Menu
27/09/2006
Former DUP mayor admits electoral fraud
Dessie Stewart, a former DUP mayor of Coleraine, has admitted six charges of electoral fraud.
The charges relate to the last general and local government elections in May 2005, when Mr Stewart was elected to the post.
The councillor initially denied the charges, but on Wednesday, he admitted to four counts of pretending to be someone else in order to cast postal votes, as well as two charges of fraudulently stopping free exercise of a proxy vote.
He will now face sentencing on October 24.
Both Sinn Fein and the SDLP have today called for Mr Stewart to resign from the council.
Sinn Fein councillor Billy Leonard today told BBC News that Mr Stewart should no longer operate as an elected representative, saying that he had “totally contradicted” the whole idea of people entrusting their democratic vote.
SDLP's John Dallat said that Councillor Stewart should be replaced by the candidate who was runner-up in the council elections and not by another member of the DUP.
(EF/KMcA)
The charges relate to the last general and local government elections in May 2005, when Mr Stewart was elected to the post.
The councillor initially denied the charges, but on Wednesday, he admitted to four counts of pretending to be someone else in order to cast postal votes, as well as two charges of fraudulently stopping free exercise of a proxy vote.
He will now face sentencing on October 24.
Both Sinn Fein and the SDLP have today called for Mr Stewart to resign from the council.
Sinn Fein councillor Billy Leonard today told BBC News that Mr Stewart should no longer operate as an elected representative, saying that he had “totally contradicted” the whole idea of people entrusting their democratic vote.
SDLP's John Dallat said that Councillor Stewart should be replaced by the candidate who was runner-up in the council elections and not by another member of the DUP.
(EF/KMcA)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
19 September 2016
Concerns Raised Over Tower Block Proposals
The views of residents in the Markets area must be taken into account in relation to the proposed Stewart Street development, Sinn Féin Councillor Deirdre Hargey has said. A proposal has been submitted to develop tower blocks near residential homes, which Councillor Hargey has said are "unsuitable for the area".
Concerns Raised Over Tower Block Proposals
The views of residents in the Markets area must be taken into account in relation to the proposed Stewart Street development, Sinn Féin Councillor Deirdre Hargey has said. A proposal has been submitted to develop tower blocks near residential homes, which Councillor Hargey has said are "unsuitable for the area".
25 October 2017
Convicted Killer Hazel Stewart's Home To Be Sold
A judge has granted an order that convicted double murderer Hazel Stewart hands over her share of the current family home. The property can be linked to fraudulently claimed insurance policies and police pension benefits.
Convicted Killer Hazel Stewart's Home To Be Sold
A judge has granted an order that convicted double murderer Hazel Stewart hands over her share of the current family home. The property can be linked to fraudulently claimed insurance policies and police pension benefits.
20 February 2015
Belfast Street Named For Eminent Scientist
A street in Belfast's Titanic Quarter has been named in honour of one of Northern Ireland's most eminent scientist, John Stewart Bell.
Belfast Street Named For Eminent Scientist
A street in Belfast's Titanic Quarter has been named in honour of one of Northern Ireland's most eminent scientist, John Stewart Bell.
23 February 2011
Killer Dentist 'Used Gas To Sedate Lovers'
A high profile murder trial has heard that the accused, Hazel Stewart, feared her former lover - a dentist - gave her too much laughing gas before a sex session on his dentist's chair. Mrs Stewart, 47, is denying murdering her husband, Trevor Buchanan, 32, and her former lover Colin Howell's wife, Leslie, 31, in May 1991.
Killer Dentist 'Used Gas To Sedate Lovers'
A high profile murder trial has heard that the accused, Hazel Stewart, feared her former lover - a dentist - gave her too much laughing gas before a sex session on his dentist's chair. Mrs Stewart, 47, is denying murdering her husband, Trevor Buchanan, 32, and her former lover Colin Howell's wife, Leslie, 31, in May 1991.
07 August 2008
Focus On Paramilitaries As Brothers Face Murder Charges
A DUP MLA has said that he thinks the IRA's so-called 'army council' is still in existence and that its 'removal' would be a "significant step" in cementing the continuing peace.
Focus On Paramilitaries As Brothers Face Murder Charges
A DUP MLA has said that he thinks the IRA's so-called 'army council' is still in existence and that its 'removal' would be a "significant step" in cementing the continuing peace.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
