Northern Ireland

Around 670 patients’ records have been checked as part of an ongoing review by the Belfast Health Trust into the work of a cardiologist who fitted specialist heart devices between 2007 and 2023. In May, BBC News NI reported that more than 160 patients with advanced heart conditions may have …

A residents group in Portadown has accused the Orange Order of putting their community “through hell” with parades. Breandán Mac Cionnaith, a spokesperson for Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition, said the order should be apologising to the people rather than marching in the area. His comments come as Portadown Orange Order …

Firefighters are tackling a large blaze involving a number of cars at a scrap metal recycling facility in Belfast’s shipyard area. Five fire appliances and a number of specialist units are at Clearway Disposals on East Twin Road. The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said the blaze was …

Following his suspension, the SDLP launched an investigation, which subsequently concluded with Tierney’s reinstatement in April 2025. In his statement on Wednesday, Tierney made no reference to the controversy over his reference for the soldier but said it had been a “huge honour” to represent the people of Derry. “There’s …

The prime minister has pledged to get the Stormont government functioning properly with a budget. Andy Burnham told MPs at his first Prime Minister’s Questions that he had empowered the Northern Ireland Secretary, Sir Chris Bryant, to go into talks aimed at resolving the failure of the Executive to agree …

The education minister has said he hopes further negotiations with teaching unions will avoid strike action. Northern Ireland’s five teaching unions voted for industrial action if the department does not address grievances over workload. Paul Givan said he is “fully committed to reducing teacher and school leader workload”. The unions …

The industry in Northern Ireland is making the argument that it has a special case due to direct competition with businesses in the Republic. Michael Cadden, the chair of Hospitality Ulster, said: “We are currently victims of our geography.” In the Republic of Ireland, hospitality VAT on food is 9% …

A man has pleaded guilty to charges relating to a loyalist bomb hoax targeting the former Tánaiste (Irish deputy PM) Simon Coveney. Darren James Service, 45, of Ballysillan Road in north Belfast, appeared at Belfast Crown Court on Wednesday. His trial was due to begin on 7 September. Senior defence …

A man has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder at Belfast Magistrates’ Court. The charges relate to a stabbing in north Belfast on 23 August 2024. Conneth Paul Johnston, 27, of Forthriver Park in Belfast, stood in the dock as the charges were read out to him. He pleaded not …

Speaking to BBC Radio Foyle’s North West Today programme on Wednesday, Harkin said a council report showed that the building “was not properly secured going back to a report in 2018 and 2019 and that that may have contributed to the building’s collapse, which is very, very disappointing”. “Obviously, this …

A 50-year-old man has died following a collision in Lisburn on Tuesday. The crash, reported to police at about 05:45 BST, involved a Citroen van and Mini on the Belfast Road. The driver of the Mini, James Bingham, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the van, a …

It’s time to start your engines. The new series of Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK is about to start and contestant Coral-Hole Mandi is ready to “take it by the horns” and “give it everything”. The 27-year-old calls herself the Bikini Bottom Bimbo from Belfast and she is the only …

The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) has also secured an “unmistakable mandate” for industrial action. Members voted 96% in favour of industrial action short of strike and 81% in favour of strike action, which the union said reflected “the depth of concern across the profession about workload, funding pressures …

The principal of a rural primary school has said some parents have been left wondering how to get their children to school after its bus was withdrawn and replaced by a taxi. The Education Authority (EA) said it had replaced the bus with a taxi after it determined only six …

McCaughey’s barrister told Belfast Crown court his client “caused no harm” with his actions. However, Judge Philip Gilpin disagreed, telling the court: “I’m not sure that’s right. He caused considerable upset and distress.” The court heard that “real and significant harm was caused” by McCaughey’s actions. The court heard that …

A decision by the commission to impose restrictions on the Drumcree parade was quashed in the High Court last week. Since then, one member of the six-person commission, Billy Gamble, has stepped down but there were calls by unionists for more resignations. Sir Chris last week asked the commission to …

Campaigners for integrated education in Northern Ireland have “lost their way”, Stormont’s education minister has said. Paul Givan said there was a need for “real and frank conversations” about the sector and how “real integration” is achieved. He said many integrated schools have faced “significant challenges in achieving and sustaining” …

A man has been charged to court following an arson attack in County Tyrone. Police attended the scene of a fire at a property in Gortgonis Terrace, Coalisland, at about 23:40 BST on Sunday. The fire was deliberately started in a bin which had been placed by a shed at …

Maolíosa McHugh has announced he will be stepping down as MLA for West Tyrone from Monday. Earlier this year, the Sinn Féin MLA said he would not be seeking re-election to Stormont in May 2017. He said, as he was not seeking re-election, he had decided to step down on …

A teenage boy has appeared in court charged with the murder of a man in Dungannon, County Tyrone, and the attempted murder of two other people in the same incident. The body of the dead man, who was 61, was found alongside his injured eight-year-old daughter at a house on …