Other News In Brief

Two Women Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

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

Nichola Rohmann claimed Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £3,186 while failing to declare her partner's employment. She was given a 12 month conditional discharge.

Jessica Gibson claimed Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £405 while failing to declare employment. She was given a 12 month conditional discharge.

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

Engineering Firm In Carrickfergus To Create 10 New Jobs

An engineering firm based in Carrickfergus has announced it is to create 10 new jobs as part of expansion plans supported by Invest NI.

Woodburn Engineering is also investing in additional machinery and marketing in a bid to secure new tender opportunities in Great Britain, particularly in the Infrastructure and Ports sector.

Managing Director, Tony Cowan said: "This investment is a significant development for the business that will enable us to target and secure new high value projects outside of Northern Ireland.

"We have seen an upturn in Great Britain’s construction sector and bolstering our management and production teams is giving us greater in house technical expertise and resources to deliver more complex engineering projects.

"Invest NI's support is helping us to position ourselves to compete for new business. We have already seen the fruits of our efforts, securing contracts with Glasgow and Chesterfield City Councils valued at £2million."

Invest NI has offered Woodburn Engineering £45,000 support towards its growth plans. The ten new roles, six of which are already in place, include a Production Supervisor, Contracts Manager, Draughtsman and seven skilled welders.

Alliance Slams Comments Made By Gregory Campbell

Alliance Strangford MLA Kellie Armstrong has condemned DUP MP Gregory Campbell after he made comments in support of the Hungarian Prime Minister.

Her comments came after Prime Minister Viktor Orban declared victory in a referendum on mandatory EU migrant quotas, despite only 43 per cent of the electorate voting, short of the 50 per cent required for a referendum to be valid.

Mr Campbell subsequently stated on BBC Radio Ulster's Nolan Show: "When you look at the Hungarians voting over the weekend, I think we're going to see some allies and some friends across Europe, because there is a definite mood swing in nations across the EU against the bureaucracy of Europe."

Ms Armstrong said she was "stunned but not surprised" the DUP MP was drawing parallels around Brexit and the attempts of the Hungarian Government to reject Hungary's participation in an EU quota system.

She said: "The current government in Hungary, under Viktor Orban, is widely seen as right-wing, populist, authoritarian, and anti-democratic. It adopts a hardline position on migrants and has failed to crack down and address racism.

"Either Gregory Campbell doesn't fully understand what he is talking about and the particular nature and views of the Hungarian Government or even worse, he finds their approach acceptable."

(CD)