Latest News | Belfast News Letter

Wed, 21st October 2026

Jeffrey Donaldson arriving at Newry Crown Court during his trial in June.

Breaking Jeffrey Donaldson accused of 2016 rape inside Westminster
Police are investigating an allegation that former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson raped a woman in the Houses of Parliament, it is understood.
David Young

Portadown district master Nigel Dawson said participants are coming to Saturday's parade / rally from Tyrone, Down and Antrim (Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press)

Number of bands at Portadown protest parade 'could double by Saturday'

Alderman Mark Baxter has been lobbying for ten years for the school bus to be on time.

Co Down father of four complains that school bus is ten years late

Breaking Sinn Fein leaders attend police station for interview over protest

Martin Reid (left) played 'Uncle Andy' and Tim McGarry played 'Da' in Give My Head Peace, which has now been axed due to cutbacks.

MP tables motion against BBC cutting 'Give My Head Peace'

The Orchard Leisure Centre in Armagh. Photo from Google.

Court told of alleged sex assaults on two young girls in leisure centre showers

Brownlow Castle Tearooms, set within the historic drawing room at Brownlow House in Lurgan, is closing its doors today after announcing the decision with “deep regret”

'Deep regret': Sad farewell as historic NI castle tearoom closes its doors

Northern Ireland's Mark Allen issued a statement on Wednesday revealing his mental health struggles. (Photo by Richard Sellers/PA Wire)

Mark Allen reveals he left mental health clinic to play at Northern Ireland Open

News Letter / 4 Highlights

Jeffrey Donaldson arriving at Newry Crown Court during his trial in June.

Breaking Jeffrey Donaldson accused of 2016 rape inside Westminster

The High Court in Belfast.

Stone mason accused of storing guns and ammo to be released from custody

Laura Marshall.

Laura Marshall’s partner denies claim he ‘killed her in a rage’

Irish prison officer Brian Stack was “badly failed”

Taoiseach says Brian Stack ‘badly failed’ by investigation into murder

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First Minister Michelle O'Neill hit out at the comments. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

'IRA lawyers' comment blasted as 'shameful' by NI First Minister

Stormont opposition leader Matthew O'Toole

Stormont fight 'distraction from real scandal' of no pay rise before Xmas: SDLP

First Minister Michelle O'Neill today left a Stormont scrutiny committee early to travel to Musgrave Street police station in the centre of Belfast, where she was interviewed about her participation in an allegedly illegal demonstration that blocked the first permitted Drumcree Orange Order march in almost 30 years. Photo: Brian Lawless/Press Association

Stormont leaders' appearance before Assembly committee ends in acrimony

Jeffrey Donaldson outside Newry Crown Court in June, where he was found guilty of multiple historical sexual offences. He is currently serving a 15-year sentence. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

New Donaldson probe: DUP say party 'never received any report or complaint'

Puzzles

Quick CrosswordTo test and hone your word skills

SudokuThe ultimate logic-based numbers game

WordwheelPit yourself against the clock with our simple anagram game

Cost Of Living

A customer arrives to re-fuel his car at a petrol station as fuel prices dip slightly in NI (photo by Bryn Colton/Getty Images)

Petrol and diesel prices have dipped slightly in Northern Ireland

Residents of Belfast are the second worst in the UK for falling short of cash before payday, a new survey has shown. Photo: Alamy/PA.

Belfast payday crisis: City UK's second-worst for cash shortage before next wage

The weekly rise to the price of fuel has halted as of today (photo by Bryn Colton/Getty Images)

Three-month hike to fuel prices in Northern Ireland grinds to a halt

The price of both diesel and petrol in NI is currently at its highest since the Iran war began (photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

Diesel in Northern Ireland creeps closer to £2 per litre after yet another rise

Opinion

Morning View

Editorial: Dare we hope that fuel costs keep dropping?

