A man accused of stealing more than £300,000 was described as the “Spanish pimpernel” after he failed to attend court earlier this week Judge Patrick McGurgan made the comments after Jordan McKee was declared a no-show at Craigavon Crown Court on Tuesday Receive today's headlines directly to your inbox every morning and evening Please check your inbox to verify your details This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd has announced that a £500,000 carriageway resurfacing scheme on Ballyrobert Road Ballyclare will commence on Monday 13 January 2025 The resurfacing scheme will extend 1.8 kilometres along the Ballyrobert Road from its junction with Templepatrick Road to No “This is a substantial investment for the Newtownabbey area which will deliver significant benefits for residents and road users  The investment demonstrates my commitment to investing in and improving our road network which is vital for connecting our businesses and communities  This work will greatly improve the strength and surface quality of this section of the road network to the benefit of residents businesses and those travelling in the Newtownabbey area  Work is expected to be substantially completed by Tuesday 18 February 2025 local businesses and commuters for their patience while this essential infrastructure work is carried out.” To facilitate the safe delivery of the scheme it will be necessary to implement weekday lane closures from Monday 13 January to Friday 24 January 9.30 am to 4:30 pm with traffic lights in operation From Monday 27 January to Tuesday 25 February it will be necessary to implement a road closure to facilitate the resurfacing works.  The road will be closed to traffic from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm on weekdays only During the times of the road closures diversionary routes will be signed as follows: B59 The Longshot and A57 Templepatrick Road and vice versa The Department has programmed the work operations and traffic management arrangements to minimise inconvenience however while steps have been taken to accommodate local access and Translink bus and school services throughout the scheme,  road users should expect some delays and are advised to allow additional time when travelling in the vicinity of the works and are asked to comply with all temporary traffic restrictions the works will be substantially complete by Tuesday 25 February 2025 however the Department will keep the public informed of any change For more information about this and other improvement schemes visit Trafficwatchni A new campaign - and a return to that small town story where it all began Ophelia Byrne comes across an odd headline: “Hush hush process in Ballyclare firm.” “Strictly no photographs” was the order issued at the opening of the new factory “90 guests steered clear of a top-secret process.” All workers “will have to sign an oath of secrecy.” Ophelia doesn’t know it when she starts out but her subsequent investigation into this company will take her from a small town in Northern Ireland across the Irish Sea to places like Rochdale It will bring her to one million documents released for a transatlantic trial – papers which show cover-ups and even corporate espionage You may think you know the story – it’s a dangerous substance But Ophelia marries previous journalistic investigations to new documents which reveal what government agencies knew about its risks She combs through company correspondence which the manufacturers claimed did not exist and clearly never imagined would become public from mountains of the material in mines still operating in countries today and the terraced streets of the north of England It is the story too of the people who fought and died for the truth to expose the reckless pursuit of profit in the making of one of the most dangerous building materials on the planet Presenter/ Producer: Ophelia ByrneStudio Engineer: Gary BawdenExecutive Editor: Andy Martin Emergency services at the scene of a crash involving a bus on the Ballyclare Road on the 2nd April 2025 (Belfast Telegraph) Christopher LeebodyThu 3 Apr 2025 at 11:03A man is critically ill in hospital following a serious crash on the Ballyclare Road in Newtownabbey The incident involved a bus and a pedestrian and happened at around 4.30pm on Wednesday afternoon including an air ambulance attended the scene The male pedestrian aged in his 40s was taken to hospital for treatment for serious injuries He remains in a stable but critical condition at this time Police said one man was cautioned at the scene in relation to the incident which had been closed for a period of time yesterday with diversions in place fully reopened again to road users yesterday evening “Our enquiries to establish the circumstances of the incident are continuing this morning or anyone who captured any dash cam or mobile phone footage quoting reference number 1174 of 02/04/25.” The scene in the Ballycorr Heights area of Ballyclare where firefighters dealt with a house fire on January 26th 2025 (Photo by Kevin Scott) Firefighters have battled an overnight blaze at a house in Co Antrim The fire is understood to have started shortly after 3am at the property in the Ballycorr Heights area of Ballyclare Several fire appliances attended the incident using equipment including an aerial platform Firefighters in breathing apparatus used hose reels and jets to battle