NEWS

Community Rescue Service (CRS) Central has issued a heartfelt Christmas message thanking its volunteers, their families, supporters and partner organisations for their dedication throughout the year — while confirming crews will remain on call 24/7 over the festive period. As families across Northern Ireland gather to celebrate Christmas, CRS Central has highlighted the quiet but vital work continuing behind the scenes to keep communities safe, even during the holiday season

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

Drumtara estate in Ballee, Ballymena Police have arrested a man following a reported assault in the Drumtara area of Ballymena earlier today (Tuesday, December 23). Officers attended the scene shortly after a report of an altercation involving two men was received mid-morning. Emergency services were called as a precaution, with both men requiring hospital treatment for their injuries. Detective Sergeant Crothers said: “Shortly after 10.30am, officers received a report of two

North Antrim MP Jim Allister The government’s decision to raise the inheritance tax relief threshold for farm holdings and business assets has been welcomed by Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) leader Jim Allister — but he has warned the change does not go far enough to protect farming families. Reacting to today’s announcement that the Agricultural and Business Property Reliefs threshold will rise from £1 million to £2.5 million from April 2026, Mr Allister said the move rep

Mervyn Millar and Jaxon (5) from Galgorm, Ballymena . Families from Ballymena and surrounding areas were among more than 80 Northern Ireland children to enjoy a magical trip of a lifetime to Lapland this Christmas, thanks to the Northern Ireland Children to Lapland and Days to Remember Trust (NICLT). Local families from Galgorm, Cullybackey, Rasharkin and Ballymena joined the special journey, which departed from Belfast International Airport on Wednesday 17 December, bringin

Ronnie Duncan from Ballycastle encourages other farmers to compare their business with others through using the CAFRE Benchmarking Tool. Farm businesses that have a clear understanding of where they are performing well – and where improvements are needed – are better placed to strengthen profitability and resilience, according to the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE). While farmers cannot control external pressures such as weather conditions, volatile

BBC Sport NI’s Stephen Watson, left, presents Rory McIlroy with the BBC Northern Ireland Sports Personality of the Year award for 2025 Masters Champion Rory McIlroy has been named BBC Northern Ireland Sports Personality of the Year for 2025 , capping a remarkable season that has already secured his place among golf’s all-time greats. The Holywood man enjoyed a year for the ages, headlined by a dramatic play-off victory at the Masters in Augusta in April. That win saw McIlroy

Justice Minister Naomi Long is pictured during a visit to PSNI Organised Crime Branch with PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck and Chief Superintendent Emma Neill. The public has been urged to fully support Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officers working throughout the Christmas and New Year period, as Justice Minister Naomi Long praised frontline staff for their commitment to keeping communities safe during one of the busiest times of the year. During a visit

Detectives in Antrim have launched an appeal for information following a serious assault on a man in the town during the early hours of Thursday 18 December. Police say the victim, a man aged in his 30s, was attacked from behind as he walked along Greystone Link sometime between 11pm on Wednesday night and 1am on Thursday morning. As a result of the assault, the man sustained a broken arm, cuts to his face and head, and extensive bruising to his body. The injuries are describ

Northern Regional College student Luke Kirkwood, who was awarded the Spirit Award at this year’s Study USA graduation ceremony. A Ballymena student who spent an academic year studying in the United States through the Study USA scholarship programme is encouraging other eligible students to consider applying, describing the experience as “an opportunity that can genuinely change your future”. Luke Kirkwood, an Electrical and Electronic Engineering student at Northern Regional

Pictured outside the newly expanded JAQ Group facilities in Randalstown is Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick, and Managing Director, Connor Martin. An innovative Northern Ireland e-commerce fragrance company is creating dozens of new jobs after significantly expanding its manufacturing and logistics operations in Randalstown, County Antrim. The JAQ Group has invested in a major extension of its facilities at the Craigstown Industrial Estate to meet

Police in Ballymena have launched an investigation following a reported assault involving a female member of staff and a customer at a local bar. The incident is reported to have taken place late on Friday evening, 19 December 2025, at the Grouse Bar in Ballymena. Officers have confirmed that enquiries are ongoing as they seek to establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged assault. The incident, which occurred during what is typically a busy period for hospitalit

Pictured at the recent launch of the Prescribe A Mile initiative in Coleraine, including service users, James Cannie, Consultant Respiratory Physician at Causeway Hospital and Darren French, Interim Head of Service Cardiac at Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke. A new health and wellbeing initiative designed to help people become more active is now under way in Coleraine, encouraging residents and patients alike to take small, manageable steps towards a healthier lifestyle.

93-year-old Patrick Joseph Brady, known locally as Patsy A 93-year-old man has sadly died following a road traffic collision in Rathfriland. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed that the fatal incident occurred late on Saturday night, 20 December, on the Newry Road. Chief Inspector Simpson from the PSNI’s Collision Investigation Unit said officers were alerted shortly before 11pm. “Shortly after 10.45pm, we received a report of a collision involving a silv

Dunluce Street, Larne Mid and East Antrim councillors have been told of planned “cosmetic improvements” for Dunluce Street in Larne. A report presented to a recent meeting of the borough council’s Environment and Economy Committee said the scheme will include the cleaning and painting of property façades and gable walls, treatment of downpipes and guttering, and the replacement of hoarding at a derelict gap site. Dunluce Street, a key town centre thoroughfare, was previously

Nominations for the prestigious Mid and East Antrim Sports Awards 2026 will open in early January, offering residents the chance to celebrate the Borough’s outstanding sporting stars, teams, coaches and volunteers. Organised by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, the annual awards shine a spotlight on those who have demonstrated exceptional achievement, dedication and service across the local sporting landscape — from grassroots participation to elite performance. The awards

Sarah and Paul Thompson, owners of Ballymena-based embroidery business Ted & Stitch, and co-founders of Tedberry Market Northern Ireland’s independent retail sector has received a significant boost following the latest Tedberry Market, which helped participating businesses generate an estimated £650,000 in combined sales. Running for the first time over a three-day weekend from Friday to Sunday, the event attracted more than 9,000 visitors, according to a post-event survey of

Christmas cheer is officially on the horizon, and according to Tesco’s latest festive survey, households in Northern Ireland are once again proving that they like to do things a wee bit differently. The supermarket giant surveyed people across the UK to uncover Christmassy habits, traditions and food preferences. While 92.73% of people in Northern Ireland plan to celebrate Christmas this year, the findings suggest that the Province takes its own approach to festivities — part

Belfast International Airport awarded Platinum level by BITC’s 2025 NI Environmental Benchmarking Survey. BITC’s MD Lisa McIlvenna presents the award to Belfast International Airport’s Evan Black and Kevin Napier. Belfast International Airport has been recognised as one of Northern Ireland’s most sustainable organisations after securing a prestigious Platinum rating in the 2025 NI Environmental Benchmarking Survey. The Airport, which is part of the VINCI Airports global netwo

90 years young: Ernie O’Hara (Images: David A. Scott Photography) Glarryford Young Farmers’ Club has paid tribute to one of its most devoted members, Ernest (Ernie) O’Hara, as the club came together to celebrate his 90th birthday and honour more than seven decades of unbroken service. The milestone celebration was held on Wednesday 29 November 2025, bringing together past and present office bearers to recognise a man whose commitment has helped shape the club for generations.