06/04/2016

Other News In Brief

Dunmurry Firm Fined For Pollution Offence

A Dunmurry firm has been fined for or making a polluting discharge and for making a discharge in contravention of the Department's consent conditions at Limavady Magistrates' court.

Northstone (NI) Ltd was fined a total of £15,000 plus court costs.

On 24 November 2014, Water Quality Inspectors, acting on behalf of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency responded to a complaint of sand washings in the River Roe in the Dungiven area. The source of the polluting discharge was traced to the Northstone site at Murnies Sandpit Crebarkey, Dungiven.

A sample taken on 09 December 2014 confirmed that the discharge contained polluting matter which would have been potentially harmful to aquatic life in a receiving waterway.

The Department's consent to discharge states that the suspended solids content of the effluent should not exceed 50 milligrammes per litre. The effluent failed to comply with this requirement and was, therefore, unsuitable for discharge.

Two Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

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

Patricia Galway claimed Income Support totalling £3,830 while failing to declare capital. She was given a 12 month conditional discharge.

Milan Botos claimed Jobseekers Allowance totalling £2,178 while failing to declare employment. He was fined £300.

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

Time To Deliver An Assembly People Want To See - Ford

Alliance Leader David Ford has said it is time to deliver an Assembly people want to see, as he unveiled his party's candidates for the forthcoming election.

Speaking at the candidate launch event at the Radisson Hotel in south Belfast, Mr Ford said his party's prospective MLAs truly reflected the rich diversity of Northern Ireland.

Mr Ford said: "We are 18 years after the Good Friday Agreement and yet the pace of change has never been slower.

"People are frustrated of being held back by the politics of fear and division, with parties squabbling and bickering instead of making the progress the vast majority want. Alliance's candidates are different - they will be the MLAs people want to see."

(CD)

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