. Crumlin farmer Denis Minford has shared his personal story in support of the annual campaign led by the Farm Safety Foundation (Yellow Wellies), with backing in Northern Ireland from the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) and the

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

The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Dawn Huggins, is pictured with Rohan Roy and Ronan O'Donnell from Maiden City, and Levi Weir and Archie Muir from Ballymena United, who will compete in the Minor Section of the 2026 Budget Energy SuperCupNI. Causeway Coast and Glens is preparing to welcome thousands of visitors from around the world as the 2026 Budget Energy SuperCupNI returns next week, bringing six days of elite youth football and a significa

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

A growing partnership with Transport for Wales (TfW) has delivered another boost for Ballymena-based bus manufacturer Wrightbus, with a new fleet of buses now carrying passengers across Wales and further electric vehicles already on order. The latest milestone sees 14 new Wrightbus double-deck diesel buses enter service on the TrawsCymru network, while the company has also secured a contract to build six zero-emission single-deck electric buses for delivery in 2027. For Wrigh

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Thomas Gordon is pictured with Anna Tait, owner of Ahoghill based business EJs Country Kitchen who had secured grant funding from an earlier round of the Rural Business Development Grant Scheme. An Ahoghill family-run food business that expanded its kitchen and introduced new dining experiences with the help of a rural development grant is being highlighted as more local businesses are encouraged to apply for funding of up to £7,500. EJs

One of Northern Ireland’s best-known celebrations of heritage, machinery and country life returns to Ballymena this week as the Ballymena Steam Rally gets under way with three days of steam engines, vintage vehicles, road runs and family attractions. The Ballymena Steam Rally runs from Thursday 23 July to Saturday 25 July at Ballymena Livestock Market, bringing together historic machinery, classic vehicles, traditional crafts and family entertainment before culminating in Sat

UK’s new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham Northern Ireland politicians have urged the UK’s new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, to ensure his promises of change deliver tangible benefits for people across the region, with the cost of living, trade and the future of the Union among the issues they want addressed. The calls came as the Prime Minister began his first full day in office by speaking with the leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, signalling a commitment to work

The red SEAT vehicle that was brought to a halt on the A26 A driver is due to appear in court after a police pursuit on the A26 near Ballymena ended with a car stranded on four burst tyres and two men attempting to flee across nearby fields. The incident happened on the A26 Lisnevenagh Road when Road Policing Interceptors on a routine patrol spotted a red SEAT. Police said the driver accelerated after noticing the patrol vehicle, prompting officers to signal for the car to st

Ballymena Magistrates’ Court Two men have been charged following an armed fight in a Ballymena housing development that unfolded while children were playing nearby. The charges relate to an incident in the St Patrick’s Place area on Thursday, July 16, when police were called to reports of a fight. Witnesses at the time reported seeing weapons including what appeared to be a knife, a sword and a shovel during the disorder. Two to appear in court A man in his 50s has been charg

CGI showing overview of proposals for Ballee Playing Fields, Ballymena A £15 million proposal that would transform the former Ballee Playing Fields into a major mixed-use development featuring sports facilities, a community hub, healthcare provision and commercial investment has formally been submitted to Mid and East Antrim Borough Council. The long-awaited planning application would redevelop one of Ballymena’s most prominent gateway sites, bringing a floodlit football faci

Inset: UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham Households in Northern Ireland are set to receive financial support with electricity costs this winter after the UK Government announced plans to remove VAT from domestic electricity bills across Great Britain from 1 October. Because of post-Brexit VAT arrangements, the tax change cannot automatically apply in Northern Ireland, meaning the Northern Ireland Executive will instead receive comparable funding to ensure local households benefi

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

Shoppers using the M&S store at Aldergrove can expect a significantly larger food hall, hundreds of new products and up to 25 new jobs after the retailer confirmed plans for a major expansion. The store will temporarily close at 6pm on Saturday 1 August while work is carried out, before reopening in the autumn following an extensive refurbishment. Store set to double in size The biggest change will see the existing M&S store expand into the neighbouring service station unit,

Natasha Gove A woman who died following a single-vehicle collision in the Glenariffe area on Saturday evening has been named as Natasha Gove. Ms Gove, 31, was from the Ballyclare area. She died after the silver Ford Transit Custom van in which she was travelling was involved in a collision on the Glenariffe Road shortly before 9.10pm on Saturday, 18 July. The other occupant of the van, a 41-year-old man, also died at the scene. Investigation continues Officers from the Police

People across Northern Ireland who are looking for a physically demanding career with the opportunity to make a real difference now have the chance to apply to become a wholetime firefighter, as Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) launches its latest recruitment campaign. Applications opened today, Monday 20 July, and will remain open for two weeks, closing at 12 noon on Monday 3 August 2026. Successful applicants will join NIFRS as wholetime firefighters, working

Two people have died following a single-vehicle road traffic collision in the Glenariffe area on Saturday evening. The victims, a 41-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman, were pronounced dead at the scene after the crash involving a silver Ford Transit Custom on the Glenariffe Road. Emergency services attended The Police Service of Northern Ireland said officers were called to the collision shortly before 9.10pm on Saturday, 18 July. Colleagues from the Northern Ireland Ambul

Close racing between Michael Sweeney and Conor Cummins during the Race of Legends at Armoy in 2025. (Photo by Rod Neill/Pacemaker Press) The Armoy Road Races will welcome some of the biggest names in international road racing this weekend, with organisers confirming a star-studded rider line-up ahead of two days of action on County Antrim’s famous circuit. Racing takes place on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 July, with competitors from across Northern Ireland, the Republic of Irel