Other News In Brief

63-Year-Old Ballyclare Man Fined For Finishing Offences

A 63-year-old County Antrim man has been fined £215 after pleading guilty to three fishing offences.

At Laganside Magistrates Court, Gibson McCleery, of St Saviours Gate, Ballyclare pleaded guilty to three breaches of legislation as prescribed under the Fisheries Act (Northern Ireland) 1966 and Public Angling Estate (PAE) Byelaws 2005.

The breaches were angling without the appropriate licence, fishing on DAERA's waters without a permit and using unpermitted fishing methods.

On the 13 September 2023, DAERA Fisheries Protection Officers were on routine patrol of the Public Angling Estate (PAE) at North Woodburn Reservoir, Carrickfergus when they observed Mr McCleery fishing with four fishing rods.

When asked to produce a licence and permit for the four fishing rods Mr McCleery only had the appropriate fishing licence and permit in place that would allow him to fish one rod. It was also discovered that he was using "dead bait” which is an unpermitted method of angling at North Woodburn. Mr McCleery advised he was targeting pike and was unaware of the rules to legally fish at this location.

Ukrainian Driving Licenses To Be Valid For Three Years In NI

The Department for Infrastructure has announced plans extend the validity of Ukrainian driving licences in Northern Ireland from one, to three years.

The extension follows a recent consultation exercise and is in line with the temporary nature and length of stay granted to those Ukrainians who have arrived in the UK under one of the three official schemes (the Family, Sponsor and Extension visa schemes).

The change in legislation will be an additional measure in the support and delivery of key services aimed at those Ukrainians who have arrived here, which is co-ordinated by The Executive Office, working in partnership with the UK Government, NI Departments, other devolved administrations, statutory agencies and the voluntary and community sector.

The move will improve the ability of Ukrainian driving licence holders to get around and adapt to living in NI as they will not need to exchange their licence or take a further test during the extended period in order to continue driving a manual car including any such vehicle, they brought with them to NI.

The change will not allow them to drive on their Ukrainian licence indefinitely and the extension will only apply to category B (car) licence holders. Licences in other categories are not being considered at this time.

Any Ukrainian who stays in NI beyond the time period of their Ukraine scheme visa and who had passed their test in Ukraine before 28 December 2021 would still be expected to undergo a manual practical test, should they want a manual entitlement licence.

A full summary of responses to the consultation is available on the DfI website.

UUP Announce Janice Montgomery As New Faughan DEA Councillor

The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) has announced that Janice Montgomery has been selected to replace Ryan McCready as the parties councillor in the Faughan DEA.

Alderman Darren Guy, Chairman of the Foyle branch of the party said: "As Chair of the Ulster Unionist Foyle Branch I want to thank both candidates who nominated themselves to replace Ryan McCready who stepped down from his Councillor role after successfully taking the position of Chair on the Londonderry Port and Harbour Commission. Although just not making it over the line, I want to thank Glen Miller for nominating as a candidate. I have no doubt he will keep himself involved within the Party and in future elections.

"Congratulations to Janice Montgomery who received overwhelming support from all branch members during the selection process.  It is just rewards for the way she has continued to work for the Ulster Unionist Party in Londonderry since running in last May's Local Elections. I have no doubt Janice will serve the people of the Faughan DEA well. She will be a great asset to our Council team moving forward."

Ulster Unionist leader, Doug Beattie MC MLA said: "I want to congratulate Janice on her selection to replace Ryan. I know she will be a huge asset both to the party team within the council and her constituents."