Other News In Brief

Man Receives Confiscation Order For Waste Offences

A man has been fined a total of £12,000 and also made subject of a confiscation order for waste offences at Downpatrick Crown Court.

James Wightman, 55, from Ballynahinch, was awarded a confiscation order after he pleaded guilty, on 5 November 2013, to two breaches of waste management legislation under Article 4 of The Waste and Contaminated Land (Northern Ireland) Order 1997.

Officers of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) investigated the site at Dunmore Road, Ballynahinch, County Down, operated by Mr Wightman, in May 2010 where a substantial quantity of controlled wastes in the form of end of life plant and machinery was deposited.

Officers revisited the site in October 2012 and found the activity was still in operation. The site did not have a waste management licence to operate as a breaker (or de-polluter) of plant and machinery.

Mr Wightman has subsequently applied for and received a waste management licence for the site.

Woman Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

A woman has been convicted for claiming benefits she was not entitled to at Antrim Crown Court.

Jeanne Adair, 52, of Barra Street, Antrim, claimed Housing Benefit totalling £3,305 while failing to declare that she was living with her partner. She was given 80 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £40.

She is also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.

Call For Action Over Kingsmill Massacre Inquest Delay

Ulster Unionist MLA Danny Kennedy has demanded action from the Justice Minister following news that the Inquest into the Kingsmill Massacre has been delayed due to the lack of a coroner.

Mr Kennedy, who is his Party's candidate for Newry & Armagh in the forthcoming Westminster Election, said: "The news that the Inquest into the murder of 10 workmen at Kingsmill in 1976 has been delayed because there is no coroner to hear it, is the latest in a long line of blows to the families of the dead men and the survivor Mr Alan Black.

"Justice has been denied for almost 40 years and it is totally unacceptable that this Inquest should be delayed further due to the unavailability of a coroner. I am calling upon the Justice Minister to take steps to ensure this matter is urgently referred to the relevant authorities so that action can be taken as soon as possible."

(CD/MP)