Other News In Brief

Woman Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

A woman has been convicted for claiming £21,723 benefits she was not entitled to at Londonderry Crown Court.

Rosaleen Rafferty claimed Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £21,723 while failing to declare capital. She was given an eight month prison sentence suspended for two years.

The fraud was uncovered following an investigation by the Department for Communities.

Ms Rafferty has repaid any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Department.

Call For Hightown Incinerator Decision To Be Reversed

Sinn Fein has called on the Department of Infrastructure to reverse its decision to develop an incinerator plant in Hightown in Co Antrim.

The party has proposed the establishment of an all-party working group to pursue all legal avenues to reverse the decision.

South Antrim MLA Declan Kearney said: "This decision is wrong and unjustified. It flies in the face of widespread community and political opposition and Sinn Féin are currently examining all legal and political avenues available to our representatives in order to have it reversed.

"To that end Sinn Féin proposes the establishment of an all-party working group to directly support the locally based NOARC21 campaign in opposing this incinerator and to exhaust all legal options to have the proposal reversed. This is a cross-community issue with implications for the local residents in Hightown and Mallusk as well as wider afield, and it warrants maximum cross-party unanimity.

"In light of the widespread opposition and the serious risks to community health, safety and the environment, I hope that all parties will endorse our approach to continue building opposition against this project."

Call For Students To Become Vocal Opponents Of A Hard Brexit

SDLP Youth Chairperson Paul McErlean has called for students and the student movement to become vocal opponents of a hard Brexit across Ireland. Mr McErlean called on new students to join the SDLP as the most Pro-Europe movement on the island.

He said: "As Freshers Fayre's take place in Belfast and Derry today, with more in the days ahead, it's critical that students take the opportunity to take a stand for their rights as European citizens.

"Young people across this island will be disproportionately affected by a hard Brexit. Our opportunities will be drastically restricted. As the economy contracts, Erasmus opportunities disappear and more people are forced to look abroad to find a life and a livelihood, this island will lose out.

"Students and the student movement must be at the front of the campaign to fight a hard Brexit.

"The best way to join that fight is to join the most Pro-European movement on this island. The SDLP has the strongest record of fighting for an inclusive and social Europe that provides our young people with the opportunity to fulfil their ambitions. That fight continues today."

(CD/LM)