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23/02/2016
Other News In Brief
Man Fined For Pollution Offence
A Co Down business man has been fined for a pollution offence at Newtownards Magistrates' Court today.
Mr Robert Martin Hamilton was fined a total of £3,000, plus court costs of £25 and an Offenders Levy of £15 for making polluting discharges to a waterway.
On 4 February 2015 Water Quality Inspectorsacting on behalf of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) inspected the Enler River at its confluence with the Ballystockart River and observed that it was grossly polluted. The Inspectors traced the source of the pollution to premises owned by Robert Martin Hamilton. It was observed that sludge had been spread on the fields and had run off into the waterway.
On 6 February 2015 an Inspector, acting on behalf of NIEA again observed pollution in the Enler River at its confluence with the Ballystockart River. The discharge was traced upstream to property and premises owned by Robert Martin Hamilton. A brown coloured liquid, believed to be vegetable processing waste water was observed flowing off the fields into the waterway. It was observed that the waterway above these premises was clear.
A sample taken on 6 February 2015 confirmed that the discharge contained high Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Total Ammonia and Suspended Solids content.
In excess of 2.5 kilometres of waterway was impacted by the discharges.
Improvement Project To Start In Co Down
An improvement project worth over £200,000 is to begin in Portaferry, Co Down.
Work on the £205,000 scheme, funded by the NI Executive, at Coach Road/Deerpark Road, is to start on Thursday, 25 February.
The resurfacing scheme is expected to be substantially completed by the end of March.
Transport Minister Michelle McIlveen said: "This scheme will greatly improve the strength, shape, drainage and surface quality of the carriageway and footway on over a three quarters of a mile (1,420 metres) section of this important A Class road between Portaferry and Kircubbin."
Diversions will be put in place during the works.
Alliance Supports Special Olympics
Alliance Assembly member Trevor Lunn has highlighted the important role the Special Olympics plays in the lives of hundreds of young people across Northern Ireland.
The MLA for Lagan Valley was speaking after attending a Special Olympics bowling event at Lisburn Leisure Park, where he presented medals to participants.
He said: "For many young people, the Special Olympics gives the opportunity to develop skills and participate in sports. Bowling is a lifetime fitness sport which contributes to balance, coordination and motor skills.
"It is a particularly beneficial sport to people with intellectual disabilities, irrespective of their age or sports abilities, since it ensures physical exercise and at the same time participation and social integration."
(CD)
A Co Down business man has been fined for a pollution offence at Newtownards Magistrates' Court today.
Mr Robert Martin Hamilton was fined a total of £3,000, plus court costs of £25 and an Offenders Levy of £15 for making polluting discharges to a waterway.
On 4 February 2015 Water Quality Inspectorsacting on behalf of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) inspected the Enler River at its confluence with the Ballystockart River and observed that it was grossly polluted. The Inspectors traced the source of the pollution to premises owned by Robert Martin Hamilton. It was observed that sludge had been spread on the fields and had run off into the waterway.
On 6 February 2015 an Inspector, acting on behalf of NIEA again observed pollution in the Enler River at its confluence with the Ballystockart River. The discharge was traced upstream to property and premises owned by Robert Martin Hamilton. A brown coloured liquid, believed to be vegetable processing waste water was observed flowing off the fields into the waterway. It was observed that the waterway above these premises was clear.
A sample taken on 6 February 2015 confirmed that the discharge contained high Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Total Ammonia and Suspended Solids content.
In excess of 2.5 kilometres of waterway was impacted by the discharges.
Improvement Project To Start In Co Down
An improvement project worth over £200,000 is to begin in Portaferry, Co Down.
Work on the £205,000 scheme, funded by the NI Executive, at Coach Road/Deerpark Road, is to start on Thursday, 25 February.
The resurfacing scheme is expected to be substantially completed by the end of March.
Transport Minister Michelle McIlveen said: "This scheme will greatly improve the strength, shape, drainage and surface quality of the carriageway and footway on over a three quarters of a mile (1,420 metres) section of this important A Class road between Portaferry and Kircubbin."
Diversions will be put in place during the works.
Alliance Supports Special Olympics
Alliance Assembly member Trevor Lunn has highlighted the important role the Special Olympics plays in the lives of hundreds of young people across Northern Ireland.
The MLA for Lagan Valley was speaking after attending a Special Olympics bowling event at Lisburn Leisure Park, where he presented medals to participants.
He said: "For many young people, the Special Olympics gives the opportunity to develop skills and participate in sports. Bowling is a lifetime fitness sport which contributes to balance, coordination and motor skills.
"It is a particularly beneficial sport to people with intellectual disabilities, irrespective of their age or sports abilities, since it ensures physical exercise and at the same time participation and social integration."
(CD)
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10 May 2022
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Man Fined For Eight Water Pollution Offences
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29 June 2022
Waterways Ireland To Develop New Sustainable Waterway Network
Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd has welcomed Waterways Ireland's ambitious plans to develop a sustainable waterway network which will contribute significantly to the recreation, social, economic and environmental life across the island. Minister O'Dowd visited Waterways Ireland Headquarters in Enniskillen and met with the CEO, Mr John McDonagh.
Waterways Ireland To Develop New Sustainable Waterway Network
Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd has welcomed Waterways Ireland's ambitious plans to develop a sustainable waterway network which will contribute significantly to the recreation, social, economic and environmental life across the island. Minister O'Dowd visited Waterways Ireland Headquarters in Enniskillen and met with the CEO, Mr John McDonagh.
24 July 2006
Three Ballymena Special Schools to amalgamate
The government has today revealed that three Special Schools in the Ballymena area are to amalgamate. The schools - Beechgrove Special School, Dunfane Special School and Loughan Special School will amalgamate on the former site of Ballymena Boys' and Girls' Schools on completion of a new building.
Three Ballymena Special Schools to amalgamate
The government has today revealed that three Special Schools in the Ballymena area are to amalgamate. The schools - Beechgrove Special School, Dunfane Special School and Loughan Special School will amalgamate on the former site of Ballymena Boys' and Girls' Schools on completion of a new building.
13 January 2015
NI Water Fined For Polluting Waterway
Northern Ireland Water has pleaded guilty and was fined £1,500 at Belfast Magistrates’ Court today for making a polluting discharge from the Dromore Wastewater Treatment Works in County Down.
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Northern Ireland Water has pleaded guilty and was fined £1,500 at Belfast Magistrates’ Court today for making a polluting discharge from the Dromore Wastewater Treatment Works in County Down.
20 June 2011
Quarry Fined In Triple Pollution Case
A Co Antrim construction sector business has been fined a total of £3,000 - plus £109 court costs - for making a polluting discharge to a waterway - not once, but three times. The case was heard at Ballymena Magistrates' Court last week and saw W & J Taggart (Quarries) Limited, of Corkey Road, Loughgiel, Ballymena, fined.
Quarry Fined In Triple Pollution Case
A Co Antrim construction sector business has been fined a total of £3,000 - plus £109 court costs - for making a polluting discharge to a waterway - not once, but three times. The case was heard at Ballymena Magistrates' Court last week and saw W & J Taggart (Quarries) Limited, of Corkey Road, Loughgiel, Ballymena, fined.
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