Other NI News In Brief

M2 Reopens After Crashes

Six people have been taken to Antrim Area Hospital following a series of traffic accidents on the M2 - although none of their injuries are thought to be life-threatening. Earlier, traffic came to a standstill after four separate collisions on the motorway, between Sandyknowes and Templepatrick. It has since been reopened.

Charges As Stab Teen Dies

There have been charges after a teenager died in a stabbing in Newcastle, Co Down. A 26-year-old man has been formally accused of the murder of 18-year-old Paul Owens, who was assaulted on the Bryansford Road near the entrance to Donard Park at about 1am on Saturday. He died later in hospital. A 20-year-old woman has been charged with assisting offenders. Both accused will appear in court on Monday. A 29-year-old man who was also arrested was released without charge.

Omagh Killer House Razed

The horror house where a man killed himself, his partner and five children is to be demolished. Arthur McElhill killed his family in a house fire in Omagh, County Tyrone in 2007, because his partner, Lorraine McGovern threatened to leave. The subsequent inquest heard a phone call made by Lorraine's daughter, Caroline, 13, in which she pleaded for help from her burning home. Now the boarded-up property at Lammy Crescent is to be demolished.

Knife Teen Arrested

It has emerged that a 17-year-old has been arrested after three other teenagers were threatened with a knife and nine cars had their tyres slashed in west Belfast. Shortly after 11pm on Saturday, three men in their late teens were approached by a youth with a knife near a restaurant at Kennedy Way. He demanded their mobile phones and cash but when they refused, he ran off.

Road Deaths' Shock

A 19-year-old man who died in a car accident in Co Armagh on Saturday has been named as Kevin Byrne. The car he was driving crashed through a wall and into a fence on the Forkhill Road, Meigh, at about 11.45pm on Saturday night. No other vehicle was involved. Mr Byrne was from the Meigh area of south Armagh. Meanwhile, a 23-year-old woman who was critically injured after being hit by a car in Londonderry has died in hospital. The accident happened at the Altnagelvin roundabout of the Glenshane Road on Friday night.

Strabane Shots

Two shots were fired at the back of a house in the Ballycolman area of Strabane at about 7pm on Saturday. A 22-year-old woman and her child were in the kitchen at the time and the shots hit the door. Two men were seen running away from the house. A man, who is 35-years-old and a 25-year-old woman were also in the house. They were not hurt.

Benefit Frauds Revealed

Two women were convicted at Belfast Crown Court for claiming benefits they were not entitled to. Shauna McDermott, 30, of Russell Place, Belfast claimed Income Support and Carers Allowance totalling £18,208 while she was working. She was given a 12-month prison sentence suspended for two years. Karen Scott ,32, of Lawnview Street, Belfast claimed Incomes Support, Carers Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £28,510 while she was working. She was given a 12-month prison sentence suspended for three years. Both are also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.

(BMcC/GK)