Niall Mccracken

County Tyrone sheepdog handler Declan McGee and his five-year-old border collie Chip have been selected to represent Ireland at the World Sheepdog Trials in Scotland in September. After less than three years in competitive trialling, the pair have gained attention for their close communication and rapid progress. McGee will first compete in the Irish National Sheepdog Trials in Stewartstown, held from 26 to 29 August, while organisers highlight the event’s importance for showcasing farming skills and local talent.

Northern Ireland Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir said there was no reasonable alternative to euthanising 51 cattle in a field near Fivemiletown after veterinary staff determined that safely gathering and transporting them was not possible. The cattle were being destroyed under a court order linked to their owner's animal-welfare conviction. Muir said efforts were made to limit public exposure, silencers were used and operations were briefly halted when a farmer attempted to buy some animals, but the cattle were ultimately euthanised. The Ulster Farmers' Union and local politicians have criticised the operation and called for answers, while an independent external review is under way and Muir is due to appear before a Stormont committee.

Northern Ireland Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir said there was no reasonable alternative to euthanising 51 cattle in County Tyrone after veterinary staff determined that safely gathering and transporting them was not possible. The cattle were destroyed under a court order linked to their owner's animal-welfare conviction, with 50 euthanised on 29 June and the final animal the following morning. Daera said it used silencers and tried to limit public visibility, but witnesses and politicians criticized the operation. The Ulster Farmers' Union is demanding a prompt independent review, while Muir is due to face a Stormont committee amid calls for greater transparency and an apology to witnesses.

A portrait exhibition by artist Jade Magee in Dungannon highlights personal stories tied to the broader theme of the cost of living, featuring subjects ranging from a three‑year‑old undergoing cancer treatment to a 98‑year‑old great‑grandmother reflecting on life and resilience. Each painting is paired with a short film that captures the subjects' voices and experiences. The exhibition emphasizes compassion, community strength and the emotional challenges people face behind closed doors, while celebrating the individuals portrayed as “walking, talking masterpieces.”

Manufacturing and engineering companies in Northern Ireland warn that new UK steel tariffs will raise costs, damage competitiveness and threaten jobs, with some firms already shifting production abroad. Industry leaders describe the policy as a major setback for a region that relies heavily on steel-intensive manufacturing, while the UK government argues the measures aim to protect domestic steelmaking. Similar EU restrictions have also begun, further tightening import conditions. Northern Ireland’s economy minister and business groups urge an urgent review, citing fears of insufficient UK steel supply and serious downstream impacts.

Northern Ireland manufacturing leaders warn that new UK steel import tariffs, which reduce tariff-free quotas by 51 percent and impose a 50 percent duty on excess imports, threaten competitiveness, exports and jobs. Firms in Mid Ulster say the higher steel costs disadvantage them against global rivals, with some already shifting production abroad. Industry groups and Stormont’s economy minister argue the UK’s focus on protecting domestic steelmaking overlooks downstream impacts and call for an earlier review of the policy. The EU introduced similar measures, further tightening supply conditions.

A newly opened phone shop in Coalisland had its windows smashed in what police are treating as a racially motivated attack. Owner Chaudhary Hamza Riaz described the incident as heartbreaking but said community support since the attack has been overwhelming. Local political representatives from SDLP and Sinn Féin condemned the damage as disgraceful and unrepresentative of the town. Police are seeking information and reported a rise in race‑related incidents across Northern Ireland, though Mid Ulster remains among the areas with fewer recorded race crimes.

A newly opened phone shop in Coalisland had its windows smashed in what police are treating as racially motivated criminal damage. Owner Chaudhary Hamza Riaz described the incident as heartbreaking but said strong community support has made him feel welcome. Local political representatives from the SDLP and Sinn Féin condemned the attack. Police are appealing for information, and recent PSNI figures show race‑related incidents and crimes have risen across Northern Ireland, though Mid Ulster remains among the districts with the lowest numbers.

A former Police Service of Northern Ireland officer, Ryan McKenna, received a one-year prison sentence and one year of probation for gross indecency toward a child, committed between 2004 and 2009. Judge Richard Greene emphasized the serious breach of trust and commended the victim for coming forward. The court considered McKenna’s personal circumstances but found the offence too serious for a non‑custodial sentence. McKenna, already suspended and later dismissed by the PSNI, must sign the sex offenders register for 10 years and is barred from working with children.

Ryan McKenna, a former Police Service of Northern Ireland officer, received a 12‑month prison sentence and 12 months of probation for gross indecency toward a child, alongside a 10‑year requirement to sign the sex offenders register and a ban on working with children. Judge Richard Greene emphasised the seriousness of the offence, noting it involved a breach of trust toward a child nearly 11 years old. The victim, who maintains anonymity, said being believed and receiving justice provided hope despite lasting trauma. McKenna had been dismissed from the PSNI following an internal investigation and had already spent seven months on remand. The court acknowledged his low risk of reoffending and family circumstances but concluded a custodial sentence was necessary.