Other News In Brief

Woman Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

A woman has been convicted for claiming benefits she was not entitled to at Belfast Crown Court.

Maureen Kerrigan claimed Pension Credit totalling £8,532 while failing to declare her partner’s employment. She was given a two month prison sentence suspended for 12 months.

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

Regeneration Work On Brandywell Stadium Continues

Regeneration work to improve the Brandywell Stadium in Co L'Derry is progressing well, according the the council.

Progress on the new the 3G pitch with the laying of the carpet is advanced although the final installation of the rubber crumb and sand dressing will complete as soon as weather permits.

Meanwhile the internal completion of the new stand sees the facility take shape with the fit out of changing rooms and meeting rooms largely complete, although it is expected that the corporate facilities completion will complete at a later timescale when the fire safety glazing is installed.

The installation of seats will start this week and there is a strong push from the contractors to complete finishing works and the additional works approved by Council for the Southend stand are also ongoing.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Cllr Maoliosa McHugh, said: "The contractors and staff are pulling out all the stops to advance with this regeneration project and to get the facility up and running as soon as possible. As with any project of this scale, we have experienced some issues and delays, on top of that we have experienced some poor weather conditions, but we remain committed to working with all our stakeholders, user groups and the people of the Brandywell area to do what we can to have the facility open as soon as we can."

Call For Council To Take The Lead To Reduce Plastic Waste

Alliance Councillor Peter McReynolds has said Belfast City Council must take the lead when it comes to reducing plastic waste in the city, in a bid to reduce the damaging effects on our environment.

The councillor has said City Hall has a 'responsibility to take the environment seriously' as he called for the public body to reduce its use of single use materials on all Council owned sites.

He said: "How we manage and engage with plastic is changing on a global stage and Belfast City Council has the opportunity to be a leader on this issue for Northern Ireland.

"For example, take the common, everyday paper cups that are supplied across Council buildings. Like many, I always thought this was recyclable as it is disposed of in the blue bin. But in reality they actually contain a small piece of plastic which gives them their sturdy nature.

"Currently only two recycling centres in the UK can accept these cups - so not only are they not recyclable in Northern Ireland, but they contaminate the bin which can lead to all the recyclable material being sent directly to landfill."