Other News In Brief

Call For Narrow Water Bridge Project To Go-Ahead

The SDLP has hit out at Sinn Fein's Chris Hazzard after he excluded the Narrow Water bridge project at the last Executive.

South Down MLA Sinead Bradley is continuing to campaign that the project goes ahead.

She said: "I was bitterly disappointed, however, during the last Executive when Chris Hazzard excluded the project from his priorities for funding. That decision was then compounded when there was no safeguard put in place to protect planning permission for the project which was due to expire shortly after he left office.

"Since that time I have held a series of meetings with senior officials from the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) and Louth County Council to ensure the complex Planning Permission would not be allowed to lapse.

"I am pleased to see the start of substantial works taking place on the North side of the site which will include the placement of three deep culverts. It is anticipated this work will take three to four weeks. I can also report that I have been assured the planning permission has not been compromised.

"In recent weeks I have continued to hold high level discussions around the profile of the project, particularly in the context of Brexit. I've had discussions with An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, and the Permanent Secretary within the Department for Infrastructure. I also requested that DfI consider contributing, in some way, to the ongoing site works as an expression of a renewed commitment to the project."

Woman Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

A woman has been convicted for claiming £23,244 in benefits she was not entitled to at Londonderry Crown Court.

Mary McDonagh claimed Income Support and Housing Benefit while failing to declare capital. She was given a conditional discharge. The fraud was uncovered following an investigation by the Department for Communities.

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

Action Being Taken To Speed Up Legacy Issues

Alliance MLA David Ford has welcomed the announcement by the Lord Chief Justice of actions he is taking to speed up legacy cases in the courts.

Mr Ford said: "Two years ago, as Justice Minister, I sought to get Executive agreement for additional funds to be released to allow Legacy inquests to proceed more speedily. The request came from the Lord Chief Justice after detailed work was done by officials from his office and the Department of Justice and Lord Justice Weir had reviewed outstanding cases.

"That request was not taken forward because the former First Minister, Arlene Foster, refused to table my paper for Executive consideration.

"I know that this refusal caused deep upset to families who had been waiting for inquests and it was criticised by Sir Declan Morgan in what was a most unusual statement for a Chief Justice."

(CD/LM)