NEWS

Interim Chief Executive of the NI Ambulance Service (NIAS), Maxine Paterson Chest pain and stroke patients in Northern Ireland waited an average of two hours and 29 minutes for an ambulance last week, according to figures revealed by the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS). The stark statistics were disclosed by NIAS Interim Chief Executive Maxine Paterson at last Thursday’s (29 January) board meeting of the Southern Health and Social Care Trust, where she warned that

A Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officer has received management advice over his conduct after referring to a member of the public as “scum” , telling him he “punched like a fxxxxxx woman” , and failing to caution him during an arrest, a Police Ombudsman investigation has found. The findings follow an investigation into an incident at a private address in County Antrim in August 2023, after police were called to the scene. The complainant alleged that during his ar

Pictured with tenant Doreen (second from left) is Alpha Housing Chief Executive Cameron Watt, Councillor Anna Henry of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston. The first tenants have moved into Alpha Housing’s £4.4 million residential development in Cullybackey, marking a significant milestone in the regeneration of the County Antrim village less than two years after construction began. Keys were officially handed over this week at the Main Str

Wetlands at Dungonnell Dam in the Antrim hills. Northern Ireland’s rich network of wetlands is being celebrated this week as World Wetlands Day is marked across the globe on 2 February, with this year’s theme focusing on ‘Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Heritage’. Closer to home, NI Water is using the international awareness day to highlight the vital role wetlands play in supporting biodiversity, protecting water quality and safeguarding community wellbeing.

A talented local student is celebrating national recognition after her artwork claimed top honours at one of Ireland’s most prestigious youth art competitions. Ballymena Causeway Credit Union has marked a proud moment for the local community after Eimear McGuckien was crowned first place winner in the 11–13 Additional Needs category at the Credit Union Art Competition National Final, held at Croke Park in Dublin on Sunday. Eimear’s artwork progressed through the local and reg

Clive Fulton, of Clive Fulton Eyecare, announcing the special Nuance Audio Glasses demonstration morning on Wednesday 11 February Clive Fulton Eyecare (Galgorm) has announced the arrival of an innovative new hearing solution designed to transform how people with mild to moderate hearing loss experience sound in everyday life. Nuance Audio Glasses combine advanced hearing technology with modern, stylish eyewear, offering discreet hearing support without the appearance or fee

Dead fish in Four Mile Burn, a tributary of the Six Mile Water river in May 2024 A County Antrim farmer has been convicted at Antrim Magistrates’ Court following a slurry pollution incident that killed more than 1,100 fish across two local waterways, prompting renewed political calls for tougher penalties for environmental offences. Seamus Kane (52), of Ballymena Road, Doagh, was convicted at Antrim Magistrates’ Court sitting in Ballymena under Article 7(1)(a) of the Water (N

Aerial views from Bellaghy Wastewater Treatment Works toward the GAC pitch A £3.6 million investment to upgrade the wastewater network in Bellaghy is now underway, with NI Water commencing a major programme of infrastructure works aimed at reducing flooding risk and strengthening environmental protection in the area. The scheme will see the installation of larger diameter sewers to increase the capacity of the combined wastewater network, helping to reduce the likelihood of o

Joanne McCook in conversation with Northern Trust Clinical Nurse Specialist Yvonne McGraw. “Everyone should be cancer aware.” That is the clear message from Co Antrim woman Joanne McCook, who has shared her personal breast cancer journey ahead of World Cancer Day on Wednesday 4 February. Joanne, who lives in Ballybogey, was diagnosed with Grade 3 breast cancer in 2022 despite feeling well and having no warning signs. Now, through a partnership with the Northern Health and Soc

Pictured celebrating Tayto’s 70th anniversary at Tayto Castle in Tandragee, Co Armagh, are (L-R) Stephen Hutchinson, Anne Hutchinson-Kane and Raymond Hutchinson Northern Ireland’s iconic crisp manufacturer Tayto has kicked off a year-long programme of celebrations to mark its 70th anniversary, unveiling new products, limited-edition packaging and special anniversary branding. Founded in 1956 by Thomas Hutchinson at Tayto Castle in Tandragee, Co Armagh, the family-owned busine

