Other News In Brief

Woman Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

A woman has been convicted for claiming benefits she was not entitled to at Newry Magistrates' Court.

Pauline Marron claimed Income Support totalling £9,637 while failing to declare employment. She was given a Conditional Discharge for 12 months.

She is also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Department for Communities.

SDLP Accused Of Misleading Public Over RHI Scandal

The SDLP Party have been accused of misleading the public over the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scandal, which is set to cost the public purse around £490million.

Sinn Féin's Conor Murphy saidthe SDLP seems to be labouring under the misapprehension that if you say something often enough people will believe it.

He said: "The reality is that the SDLP found out about the scale of the RHI scandal at the same time as other Executive parties. Their Executive minister received a letter from the then DETI minister urging a shutdown of the scheme on February 5, 2016.

"Yet ten days later the SDLP voted to keep RHI open while Sinn Féin took action and moved quickly to shut the botched RHI scheme down permanently.

"While others talked, Sinn Féin acted and the public now have the chance to have their say."

Election Poll Is An Opportunity for People to change Society For Good - Long

Tomorrow is the best opportunity people have ever had to change society here for good, Alliance Leader Naomi Long has said.

Mrs Long said while she understood many people's frustration with the Executive parties and institutions, Thursday's poll was the chance to deliver a message to the DUP and Sinn Fein by voting for Alliance and other progressive parties.

"This election is not only a chance for people to take a stand against the numerous scandals we have seen under the DUP and Sinn Fein - RHI, Nama, Red Sky, Research Services Ireland and SIF - but also change the pattern that leads to the biggest cost of all, division manipulated by those who profit from it.

"It is a golden opportunity to turn things around and get the sort of politics you want. It is a chance to elect responsible, proven leadership who will work in the best interests of everyone. It's an opportunity to put an end to the pettiness, squabbling, corruption and division that's destroying our public services and eroding public trust. But people need to grasp this opportunity.

"Every vote for Alliance in every constituency will matter. It will send out a strong message about the type of society people want to see - a progressive, liberal and vibrant community which celebrates diversity as a strength, rather than exploiting difference as a weakness."

(CD)