NEWS

Missing: 24-year-old Caitlin Green Police and local search teams are appealing for public help in locating Caitlin Green, a 24-year-old woman who has been missing from the Enniskeen area of Lurgan since Saturday 31 January. Caitlin, also known as Caity, was last seen around 12.30pm leaving a friend’s home near the Derry Road/Lord Lurgan Park area. Since then, she has not been seen or heard from, sparking deep concern among her family and friends. Caitlin is reported to have s

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for rain across Northern Ireland, with heavy and persistent rainfall expected to cause localised flooding and travel disruption over the next two days. The warning came into effect at 12:00 on Thursday 5 February 2026 and is scheduled to remain in place until 23:59 on Friday 6 February 2026 , covering the majority of the region. According to the Met Office, areas of rain will continue to spread north-westwards across Norther

The Adair Arms Hotel, Ballymena marks 180 years The Adair Arms Hotel is celebrating nearly 180 years of continuous service in Ballymena, marking a remarkable milestone for one of Northern Ireland’s oldest hotels and a landmark that has stood at the centre of town life since 1846. Founded by Sir Robert Adair and designed by renowned architect Sir Charles Lanyon at a cost of £3,650, the Adair Arms was built at a time when Ballymena was emerging as an important industrial and ci

Police investigating reports of suspicious activity and fraud involving tradespeople have charged a man following an arrest in the Mid and East Antrim area. A 34-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday, 4 February, on suspicion of fraud by false representation. Police have confirmed that he has since been charged and is due to appear before Ballymena Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 26 February. The investigation forms part of ongoing efforts by police to tackle so-called “rogu

Robin Swann MP and John Stewart MLA have led a cross-sector delegation to Westminster to warn that proposed changes to UK funding arrangements could place Northern Ireland’s community and voluntary organisations at serious risk. The delegation travelled to London to challenge the planned replacement of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) with the new Local Growth Fund, raising concerns that the transition could result in a damaging gap in support for frontline services reli

A 1970s County 1254 Ballymena is set to take centre stage in the international vintage machinery market as Europe’s leading agricultural machinery auctioneer, Cheffins , brings one of its flagship Vintage and Classic Tractor sales to Northern Ireland. The high-profile auction marks only the third time in Cheffins’ 200-year history that the firm has taken a major machinery sale across the Irish Sea, underlining both the significance of the event and the growing reputation of N

Lucy McAleese was diagnosed with Kawasaki disease when she was a toddler. The disease is rare, affecting around 8 in every 100,000 children under the age of 5 in the UK. A young woman from Ballymena is speaking publicly for the first time about growing up with a rare and potentially life-threatening heart condition, in a bid to raise awareness that heart disease does not only affect older people. Lucy McAleese , 22, has lived with Kawasaki disease since she was a toddler — a

Inset: Ulster Unionist Party leader and education spokesperson Jon Burrows MLA Ulster Unionist Party leader and education spokesperson Jon Burrows MLA has issued a stark warning over proposals contained within the Executive’s proposed Five-Year Education Budget Strategy, cautioning that cuts to classroom assistants and the use of unqualified substitute teachers would have devastating consequences for schools, staff and pupils across Northern Ireland. Responding to the public

Inset: SDLP Councillor Malachy Quinn SDLP Councillor Malachy Quinn has expressed delight that his campaign for the introduction of Caoimhé’s Law is continuing to gather momentum, with the Justice Minister and two Northern Ireland local authorities now pledging their support. In October 2025, the Torrent DEA representative tabled a motion calling for legal restrictions on the sharing on social media of images and videos taken at the scenes of serious road traffic collisions.

