NEWS

A fourth suspected case of Bluetongue virus is under investigation in Co Down, after DAERA confirmed two further suspect infections in cattle during ongoing surveillance within Temporary Control Zones (TCZs). The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs said the latest suspected cases were identified in two cattle on a second farm near Greyabbey, bringing the total number of premises with suspected infection to four. The development follows confirmation by the

Missing man: 56-year-old Bryn Williams Police and the family of missing Groomsport man Bryn Williams have issued a renewed appeal for information as concern for the 56-year-old’s welfare continues to grow. Mr Williams was last seen in his home town on Saturday, 6th December, with his final contact with family occurring at around 6pm. He is described as approximately 5ft 10in tall, of slim build, with dark hair. Family’s plea: “We just want him home safe in time for Christmas”

A new suspected case of Bluetongue has been identified on a farm near Greyabbey, prompting the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) to impose a second 20km Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) in Co Down. The case was detected during routine surveillance testing within the existing TCZ, established on 29 November 2025 around a holding near Bangor where the Bluetongue BTV-3 virus was first discovered. According to DAERA, the latest controls will take effect

Preliminary test results released by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) have revealed the suspected presence of Bluetongue virus (BTV-3) in a further 44 cattle within a Co Down herd, following the confirmation of two initial cases last week. The findings relate to a holding near Bangor, situated within the 20km Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) introduced on Saturday 29 November. DAERA has stressed that while Bluetongue poses no risk to human heal

The Police Service of Northern Ireland has launched a criminal investigation after masked and armed men appeared in an online video issuing threats to elected representatives in the Newry, Mourne and Down area. The video, which has circulated widely across social media platforms in recent days, shows several individuals dressed in paramilitary-style clothing and holding weapons. The group in the footage has called itself the New Republican Movement, an organisation previousl

Ulster Unionist Agriculture Spokesperson and Chair of the Stormont Agriculture Committee, Robbie Butler MLA , has warned that a suspected case of Bluetongue in Co Down marks a “deeply worrying development” for Northern Ireland’s farming community. His comments follow confirmation that DAERA officials are investigating the presence of Bluetongue virus in two cows at a holding near Bangor. A 20km Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) is now in force, restricting the movement of suscept

DAERA vets are investigating a suspected case of Bluetongue virus at a livestock holding near Bangor, Co Down, prompting urgent disease control measures and the introduction of a 20km Temporary Control Zone (TCZ). The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) confirmed that results from its active Bluetongue surveillance programme “indicated the presence of the disease in two cows”. Officials have now implemented what they describe as “robust disease co

Image: Anne Kelly A yellow weather warning has been issued for parts of Northern Ireland as Storm Claudia is set to bring persistent heavy rain and possible flooding from Friday evening into Saturday afternoon. The Met Office warning, in place between 00:00 and 12:00 (UTC) on Saturday 15 November 2025, affects County Down and County Armagh , where forecasters expect some of the most severe impacts. Storm Claudia, previously named by the Spanish Meteorological Service, will p

Suspected murder victim: Jordan Webb Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Major Investigation Team have launched a murder investigation following the death of a man in Portavogie. The victim has been named as 28-year-old Jordan Webb. Police and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service attended a property in the New Harbour Road area of the County Down village on the morning of Monday, 3 November. Detective Inspector Hollie McCartan , who is leading the inves

Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Major Investigation Team have launched a murder investigation following the death of a man in Portavogie. Police and emergency services were called to a property in the New Harbour Road area of the coastal village on the morning of Monday 3 November. Detective Inspector Hollie McCartan said: “Officers, along with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, responded to a report received just after 7.45am. “

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for Northern Ireland, warning that strong winds and heavy rain could bring disruption on Thursday afternoon and evening. The warning is in effect from 1pm until 11pm on Thursday, 30 October 2025 , covering all parts of Northern Ireland. According to the Met Office , “A period of strong winds, accompanied by some heavy rain, could bring some disruption on Thursday afternoon and evening.” Forecasters say south to southeasterly

The Rathlin Ferry. (Image: Nicole McGinn) The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has announced its intention to increase fares on the ferry services to Rathlin Island and across Strangford Lough, with a statutory 30-day notice period to commence on today, Monday 27 October 2025. Background & Context Rathlin Island is Northern Ireland’s only inhabited offshore island and falls under the wider Rathlin Island Policy, a Northern Ireland Executive policy aimed at ensuring “conti

A woman in her 60s has tragically died following a single-vehicle collision near Comber, County Down earlier today, police have confirmed. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said the incident occurred on Ballygowan Road at around 12.30pm on Monday, 20th October. Emergency services rushed to the scene after receiving reports of the crash. Inspector Cherith Adair from the Collision Investigation Unit said: “Police received a report at 12.30pm of a collision in the Ba

A 56-year-old US citizen who conned Northern Ireland clients out of around £135,000 while working as a mortgage advisor has been jailed for four years. Marianne Smyth was sentenced today (Friday 17 October) at Downpatrick Crown Court after being found guilty of three counts of fraud by abuse of position and three counts of theft following a four-day trial last month. The offences date back to when Smyth was working as a mortgage advisor in Northern Ireland between 2005 and 20

A secret tobacco factory — one of the largest and most sophisticated ever uncovered in Northern Ireland — has been dismantled following a...

Damage caused to the police vehicle during the incident in Jonesborough. Two police vehicles were rammed in separate incidents in...

Police have arrested three people after quick-thinking building society staff intervened to protect a vulnerable older person from...

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for heavy rain across parts of Northern Ireland on Saturday, 27 September 2025. The...

28-year-old Caoimhin Teggart The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has confirmed that a second man has died following a serious...

A police vehicle has been left out of action after being attacked by a crowd in Kilkeel during the early hours of Monday 22 September....