NEWS

Tuesday 29 September 2026 Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows has called on Sinn Féin to replace Deirdre Hargey on the Northern Ireland Policing Board while the investigation into events on the Garvaghy Road, and any resulting proceedings, remain ongoing. He has written to the Board’s chair seeking an urgent decision before Thursday’s meeting, arguing that a member involved in events under investigation should not scrutinise the officers responsible for policing them. Th

Tuesday 29 September 2026 People in Ballymena and across Northern Ireland will be able to contact neighbourhood police, raise local concerns and help shape policing priorities through a free platform rolling out on Thursday 1 October. PSNI Connect will allow residents, businesses and community groups to receive updates from local officers and feedback on how police are addressing issues in their area. Users can choose which information they receive, including crime prevention

The fire which is believed to have been started deliberately on Monday in Ballymena Tuesday 29 September 2026 Police are appealing for witnesses after a fire at a derelict property in Ballymena forced a number of nearby residents to be evacuated on Monday afternoon. The blaze, which police are treating as deliberate ignition, broke out at an outhouse in the Larne Road area at around 2.20pm on Monday 28 September. Outhouse destroyed by fire Sergeant McDowell said officers resp

The scene at Drumcree Church in Portadown Monday 28 September 2026 A senior PSNI officer has said forcibly removing an estimated 1,000 people from the Garvaghy Road in Portadown would have risked serious injuries and made disorder “inevitable”, as police confirmed a dedicated enquiry team is now examining evidence of suspected offences. The assessment meant officers did not facilitate Portadown District Orange Order’s parade along the route determined by the Parades Commissio

Friday 25 September 2026 A 35-year-old man was arrested after police stopped and searched a vehicle in the Lisnevenagh Road area near Ballymena on Thursday, 24 September, leading to the seizure of a large amount of cash and a subsequent drugs search in Lisburn. Police said the vehicle had been located after officers received a report of it being driven erratically in the Frosses Road area of Ballymoney. Cash and car seized Inspector McGillan said: “Officers from our Local Pol

40-year-old Karen Stewart who sadly died following a collision in County Antrim Thursday 24 September 2026 A 40-year-old woman has died in hospital from injuries sustained in a three-vehicle collision in Lisburn at the weekend. Karen Stewart, from the Portadown area, had been driving a Ford Kuga when it was involved in a collision with a Citroen C5 and BMW on the Moira Road, at its junction with Crewe Park Road. Five people taken to hospital Police received a report of the co

Cash seized by police in a vehicle arriving at Belfast Harbour Thursday 24 September 2026 A 36-year-old man has been arrested after police discovered cash estimated to be worth hundreds of thousands of pounds concealed inside a “sophisticated hide” in a vehicle arriving at Belfast Harbour. The discovery was made during an operation involving detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Organised Crime Unit, Belfast Harbour Police and the National Crime Agency (NCA

Thursday 24 September 2026 A driver has been arrested near Ballymena on suspicion of being unfit through drink or drugs after police stopped a vehicle which they say was also being used in a dangerous condition. The stop was made in the Lettercreeve area on Wednesday afternoon, 23 September, after officers from Ballymena District Support Team spotted what police described as a moving road traffic offence while on mobile patrol. Tyre condition highlighted by police Following

Convicted murderer who was at large, now behind bars: Gary Anderson Wednesday 23 September 2026 Convicted murderer Gary Anderson has been arrested in County Donegal after being unlawfully at large for more than a week, the Police Service of Northern Ireland has confirmed. The 29-year-old was arrested by An Garda Síochána at a property in the Buncrana area shortly before 2pm today, Wednesday 23 September. Anderson had been unlawfully at large since Monday 14 September after ab

Christopher Houston Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Major Investigation Team are investigating the death of a 42-year-old man following an assault in Ballymena at the weekend. Mr Christopher Houston, who was also known as “Cricki”, died on Tuesday night after spending several days in hospital with a serious head injury. Thoughts with Christopher’s family and friends Detective Chief Inspector Hazel Miller said: “We can confirm that Mr Christopher Houst

