Other News In Brief

Man Fined For Breaching Waste Management Legislation

A man has been fined at Newry Magistrates' Court for breaching waste management legislation.

Kieran King was fined £4,000, plus a £15 offender levy.

Officers from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency visited a site at Cottage Road, Newry between the 23 February 2016 and 10 October 2016. They found approximately 1,000 tonnes of controlled waste in the form of plastics, metals, textiles, wood and construction, and demolition waste deposited and stored on site.

Mr King was operating an unauthorised waste transfer station at this location and did not hold the relevant waste management licence or an exemption to do so.

Two People Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

Two people have been convicted for claiming benefits they were not entitled to at Newtownards Magistrates' Court.

Scott McGaffin claimed Jobseeker's Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £3,255 while failing to declare employment. He was given 75 hours Community Service.

Louise Petrie claimed Income Support, Carer's Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £2,960 while failing to declare employment. She was given 75 hours Community Service

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

Five NI Firms To Create Over 30 New Jobs

Five firms in Northern Ireland are to create over 30 new posts with support from Invest NI.

Struct Steel Engineering, Curran Gas Limited and Greentown Traffic Management from Fermanagh and Omagh-based companies New Generation Agri and Oran Oak Engineering, operate in the manufacturing, engineering and service industries.

Invest NI's Western Office Manager, Ethna McNamee, commented: "This is just a few of the businesses in Fermanagh and Omagh who we are working with to help identify opportunities for growth and development. Invest NI support, totalling £165,829, is enabling these companies to create new jobs and gain additional resources and expertise to sell to new markets.

"The 31 new jobs, over half of which are already in place, will generate over £600,000 annually in additional salaries into the local economy and create valuable employment opportunities in the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council area.

"Working together with economic development partners, we want to make Northern Ireland the best region in which to start, and grow, a business. We have given a commitment in our business strategy to work even more closely with partners both locally and internationally to support economic development and contribute to the delivery of community planning."

(CD/MH)