News Letter Editorial on Saturday October 17 2026

Editorial

Folklore has long regarded robins as messengers, bridging the gap between this world and the next

Jackie McGregor: When robins appear, love comes home

There has been a tense standoff between protesters and Orangemen at Drumcree

Letter: Both sides must realise – no one owns the land

‘We need responsible budgeting’: NI businesses warn against more tax hikes

Alan Lowry, chair FSB NI

Unionists became second class citizens under Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal

Letter: Damage from Boris years needs to be corrected

Morning View

Editorial: Donaldson’s arrest proves the system worked

Morning View

Defeat painful but plenty to be positive about

Sport

Jamie Benson joined Ulster from Harlequins during the off-season. (Photo by Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press)

Ulster's Jamie Benson and James McNabney earn maiden Ireland call-ups
Ulster pair Jamie Benson and James McNabney have earned maiden Ireland call-ups after being named in Andy Farrell’s squad for next month’s Nations Championship ...

Dungannon Swifts manager Rodney McAree. (Photo by Alan Weir/Pacemaker Press)

Rodney McAree 'delighted' by Dungannon character in BetMcLean Cup win

Portadown manager David Jeffrey. (Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press)

David Jeffrey frustrated as Ports fail to take chances in BetMcLean Cup defeat

Linfield's Ethan McGee scored the winner in Tuesday's 2-1 victory over Larne at Inver Park. (Photo by Andrew McCarroll/ Pacemaker Press)

David Healy praise for Linfield after comeback win at Larne

Jordan Brown (right) defeated Mark Allen in the first round of the Northern Ireland Open on Tuesday in Belfast. (Photo credit: World Snooker Tour)

Jordan Brown offers support to good friend Mark Allen - 'I love him'

Mark Allen is considering his future after losing in the first round of the Northern Ireland Open on Tuesday.

Antrim's Mark Allen could walk away from snooker after NI Open exit

Duncan Ferguson sharing a smile with the media after Glentoran's confirmation of his appointment as first-team manager. (Photo by Stephen Davison/Pacemaker Press)

'I've only got the one player being sick': Duncan Ferguson Q&A as Glentoran boss

Irish League Football

Ulster forwards coach Clarke Dermody. (Photo by Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press)

Ulster ready for URC 'cool challenge' across South Africa tests

Duncan Ferguson has kicked off life as Glentoran manager by declaring his trophy ambitions. (Photo by Pacemaker Press)

Duncan Ferguson's 'I'll give everything' Glentoran vow

Duncan Ferguson at The BetMcLean Oval following his appointment as Glentoran first-team manager on a multi-year contract. (Photo by Glentoran FC)

Duncan Ferguson's first words as Glentoran boss after surprise Irish League move

Ryan Stewart is coaching at Nelson Suburbs in New Zealand and was previously manager of Samoa. (Photo by Ryan Stewart)

Former Irish League player offering Northern Irish stars 'massive' opportunity

Duncan Ferguson (left) worked as assistant manager Carlo Ancelotti at Everton. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Glentoran hero feels Duncan Ferguson 'might be just what is needed'

Food & Drink

Kraken Fish & Chips in Killyleagh launched its Feed the Fleet initiative in September with free meals for children and will offer complimentary fish suppers to over-65s this Wednesday as a thank you to the local community. Credit Facebook

'No catches, no gimmicks': NI chippy serves up free fish suppers for over-65s

Bob & Berts operates coffee shops across Northern Ireland, Scotland and England and is now looking ahead to its next phase of growth, with plans to further expand its presence across the UK

NI coffee shop sees profits rise to £1.3m following business transformation

Crime

Stacey Graham e-mailed out the open letter on behalf of the Greater Shankill and Ballysillan Policing Focus Group

Activist says loyalists 'feel taken for mugs' by PSNI as group pens open letter

Police can be contacted on 101.

Teenager chased by gang who then hit him with metal pipes

The case was heard at Antrim Magistrates Court, sitting in Ballymena. Photo: Pacemaker

Shops ban in voyeurism case

Sir John Gillen, who previously conducted a review into the law and procedures around serious sex offences in Northern Ireland, has been appointed to review the 'trial of the facts' mechanism. Photo: Aaron McCracken Photography

Senior judge to review 'trial of the facts' mechanism

Emma Quinn, principal of Rathcoole Primary School, Newtownabbey said there was lack of guidance from authorities about dealing with bomb threats.

