24/06/2015

Other News In Brief

Two Belfast Women Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

Two Belfast women have been convicted of benefit fraud.

Martine McCullough was convicted at Belfast Crown Court for claiming Income Support, Employment and Support Allowance, Carer's Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £19,007 while in receipt of student loans and grants. She was given a six month custodial sentence suspended for two years.

Eleanor Girvan was convicted at Belfast Magistrates’ Court for claiming Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £4,811 while failing to declare employment. She was given 80 hours community service.

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

Bridge Strengthening Works Complete

Contractor FP McCann and Transport NI have completed strengthening works to a bridge in Killyclogher.

The work on the Ballynamullan Bridge, Farmhill Road, included precast extensions to the existing masonry arch structure.

Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy said: "This is a major investment for the local area. Ballynamullan Bridge on the Farmhill Road is an important link road for the people of Omagh and Killyclogher. The old bridge formed a bottleneck on the Farmhill Road and has been sympathetically strengthened and widened to allow traffic to pass without delay."

The bridge will be reopen to traffic on 27 June.

Alliance Condemns 'Hate Crime' In Newtownabbey

Alliance Councillor Tom Campbell has condemned what police are treating as a racially-motivated hate crime in Newtownabbey.

Three windows were broken in the attack on a house in Cloyne Crescent on Sunday.

Cllr Campbell said: "I must condemn this attack. Everyone should have the right to live in their own home without fear and intimidation and my thoughts are with the man and woman in question as they recover from this ordeal.

"We cannot allow Newtownabbey to become known for this type of behaviour and certainly those behind this attack do not represent the majority in our community."

(CD/MH)

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