Other News In Brief

63-Year-Old Woman Prosecuted For Benefit Fraud

A 63-year-old woman has prosecuted for claiming benefits she was not entitled to.

Jennifer Taylor, Glenburn Park, Gylnn, Larne, claimed Jobseeker's Allowance totalling £4,183 while failing to declare a pension. She was convicted at Ballymena Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 23 May.

Ms Taylor was given a Conditional Discharge for three years. She is also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Department for Communities.

O'Neill Welcomes Corbyn's Call To Convene British Irish Intergovernmental Conference

A call by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn to convene the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference has been welcomed by Sinn Féin Deputy Leader, Michelle O'Neill.

During his first official visit to Northern Ireland today, 24 May, Mr Corbyn gave a speech at Queen's University Belfast and called on Prime Minister Theresa May to re-convene the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference to help break the political deadlock at Stormont.

Welcoming the call, Michelle O'Neill said: "I welcome Jeremy Corbyn's call to convene the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference. 

"Sinn Féin has been calling for the conference to be convened so that the two governments, working together, can take decisions to resolve the issues and pave the way for the restoration of power-sharing.

"And unlike the British Conservative party, who have slipped in and out of here without speaking to people and engaging with political leaders on Brexit, Jeremy Corbyn came here today to hear first hand about the disastrous implications of Brexit for border communities in particular."

Alliance's Armstrong To Chair Ards Hospital Car Parking Forum

The Alliance Party has revealed Strangford MLA, Kellie Armstrong, will chair a forum aimed at addressing access and car parking issues at Ards Hospital.

The South-Eastern Health and Social Care Trust Multi-Agency Transport Forum consists of various political parties, as well as several statutory agencies, and is designed to collectively look at finding a solution to ongoing problems at the site, as well as other local transport and car parking issues.

Ms Armstrong said for many years, the Ards Hospital site has had people from local offices and businesses, as well as the general public, using it as a car park or unofficial park and ride facility.

"The South-Eastern Trust has a duty to ensure people invited for an appointment can access our healthcare facilities safely and without excessive delay," she said.

"The overall aim is looking at more sustainable alternatives to single occupancy vehicle use, such as active travel options, car sharing, park and ride, cycling and improving our public transport network.

"Through this forum we can work together in the spirit of partnership to collectively find solutions to improve car parking provision for everyone in the local community."

(LM/LM)