Other News In Brief

Man Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

A man has been convicted of claiming benefits he was not entitled to at Belfast Crown Court.

Paul Magee claimed Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £29,672 while failing to declare capital. He was given a nine month prison sentence suspended for two years.

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

New Community Centre Opens In Newry

A new £1.2m community centre has officially opened in Newry.

Agriculture Minister Michelle O'Neill opened the multi-purpose community resource centre in Ballyholland on Thursday.

Ballyholland Development Association (BDA) were awarded £800,000 funding under Axis 3 of the Rural Development Programme, Measure 3.4 - Basic Services for the economy and rural population, delivered by SOAR. Match funding of £100,000 was provided by Newry and Mourne Council along with £25,550 from Ballyholland Development Association.

Minister O'Neill said: "The total DARD investment in this project of just under £800,000, combined with substantial match funding provided by Newry and Mourne District Council and a significant contribution raised by Ballyholland Development Association, is an excellent example of how Axis 3 of the RDP can make a significant investment and positive impact on rural life.

"I would like to congratulate Ballyholland Development Association and the then Newry and Mourne District Council for all their hard work and perseverance in bringing this excellent project to completion."

Alliance Hits Out At The Police

Councillor Emmet McDonough Brown has said he is both disappointed and frustrated after police in south Belfast continued to backtrack on a decision taken last year over flags in a mixed area of the Ormeau Road.

At a special meeting organised by the Botanic Councillor, the PSNI confirmed they had overturned a 2014 decision to treat the placing of flags on lampposts in the area as a breach of the peace.

Councillor Emmet McDonough Brown said: "While I am disappointed, I am not surprised at the PSNI's complete lack of support for local residents. PSNI removed an Irish tricolour from a war memorial in Dungannon this week – so clearly they have the power to remove flags and exercise an unarticulated discretion in doing so. Their decision not to act in defence of shared space along the Ormeau Road is underwhelming and residents will be deeply disappointed.

"Following the decision last year there was an expectation that the PSNI had finally moved forward and recognised their role in protecting local people from intimidation. Sadly, everyone who put their trust in them has been severely let down. These attempts to demarcate territory should be exposed for what they are – retrograde and unacceptable."

(CD/JP)