NEWS

Larne all-weather lifeboat Machiko Nancy. (Photo: Jason Bain) Saturday 19 September 2026 Larne RNLI volunteers brought a boater safely ashore after a vessel suffered mechanical failure off the County Antrim coast on Friday afternoon. The alarm was raised by the person onboard after the boat broke down, with HM Coastguard requesting the launch of Larne’s all-weather lifeboat Machiko Nancy at 2.54pm on 18 September. Casualty found north of Isle of Muck Coxswain Chris Dorman, me

Seven Towers Leisure Centre in Ballymena Wednesday 16 September 2026 Mid and East Antrim councillors have backed plans to restore bank holiday opening at the borough’s three main leisure centres, giving members access to facilities in Ballymena, Larne and Carrickfergus on public holidays. The council’s Neighbourhoods and Communities Committee, meeting at The Braid in Ballymena on Tuesday evening, approved the move, which would see the centres open from 8am until 4pm on bank h

CGI design drawing of the proposed new Ballymena Health, Leisure and Wellbeing Centre Consultancy and related expenditure disclosed across four major Mid and East Antrim Borough Council projects had reached more than £3.55 million by the end of June — including almost £1.14 million across two Ballymena projects. The figures have prompted Ulster Unionist Party Braid Councillor Alan Barr to press the council over whether delays, changes or contract extensions could result in fu

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

Inshore Lifeboat Terry. (Image: Jason Bain, RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer, Larne) Two people have been brought safely ashore after their fishing boat suffered a mechanical failure in Larne Harbour on Sunday morning. RNLI volunteers launch to help stricken boat Larne RNLI’s volunteer crew launched the inshore lifeboat Terry shortly before midday after HM Coastguard received a report from one of the crew members that their vessel had broken down. The lifeboat was requested to lau

Almost 900 complaints were made to the Northern Health and Social Care Trust during a nine-month period, as new figures reveal a sharp rise in complaints across Northern Ireland’s health service. The Northern Trust recorded 896 complaints between April and December 2025 — 17% of the 5,222 received by all six Health and Social Care Trusts, including the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. Across Northern Ireland, the total was up by 1,208 — or 30% — from 4,014 during the same

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Tom Gordon The Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Tom Gordon, has led tributes to four respected figures with connections to communities across the borough who died recently. Speaking at a meeting of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council at The Braid in Ballymena earlier this week, the mayor paid tribute to Janetta Scott, Joe Carmichael, Liam Kelly and award-winning Ballymena journalist and author Stephen Walker. Ald Gordon offered con

Ballymena Town Hall, and (inset) Braid Councillor Alan Barr Mid and East Antrim councillors have backed a call for a dedicated Stormont funding programme to help community groups tackle weeds, litter and neglected public spaces across the borough. The proposal would provide financial support for community organisations and social enterprises carrying out environmental improvements, although several councillors cautioned that any new scheme must not allow councils or other sta

Councils are set to receive stronger powers to tackle dangerous buildings, abandoned properties and neglected land after new Northern Ireland-wide legislation cleared its final Assembly stage. The Dilapidation Bill will allow councils, including Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, to intervene earlier and issue enforcement notices requiring property owners, occupiers or others with a relevant interest to carry out remedial work. Where a council is forced to undertake the wor

Four primary schools—including two in the wider Love Ballymena coverage area—have vowed to continue building inclusive school communities after Education Minister Paul Givan rejected their applications for integrated status. Larne and Inver Primary School and Killowen Primary School in Coleraine were refused alongside Ballyhenry Primary School in Glengormley and Downshire Primary School in Hillsborough. The four ministerial decisions were dated Sunday 30 August, immediately b

The Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Thomas Gordon with the Principal of Olderfleet Primary School, Mrs. Galbraith and representatives from the school. The Red Ensign has been raised in Ballymena, Carrickfergus and Larne as Mid and East Antrim paid tribute to generations of Merchant Navy seafarers — including thousands who lost their lives during the two World Wars. Mid and East Antrim Borough Council marked national Merchant Navy Day, held annually on 3 September, with

MEA Director of Growth & Major Projects Ryan Black; MEA Assistant Director of Economic Development Ursula O'Loughlin; Mayor Thomas Gordon; and Iain Joannides from Invest NI Business investment in Mid and East Antrim has more than doubled to £20 million in the space of a year, with support offered through Invest Northern Ireland expected to help create 106 new jobs across the borough. More than 90% of those jobs are expected to pay above the private sector median salary, accor

Councillor Tyler Hoey, Chairman of Mid &East Antrim Policing and Community Safety partnership is pictured with Elena Brewer, Training Officer at ASCERT; Sergeant Wickham-Thomas, Neighbourhood Policing Officer, PSNI; Christina Li, ASCERT and Colin Robinson, Training Services Manager at ASCERT. A new free training programme aimed at helping bar, restaurant, club and off-licence staff deal confidently with alcohol-related risks is being rolled out across Mid and East Antrim this

Share Energy Director, Jonny Barr pictured with members of Larne Ladies Hockey Club, celebrating Share's ongoing commitment to supporting the club's junior teams. Young hockey players in Larne are heading into the season with continued backing from locally-owned electricity supplier Share Energy, which is supporting three of Larne Ladies Hockey Club’s junior squads. The sponsorship covers the club’s U11, U13 and U15 teams, providing training tops for players and helping ensu

Motorists in Ballymena and Larne are being warned to expect delays this Saturday as thousands of Royal Black Institution members and supporters take part in the annual Last Saturday demonstrations. Around 5,000 participants, 76 preceptories and 71 bands are expected at the main County Antrim demonstration in Larne on Saturday 29 August, with up to 10,000 spectators anticipated. For Ballymena residents, the impact will begin much closer to home. A number of feeder and return p

Former Mid and East Antrim Borough Council chief executive Anne Donaghy Former Mid and East Antrim Borough Council chief executive Anne Donaghy has been convicted of two charges connected to deleting or attempting to delete an email to prevent disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. Donaghy, 56, of Clonmore Road, Dungannon, was fined a total of £1,500 following a trial at Ballymena Magistrates’ Court. The charges on which she was convicted concerned an email sent to

Thursday, August 20, 2026 Around 5,000 members of the Royal Black Institution will march through Larne on August 29 in one of five major demonstrations marking the end of the 2026 parading season. The Co Antrim gathering will see 76 preceptories and 71 bands take part, with organisers expecting up to 10,000 spectators. Six districts will be represented, including Ballymena No 2, alongside Lisburn, Antrim, Larne, Ballymoney and Ballyclare. The main parade will begin at 12 noon

Adrian and Nicci Stewart, foster carers with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust More foster families are urgently needed across the Northern Trust area as growing numbers of children require somewhere safe and supportive to call home — whether for a single night or for several years. For Adrian and Nicci Stewart, answering that need has meant welcoming more than 22 children through their front door in just six years. The couple have cared for newborn babies, toddlers a

Two men have been arrested after police discovered a suspected cannabis factory at a property in Larne. Officers attended an address in the Millbrook area at around 9.20am on Thursday, 13 August, following a report that cannabis plants could be inside the property. Property searched by police A subsequent search confirmed the presence of suspected cannabis plants, according to the Police Service of Northern Ireland. Two men, both aged in their 20s, were arrested on suspicion