Other News In Brief

Two Women Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

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

Geraldine Healy claimed Jobseekers Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £3,590 while failing to declare she was living with her partner. She was given a two year conditional discharge.

Bobbi-Leigh Kelly claimed Jobseekers Allowance totalling £2,472 while failing to declare she was working. She was given a two year conditional discharge.

Both women are also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Department for Communities.

Call For Youths To Stop Opening Fire Hydrants

NI Water has slammed youths responsible for vandalising fire hydrants across Belfast and has called on them to stop immediately.

The firm has received a number of reports of fire hydrants being opened over the past few weeks.

Sean McAleese, NI Water's Director of Customer Service Delivery, said it has "serious public safety implications".

He said: "We need youths to stop opening the hydrants. Some may see it as 'harmless fun' by young people trying to cool off during hot weather, but the reality is that as they play in the water, homes and businesses suffer low or zero water pressure.

"I would appeal to everyone to help us stop this before the unthinkable scenario occurs where a fire breaks out and there is no water for the Fire Service to deal with the fire."

Sports Clubs Urged To Apply For Free Defibrillators

Local sports clubs are being urged to apply for one of 300 free defibrillators that will be distributed by SportNI across Northern Ireland.

SDLP Councillor Angela Dobbins said: "The importance of maintaining working defibrillators at our local sports clubs cannot be overstated.

"Time and again it has been shown that heart problems can affect anyone and when they do time is of the essence. The simple truth is that having these machines on site can be the difference between life and death.

"It is therefore very welcome that SportNI have launched this initiative and I encourage as many local clubs to apply as possible."

(CD/JP)