NEWS

Aerial views from Bellaghy Wastewater Treatment Works toward the GAC pitch A £3.6 million investment to upgrade the wastewater network in Bellaghy is now underway, with NI Water commencing a major programme of infrastructure works aimed at reducing flooding risk and strengthening environmental protection in the area. The scheme will see the installation of larger diameter sewers to increase the capacity of the combined wastewater network, helping to reduce the likelihood of o

Kilrea Bridge, and (inset) North Antrim TUV MLA Timothy Gaston Businesses on both sides of the River Bann are facing severe financial pressure following the prolonged closure of Kilrea Bridge, with some traders reporting losses of hundreds of pounds per day and warning that their long-term viability is now at risk. The issue was raised in the Northern Ireland Assembly on Tuesday by North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston , who used an Adjournment Debate to highlight the economic and

Northern Ireland has endured its wettest January in almost a century and a half, as relentless Atlantic storms delivered record-breaking rainfall, flooding and disruption across the region during the opening month of 2026. Provisional Met Office figures show Northern Ireland recorded 70% more rainfall than the January average, making it the second wettest January on record and the wettest in 149 years, surpassed only by January 1877. The deluge came amid a broader spell of un

Catherine Sherry, a 42-year-old mother from Co Armagh, died after being forced to travel to London for treatment that was available around 60 miles away in Dublin Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council is to write to the Health Ministers in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to seek progress on an all-Ireland provision of CAR T-cell therapy. The move follows a successful motion brought forward by Sinn Féin councillor Leanne Peacock at the council’s Corporate

Nurse Bernie Rogers A nurse with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust has said she would “absolutely do it all over again” as she marks an extraordinary 50 years of service to the nursing profession. Bernie Rogers, from Maghera , began her career in January 1976 at the School of Nursing in Mid Ulster Hospital. Five decades on, and despite officially retiring, she continues to play a valued role within Team North, supporting colleagues and patients alike. A special event

Murdered: Coleraine man Wayne Reid Detectives investigating the murder of Wayne Reid in Coleraine have carried out further searches in the town as part of ongoing enquiries into his death. Officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Major Investigation Team were conducting searches on Saturday, 24 January, in the Lisnablagh Road area and surrounding locations. Mr Reid, aged 43, was pronounced dead at an address in the Society Court area of Coleraine on Monday, 12 J

A yellow weather warning for rain has been issued for Northern Ireland, with forecasters warning of potential flooding and transport disruption throughout Thursday. The warning is in effect between 10:00 and 23:59 on Thursday 22 January 2026 , covering County Antrim, County Armagh, County Down, County Londonderry and County Tyrone. Periods of persistent rain are expected to affect much of the region during the day. Weather officials say 15 to 25mm of rainfall is likely to fal

Murdered: 43-year-old Wayne Reid Detectives investigating the murder of Wayne Reid have issued a renewed appeal for information as police activity continues in the Society Street and Society Court areas of Coleraine. Officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Major Investigation Team carried out further searches in the area earlier today, Wednesday 21 January, as part of the ongoing investigation into the death of the 43-year-old man. Wayne Reid was pronounced dea

Emma Agnew and Ben Glass from Portglenone, Co Antrim, winners of Roe Valley Resort’s £10,000 ‘Win a Wedding’ competition, pictured celebrating on a rooftop in Nashville, where Ben proposed during a bucket-list trip to the US. The County Antrim couple will host their dream wedding at Roe Valley Resort in 2027. A County Antrim couple have been announced as the winners of Roe Valley Resort’s highly anticipated Win a Wedding competition, securing a luxury wedding package worth up

Organ Donation Specialist Nurse Jacqueline Heasley pictured with colleagues from Causeway Hospital’s Emergency Department, Niamh Mullan, Carmel Alexander (Deputy Clinical Sister) Caoimhe Larsen (Staff Nurse) and Kim Carson. The Northern Health and Social Care Trust is harnessing the power of storytelling to support children and families facing the loss of a loved one, with a new collection of bereavement books now available in hospital settings. A carefully selected range of