Principals says schools have no guidance on bomb threats

Police said their 'huge' challenge is that sexual exploitation is often an unseen crime and can happen in plain sight.

Head of PSNI Organised Crime Branch backs call to ban 'pimping websites'

Your World

NICEIC Registered Electricians

Time to test! NICEIC urges households to check life-saving electrical safety dev...

(L-R) Deputy Mayoress Valerie English, Peyton Duffy student from Parkhall Integrated College, Deputy Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Alison Bennington, CITB Chief Executive Bary Neilson, Eoin Rintoul Parkhall Integrated College

Construction Bootcamp Helps Local Pupils Build Future Careers

The attack on Castlederg castle October 1641

385th anniversary of the start of the Irish Rebellion of 1641

Retro

Belfast and County Down Railway at Newcastle

Ulster Railway begins operations and steams into a Biblical row (August 1839)
The Ulster Railway began operations on August 12, 1839 with its first journey between Belfast and Lisburn being reported in the News Letter the following day.
Darryl Armitage

Royal Belfast Hospital: the courtyard. Watercolour. Credit: Wellcome Library, London. Wellcome Images

Founding of the Belfast Fever Hospital and the 1st Cholera Pandemic (1817)

Jumping for joy in the Fairhill Shopping Centre in 2009 were the cheerleaders of Newtownabbey All Stars, who put on a display as part of the centre's Summer Fun series. BT32 - 821H

Ballymena's Fairhill Shopping Centre through the years

The entrance to Friar's Bush Cemetery on the Stranmillis Road. Photo by Google

Belfast's oldest cemetery to host Remembrance Day service

The historic stained glass being retained as part of the £72m Ballycastle Shared Education Campus development

‘A nod to the past’: Historic stained glass gets new home in £72m NI campus

Homes & Gardens

The PROALLER heated throw has topped Amazon's Home & Kitchen best-seller chart as temperatures fall, with the electric blanket currently reduced to £25.49.

Amazon's £25 heated blanket tops best-seller chart
More than 9,000 shoppers have bought the electric heated throw in the past month, with its price now reduced to £25.49.
Marc Reeves

I found these beautiful autumnl flower bouquets from Bunches that are perfect for the season

Three beautiful autumn bouquets from Bunches

Bunches has plenty of options to choose from including flowers, hampers and greeting cards.

Bunches sells more than flowers, including plants and hampers

The Nikura AIRI Waterless Diffuser makes filling your home with beautiful fragrance effortless, with no water, mess or fuss.

Nikura AIRI Waterless Diffuser review: No water, no wires, no faff

A review of Belfast Council's dual language signs policy held by city hall lawyers concluded Sinn Fein were wrong about the system. Photo: Iain Gray/News Letter

Sinn Féin wrong on Irish signs, conclude lawyers

Recommended

These Bunches flowers are the easiest way to update my home for the new autumn season

Think Bunches only delivers flowers? Think again!

M&S Sparks customers can earn up to £15 in festive rewards this Christmas by shopping for eligible drinks, flowers and café treats. Photos by Marks and Spencer.

M&S Sparks shoppers can earn £15 in rewards when Christmas shopping

Cars available to drive include the Lamborghini Gallardo and many more

Lamborghini, Ferrari and Aston Martin supercar driving experiences

I’m making a Halloween boo basket this year and Sainsbury’s has everything I need

How to make a Halloween boo basket with treats and gifts

Lifestyle

A financial services union has raised concerns over proposed redundancies at FinTrU that could see 114 jobs lost across its Belfast and Londonderry operations

FinTrU 'proposed restructuring': Union raises concerns over 114 redundancies

Pictured at the launch of the AI Bootcamp - an initiative by Software NI and Workplus connecting early talent with employers seeking AI-ready software skills - are Neil Hutcheson, Software NI, Ruth Harper, Workplus, Russell Beggs, Sonas Ventures. Back row: Emma O’Kane, Ormeau Labs, Neil Anderson, QUB, Jonathan Wallace, UU. The initiative will run a two-week intensive bootcamp for 50 current or recent software students and connect them into software roles