Justice Minister Naomi Long pictured with Nexus NI CEO Joanne Barnes at the annual conference of charity Nexus NI, which works with survivors of abuse, and which this year had the theme ‘Unmasking sexual abuse – uncomfortable truths’. Justice Minister Naomi Long has said that sexual abuse continues to thrive in silence, secrecy and discomfort, warning that confronting it requires sustained action from everyone across society. The Minister was speaking in Belfast at the annua

Country Manager, Coca-Cola Ireland, Amruta Vaidya, Chief Executive, Irish FA, Patrick Neslon, General Manager, Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland, Simon Fitzpatrick and Chief Executive, NI Football League, Gerard Lawlor. Coca-Cola has announced a new partnership with Northern Ireland football, becoming the official soft drinks partner of both the Irish Football Association (Irish FA) and the Northern Ireland Football League (NIFL). The agreement, announced by The Coca

Concerns over the handling of the PSNI data breach have intensified after the names of 41 serving police officers were published on publicly accessible online court lists, sparking political criticism and renewed calls for urgent action from the Justice Minister. The Department of Justice confirmed that the names appeared on the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service website in connection with civil actions linked to the PSNI data breach scandal. The department has sin

First Minister and deputy First Minister welcomed Catherine Connolly, President of Ireland to Stormont Castle during her visit to Belfast. Pictured left to right are: First Minister Michelle O’Neill, President of Ireland Catherine Connolly and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly. First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly have welcomed Catherine Connolly, President of Ireland , to Stormont Castle during her official visit to Belfas

Portballintrae Harbour slipway An investment of more than £100,000 has been approved to repair and enhance Portballintrae Harbour slipway, bringing welcome news for local residents, harbour users and visitors to the north coast village. Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Elected Members have given the green light for the Portballintrae Harbour Slipway repair project to progress to Stage 3 of the Council’s Capital Programme, a key step that paves the way for the appointm

Ballymena comedian Gary Pollock pictured at The Braid auditorium where he will host his debit solo show in May. Ballymena-born comedian Gary Pollock is set to return home for the biggest performance of his career to date, with his debut solo show Bucket List already reaching almost half capacity at The Braid Arts Centre—four months ahead of the curtain rising. The much-anticipated hometown show will take place on Friday 22 May 2026, and with close to 200 tickets already sold,

John Ferris (Ulster Bank), Stephanie, Gillian McCandless, Ruth McGilligan (both Ulster Bank) A Co Antrim woman who turned personal hardship into a thriving community business has been recognised with a prestigious award from The King’s Trust at a ceremony held at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens. Stephanie, 28, was named the winner of the NatWest Enterprise Award at the Northern Ireland final of The King’s Trust and TK Maxx Awards on Friday 30 January. The accolade recognises

Lisnamurrican YFC members Stuart, Claire, Alexis, Ruth and Rachel visited Air Ambulance NI headquarters to present the cheque for an incredible £15,000 Members of Lisnamurrican Young Farmers’ Club (YFC) have proudly presented a cheque for £15,000 to Air Ambulance Northern Ireland, marking a major fundraising achievement during the club’s 85th anniversary year. A group of club members — Stuart, Claire, Alexis, Ruth and Rachel — travelled to the charity’s headquarters in Lisbur

An 11-year-old boy has died following a road traffic collision in Co Down, police have confirmed. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said the fatal incident occurred on Tuesday 3 February on the Corcreaghan Road in Kilkeel, and involved a car and a child. Emergency services were alerted to the collision shortly after 8am. Despite the efforts of police officers and paramedics, the young boy was later pronounced dead in hospital. Detective Inspector Stewart from the

Education Minister Paul Givan has unveiled a comprehensive package of measures in response to a recent Supreme Court judgment on Religious Education (RE) and collective worship in Northern Ireland schools. The announcement includes a full review of the Religious Education curriculum, the introduction of formal inspection arrangements for RE across all schools, and the publication of new guidance to strengthen and clarify the right of withdrawal for pupils and parents. While t

Police in Antrim & Newtownabbey issued a warning to drivers on Monday (2nd February) after receiving reports of a large pothole on Tully Road, towards Antrim, that caused damage to a number of vehicles Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins is working to secure an additional funding package to address widespread damage to roads caused by recent severe weather, adding to the £30 million already announced before Christmas. The move follows weeks of disruptive conditions across No