Other News In Brief

Farmer Fined For Pollution Offence

A farmer from Co Antrim has been fined for making a polluting discharge to a waterway.

Samuel Brennan from Larne was convicted and fined £750 at Ballymena Magistrates' Court.

He was also ordered to pay an offender's levy of £15.

On 21 March 2016, a Senior Water Quality Inspector (SWQI), acting on behalf of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), inspected a waterway at Ballyboley Road, Larne and observed a heavy growth of sewage fungus together with a cloudy appearance in the waterway.

The source of the polluting discharge was traced to the farm owned by the defendant. On the farm the SWQI discovered seepage of effluent which appeared to originate at a point adjacent to the rear wall of an earth-banked silo. This effluent was flowing towards and entering the waterway.

A sample taken at the time of the incident confirmed that the discharge contained poisonous, noxious or polluting matter which was potentially harmful to fish life in the receiving waterway.

Five Child Sex Offences Recorded Every Day In NI

Five child sex offences are recorded every day in NI, according to new figures.

Police said 1,809 sex crimes against children were reported last year, the highest ever level and up five per cent on the previous year. A total of 777 crimes were recorded against children aged 11 and under, with 230 against those aged five and under.

Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw has said the figures are "deeply shocking".

She said: "When we consider there may also be many cases which are not recorded, we should be seriously disturbed by what is happening.

"This is an issue upon which we need urgent cross-departmental working to address the problem as a matter of urgency.

"I will be meeting the NSPCC this week to discuss this further and to see what practical action can be taken as a matter of urgency."

British People Will Not Be Cowed By Any Terror Threat - Empey

Ulster Unionist Peer Lord Empey has said that the British people will not be cowed by any terror threat and will stand together as a United Kingdom.

He was speaking after three people were killed and dozens injured following the attack on Westminster Bridge on Wednesday, 22 March.

He said: "My deepest sympathies go out to the families, friends and colleagues of three innocent victims – including an extremely brave police officer - who have lost their lives and I hope that the injured can make a full recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who have been affected.

"History demonstrates that the British people do not frighten easily. This was an attack on the Mother of Parliaments, the seat of our democracy, our nation's Capital City.

"If anyone thinks that this type of attack will frighten or intimidate our citizens, they are badly mistaken. London has faced terrorism before and life defiantly carried on. The British people will face down any threat that comes our way. Our democracy and our nation will endure, as one United Kingdom."

(CD)