NEWS

PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has warned of an “increasing level of abuse and hostility” towards police officers following the incident in Downpatrick in which an officer suffered serious injuries after being struck by a stolen police vehicle. In a strongly-worded statement issued on Monday, Mr Boutcher said the attack highlighted the escalating dangers officers now face during even routine policing incidents. He said: “Firstly my thought

Detectives investigating the incident in Downpatrick in which a police officer sustained serious injuries after being struck by a stolen police vehicle have made two further arrests and charged a man to court. The 27-year-old man arrested following the incident has now been charged with dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, and using a motor vehicle without insurance. He is due to appear before Downpatrick Magistrates’ Court today, Monday 1 June. Police said the man

A police officer has suffered serious injuries after being struck by a stolen police vehicle during a dramatic incident in Downpatrick in the early hours of Sunday morning, prompting the launch of an attempted murder investigation. The officer was hit after a suspect allegedly drove directly at police during a chaotic confrontation following a foot pursuit through the County Down town. The incident unfolded at around 4.45am on Sunday, 31 May, when a vehicle failed to stop for

Lidl’s first pub in Northern Ireland – ‘The Middle Ale’ A supermarket trip to one Lidl will soon come with the option of sitting down for a pint after the retailer confirmed its first-ever Northern Ireland pub, The Middle Ale, is set to open next month. The new public house and off-sales at Lidl’s existing Dundonald store in County Down marks a major step into Northern Ireland’s hospitality sector for the discount retailer, with the project bringing more than £500,000 of inve

16-year-old Jaidyn Rice was tragically killed in a road traffic collision in Bangor, Co Down on the evening of Tuesday 8th July 2025. The family of 16-year-old Jaidyn Rice are backing a push to change Northern Ireland’s road traffic laws after the teenager was killed in a collision that has left loved ones campaigning for tougher drug testing powers. Proposed amendments to the Justice Bill — being described as “Jaidyn’s Law” — would bring drug testing much more to the forefro

The RNLI is urging people across Northern Ireland to remember a simple piece of advice that could save their life this summer as warmer weather and the Bank Holiday weekend are expected to bring large crowds to beaches and inland waterways. The charity has launched its annual ‘Float to Live’ campaign ahead of the busy summer season, warning that panic can quickly become deadly if someone gets into difficulty in the water. With thousands expected to head to the coast over the

Police are deploying extra officers to beaches, parks and town centres across Northern Ireland this bank holiday weekend as warm weather is expected to bring a major surge in visitors to coastal hotspots and tourist areas. The PSNI said additional patrols will be visible across the North Coast, North Down and South Down over the sunny holiday weekend, with officers focusing on anti-social behaviour, alcohol-related disorder, dangerous driving and public safety. The move comes

Two of Northern Ireland’s most iconic historic landmarks are set to appear on millions of letters, parcels and collector items across the UK after Royal Mail unveiled a major new stamp collection celebrating some of Britain and Ireland’s most remarkable castles. Dunluce Castle on the North Antrim Coast and Dundrum Castle in County Down have both been selected for inclusion in a new 12-stamp series showcasing the architectural brilliance, military history and enduring cultural

Emergency services remain under sustained pressure across the Mourne Mountains, with fresh fires breaking out and active operations now centred on Bloody Bridge and Head Road as police warn that anyone entering the area risks both their safety and the wider emergency response. Fire crews are continuing to tackle multiple incidents on Wednesday 29 April, with the situation evolving despite earlier progress at major wildfire sites earlier in the week. New fire locations draw re

A major wildfire in the Mourne Mountains that scorched an estimated 1,000 hectares has now been brought under control after a prolonged emergency response involving more than 80 firefighters, while crews remain locked in an ongoing battle against a second large blaze in Hilltown. The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) confirmed the Ballagh Road fire in Newcastle — one of the most significant incidents over the weekend — was fully dealt with by 10.08am on Tuesday

