NEWS

Two men have been arrested after police carried out coordinated searches at eight properties across Portrush and Portstewart, recovering suspected drugs with an estimated street value of more than £50,000. The planned operation took place on Thursday morning, 16 July, as part of an ongoing Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) investigation into the suspected supply of illegal drugs in the Causeway Coast and Glens area. Suspected drugs, cash and paraphernalia seized Polic

A car seized by police in Ballymena, described as in “dangerous condition” A food delivery driver is to be reported to prosecutors after police stopped a vehicle in Ballymena which officers believed was in a dangerous condition and discovered it had no insurance, no MOT and had been declared off the road. The vehicle was stopped by officers from the PSNI District Support Team on Sunday evening, 12 July, during patrols in the Ballymena area. Following a roadside examination, o

One of Northern Ireland’s biggest annual motoring events will return to Ballymena Showgrounds this summer, with organisers now appealing for businesses to help make the charity fundraiser its most successful yet. Motorfest NI 2026 will take place on Sunday 23 August, bringing together hundreds of cars, motorcycles, trucks, tractors, automotive clubs and exhibitors, alongside thousands of enthusiasts and families from across Northern Ireland. Organised by the Community Rescue

Asda Antrim Community Champion Ashley Ritchie donating essentials to The Shed after a devastating fire A women’s community group in Antrim is beginning to rebuild after a devastating fire left its premises unsafe, thanks to emergency funding that will help members replace essential equipment and continue supporting some of the area’s most vulnerable people. Antrim Ladies Shed has received a £1,500 emergency grant from the Asda Foundation, along with £150 worth of essential su

The broken telegraph pole lies at the side of the road following the collision. A police investigation is under way after a car left the road, struck a telegraph pole and came to rest in a field near Ballymena, forcing the closure of a local road for several hours. The single-vehicle collision happened on the Crebilly Road in the early hours of Sunday morning, bringing down a telegraph pole and overhead utility cables. The damage meant the road had to be closed while the scen

A community vigil will take place in Ballymena on Wednesday evening as residents come together to remember the three members of the same family who died in the town this week. The gathering, organised by Youth Ambassadors Northern Ireland, will begin at 6.30pm on Wednesday, 15 July, outside The Braid Arts Centre (Town Hall) in the heart of Ballymena. Police are continuing to investigate the deaths of a 41-year-old man, a 39-year-old woman and an eight-year-old girl, whose bod

Guests are pictured at the launch with Gary McErlain, Chair of Lough Neagh Partnership, Dr Paul Mullan, Northern Ireland Director at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Gerry Darby and Michael Browne of Lough Neagh Partnership. A new 10-year strategy aimed at restoring Lough Neagh’s environment, protecting its heritage and strengthening local communities has been unveiled following a two-year collaboration involving residents, experts, government bodies and environmental org

A major river restoration project that will improve more than 750 metres of local watercourse is getting under way, and volunteers are being invited to play a key role in helping bring it to life. Kells, Connor & Glenwherry Angling Club is appealing for local people to get involved in a series of habitat improvement days as work begins on a significant conservation scheme designed to benefit wild trout, salmon and other wildlife. The first volunteer sessions are planned for 1

Rasharkin Orange Hall was attacked with sectarian graffiti overnight. Rasharkin Orange Hall has again been targeted in what unionist representatives have described as a sectarian attack, after graffiti referencing the IRA was sprayed on the building overnight. The latest incident, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday morning, July 14, has prompted calls for a police investigation and condemnation from political representatives, who say the attack is the latest in a se

The scene of the tragic incident in Ballymena on Monday. (Image: Steven McAuley, McAuley Multimedia) Political leaders have expressed their shock and sympathy following confirmation that the deaths of three members of the same family in Ballymena are being treated by police as a suspected double murder followed by a sudden death. Police confirmed on Tuesday that the victims were a 41-year-old man, a 39-year-old woman and an eight-year-old girl who were found dead at a house i

