Other News In Brief

Five People Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

Three men and two women have been convicted for claiming benefits they were not entitled to at Belfast Magistrates' Court.

Adrian Johnston claimed Jobseeker's Allowance totalling £3,482 while failing to declare occupational pension. He was given 60 hours community service.

Karen Thompson claimed Income Support, Housing Benefit and Carer's Allowance totalling £8,646 while failing to declare she was working. She was given four months suspended sentence for 18 months.

Thomas Young claimed Income Support totalling £2,864 while failing to declare a pension. He was given a £250 fine plus a £15 offender levy.

Patrick Mallaghan claimed Jobseeker's Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £2,139 while failing to declare he was working. He was given 80 hours community service.

Nichola Keenan claimed Jobseeker's Allowance totalling £2,398 while failing to declare she was working. She was given a 12 month Probation Order, 60 hours community service and required to undertake alcohol counselling.

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

Work Starts On New Cycle Lane In Co Fermanagh

Work on a new £120,000 cycle lane in Co Fermanagh is expected to be completed within eight weeks.

The cycle lane, located on the Sligo Road in Enniskillen, will connect the large residential areas of Coleshill and Windmill Heights with the existing cycle track on Henry Street, providing a 700-metre link from Sligo Road towards Enniskillen town centre.

The majority of the work is taking place off road, keeping traffic disruption to a minimum.

However, lane closures will be required in the latter part of the works as the final surfacing is laid.

During the works, for safety reasons all pedestrians will be diverted away from the works area onto the footway on the opposite side of the road.

Suspension Of Barry McElduff will Be Seen As Weak – Alliance

Alliance Leader Naomi Long MLA has said Sinn Féin's three-month suspension of Barry McElduff will be seen as weak by many.

Mrs Long was speaking after party MP Mr McElduff was suspended for three months over a social media video showing him posing with a Kingsmill loaf on his head on the 42nd anniversary of the massacre of the same name. He will still receive pay while suspended.

"The party remained quiet long after Barry McElduff's video became public and the offence it had caused was clear," she said.

"They then raised expectations today with strong condemnation from Declan Kearney, that this would be dealt with as a matter of the utmost seriousness. Instead, whilst Barry McElduff is suspended from the party for three months, it transpires he will continue to be paid by Sinn Féin throughout.

"We have made it clear while we recognise the apology and welcome the party taking action, he has failed to provide explanation as to any innocent intention behind his actions. In those circumstances and until he does so, this stops well short of what would have been expected for such conduct.

"The thoughts and feelings of the families of the victims, as well as the sole survivor, are the most important thing in all of this. They suffered yet more hurt and distress as a result of Mr McElduff's actions and will no doubt see today's response by Sinn Féin as weak.

"I think this entire sorry episode has highlighted yet again our abject failure as a society to deal with victims with respect and treat families and survivors with dignity. Sadly, it is not an isolated incident, either in politics or in our community, where the hurt and pain of grieving families are often compounded by callous and disrespectful words and actions, which fly in the face of human decency."

(CD/JP)