Other News In Brief

Woman Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

A woman has been convicted for claiming benefits she was not entitled to at Londonderry Magistrates Court.

Annette Coyle claimed Jobseeker's Allowance totalling £6,373 while failing to declare employment. She was fined £150.

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

New Plant Risk Register Launches In NI

A new Plant Risk Register has launched to help monitor and manage plant health in Northern Ireland.

The new register was announced at a major plant health conference in Belfast to develop a new plan to safeguard Northern Ireland's environment and its £4 billion agri-food sector.

Forest Service brought together stakeholders to discuss plans to protect our environment, forestry, horticulture and agriculture industries from new and emerging plant diseases and pests.

Jim Crummie, Director of Plant Health, said: "We are very proud of our high plant health status in Northern Ireland but new risks and threats are emerging and we must manage those.

"We are working with local stakeholders, as well as our partners in the UK and Ireland, to share approaches on how to safeguard our plants and therefore our key industries and economy.

"Government alone cannot protect our environment and plant health. All of us, from green-fingered amateur gardeners to commercial nurseries need to be aware of what plants we are importing, buying off the internet or bringing back from holiday. We can inadvertently import new diseases and pests which pose a significant threat to our plants and agri-industries."

Call For More Support For People Addicted To Opioids

Green Party MLA Clare Bailey has called for greater support for people addicted to opioids, after the PSNI revealed that deaths from opioid misuse are becoming more prevalent than road deaths.

The South Belfast MLA said: "I am working with the families of local drug users who say that finding treatment within the Belfast Trust is seriously difficult.

"Those addicted to opioids now face a 12 month waiting list for addiction support and treatment. The target for a first appointment after GP referral is nine weeks.

"Indeed, I've been working with families who say that their waiting time has stretched to over 18 months.

"The reality is that people are dying through drug misuse while crying out for help and support.

"The Belfast Trust is doing everything possibility with limited resources and turning around lives where they can.

"But, the Substitute Prescribing Team in the Belfast Trust needs to be funded in an appropriate way.

"Otherwise, the criminal justice system, our health services and society more broadly all pay the price of addiction."

(CD/MH)