Other News In Brief

Man Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

A man has been convicted for claiming benefits he was not entitled to at Belfast Magistrates' Court.

William Conville claimed Jobseeker's Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £2,248 while failing to declare employment. He was sentenced to 100 hours community service, subject to appeal.

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

Construction Work Starts To Improve 19th Century Waterway In Belfast

Construction work has started on a £4million project to improve a 19th century waterway in Belfast.

A new Lagan Gateway is to be created and the aim is to reopen a waterway built in the 1800's to connect Belfast and Lough Neagh.

The scheme is being funded by the Belfast City Council, the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) and Ulster Garden Villages.

Councillor Deirdre Hargey, Chair of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, said: "This stretch of the river marks the start of the Lagan Canal and towpath which is already incredibly popular with walkers and cyclists. By creating a new bridge for pedestrians and cyclists as well as new pathways, we will improve connections with the surrounding areas and hopefully encourage more people to explore this part of the city on foot and by bike.

"Council funding for this project comes from our Belfast Investment Fund (BIF) and in line with the aims of our Belfast Agenda we are working in partnership with other statutory and voluntary agencies, including DfI, Department for Communities, Ulster Garden Villages and Lagan Navigation Trust, to maximise the investment."

The work includes developing a navigation lock, creating a foot and cycle bridge linking Annadale Embankment and Stranmillis, refurbishment of the existing weir and landscaping with associated path connections.

£500,000 Allocated To Tackle And Help Prevent Suicide In Belfast

A total of £500,000 has been allocated to tackle and help prevent suicide in Belfast.

The money will be invested directly through community and voluntary groups in the city on suicide prevention and mental health services.

Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA cautioned decisive action can only be taken with Ministers in place.

She said: "It is good news the Public Health Agency is prioritising work which will be properly targeted to help prevent suicides. We should be clear there is much can be done by administrators even during the current uncertainty to ensure this issue is properly prioritised and resources go to the right places.

"But this is yet another example where full interventions are not happening because of the lack of Ministers, and people are suffering as a result. Ministers in place would mean the issue would receive the full scrutiny required and every tool potentially up to and including legislation would be available to deliver on suicide prevention and mental wellbeing more broadly.

"Ministers in place could also do more to help tackle the sense of hopelessness which pervades in many communities. I have spoken to many young people this week who simply cannot comprehend why the bigger parties won't get on with the job on their behalf."