Kilrea Bridge, and (inset) North Antrim TUV MLA Timothy Gaston Businesses on both sides of the River Bann are facing severe financial pressure following the prolonged closure of Kilrea Bridge, with some traders reporting losses of hundreds of pounds per day and warning that their long-term viability is now at risk. The issue was raised in the Northern Ireland Assembly on Tuesday by North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston , who used an Adjournment Debate to highlight the economic and

Northern Ireland has endured its wettest January in almost a century and a half, as relentless Atlantic storms delivered record-breaking rainfall, flooding and disruption across the region during the opening month of 2026. Provisional Met Office figures show Northern Ireland recorded 70% more rainfall than the January average, making it the second wettest January on record and the wettest in 149 years, surpassed only by January 1877. The deluge came amid a broader spell of un

Cullybackey Community Partnership (CCP) has been awarded £59,000 from The Gallaher Trust. Pictured are CCP Trustees, Elizabeth Boyd, Ruth Orr and Community Development Officer, Samantha Peden, alongside James Perry MBE, a Trustee at The Gallaher Trust.    A Cullybackey-based community organisation is set to significantly expand its reach after securing £59,000 in three-year funding from The Gallaher Trust, enabling hundreds more local residents to benefit from wellbeing, ski

Police have charged a man to court following a serious assault on a teenage boy in Ahoghill on Saturday night, 31 January. The man, aged 40, has been charged with grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of an offensive weapon with intent in connection with the incident. He is due to appear before Coleraine Magistrates’ Court today, Monday 2 February. The charges relate to an assault which took place in the village on Saturday evening and left the teenage victim requir

Wyse Byse on Church Street, Ballymena A much-loved Ballymena retailer that has been part of daily life for generations is preparing to close its doors after more than half a century in business. Wyse Byse, a familiar presence on Church Street – and before that Wellington Street – will cease trading in the coming weeks, bringing to an end 53 years of independent retailing that has left a lasting mark on Ballymena and beyond. For decades, families from Ballymena and further afi

A man has been arrested following a serious assault on a teenage boy in Ahoghill, which left the victim requiring hospital treatment and deeply shaken. Police said the incident occurred at around 8.50pm on Saturday, 31 January, in a car park in The Diamond area of the village. According to police, the teenager was attacked by a masked man wielding a blunt object, believed to be a crowbar, during what is being treated as a violent and unprovoked assault. Sergeant Edens said:

Sixmile Leisure Centre, Ballyclare Energy cost-cutting measures have reduced Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s bills by £220,000, according to a report to councillors. The report, due to be presented to a meeting of the borough council’s Operations Committee at Antrim Civic Centre on Monday evening, January 26, also indicates a nine per cent decrease in energy consumption during the first three quarters of the 2025/26 financial year compared with the same period in 20

Chief Constable Jon Boutcher The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has issued a final call to anyone considering a career in policing, as applications for Student Officers and Custody Detention Officers enter their final days. The closing date for Student Officer applications is Wednesday 4 February 2026 , while applications for Custody Detention Officers will close on Monday 9 February 2026. Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has urged potential applicants not to miss the

Two men have been arrested following an arson attack on a residential flat in Cookstown that caused significant damage and forced the evacuation of neighbouring residents. Police confirmed they received a report of a fire at an upstairs flat in the Sullenboy Park area at approximately 7.10pm on Saturday, 31 January. A PSNI spokesperson said: “We received a report at approximately 7.10pm on Saturday, 31st January of a flat fire in the Sullenboy Park area. “Upon officers’ arriv

Colm "The Posh Boy" Murphy battled it out against Tanzanian boxer, Saleh Kassim to secure the Commonwealth Featherweight Title Theatre at The Mill has etched its name into British boxing history after hosting its first-ever championship contest, with Colm “The Posh Boy” Murphy claiming the Commonwealth Featherweight Title on a landmark night in Newtownabbey. The sell-out event, staged on Saturday 31 January 2026, marked another major milestone for the venue, which has rapidl