NEWS

Christopher Houston Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Major Investigation Team are investigating the death of a 42-year-old man following an assault in Ballymena at the weekend. Mr Christopher Houston, who was also known as “Cricki”, died on Tuesday night after spending several days in hospital with a serious head injury. Thoughts with Christopher’s family and friends Detective Chief Inspector Hazel Miller said: “We can confirm that Mr Christopher Houst

Some of the e-scooters seized by police in a targeted operation over the weekend Police are continuing action against the illegal and dangerous use of e-bikes and e-scooters after 65 were seized during a major weekend operation in Belfast. Police said machines were taken from both adults and children, with the youngest rider aged just six years old. Those involved now face a range of criminal justice outcomes. 65 e-bikes and e-scooters seized The three-day ‘Weekend of Action’

The scene of the incident where a home was attacked on Monday evening in Ballymena. Police are investigating after a window was smashed at a flat in Ballykeel, Ballymena, in an incident being treated as a hate crime. The criminal damage happened at a property in the Orkney Drive area on Monday night, 21 September, and was reported to police at around 9.30pm. Police have not disclosed the nature of the suspected hate motivation or provided further details about the circumstanc

Northern Ireland Justice Minister Naomi Long, and (inset) North Antrim MLA Paul Frew Tuesday 22 September 2026 North Antrim DUP MLA Paul Frew has challenged Justice Minister Naomi Long over how she came to give the Assembly information that was later found to be incomplete about the temporary release of convicted murderer Gary Anderson, who remains unlawfully at large. Mr Frew, who chairs Stormont’s Justice Committee, questioned whether information supplied to the Minister ha

Sunday 20 September 2026 A 39-year-old man arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm after another man was found unconscious in Ballymena has been released on bail as police continue their enquiries. The injured man, aged in his forties, remains in hospital in a critical condition following the incident in the town centre during the early hours of Saturday morning, 19 September. Man found unconscious in town centre Police were initially alerted at around 5.05am on Saturda

Sunday 20 September 2026 One of Belfast’s best-known landmarks has been significantly damaged in an overnight incident, with police arresting a 44-year-old man nearby. Police were called to the Big Fish sculpture at Donegall Quay after receiving a report at around 12.30am on Sunday that someone had been seen causing damage to the landmark. Significant damage to sculpture Sergeant Kelly said officers attended the scene and found that “significant damage” had been caused to the

On the run, convicted murderer Gary Anderson Saturday 19 September 2026 Justice Minister Naomi Long has ordered an urgent investigation into the handling of convicted murderer Gary Anderson’s temporary release, after a High Court judgment exposed incorrect risk information and recorded that an opportunity to reconsider the refusal of release had been declined. Anderson, who was convicted of murdering Karol Kelly, subsequently absconded. The case has prompted Ulster Unionist P

A man remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital after being found unconscious with a head injury in Ballymena town centre early on Saturday morning. Police are appealing for witnesses and footage as they investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, which was reported shortly after 5am. Man found at town centre junction Officers received a report at around 5.05am on Saturday, 19 September, that an unconscious man had been found at the junction of Alexan

A low quality but most recent photo available of at large convicted murderer Gary Anderson Friday 18 September 2026 Police have issued a fresh appeal to locate convicted murderer Gary Anderson, who remains unlawfully at large four days after failing to return to prison following temporary release. The 29-year-old was last seen at around 11am on Monday 14 September in the Eastway area of Creggan in Derry/Londonderry. Police have now released a more recent photograph of Anderso

Sentenced following Ballymena riots in June 2025: (L-R) Joel Gordon and Stephen Ritchie Friday 18 September 2026 Two men have received custodial sentences for their involvement in serious disorder in Ballymena during which bottles, masonry and fireworks were thrown at police. Stephen Ritchie, 28, from Bangor was sentenced at Antrim Crown Court on Friday to 34 months, with 12 months to be served in custody and the remainder on licence, after being convicted of riot. Joel Gordo

