Other News In Brief

Bangor Director Disqualified For Seven Years

A Bangor-based director of a company which traded as a city centre restaurant has been disqualified for seven years.
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (the Department) has accepted the disqualification undertaking from Jacques Diedericks (42) of Ballymaconnell Road, Bangor, in respect of his conduct as a director of Baconstown Ltd .

The Company traded as the restaurant Nevada Spur from Victoria Square, Belfast and went into liquidation on 4 November 2010 with assets of £NIL, liabilities of £1,141,208 to non-preferential creditors, and an estimated deficiency as regards creditors of £1,141,208. After taking into account the losses incurred by members (the shareholders) of the Company the total estimated deficiency was £1,141,210.

The Department accepted the disqualification undertaking from Jacques Diedericks on 5 June 2013 based on the following unfit conduct which solely for the purposes of the disqualification procedure was not disputed:

• acting in breach of his fiduciary duty to the Company;

• causing and permitting himself and his wife to be paid excessive remuneration from the Company during the period from 1 July 2009 to 31 May 2010 to the detriment of the Company creditors; and

• causing and permitting the Company to retain Crown monies in the sum of £348,530 consisting of £44,512 in respect of PAYE, £71,266 in respect of NIC and £232,752 in respect of VAT for the years 2008/09 to 2010/11.

Dobson Presses Ahead To Move Opt-Out System Of Organ Donation

Upper Bann MLA Jo-Anne Dobson has held back to back meetings at Stormont as she presses ahead with her Private Member's Bill to move to an opt-out system of Organ Donation.

Following meetings with charity representatives and church leaders the Ulster Unionist MLA said: "Communication is absolutely key to getting the message across about how a change in the law will strengthen human rights and at the same time save local lives.

"The meetings I am holding at Stormont are helping immensely to raise awareness about my consultation which runs until 10 September and I am encouraging as many people as possible to take part and give their views – ultimately leading to a better Bill.

"I am committed to consulting as widely as possible during the consultation. Today's meetings included representatives from the IFA, British Medical Association, British Heart Foundation, local transplant charities, Public Health Agency and the Presbyterian Church.

"Together we are making fantastic progress on a number of exciting initiatives to promote organ donation including the GOAL (Gift of a lifetime) football tournament being organised by the Transplant Forum with the assistance of the IFA."

Lo Urges Public To Pick Up Litter

Alliance Environment spokesperson Anna Lo MLA has urged the public to pick up their litter when they are going out on day trips around Northern Ireland. A number of locations, including many beaches, were badly littered during the recent good weather.

Anna Lo MLA said: "Northern Ireland has some magnificent locations to visit for a day trip. However, the beautiful scenery can often be spoiled by litter.

"I was very disappointed to see the amount of rubbish that was left behind at some of our beauty spots in recent weeks.

"I would urge the public not to leave any litter behind when they are out in Northern Ireland. We need to see a change in attitude towards littering, not only to protect our local environment but also to reduce costs for Councils who have to clean it up. The Councils themselves should also be providing more bins at these beauty spots for the public to dispose of their rubbish."

(CD/MH)