Other News In Brief

Man Convicted of Benefit Fraud

A man has been convicted for claiming benefits he was not entitled to at Antrim Crown Court.

Jonathan Walker claimed Jobseekers Allowance and Income Support totalling £10,510 while failing to declare capital. He was given 150 hours community service.

He is also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Department for Communities.

Gibson (Bandbridge) To Start Work On £6m Scheme In Co Armagh

Contractors Gibson (Banbridge) are preparing to start work on a £6 million road improvement scheme in Lurgan, Co Armagh.

The project, at Millenium Way, will include 430 metres of new road from Malcolm Road to Gilford Road.

The work will also involve an upgrade of the junction between Millennium Way and Malcolm Road to a signalised crossroads and also of the existing roundabout at the junction of the Banbridge Road and Gilford Road.

Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard said: "This new road will relieve congestion along the A3, helping to reduce journey times and improve journey time reliability along this strategic route. It will also reduce traffic flows in the local residential areas.

"The scheme will also accommodate cyclists and pedestrians and will provide an alternative route for traffic, reducing demands on some of the heavily trafficked links and surrounding junctions within Lurgan town centre."

Call For NAMA Inquiry To Continue

The new Finance committee must continue with the NAMA Inquiry, according to Sinn Féin MLA Daithí McKay.

He said: "Sinn Féin has led on the issue of the NAMA Project Eagle sale North and South and that work must continue.

"I have no doubt that the new Finance Minister will release all relevant files and documentation to the Committee. However the most important thing is that we hear from the remaining key witnesses that have yet to come before the Inquiry.

"The Committee needs to get to the bottom of this important issue and the Inquiry should remain open until it does."

Deputy Chair of the Committee Claire Hanna has promised to reopen the investigation.

She said: "As deputy Chair I am putting this matter firmly on the agenda for the first Committee meeting. No stone will be left unturned. The Committee's most recent report said evidence from 18 individuals had yet to be heard. Those who were unwilling before must be made to understand the significant harm their actions have and should be called again to give evidence."

(CD)