NEWS

Popular well-known Ballymena man Jonathan Gilmore who died suddenly on Thursday morning. Warm and heartfelt tributes have been pouring in across Ballymena following the sudden death of Jonathan Gilmore, affectionately known to many as “Spud”, whose passing has left the local community in shock. A popular and well-known local man, Jonathan was a familiar face within the town’s marching band scene and was widely regarded with great affection by those who knew him. As news of hi

Ballymena Police Station Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the sudden death of a man at a residential property in Ballymena in the early hours of Thursday morning, 2 April. It is understood the property is in the Harryville area of the town. The incident, which unfolded overnight, has prompted an active police investigation as officers work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the man’s death. At this stage, however, police have said the death

Pupils at Harryville Primary School, Ballymena learned how to look after their eyes during a visit from the team at Fitzsimons Opticians A Ballymena optician is taking eye care education straight into the classroom — with a clear goal: make eye tests feel normal, not frightening, for the next generation. Children as young as four at Harryville Primary School were given a hands-on introduction to eye health this week, as local optician John Broderick set out to “take the fear

Local residents in Ballymena are being urged to stay vigilant after a series of suspected distraction burglaries led to three arrests this week. Detectives say the incidents, which involved men offering bogus cleaning services before taking money from householders, have sparked concern in the local community. How the incidents unfolded According to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), officers received a report at around 4pm on Monday, March 23, that a number of men

The zebra crossing following the completion of upgrade works. (Inset) Ballymena councillor Rodney Quigley Independent Ballymena councillor Rodney Quigley has welcomed the completion of long-awaited safety upgrades to a busy zebra crossing at Braidwater Retail Park, following a series of collisions that raised concerns within the local community. The improvements, carried out at the crossing near Sainsbury’s garage, were completed today (Wednesday 25 March) and are aimed at ma

A community standing and walking together in memory of Chloe Mitchell and in solidarity with the Mitchell and McDowell families. A moving vigil in Ballymena has brought a community together once again to honour the memory of Chloe Mitchell and show solidarity with her family ahead of the continuation of court proceedings later this week. The gathering, held in the Harryville area on Sunday 8 March, coincided with International Women’s Day and drew members of the local communi

Galgorm Collection is donating funding to Braidwater Seniors to enable them to knit hats and blankets for babies in Antrim Area Hospital. Tara Moore, third from left, Associate Director of Spa Operations at Galgorm Collection and Julie Elliott, nurse practitioner at Antrim Area Hospital are pictured with members of Braidwater Seniors .      A group of Ballymena knitters are preparing to spend the coming months crafting tiny hats and blankets for newborn babies in hospital — a

George Mitchell, 48, from Harryville, Ballymena Tributes have been paid to Ballymena man George Mitchell, who tragically died in a house fire at his home on Boxing Day. Mr Mitchell, aged 48, lost his life in the incident at a property on Waring Street, which occurred on Friday 26 December. Emergency services attended the scene, but he was sadly pronounced dead at the property. Police have confirmed that the death is not being treated as suspicious and enquiries into the circu

A man in his 40s has died following a house fire in the Waring Street area of Ballymena, police have confirmed. Emergency services were alerted to the incident shortly before 9.45am on Friday 26 December. Police officers attended the scene alongside colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS), but the man was sadly pronounced dead at the property. In a statement, police said enquiries into the circumstances surrounding the fire are ongoing. At this stag

Local police officers pictured with members of Harryville Men’s Shed Officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) in Mid and East Antrim stepped in at the last minute to help spread festive cheer, responding to an urgent request “from up North” to support Harryville Men’s Shed in delivering Christmas magic to local children. In a light-hearted nod to the season, officers said it was a call they simply could not refuse. “After all you don’t say no to a man who c

Police and forensic officers are in attendance today (Wednesday, 24 December) at the scene of a sudden death in Ballymena. Officers were called to a residential property on Moat Road, in the Harryville area of the town, earlier today. The area remains cordoned off while enquiries continue. Witnesses reported seeing police vehicles and forensic personnel at a home in the Moat Road area, prompting concern among local residents. The incident has drawn attention in what is typica

Remembering: Mrs Anna Irons A much-loved figure behind one of Ballymena’s most cherished family businesses has sadly passed away. Irons Home Bakery, a longstanding institution in the town, announced the death of Mrs Anna Irons on Sunday morning, 26 October. In a heartfelt statement, the bakery said: “Due to the passing of Mrs Anna Irons this morning, Irons Home Bakery will be closed until Wednesday as a mark of respect. “We aim to reopen on Thursday but we will update this pa

Jon Burrows MLA and Neil McCullough Principal of Harryville Primary School More than 20 children were initially reported missing from a primary school in Ballymena, prompting an urgent effort by education officials to trace their whereabouts. The Education Authority (EA) distributed a list of more than 50 missing pupils from various schools to principals across Northern Ireland earlier this term, seeking help to identify children who had stopped attending school without expla

The newly built Home Bargains store at Queen Street, Ballymena. Home Bargains has announced the opening of its brand new store in...

The shuttered up James Street flat, and pictured, Chloe Mitchell who was murdered in the property. The Housing Executive has confirmed...

A 38-year-old woman has been remanded in custody following a court appearance for criminal damage to a memorial garden in Wakehurst Park,...

Memorial Garden for Chloe Mitchell A woman has been charged in connection with a report of criminal damage to a memorial garden,...

Police in Ballymena are investigating a fire in the Harryville area, which they believe was deliberately started. The alarm was raised at...

The shocking incident was captured on video, which has been widely shared on social media, and occurred on the street in broad daylight....

Detectives investigating an assault in the Wakehurst Playing Fields of Ballymena on Friday 11th April, have charged a man to court. A...