Other News In Brief

Farmer Fined For Pollution Offence

A farmer has been fined £400 for a pollution offence at Lisburn Magistrates' Court.

Gavin Hayes, of Lough Road, Lisburn, was also ordered to pay an offenders' levy of £15 for making a polluting discharge to a waterway.

On 11 March 2014, a Water Quality Inspector, acting on behalf of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), inspected a waterway at 14 Glenavy Road, Ballinderry and observed it to be discoloured with a large amount of sewage fungal growth on the bed of the waterway.

The polluting discharge was traced to farm premises owned by Mr Hayes. The length of waterway impacted by the discharge was approximately 500 metres.

Samples taken at the time of the incident confirmed that the discharge contained poisonous, noxious or polluting matter which was potentially harmful to fish life in the receiving waterway.

Ballymena Woman Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

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

Samantha Robinson, 25, of Toome Road, Ballee claimed Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £2,463 while failing to declare employment. She was given an 18 month conditional discharge.

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

Justice Minister Condemns Lurgan Bomb Attack On Police

The Justice Minister has condemned a bomb attack in Lurgan which was an attempt to kill officers serving the community.

Minister David Ford said: "Police officers attended a security alert in Lurgan in order to protect local residents. Whoever set this alert and the device which exploded had a clear intention to kill police officers.

"They showed absolutely no regard for local residents, who could have been killed or injured. I join with local community representatives in condemning their hopeless action."

(CD/JP)