Other News In Brief

Two Men Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

Two men have been convicted for claiming benefits they were not entitled to at Belfast Magistrates Court .

Anthony Norney claimed Jobseeker's Allowance totalling £351 while failing to declare employment. He was given a 12 month conditional discharge.

Dariusz Parypa Jobseeker's Allowance totalling £3,166 while failing to declare his partner’s employment. He was fined £500.

Both are also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Department for Communities.

Call For A6 Dual Carriageway Scheme Plans To Progress

Plans for the new A6 dual carriageway scheme must progress, according to the Alliance Party.

MLA Kellie Armstrong made the call after attempts to halt the project through a judicial review failed.

She said: "It is unfortunate that when the initial plans were being put together and money being committed there was not enough attention given to consulting with the local community - a move that could have gone a long way to allaying many fears.

"It is my understanding the Heaney Swans are not set to be negatively impacted, so today's decision should draw a line under what has been a trying time for all involved.

"The new A6 dual carriageway at Toome should now be allowed to proceed without further delay, helping ease a regularly congested area of our roads."

UUP Warns Of Budgetary Chaos

Ulster Unionist Finance Spokesperson, Steve Aiken MLA, has urged Sinn Fein to realise that much more is at stake as a result of the developing budgetary crisis than their own belligerent pride.

Mr Aiken said: "Sinn Fein are in the ridiculous and blatantly contradictory situation of claiming that the absence of the budget is having no impact whilst at the same time claiming, as Michelle O'Neill did during the election, that a budgetary allocation is urgently needed to stabilise the situation in the local health service.

"The failure to agree a Budget means a failure to plan or take the decisions that are long overdue. Whilst I note the Secretary of State has said he is minded to bring forward legislation to set a regional rate, which would at least provide the finances to enable local councils to carry out their functions, we should be in no doubt that this may represent a significant hike in local household rates. Sinn Fein are well aware of this, yet no doubt will attempt to plead innocence once these potentially increased bills start coming through letterboxes."

(CD/MH)