Other News In Brief

Durkan Fights Against Online Sexual Abuse

SDLP Foyle MP Mark Durkan has become an IWF Champion – thereby supporting the work of the Internet Watch Foundation and its fight against child sexual abuse images and videos on the internet.

The IWF is the UK internet Hotline for the public to report child sexual abuse content, criminally obscene adult content and non-photographic images of child sexual abuse in a secure and confidential way.

The IWF successfully works in partnership with the online industry, law enforcement, government, and international partners to minimise the availability of this content. The work of the IWF is globally considered as one of the best examples in its field.

By becoming an IWF Champion, Mr Durkan pledges to raise awareness of the importance of the fight against online child sexual abuse content.

Mr Durkan said: "I have recently become an IWF Champion, which means I fully support the important work that the Internet Watch Foundation is doing to remove child sexual abuse images from the Internet – not only in these islands but content hosted anywhere in the world."

Two People Convicted For Benefit Fraud

Two people were convicted at Newry Crown Court for claiming benefits they were not entitled to.

Martin Connell (55) of Beech Hill, Newry claimed Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £44,358 while failing to declare capital. He was given a six month prison sentence suspended for one year.

Bridget Cunningham (42) of Mullach Alainn, Newry claimed Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £49,893 while failing to declare she was living with her partner. She was given an 18 month prison sentence suspended for three years.

Both are also required to repay any outstanding money they wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.

New Chief Nursing Officer Appointed For NI

Charlotte McArdle has been appointed as the new Chief Nursing Officer for Northern Ireland.

Ms McArdle was previously the Executive Director of Nursing and Director of Primary Care and Older People at the South Eastern HSC Trust.

She takes over from Professor Martin Bradley who retired in June 2011.

Congratulating Ms McArdle on her appointment, Health Minister Edwin Poots said: "I welcome Charlotte McArdle into her new job and I look forward to working with her on a range of important health issues which affect everyone in Northern Ireland.

"This is a key post in my Department with the Chief Nursing Officer being responsible for working across the nursing, midwifery and allied health professions to provide professional, visible and inspiring leadership to staff in these areas. This is a very challenging time for the professions in Northern Ireland and I wish Ms McArdle well in her post."

(CD)