Kilrea Bridge Residents and businesses in north Antrim have been given fresh reassurance that progress is being made on repairs to the Kilrea Bridge, with confirmation that the route is expected to reopen by mid-February. Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) MLA for North Antrim Jon Burrows said the update followed correspondence from the Department for Infrastructure (DfI), welcoming the progress after a prolonged period of disruption for local communities. “Further to this correspo

Detectives investigating the murder of Wayne Reid in Coleraine have charged a man in connection with the case. The Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed that on Sunday 18 January, a 33-year-old man was charged with murder. He is due to appear before Coleraine Magistrates’ Court on Monday 19 January. As is standard procedure, police said the charge will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service. Six other people remain in police custody as enquiries continue. They i

Detectives investigating the murder of Wayne Reid in Coleraine have been granted a court extension to continue questioning three suspects as the inquiry remains ongoing. The Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed that on Sunday 18 January, detectives were given an additional 36 hours to question two women aged 39 and 33, and a man aged 41. The three were arrested on suspicion of murder on Friday 16 January. Police have also confirmed that a 19-year-old woman was arreste

Colin Howell A new BBC documentary series will bring to light chilling, never-before-broadcast police recordings from one of Northern Ireland’s most disturbing murder cases, shedding fresh insight into crimes that remained hidden for almost two decades. Confessions Of A Killer tells the story of dentist Colin Howell, who on 29 January 2009 walked into a police station in Coleraine, County Londonderry, and confessed to murdering his wife, Lesley Howell, and his former lover H

Detectives investigating the murder of Wayne Reid in Coleraine have arrested two further women, bringing the total number of people currently in police custody to seven. The Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed that a 38-year-old woman and a 45-year-old woman were arrested today, Saturday 17 January, on suspicion of murder. Police have also confirmed that five other people previously arrested in connection with the investigation remain in custody at this time. The arr

Pictured: Wayne Reid Detectives investigating the murder of Wayne Reid in Coleraine have arrested four additional people as enquiries into the case continue. The Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed that three women, aged 39, 33 and 28, and a man aged 41 were arrested on Friday, 16 January, on suspicion of murder. All four remain in police custody at this time. Their arrests follow the earlier detention of a 33-year-old man, who was arrested on suspicion of murder on

Murdered: 43-year-old Wayne Reid A murder investigation has been launched following the death of a man in Coleraine, with a 33-year-old arrested on suspicion of murder. Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Major Investigation Team are investigating the death of 43-year-old Wayne Reid , who was pronounced dead at the scene in the Society Court area of the town on Monday morning. Emergency services were called to the address shortly after 11.30am on Monday 1

(L-R): Current Northern Trust staff member Alison Irwin from Portstewart, and former colleague Yvonne Carson from Cloughmills. Two colleagues from the Northern Health and Social Care Trust have been recognised in The King’s New Year’s Honours List, with one current staff member and one retired colleague awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for their outstanding contributions to health and social care. Yvonne Carson , a current member of staff, and former colleague Alison Ir

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has called for a new bridge in Kilrea in the wake of the prolonged closure of the village’s Bann bridge. At January’s full council meeting, members approved a cross-party motion proposed by UUP councillor Richard Holmes and seconded by Sinn Féin councillor Sean Bateson and DUP alderman Michelle Knight-McQuillan . The motion stated: “This council notes the recent closure of Kilrea’s Bann Bridge due to maintenance issues and the detri

Aerial view of the Causeway Hospital site in Coleraine Plans to extend the car park at Causeway Hospital have been submitted to Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council. The application, which was recently lodged via the council’s planning portal, seeks permission to extend the existing car parking area in a bid to alleviate ongoing parking pressures at the site. The proposals also include associated access and circulation works, new lighting, landscaping, and provision for f