18/02/2009

Other NI News In Brief

Lurgan Sex Attack Investigated

The PSNI are investigating an alleged serious sexual assault in Co Armagh. An incident occurred in the Mourneview area of Lurgan and police are probing reports that it took place in an alleyway behind a housing estate on the Glenfield Road. Earlier today, the passage was sealed off as police examined the scene. A PSNI spokesman said: "Investigations are at a very early stage and we have no further details."

Rally Action Launched

The Superdrive Motorsports Centre has confirmed sponsorship of the two-wheel-drive category of the Hankook Northern Ireland Rally Championship for the fourth consecutive year at the launch at Tyrecall in Antrim.

Grosvenor Road Robbery Probed

Shots have been fired during a robbery at a fuel depot in west Belfast. It happened at Distillery Street, in the Grosvenor Road area, just after 6pm on Tuesday. A masked man fired one shot at a locked door to get into the building and another shot was later fired. No one was injured and the man escaped empty-handed.

Postal Painting Praise Apology

A Sinn Fein Assembly member had to apologise for praising members of the party's youth wing for painting red Royal Mail post-boxes green. The west Tyrone MLA Barry McElduff told the Assembly yesterday that he remained opposed to British symbols being imposed anywhere in Ireland. But he had to apologise for his backing of the painting campaign after it was ruled a breach of Assembly rules to effectively endorse vandalism.

Ards Alert Ends

A security alert on the Movilla road in Newtownards has been cleared. It happened yesterday and a saw a number of homes being evacuated as Army technical officers were tasked to the scene. A vehicle which was thought to have been suspicious was later declared safe and the Movilla road reopened.

Arrest Over Drogheda Drug Dealer Murder

A man has been arrested in connection with the murder of drug dealer, Paul Reay. Gardaí at Drogheda said this morning they had arrested a man in his early 40s in connection with the two-year investigation. Paul Reay was murdered at Tredagh View, Marley's Lane, on 23rd November 2006. Gardai investigating the murder originally believed the killing was linked to the seizure of a major cocaine haul near Athboy, Co Meath in August of the previous year. Gardai believed at the time that Mr Reay was blamed wrongly for a tip-off that led to the seizure, and shot by members of a rival gang.

Stormont To Hear Of NI Skills Gaps

The shortage of people with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) backgrounds entering the Northern Ireland workforce will be the focus of an event hosted by the Northern Ireland Assembly today. The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) will be the exclusive engineering institution to take part in the event which is hosted by Stormont's Employment and Learning, Education, and Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committees. The Institute of Directors, MATRIX, and a grammar school representative will also be on the panel. IET Chief Executive, Robin McGill, will take part in a panel discussion with other leading experts.

Fraudsters Pay Penalty

A total of 73 prosecutions for benefit fraud have been successful this year. The latest were seven people convicted at Belfast Magistrates' Court yesterday for claiming benefits they were not entitled to. Daniel Johnston (33) of Rossmore Drive, Belfast was given 75 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £22 for duplicate encashment of Social Fund totalling £539. Geraldine Johnston (51) of Fallswater Street, Belfast was fined £500 and ordered to pay court costs of £44 for duplicate encashment of Incapacity Benefit totalling £318. Sarah Greig (25) of Milford Street, Belfast was given two years conditional discharge and ordered to pay court costs of £28 for duplicate encashment of Income Support totalling £96. Sinead Braniff (32) of Glenalina Road, Belfast was given two years conditional discharge for duplicate encashment of Income Support totalling £185. John Lavery (43) of Oisin house, Belfast was given five weeks probation for failure to declare employment while claiming Job Seekers Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £2,827. Linda Harbinson (31) of Forthriver Road, Belfast was given two years conditional discharge and ordered to pay court costs of £40 for failure to declare employment while claiming Income Support totalling £3,308. Kieran Smyth (55) of Monagh Parade, Belfast was fined £150 and ordered to pay court costs of £31 for failure to declare employment while claiming Job Seekers Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £1,717. All are all also required to repay the money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.

(BMcC/JM)

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