Other News In Brief

Concerns Raised Over Dungiven Parade

East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell has raised concerns about the Parades Commission relating to a Hunger Strike commemoration parade in Dungiven, Co Londonderry on Saturday 5th August.

This event featured children holding replica weapons, but in addition video footage has only just emerged of bands playing outside the local Church of Ireland Parish Church. This follows Mr. Campbell writing to the Parades Commission in January regarding breaches of determination when bands played in front of another Protestant Church in Dungiven in July 2011.


Commenting Mr Campbell said: "The placing of an IRA memorial beside the Church of Ireland Parish Church was a deliberately provocative act several years ago which offends the minority Protestant population in the Dungiven area, In 2011 my attention was drawn to republican bands playing during a parade outside a Presbyterian Church, I wrote to the Commission in January this year.

"Firstly, did the Parades Commission consider placing any conditions on this parade given the proximity of the memorial a few yards from a local Protestant Church, and given what happened previously in the same town? Secondly, if the video is assessed by them as giving an accurate picture of what happened then what conclusions will the Parades Commission draw about future parades involving this local band.

"The failure of the Parades Commission to deal with this matter while taking a contradictory stance in dealing with Loyal Order parades is totally undermining their role in adjudicating on the parades issue."

Eight Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

Eight people have been convicted at Belfast Magistrates’ Court for claiming benefits they were not entitled to.

Catherine Black (21) of Malfin Drive, Belfast was given a 12 month conditional discharge and ordered to pay court costs of £22 for wrongful encashment of Jobseekers Allowance totalling £181.

Gareth Campbell (29) of Clonfaddan Street, Belfast was fined £200 and ordered to pay court costs of £22 for wrongful encashment of Employment and Support Allowance totalling £331.

Thomas McCoubrey (19) of Springhill Close, Belfast was given two months imprisonment suspended for 18 months and ordered to pay court costs of £22 for wrongful encashment of Jobseekers Allowance totalling £207.

Craig Rice (31) of Bray Street, Belfast was given one months imprisonment suspended for 12 months and ordered to pay court costs of £19 for wrongful encashment of Jobseekers Allowance totalling £333.

Stephen Robinson (32) of Leeson Street, Belfast was given three months imprisonment suspended for 18 months and ordered to pay court costs of £22 for wrongful encashment of Employment and Support Allowance totalling £593.

Kelly-Ann Quinn (38) of Ballymurphy Road, Belfast claimed Income Support, Carers Allowance and Rates totalling £5,548 while failing to declare employment. She was give 50 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £43.

Colm Ryan (32) of Cavendish Street, Belfast claimed Income Support and Carers Allowance totalling £2,070 while failing to declare employment. He was given three months imprisonment suspended for 18 months and ordered to pay court costs of £140.

Jonathan Foster (46) of Mount Vernon Road, Belfast claimed Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £2,855 while failing to declare employment. He was given 60 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £34.

(CD)