Other News In Brief

Man Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

A man has been convicted of claiming over £10,000 in benefits he was not entitled to at Downpatrick Crown Court.

James Archer claimed Jobseeker's Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £10,082 while failing to declare excess capital. He was given a three month prison sentence suspended for 12 months. The fraud was uncovered following an investigation by the Department for Communities.

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

Upgrade Work Continues At Wastewater Pumping Station In Antrim

Significant progress has been made to upgrade the Galgorm Wastewater Pumping Station in Co Antrim.

A total of £1.2million is being invested in the project and Graham Construction is currently working on site.

Children from the Gracehill & Galgorm Community playgroup also recently visited the site where they learned all about the importance of water and site safety and prepared handprints to adorn the hoarding of the construction site.

Peter Ferguson, NI Water project manager for the Galgorm Wastewater Pumping Station upgrade said: "We are delighted to have had the opportunity to visit Gracehill & Galgorm Community Playgroup recently to highlight the importance of water and looking after the environment to local children. These are our future generations who will benefit from investments such as this million pound upgrade at Galgorm Wastewater Pumping Station, and it’s great to have their handprints on display at the site.

"We are grateful to the playgroup for their involvement in the planting and to Councillor Audrey Wales MBE for representing Mid and East Antrim Borough Council here today. I would like to thank the local community for their patience and cooperation throughout the construction period."

Concerns Raised Over Border Issues

Alliance Brexit spokesperson Stephen Farry MLA has expressed scepticism over any real progress being made on the Irish border question following the publication of a more advanced version of the UK-EU Withdrawal Treaty, warning it could unravel other progress made if not addressed swiftly.

He said: "While I acknowledge the progress made between the UK and EU, significant differences and questions remain unresolved regarding the maintenance of an open border between Northern Ireland and Ireland.

"In many respects, the parties have only agreed to reach an agreement on this matter. The acknowledgment of some agreement of some components of a future deal relating to Ireland belies the continued absence of agreement on the core contradictions in the UK Government position.

"Therefore, it is hard to see how this issue has been significantly advanced from the EU-UK Joint Report from December 2017. While it is encouraging both sides remain committed to this text and its associated objectives, there is still no indication the UK Government has reached any understanding of what is required to turn this into practice.

"The central trilemma remains. The UK is simultaneously committed to an open border in Ireland, to leaving both the Single Market and the Customs Union, and opposing special arrangements for Northern Ireland. The hopes of a technical solution within a realistic timescale have been increasingly debunked, including most recently by the NI Affairs Committee.

"It is increasingly clear it is only through the UK as whole remaining in a Customs Union and at least Northern Ireland in the Single Market that physical borders can be avoided within these islands."

(CD/MH)