Police investigating the deaths of three members of the same family in Ballymena say a strong hypothesis is that the incident was a double murder followed by a sudden death (suicide). The update was issued on Tuesday after the bodies of a 41-year-old man, a 39-year-old woman and an eight-year-old girl were discovered at a house in the Old Cullybackey Road area on Monday morning. Police have stressed that they are not currently looking for anyone else in connection with the de

Jo Bamford CBE, Executive Chairman of Wrightbus Wrightbus is expanding into Australia as the Ballymena-based manufacturer continues to grow its international footprint and strengthen its position as one of the world’s leading zero-emission bus makers. The move marks another significant milestone for the company, which this year celebrates its 80th anniversary and now has more than 3,000 zero-emission buses in service across the UK and Europe. It also follows a series of major

The scene of incident on Old Cullybackey Road, Ballymena (Images: Steven McAuley, McAuley Multimedia) A murder investigation has been launched after three members of the same family were found dead at a house in Ballymena on Monday morning. Detectives from the PSNI’s Major Investigation Team are leading the investigation after the bodies of a man and two women were discovered at a property on the Old Cullybackey Road at around 9am. Police have stressed that there is no ongoin

Glenarm Castle, County Antrim Planning permission has been granted by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for the installation of solar panels at Glenarm Castle. The listed building consent application was submitted by Antrim Estates Company. Glenarm Castle is a Grade A listed building, recognised for its special architectural and historic interest. A planning officer’s report said the Department for Communities’ Historic Environment Division (HED) raised no objections to the

Ellen McClure’s group of ewe lambs One of Northern Ireland’s leading pedigree Dorset sheep flocks has been crowned overall champion in this year’s Northern Ireland Dorset Horn & Polled Sheep Breeders’ Club Flock Competition, with the prestigious awards setting the stage for the club’s annual premier show and sale in Ballymena later this month. The competition, judged by James and Craig Robson of the Ballyhamage Flock, recognised outstanding breeding, stock quality and flock

The scene on Monday morning in Ballymena Police are investigating after three members of the same family were found dead at a house in Ballymena on Monday morning. The bodies were discovered inside a property in the Old Cullybackey Road area, prompting a major police response and the closure of roads as detectives began investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths. Police say there is no ongoing risk to the public. Police investigation under way The scene of the sho

Red Bay lifeboats. (Image: Colin King) A lone kayaker who became stranded in rough seas off the County Antrim coast was rescued by RNLI volunteers late on Sunday night after spending around six hours on the water. The kayaker had set off at approximately 6.30pm on Sunday (July 12) but got into difficulty around one-and-a-half miles north of Cushendun when his kayak became swamped by heavy sea swells, leaving him unable to paddle back to shore. Cold and exhausted, he managed t

Kellswater Flute Band at the Ulster Memorial Tower, Thiepval, France Kellswater Flute Band has returned from what members described as one of the most significant engagements in the band’s history after taking part in the 110th anniversary commemorations of the Battle of the Somme in France and Belgium. The band participated in a series of remembrance events marking the anniversary of the opening day of the Battle of the Somme on July 1, performing at some of the most importa

The walkway at the side of Ballycastle’s police station. (Images: Anne Kelly) Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has agreed to seek information on the ownership of a popular pedestrian walkway in Ballycastle. The decision follows a motion put forward by Sinn Féin councillor Cara McShane at the June Corporate Policy and Resources Committee meeting, requesting that council officers contact Greer Hamilton Gailey Solicitors, Ballymoney, to seek any available information reg

The vacant premises in Larne town centre will plans approved to be used as a place of worship Planning permission has been granted by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for the change of use of a former coffee shop and bakery in Larne town centre into a place of worship. The proposal relates to a vacant commercial premises on Lower Cross Street. A development management officer’s report said the application proposes internal alterations only, with no external changes to the