Jailed: Cullybackey man Adam Connolly A Cullybackey man has been sentenced to four years after unlawfully entering and damaging a Ballymena home while a terrified family hid in the attic for almost five hours during the disorder that engulfed the town last year. Adam Connolly, 34, was sentenced at Antrim Crown Court today, Wednesday 16 September, after being convicted of burglary with intent to cause unlawful damage. He will spend half of the four-year sentence in custody and

Sentenced: Larne man Dean Huxley A Larne man has been sentenced to 32 months in connection with serious disorder which saw a leisure centre attacked and set alight during violence police say was motivated by racial hatred. Dean Huxley, 33, from Larne, was sentenced at Antrim Crown Court today, Tuesday 15 September, after being convicted of riot. He will spend 14 months in custody, with the remaining 18 months on licence. Leisure centre attacked and set alight The conviction r

Ulster Unionist Party Leader Jon Burrows is pressing Justice Minister Naomi Long for answers over the release of at large prisoner Gary Anderson (centre) Police are continuing to seek convicted murderer Gary Anderson as political pressure grows for a full explanation of how he came to be temporarily released from prison despite the Prison Service having initially decided he was unsuitable for compassionate temporary release. Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows MLA has de

Asda’s Ballymena store on Broughshane Street Police are appealing for witnesses after a quantity of alcohol was stolen during a burglary at commercial premises in Ballymena town centre. The break-in happened at the Asda premises on Broughshane Street in the early hours of Thursday 10 September, with police receiving a report at around 4.30am. Two suspects seen leaving scene Two male suspects were seen making off on foot following the burglary. Police said both were wearing ba

Prisoner at large: Gary Anderson, Police have warned members of the public not to approach a 29-year-old convicted murderer who is unlawfully at large after failing to return to prison following day release on Monday. Gary Anderson, who police said was sentenced in 2023 to 15 years for murder, had been on day release from prison on Monday 14 September but had not returned or been apprehended when the appeal was issued. Public warned not to approach him The Police Service of N

A man in his 30s was taken to hospital after being beaten with a metal bar and punched in the head during an aggravated burglary in Larne. Detectives are appealing for witnesses and footage following the attack, which was reported in the Carson Street area at around 11.20pm on Sunday, 13 September. Two masked men enter property Police said two masked men, both dressed in black with their faces covered, entered the property through the front door. Detective Sergeant Crothers s

Andrew, Ballymena Rural Warden; a resident of Cullybackey Fold and Paul, PSNI Crime Prevention Officer educate senior citizens on scams. Senior citizens across Mid and East Antrim are being given practical advice to help them recognise scams and protect themselves from fraud. Community Safety Wardens are distributing copies of The Little Book of Big Scams, which explains some of the most common types of fraud, the warning signs people should watch for and steps they can take

Police are appealing for witnesses after a suspected petrol bomb attack caused extensive damage to a car in Antrim late on Sunday night. Shortly before midnight on Sunday, 13 September, police received a report of an attack on a vehicle in the Barra Street area of the town. Officers attended alongside crews from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, who extinguished the blaze. Suspect fled towards Durnish Road Police believe the suspect was dressed entirely in dark cl

Garda whistleblowers are to speak publicly about concerns from inside the force in a major new RTÉ Investigates documentary examining whether promised reforms following decades of policing scandals have delivered meaningful change. The programme, RTÉ Investigates: The Gardaí – Full Disclosure, will be broadcast on Wednesday night and includes revelations about the security and management of firearms, including concerns that a sawn-off pump-action shotgun may have been stolen

Jailed: 48-year-old Alan Potter A 48-year-old Antrim businessman who sexually abused young female employees over a period spanning more than two decades has been jailed for four years. Alan Potter, from Antrim, was sentenced at Antrim Crown Court on Friday (11 September) for 13 non-recent sexual offences, including gross indecency, sexual assault, sexual communication with a child and causing a child to engage in sexual activity. Potter owned a local takeaway food business an