21/02/2017

Armagh Man Fined For Destroying Protected Habitat

A man has been fined for the destruction of a protected habitat in the Slieve Gullion area in Co Armagh.

Derek Johnston from Forkhill was fined £3,400 for breaches of Environment Order legislation at Newry Magistrates Court.

On five occasions between 5 October 2012 and 15 July 2014, officers from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) investigated a site owned by Mr Johnston within Slieve Gullion Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) and Slieve Gullion Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

On each occasion unauthorised works were observed which resulted in substantial damage to protected habitat. Burning, spraying and mechanical removal of vegetation caused the destruction of 12.5 hectares of priority Dry Heath habitat on land owned by Mr Johnston.

(CD)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

29 February 2024
Children Must Be Protected From Criminal Exploitation – Alliance
The Alliance Party has raised concerns over the safeguarding of children at risk of exploitation. The party's Spokesperson for Children and Young People, Sian Mulholland, raised the issue following a BBC Spotlight investigation into child exploitation involving drug gangs.
12 February 2024
Appeal For Information And Witnesses To L'Derry Collision
The PSNI have issued an appeal for information and witnesses following a report of a serious road traffic collision in the Strand Road area of L'Derry the early hours of Sunday, February 11. Around 1.40am, police received a report of a collision involving a pedestrian and a black Volkswagen Golf.
22 April 2024
Police Issue Fresh Appeal For Witnesses To Banbridge Shooting
A man shot in the abdomen in a Banbridge car park on Friday, 12 April, remains in a critical condition in hospital. The man, aged in his 40s, was shot as he sat in a car by a masked man. Detectives investigating a shooting in the Rathfriland Road area returned to the scene on the evening of Friday, 19 April.
16 April 2024
Appeal Following Arson Attack In South Belfast
The PSNI have issued an appeal for information and witnesses following an arson attack at a property in south Belfast. At approximately 10.20pm on Saturday, 13 April, police received a report of a fire at a house in the Kilburn Street area. Police attended the scene alongside the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.
10 April 2024
Work To Begin On New North Belfast Housing Development
The Department for Communities that preparatory works has now begun for the physical redevelopment of the Adam Street site on Duncairn Gardens in North Belfast. As a result of extensive public consultation, social housing will be provided through a residential-led regeneration scheme.