the blaze Pictures from the scene show severe damage to the first floor of the house with the roof extensively damaged The Official website of Glentoran Football Club / Pride of East Belfast  Glentoran Football Club can confirm that Academy graduate Theo McToal has joined Ballyclare Comrades on loan for the remainder of the 2024/25 season who signed his first professional contract with Glentoran in July 2023 makes the temporary switch to Dixon Park to gain valuable first-team experience in the NIFL Championship McToal has been a standout performer in the Glentoran Academy and a regular for the Seconds this season He made his first-team debut in a 4-0 victory over Ballymena United in March 2024 coming off the bench to make his senior bow before featuring again in Glentoran’s 2-0 defeat to Cliftonville at Solitude in April 2024 First Team Manager at Glentoran said: "Theo is a talented young player with huge potential and this loan move is exactly what he needs at this stage of his career The Championship is a demanding and highly competitive league and playing regularly in that environment will be invaluable for his football development “He has impressed with the Seconds and has already gained valuable first-team experience with us This loan will allow him to develop his defensive game adapt to the physicality of senior football and return to Glentoran a better player We’ll be monitoring his progress closely and I have no doubt he’ll take this opportunity to kick on.” Site funded by the Glentoran 'Our Club, Our Community' programme and developed by Avec Solutions Northern Ireland: Jessica McGuinness (10’) WU17s boss Gail Redmond made four changes to her team for the second of two friendlies against the Greeks this week In came keeper Zara Maguire along with defenders Caitlin Carlisle and Lillie Horner plus attacker Ruby Adair Sophie Hutchinson and Mia Reilly dropped to the bench for this one This week’s friendlies - Northern Ireland won the first game 2-1 - are a key part of preparations for WU17 Euro 2025 qualifiers (stage one) next month when the WU17s will be competing in League A Just like the first game at the home of Ballyclare Comrades Lucy Kelly fired in a free-kick which the Greek keeper fumbled and captain Jessica McGuinness pounced on the loose ball to tuck it home Kelly tested the keeper again with another free-kick before Northern Ireland went two up on 21 minutes McGuinness delivered the free-kick this time It was met by Chloe Beckinsale and she hit the back of the net with a crisp shot Northern Ireland continued to push forward As half-time approached the ball fell nicely to Greece’s Valeria Koutsouri inside the area Half-time: Northern Ireland WU17s 2 Greece WU17s 2 After the break Greece were on the front foot Kriseltna Cela tested Northern Ireland keeper Zara Maguire from a free-kick but she was equal to it After a flowing move Ioli Stavropoulou neatly slotted the ball into the net The Greeks drew level shortly after when substitute Georgia Moschona rounded the keeper and slammed the ball home On 75 minutes a McGuinness strike cannoned off the bar while substitute Mia Reilly steered a shot inches wide And Northern Ireland hit the woodwork again when Charlotte Havern let fly from distance Havern tested the keeper once more in the closing stages Full-time: Northern Ireland WU17s 2 Greece WU17s 2 Please click Accept and Close to accept the use of cookies on our website By continuing to browse our website you consent to the use of cookies on this website Bethany Byers and her mum Tanya Byers (Action Cancer Ambassador) and Carol Marshall (Communications Manager is preparing to lace up her walking shoes for a cause close to her heart she will join hundreds of others in Belfast for Action Cancer’s annual Breast Foot Forward Walk a vibrant fundraiser sponsored by SuperValu aimed at raising £60,000 to fund potentially life-saving breast screening appointments for 500 women across Northern Ireland this event is more than a walk—it’s a celebration of survival and a chance to give back to the charity that saved her life “Action Cancer saved my life through early detection,” Tanya said “The doctors told me it would have been years before I could have felt a lump and as I wasn’t eligible for an NHS mammogram until I was 50 “I’m so grateful to Action Cancer for providing this incredible service and I’m thrilled to take part in this year’s walk and I know this year will be even bigger and better.” Action Cancer is unique in Northern Ireland as the only charity offering free breast screening to women aged 40-49 and over 70 groups who fall outside the NHS screening programme Each screening costs the charity £120 to deliver making events like the Breast Foot Forward Walk critical to sustaining this vital service Joining Action Cancer Ambassador Tanya Byers (front and centre) to launch the walk are (L-R) her daughter Bethany Byers Meabh Lenehan (SuperValu Brand Manager) and Carol Marshall (Communications Manager Tanya’s story underscores the importance of early detection: for every 1,000 women screened by Action Cancer an average of six breast cancers are detected will see a sea of pink flood Belfast’s streets as up to 800 participants gather at City Hall from 6pm the event promises a festive atmosphere with a lively warm-up led by Fitness Freddy Participants are encouraged to raise a minimum of £120 in sponsorship—the cost of one