NI firms launch AI bootcamp to help graduates land software jobs

Tom Trainor and Victoria Logan represented Aflac Northern Ireland at The National Cyber Awards 2026, where the Global Security team was named Security Team of the Year. The award was presented by Georgi Cohen, Partner at IBM, at the Royal Lancaster London on September 28

'An incredible honour': NI team wins national cyber security award in London

Proposed new Home Bargains store, Antrim

New £8m Home Bargains store given the go-ahead

Entertainment news from NationalWorld.com

The Celebrity Traitors

Krispy Kreme launches £2.99 The Traitors doughnut

Willis will present Strictly alongside Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdecombe (Guy Levy/BBC)

Josh Widdicombe on Strictly’s ‘no ego’ new hosting team

These Bunches flowers are the easiest way to update my home for the new autumn season

I’ve found the easiest way to give my home an autumn update

e.l.f Soft Satin Finish Foundation

The e.l.f Soft Glam makeup products I’m tempted to add to my basket

People

Paul Conlon and John McClenaghan from Ríoga Banjos. Credit: Peter Devlin

Lisburn banjo business founders named Start Up Loans Ambassadors for NI
Ríoga Banjos co-founders Paul Conlon and John McClenaghan have been named the British Business Bank’s 2026 Start Up Loans Ambassadors for Northern Ireland
Claire Cartmill

Northern Trust Healthcare Assistant Eleanor Coulter, who is celebrating an extraordinary career milestone after five decades in the health service, pictured with Philip Dawson, Manager at the Roddens Residential Home in Ballymoney.

Praise for remarkable 50 years of service to the health service by Eleanor

Sixmile Leisure Centre. Pic: Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council.

New sauna and steam room planned for leisure centre

Business

SuperValu's applewood smoked salmon, smoked salmon, and prawn cocktail have been recalled due to contamination. Photo: FSA

Urgent food recall: Multiple Centra and Supervalu seafood products contaminated

Restaurant premises

Plans to extend opening hours of ‘food and beverage’ unit approved

Johnny Hanna, Partner in Charge of KPMG in Northern Ireland; Amanda Croft, Keeper of The RUA Diploma Collection; Peter Richards, President of the Royal Ulster Academy; and Gordon Milligan OBE, Chairman of National Museums NI.

London firm and RUA mark partnership as landmark NI exhibition opens

Sylvie McDermott, chief operating officer, Phorest and Anne Beggs, chief commercial officer, Invest NI

Irish software platform company to create fully remote delivery team in NI

Latest from NationalWorld.com

Munya Chawawa

Munya Chawawa reveals shocking racism during theatre debut

Rat sightings rose by 15% across the UK during the summer, according to Rentokil, with experts warning that colder weather could drive more rodents into homes.

Rat sightings rise 15% as winter warning issued

People say we're irresponsible flogging our home and moving 'off-grid' into a van with two babies - but we'll halve bills

Young family sell home to live off-grid in a campervan

Dad-of-three Brian Forbes has spent £6,000 preparing for disaster this year, stocking his specially equipped garden shelter with food, power banks, radios and night vision goggles.

Dad's £6,000 disaster preparations include 25 years of food

UK Trending

Old mobile phones and chipped mugs also feature high on the list of items Brits keep despite no longer needing them

Mystery keys among things Brits hold onto for too long

The research found veterans take an average of 17 months to feel comfortable in civilian life again

Veterans reveal military slang they still use in civilian life

One in five workers are putting parenthood plans on hold

Employees delay parenthood due to concerns over parental leave

More than half of people would do something frivolous if they won a major jackpot

Brits would buy next door to choose neighbours after lottery win

FIAT launches colour-matching service

The top side hustling cities include Bristol and London

Half of Brits work a ‘second shift’ after hours on side hustles

Must Read

Kevel powers top retail and commerce media networks globally

Ad Feature Kevel secures £39 million to scale AI-driven infrastructure

The project is open worldwide with no restrictions on nationality or age

Ad Feature Chinese-language adapted song surpasses 2 billion streams

Ad Feature India to host 130+ countries at Bharat RE Summit and Expo 2026

Search ’n Stuff brought more than 350 digital marketers together across two conferences

Ad Feature Search ’n Stuff wraps up a landmark year

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