29/09/2015

Other News In Brief

Two Men Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

Two men have been convicted for claiming benefits they were not entitled to at Belfast Magistrates' Court.

Desmond Steele claimed Jobseekers Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £5,036 while failing to declare employment. He was given 75 hours community service.

Justin Barnes claimed Jobseekers Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £4,597 while failing to declare employment. He was given 120 hours community service.

Both are required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.

Road Resurfacing Works In Magherafelt To Begin

Road resurfacing works are expected to start in Magherafelt on Wednesday, 30 September.

Work on the £180,000 scheme includes the A6 Glenshane Road near the village of Knockloughrim which will take place between the Hillhead Road and the Ballynahone Road. It is expected to take approximately four weeks to complete.

To help minimise any inconvenience to the travelling public and local businesses two-way traffic flow will be maintained on the Glenshane Road during this period. However to facilitate the final surfacing it will be necessary to restrict access onto the Glenshane Road from the adjacent side roads at Hillhead Road, Derganagh Road and Ballynahone Road over a period of five days.

Diversions will be put in place.

Call For Pope Francis To Be Invited To Belfast

Belfast could see a papal visit in 2018, if plans by Councillor Nuala McAllister to extend an invitation to Pope Francis get the go-ahead.

The Councillor for North Belfast revealed plans to bring a motion asking all Councillors to join her in making it clear Pope Francis is welcome in Belfast, as part of his visit to Ireland scheduled for 2018.

She said: "This is a fantastic opportunity to make history in Belfast, signalling we are an open community, welcoming to all.

"There are many people of faith across Belfast who would be delighted to see the head of their church in their city and there is no reason why this can't happen.

"The Pope is an international symbol of peace and I’m looking forward to raising this issue at the first available opportunity at Belfast City Council. I hope Councillors will be able to unanimously join me in extending this invitation."

(CD/MH)

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