Fire crews are set to remain on the ground in the Mourne Mountains throughout the week as Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) confirmed around 95 firefighters are tackling ongoing wildfires — with a government minister warning the destruction is “soul destroying” and poses a real risk to lives and communities. The large-scale emergency response continues to focus on two major incidents at Ballagh Road in Newcastle and Sandbank Road in Hilltown, where fires that i

The scene on Saturday evening as firefighters battled multiple blazes across the Mourne Mountains in Co Down. (Photos: Patricia Williams, MeAndering Images) Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) crews are tackling multiple wildfire incidents across the Mourne Mountains, with operations continuing into Sunday as authorities warn of ongoing risk to life and property and urge the public to avoid affected areas. Firefighters remain on the ground at two key locations —

Families across Northern Ireland are set for a summer of comic chaos as a major new interactive trail brings Dennis the Menace and the Beanotown gang to Hillsborough Castle and Gardens — with children granted free entry to the gardens throughout the holidays. Running from 27 June to 31 August 2026, the large-scale attraction, Beano Hijinks at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, transforms the historic 100-acre estate into a time-twisting adventure trail, blending comic mischief

24-year-old Aoife Tinnelly The Police Service of Northern Ireland has named the young woman who died following a two-vehicle road traffic collision in Kilkeel as 24-year-old Aoife Tinnelly from the local area. The fatal crash occurred on the Newry Road on Monday evening, April 20, with emergency services called to the scene shortly before 6.30pm. PSNI confirm identity of victim In an update issued on Tuesday, the PSNI confirmed the identity of the woman who died in the collis

A woman in her 20s has died following a two-vehicle road traffic collision in Kilkeel, prompting an active police investigation and a public appeal for information. The fatal crash occurred on the Newry Road on Monday evening, April 20, with emergency services called to the scene shortly before 6.30pm. Emergency response and confirmation of death Detective Inspector Stewart from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Collision Investigation Unit confirmed the details of the

A 40-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after police officers were targeted with crossbow bolts during a prolonged and violent stand-off in Kilkeel on Sunday night. The incident unfolded in the Moorfield Court area at around 9pm on 19 April, when members of the public reported a masked man in the street armed with a crossbow and threatening residents. Armed suspect sparks major police response Officers responding to the reports found the suspect h

A major suspected cocaine haul worth more than £1.4 million has been seized by detectives in Warrenpoint, with a 53-year-old man arrested following a police operation in Co Down on Thursday morning. The significant drugs seizure was made during a house search in the Mourne Drive area of Warrenpoint on Thursday 16 April , as officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Organised Crime Branch , supported by the Tactical Support Group , carried out a targeted operat

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons and Health Minister Mike Nesbitt are pictured with Anne-Marie Kelly during a visit to the Kelly home which was modified for Anne-Marie’s son Conor through the Disabled Facilities Grant. A County Down family has spoken of the “life-changing” impact of major home adaptations funded through Northern Ireland’s Disabled Facilities Grant, as two Stormont ministers pledged further reforms to strengthen support for households living with disability.

L-R: Martin McGrogan, Managing Director of MMG Contracts Ltd and Gordon Cruikshanks, Regional Managing Director for Lidl Northern Ireland at the site of the new public house Lidl Northern Ireland has begun construction on a landmark new public house and associated off-sales beside its long-established Dundonald store in County Down, marking the retailer’s first venture of its kind and bringing its full award-winning range of wines, beers and spirits to the local community for

14-year-old Amber Pollock and 13-year-old Bay Giltrap, both missing from Bangor, County Down Police have issued an urgent appeal for information as efforts continue to trace two missing teenagers from the Bangor area who are believed to be together and may have travelled as far as Dublin. Officers are seeking the public’s help to locate 14-year-old Amber Pollock and 13-year-old Bay Giltrap , who were last seen on Saturday, 11 April. The pair are understood to have boarded an