A MAN has been charged after slurry was spread on a number of roads in Ballymena, Co. Antrim ahead of the town's first ever Pride parade. Following the man's arrest, police said they were treating the matter as a hate crime. Commenting on the incident, Minister for Justice Naomi Long described it as: "Disgusting in every sense of the word." Despite the matter, the parade went … [Read more...] about Man charged after slurry spread on roads ahead of Ballymena’s first ever Pride parade
Woman arrested following suspicious death of man in Newry
A WOMAN has been arrested by police investigating the suspicion death of a man in Newry on Saturday. At around 12.45pm, police received a report that a man in his 40s had sustained a serious injury in the Fisher Park area of the city. Emergency services attended and the man received medical treatment at the scene before being taken to hospital. Sadly, he later died from his … [Read more...] about Woman arrested following suspicious death of man in Newry
Northern Ireland’s economy shrinks amid global uncertainty
NORTHERN Ireland's economy contracted by 0.6% in the first quarter of 2025 after a full year of steady growth. This downturn, revealed in the latest Northern Ireland Composite Economic Index (NICEI), marks the first economic reversal since the end of 2023. Construction output dropped by 5.1% quarter-on-quarter, while industrial production, particularly manufacturing, also … [Read more...] about Northern Ireland’s economy shrinks amid global uncertainty
Ireland launches major maritime overhaul to fuel growth
IRELAND has introduced major new maritime legislation to help the country’s offshore energy sector and fuel growth in its blue economy. The new law, which came into force on June 1, 2025, establishes a dedicated Marine Accident Investigation Unit (MAIU) and a regulatory framework for offshore service vessels (OSVs). These are Ireland’s first specific rules for OSVs, which … [Read more...] about Ireland launches major maritime overhaul to fuel growth
Ireland joins EU SAFE defence scheme
IRELAND is set to join the EU’s new Security Action for Europe (SAFE) scheme. This will speed up Ireland’s ability to acquire new defence systems like cyber and air defence technology. Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Simon Harris is expected to formalise the decision this week, marking a major change in Irish defence policy. The SAFE initiative, which came into force in May, … [Read more...] about Ireland joins EU SAFE defence scheme