breast screening—though every pound raised helps Action Cancer continue its work Action Cancer supports 20,000 people annually across Northern Ireland through services including 8,000 breast screening appointments at Action Cancer House and aboard its mobile unit has been instrumental in sustaining these efforts “SuperValu is delighted to sponsor this superb event once again The Breast Foot Forward Walk is a fantastic opportunity for friends and raise vital funds for this local charity.” the walk is a chance to celebrate her second chance at life and encourage others to support Action Cancer’s mission “It’s such a fun-filled event for an amazing cause,” she said “Whether you’re walking with your best friend I hope to see as many people as possible there.” Early registration is open until the end of April with a reduced fee of £10 for adults and £5 for children All participants will receive a complimentary pink t-shirt and a drawstring bag for life perfect for donning the event’s signature pink theme The charity encourages walkers to get creative—think pink outfits Action Cancer’s work relies heavily on public generosity and the charity is urging Northern Ireland to rally behind the Breast Foot Forward Walk With breast cancer remaining one of the most common cancers in the UK the funds raised will ensure more women like Tanya have access to early detection and the chance of a brighter future To register or learn more, visit www.actioncancer.org, call 028 9080 3344 (option 2), or email breastfootforward@actioncancer.org WhatsApp: 07311 700 250 Privacy Policy 20243 min readVisualisation of proposed retail development at former Royal British Legion social club in Ballyclare A former Royal British Legion social club “six feet” from Ballyclare’s Main Street is not in the town centre Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Councll’s Planning Committee has refused permission for change of use of the building at 2 Avondale Drive to three retail outlets after being advised by a planning officer the site “lies immediately outside Ballyclare town centre as defined by the draft Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan” which was published in 2004 Speaking at a meeting of the Planning Committee senior planning officer Ashleigh Wilson said the applicants were asked to demonstrate why the proposed development could not be accommodated within the Ballyclare town centre boundary She said the applicants indicated that other premises were “unsuitable” Ballyclare Alliance Alderman Lewis Boyle told the committee the proposed development is “situated within close proximity to the town centre and just outside the boundary” He went on to say Ballyclare is “experiencing rapid growth” with numerous housing developments he commented it “lacks necessary investment for sustainable growth” He suggested the proposal would “contribute positively to the Ballyclare economy” Ald Boyle indicated that other properties in Ballyclare were “not in a position that they could be made available for this kind of development” Macedon Ulster Unionist Councillor Robert Foster stated: “It is not within the town centre That is the whole ethos of this – whether it is close or not The town centre is quite extensive and does have quite a lot of empty buildings.” Ald Boyle replied: “It is not within the town centre boundary but it is very central to Ballyclare.” He added it would be “important for the positive development of Ballyclare and restoration of a historic building” Ballyclare Independent Cllr Michael Stewart said when the Royal British Legion announced it was to close the social club in Ballyclare it was “a blow to the town and community which it had served for so many years” He went on to say the prospect of investment in the premises was “warmly welcomed by the local community and caused some excitement and optimism in the town” Cllr Stewart pointed out the premises are in a “prominent place at the entrance to the main car park of the town” He stressed the distance of  the building to the town centre was less than that between himself and the committee chair in the council chamber I would urge the committee to accept the proposal I believe we have a unique opportunity to connect the right developer with the right property at the right time,” he urged He added the developer has “gone out of his way to look at alternative properties but none fitted his objective” Cllr Foster stated the proposal “would not fall within the town centre first approach” Cllr Stewart maintained it is “in a prominent position within the town centre “Anyone would perceive that building to be in the town centre It is an opportunity to have a building developed into retail units,” he insisted One of the applicants told the committee he has been “searching all available properties within The Square and Main Street area” and “could not secure a suitable site within the town centre” Threemilewater DUP Cllr Sam Flanagan commented: “It does seem quite an exhaustive search has been done in Ballyclare centre “If we have someone who is an established businessman in this area and has gone to the extent of buying this building and doing it up are we not deriving quite a strict interpretation?” said it was “not being strict” but applying policy as this case “requires a town centre first approach” Cllr Foster moved the recommendation to refuse planning permission seconded by