Other News In Brief

David Davis Criticised For Leaving Brexit Negotiations

Sinn Féin MEP Martina Anderson has criticised British Brexit Minister David Davis after he left the latest round of Brexit negotiations in Brussels. 

Martina Anderson said: "We have today learned that the British Brexit Minister David Davis has left these talks after a matter of hours to return to London. This is not good enough and exposes the rhetoric of the British government's documents as meaningless.

"The Irish Government and the EU negotiators must make it clear that neither David Davis or the British Government can walk away from their obligations under the Good Friday Agreement or their responsibility to resolve the problems with their Brexit policy."

Benefit Fraud Convictions At Belfast Magistrates Court

Four people have been convicted of benefit fraud at Belfast Magistrates' Court in the past week.

A 40-year-old Belfast woman was sentenced to a two-year custodial sentence suspended for two years to run concurrent on each charge. This followed a conviction for failing to declare that she was living with a partner while in receipt of benefits she was not entitled to. The overpayment in this case totalled £62,774.57 which must be repaid to the Department.

A 51-year-old Newtownabbey woman was sentenced to a nine-month imprisonment suspended for two years. This followed a conviction for failing to declare that she was living with a partner while in receipt of benefits she was not entitled to. The overpayment in this case totalled £87,712.70 which must be repaid to the Department.

A 34-year-old Belfast man was sentenced to a £250 fine on first charge and a Conditional Discharge for 12 months on two other charges. This followed a conviction for failing to declare that his partner was working while in receipt of benefits he was not entitled to. The overpayment in this case totalled £3,487.53 which must be repaid to the Department.

And a 40-year-old Belfast man was sentenced to a Conditional Discharge for 12 months on all counts. This followed a conviction for failing to declare that he was working while in receipt of benefits he was not entitled to. The overpayment in this case totalled £7,087.51 which must be repaid to the Department.

BCC Announce Return Of Autumn Fair

Belfast's Botanic Gardens set to be "buzzing" with free family fun on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 September as the city's seasonal Autumn Fair returns.

Events run from 12.30pm to 6pm each day and young and old will be treated to lots of fun filled activities, live music and dance, food and more.

Belfast Lord Mayor, Councillor Nuala McAllister, encouraged all ages to come down and enjoy the Autumn Fair: "It's sad to see the end of Summer, but the Autumn Fair is a great way to look forward to the next season and enjoy one of our most fantastic parks.

"We get to celebrate the best that nature has produced as well as all the fun of the fair in terms of entertainment, street performers and shows, live music and activities to entertain young and old. Best of all – it's entirely free and open for everyone to enjoy."

(MH)