Other News In Brief

Woman Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

A woman has been convicted of claiming benefits she was not entitled to at Belfast Magistrates' Court.

Briege Devlin, 34, of Knocknagoney Park, Belfast, claimed Jobseekers Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £3,436 while failing to declare employment. She was given a 12 month conditional discharge and was fined £400.

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

DUP Demands Explanation Over Why Irish Tricolour Was Erected Over Stormont

DUP North Down MLA Peter Weir has written to the Northern Ireland Assembly Speaker Mitchell McLaughlin and Chief Executive Trevor Reaney demanding an explanation as to why a Tricolour was erected over Parliament Buildings on Wednesday.

Mr Weir said: "Whatever the motivation behind this there must be a full explanation from the Assembly as to who had access to the flag poles and who was responsible for this action.

"If it was carried out by someone working for an outside contractor then this surely would represent a breach of contract which should result in sanction.

" It would also place an onus on the company to take disciplinary action against those responsible. I have inquired too whether the Union Flags, flying to mark Coronation Day, were interfered with yesterday."

Health Minister Urged To Invest In Audiology Services

Northern Ireland's Health Minister is being urged to invest in Audiology Services.

SDLP Health Spokesperson Fearghal McKinney MLA, said he has "significant concerns" about the provision of age-related hearing loss services, with many older people consistently being put on long waiting lists and having to rely on archaic out-of-date hearing aid devices.

Mr McKinney said: "It is worrying that at the end of last year, there were over 3000 people waiting to have their hearing assessed with over half of these waiting beyond the nine week target set by the Department of Health.

"Compounding this, older people's hearing devices are archaic in comparison with Britain, where great strides have being taken in new tech development.

"Yet in Northern Ireland, the Department of Health has failed to invest in these services or to upgrade hearing aid devices to ensure that older people have the best devices possible to promote a better quality of life.

"Instead, many are living in social isolation, unable to communicate. This is simply not acceptable."

(CD/JP)