NEWS

Nine police officers from Derry City & Strabane were assaulted over the weekend while responding to four separate incidents, prompting renewed calls for greater respect and protection for frontline emergency service workers. According to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), the incidents occurred across the Strabane area and Derry city, where officers were “kicked, verbally abused, bitten, spat on and punched” as they attempted to keep the public safe. The assaults

Santa arriving in Limavady. Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has announced a packed programme of festive celebrations set to bring Christmas magic to Ballymoney, Limavady, Ballycastle and Coleraine later this month. The Council says the events aim to “spread festive cheer this Christmas season” with a series of family-friendly activities, parades and Santa appearances designed to mark the start of the borough’s Christmas calendar. Four towns, four festive switch-ons

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council is set to explore the possibility of using silent fireworks or drone shows during future celebrations in the borough. At November’s Environmental Services Committee meeting, members agreed that potential changes to council-organised firework displays should be discussed at a future meeting of the Leisure and Development Committee. TUV Councillor Jonathan McAuley said he had received correspondence from several constituents in the week

A young girl is in hospital in a critical condition following a road traffic collision involving a lorry and a child pedestrian in the Boleran Road area of Limavady. The incident occurred shortly before 4 pm today. Emergency services, including officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS), attended the scene together. It is also understood Northern Ireland Air Ambulan

The Causeway Hospital, Coleraine The Northern Health and Social Care Trust has responded to concerns about the proposed closure of an 18-bed acute admission ward at Causeway Hospital in Coleraine. A statement was issued following issues raised by campaign group SOS Causeway Hospital during a recent meeting with Trust representatives regarding the future of the Ross Thomson Unit. Representatives from SOS Causeway Hospital met with Dr Petra Corr, Director of Mental Health and

24-year-old Jamie Mitchell The Police Service of Northern Ireland has confirmed the identity of the man who died following a road traffic collision in Coleraine during the early hours of this morning, Saturday 8th November. He was 24-year-old Jamie Mitchell from the Portrush area. The fatal collision occurred shortly after 1.20am on the Dunhill Road, involving a car and a pedestrian. Despite the efforts of emergency services, Mr Mitchell sadly died at the scene. Chief Inspect

A man in his 20s has died following a road traffic collision in Coleraine during the early hours of this morning, Saturday 8th November. Police have confirmed the incident occurred shortly after 1.20am on the Dunhill Road and involved a car and a pedestrian. Emergency services attended the scene, but despite their efforts, the pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene. Chief Inspector Celeste Simpson from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Collision Investigation Unit

Kilrea Bridge The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has announced interim measures that could see Kilrea Bridge reopen to cars and light vehicles before Christmas — offering a glimmer of relief to residents and traders after weeks of disruption. In a statement issued this today, the Department said it had been “working closely” with a specialist contractor since their appointment last week to explore every opportunity to “reduce the timescale and minimise disruption” for t

Police have confirmed that a man has died following a single-vehicle road traffic collision in Magherafelt on Thursday evening, 6 November. Chief Inspector Celeste Simpson from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Collision Investigation Unit said: “Police received a report shortly after 5.50pm of a collision involving a car and a pedestrian in the Grange Road area. “Our officers attended, supported by colleagues from partner emergency services. However, sadly, the pedest

Senior staff from the Northern Health and Social Care Trust pictured with representatives from SOS Causeway following a recent meeting where the group received an update from the Trust on the wide range of mental health services provided across the Causeway Coast and Glens area. Senior staff from the Northern Health and Social Care Trust have described recent discussions with community representatives from SOS Causeway as “productive” , following a meeting focused on mental h

Victim: 69-year-old Patrick Flanagan from the Derry area . Police have confirmed that the man who died after being seriously injured in Dungiven in the early hours of Sunday, 2 November, was 69-year-old Patrick Flanagan from the Derry area. Detective Inspector Gillian Connolly, from the PSNI’s Criminal Investigation Department , said: “Police received a report at approximately 1.35am on Sunday morning that an injured man had been found in the Foreglen Road area. “Officers att

Kilrea Bridge The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has confirmed that repair works on Kilrea Bridge are due to begin on Monday 10 November, following weeks of disruption since the bridge was closed on 20 September over structural safety concerns. The bridge, which carries the B64 Bann Road over the River Bann, was shut in both directions after an inspection identified extensive cracking on a retaining wall at the south-west end of the structure. A DfI spokesperson said: “

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has confirmed that a man aged in his 60s has died after being seriously injured in Dungiven in the early hours of Sunday, 2 November. Detective Inspector Gillian Connolly, from the PSNI’s Criminal Investigation Department , said: “Police received a report at approximately 1.35am that an injured man had been found in the Foreglen Road area. “Officers attended, alongside our colleagues from partner emergency services. The injured ma

Kilrea Bridge, and (inset) North Antrim MP Jim Allister North Antrim MP Jim Allister KC has challenged the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) to commit to building a new bridge across the River Bann at Kilrea, following the closure of the 242-year-old structure due to serious structural defects. Kilrea Bridge, which provides a vital connection between Counties Antrim and Londonderry, was recently closed after inspectors found vertical and diagonal cracking on a retaining wal

Asda has announced the return of its popular £1 ‘Winter Warmer’ café meal deal, designed to support people aged 60 and over through the colder months as many continue to face financial pressures. From 1st November until the end of February, anyone aged 60 or above can enjoy a bowl of soup, a bread roll, and unlimited tea or coffee for just £1 at any of Asda’s 212 cafés across the UK. Diners can choose between two soup flavours — Tomato or Chicken — offering a comforting and a

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

Finance Minister John O’Dowd has announced a new pilot recruitment drive aimed at filling around 200 Administrative Officer (AO) vacancies across government departments in the North West. The initiative marks a shift towards a more streamlined and responsive approach to Civil Service hiring, with applicants invited to register their interest and complete a self-assessment of their skills and experience via www.nicsrecruitment.co.uk . Following registration, approximately 600

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt with staff at Kilrea Dental Surgery. Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has paid tribute to the team at Kilrea Dental Surgery for their crucial role in improving access to Health Service dental care through the Dental Access Scheme (DAS). During a visit to the practice, which joined the scheme in 2024 and has since treated 3,817 patients, the Minister was joined by Chief Dental Officer Caroline Lappin to meet with practice owner Mr Charlie Kielt and his

Antrim Area Hospital Emergency Department The Northern Health and Social Care Trust has warned that it may be “difficult to provide all services whilst managing the expected increase in demand for unscheduled or critical care” as it launches its 2025/26 Winter Plan. Outlining the plan to board members during a meeting at Antrim Hospital on Thursday, Gillian Traub, Director of Operations , acknowledged that staff are “very anxious” about the coming months. She said planning

DUP representatives (L-R) East Londonderry MLA Maurice Bradley, North Antrim MLA Paul Frew, and Councillor for Bann, Michelle Knight-McQuillan during a visit to Kilrea Bridge DUP MLAs Paul Frew and Maurice Bradley , joined by Cllr Michelle Knight-McQuillan , have visited the site of the Kilrea Bridge over the River Bann to meet residents and discuss the latest update from DfI Roads amid continuing disruption caused by the closure. The representatives met with local people fr