Threemilewater Alliance Ald Tom Campbell Permission was refused following a vote in which nine members backed the proposal with abstentions from committee chair Ballyclare DUP Cllr Jeannie Archibald-Brown and Cllr Flanagan For best viewing experience of this website Please enter a place name in the search bar After provisionally the warmest May Day on record in the UK higher than average temperatures will subside over the weekend Any fog patches soon clearing this morning Then it will be a dry day with some bright or sunny intervals Then the rest of the night will be dry with variable amounts of cloud and some clear spells Another dry and settled day with some sunny intervals Feeling pleasantly warm in the afternoon sunshine Remaining dry and settled with sunny spells but some cloudier weather at times too Dry across the vast majority of the UK with clear or sunny spells but also some patchy cloud Cloud will likely thicken across the far north and northwest during the weekend with some outbreaks of rain for a time There is also a small risk of some heavy showers in the far south or southwest high pressure will be dominant across the UK This will bring predominantly fine and dry weather for the majority of places Temperatures are likely to be slightly above normal for the time of year although there is a chance of some cold nights Fairly typical weather for the time of year is most likely through this period fine and dry weather is more likely to dominate although this will be interspersed with occasional spells of rain and showers with a risk of heavy rain and thunderstorms in places temperatures will most likely be near to or slightly above average 20243 min readA proposed extension to a EUROSPAR outlet in Doagh was refused by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Planning Committee at a meeting on Monday evening The application was made by Henderson Group Property for the demolition of 6 Station Road an extension to an existing retail unit and car parking The proposal seeks to increase the retail unit from 471 to 691 square metres retail floor space as well as expanding ‘back of house’ bringing the overall floor space of the shop to 1,048 sqm Planning officer Ashleigh Wilson told the committee that the premises is “not within a designated retail centre and would provide a range of goods beyond every day convenience needs” She stated that there were eight letters of support for the planned development but the recommendation was to refuse permission Ballyclare Independent Councillor Michael Stewart addressed the meeting as a former Doagh resident and member of the village community association He said he remembers when the site had a filling station “screaming out for investment” He went on to say that when the EUROSPAR opened in 2021 it “quickly established itself at the heart of the village” EUROSPAR has stepped up again in helping the village to continue to thrive Ballyclare has far bigger issues to be concerned with than the development of a EUROSPAR to register on their radar “We welcome the investment being made that our good neighbours in Doagh so richly deserve.” Macedon Ulster Unionist Councillor Robert Foster asked Cllr Stewart if he would expect the committee to “set aside policy” Cllr Stewart replied: “I am all for a town centre first approach.” He went on to say that residential development in Doagh needs to be serviced “We should be encouraging people to use local facilities instead of jumping in the car and driving to Ballyclare He said that it was “ludicrous” to suggest that such a development in Doagh would impact on Ballyclare town centre “We are a large retailer in Northern Ireland we have raised tens of thousands of pounds for community partners We continually invest in our estate and community “We strongly disagree there is any unacceptable retail impact on Ballyclare town centre It is an enhancement of an important village shop.” Planning consultant David Mountstephen said: “The proposal is consistent with the policy.” He described the planned development as “a modest extension” at a size of 220 square metres “It is an uncontroversial local development There have been eight submissions of support from business and community organisations It is inconceivable that a small extension in Doagh will have an adverse impact It is very much a sustainable development,” stated Mr Mountstephen Cllr Foster remarked: “I don’t know that it is modest.” stated: “It is a nonsense to say there will be an adverse impact on Ballyclare town centre.” said that the “core question is how big should a local shop be?” Cllr Foster commented: “This proposal will have a turnover of £1.6m That £1.6m is being spent somewhere at the minute The nearest place it is being spent is Ballyclare Doagh is not going to have more money to spend.” Mr Diamond continued: ”The scale of this shop is going beyond day-to-day needs It should be going in Ballyclare town centre People within Doagh should not be meeting all their shopping needs within Doagh They should primarily be getting most of their retail needs met in Ballyclare town centre and day-to-day needs in Doagh such as milk “These needs for Doagh should already be met in the store they have at present.” Cllr Foster moved the recommendation to refuse the application seconded by Macedon Alliance Councillor Billy Webb Please include what 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