Some of the e-scooters seized by police in a targeted operation over the weekend Police are continuing action against the illegal and dangerous use of e-bikes and e-scooters after 65 were seized during a major weekend operation in Belfast. Police said machines were taken from both adults and children, with the youngest rider aged just six years old. Those involved now face a range of criminal justice outcomes. 65 e-bikes and e-scooters seized The three-day ‘Weekend of Action’

The scene of the incident where a home was attacked on Monday evening in Ballymena. Police are investigating after a window was smashed at a flat in Ballykeel, Ballymena, in an incident being treated as a hate crime. The criminal damage happened at a property in the Orkney Drive area on Monday night, 21 September, and was reported to police at around 9.30pm. Police have not disclosed the nature of the suspected hate motivation or provided further details about the circumstanc

Sunday 20 September 2026 A 39-year-old man arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm after another man was found unconscious in Ballymena has been released on bail as police continue their enquiries. The injured man, aged in his forties, remains in hospital in a critical condition following the incident in the town centre during the early hours of Saturday morning, 19 September. Man found unconscious in town centre Police were initially alerted at around 5.05am on Saturda

Sunday 20 September 2026 One of Belfast’s best-known landmarks has been significantly damaged in an overnight incident, with police arresting a 44-year-old man nearby. Police were called to the Big Fish sculpture at Donegall Quay after receiving a report at around 12.30am on Sunday that someone had been seen causing damage to the landmark. Significant damage to sculpture Sergeant Kelly said officers attended the scene and found that “significant damage” had been caused to the

On the run, convicted murderer Gary Anderson Saturday 19 September 2026 Justice Minister Naomi Long has ordered an urgent investigation into the handling of convicted murderer Gary Anderson’s temporary release, after a High Court judgment exposed incorrect risk information and recorded that an opportunity to reconsider the refusal of release had been declined. Anderson, who was convicted of murdering Karol Kelly, subsequently absconded. The case has prompted Ulster Unionist P

A man remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital after being found unconscious with a head injury in Ballymena town centre early on Saturday morning. Police are appealing for witnesses and footage as they investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, which was reported shortly after 5am. Man found at town centre junction Officers received a report at around 5.05am on Saturday, 19 September, that an unconscious man had been found at the junction of Alexan

A low quality but most recent photo available of at large convicted murderer Gary Anderson Friday 18 September 2026 Police have issued a fresh appeal to locate convicted murderer Gary Anderson, who remains unlawfully at large four days after failing to return to prison following temporary release. The 29-year-old was last seen at around 11am on Monday 14 September in the Eastway area of Creggan in Derry/Londonderry. Police have now released a more recent photograph of Anderso

Sentenced following Ballymena riots in June 2025: (L-R) Joel Gordon and Stephen Ritchie Friday 18 September 2026 Two men have received custodial sentences for their involvement in serious disorder in Ballymena during which bottles, masonry and fireworks were thrown at police. Stephen Ritchie, 28, from Bangor was sentenced at Antrim Crown Court on Friday to 34 months, with 12 months to be served in custody and the remainder on licence, after being convicted of riot. Joel Gordo

Ballydunmaul Flute Band Wednesday 16 September 2026 Drivers are being urged to allow extra time or use an alternative route through Randalstown on Saturday evening, 19 September, with traffic disruption expected during Ballydunmaul Flute Band’s parade. Police have advised road users to expect delays in and around the town between 8pm and 10pm as participants and spectators gather for the event. The parade will leave Shane’s Terrace at 8pm and is expected to finish at the same

Jailed: Cullybackey man Adam Connolly A Cullybackey man has been sentenced to four years after unlawfully entering and damaging a Ballymena home while a terrified family hid in the attic for almost five hours during the disorder that engulfed the town last year. Adam Connolly, 34, was sentenced at Antrim Crown Court today, Wednesday 16 September, after being convicted of burglary with intent to cause unlawful damage. He will spend half of the four-year sentence in custody and