Other News In Brief

Woman Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

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

Clara Palomino claimed Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £8,066 while failing to declare employment. She was given a 12 months Conditional Discharge.

Miss Palomino has repaid the outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Department for Communities.

Additional £11.2m Allocated To Repair Roads And Bridges In NI

An additional £11.2 million has been allocated by the Department of Infrastructure to repair roads and bridges that were significantly damaged by the floods in August this year.

West Tyrone MLA Declan McAleer welcomed the announcement.

He said: "The floods washed away bridges and roads in the north west and many of these have not been repaired due to financial constraints. This is causing a major inconvenience for local communities who are also still contending with widespread damage to farm land and community facilities.

"In addition to road and bridge damage, river banks and gabions were destroyed and in some cases the damage was so severe that rivers have now taken a new course."

SDLP Cllr Chairs Meeting to Address Drug Issues

SDLP Cllr Paul McCusker chaired a meeting to address ever-growing drug issues across North Belfast, along with the DSCSP, PSNI and PPSNI.

This year 19 people have died as a result of drugs misuse in North Belfast alone.

Cllr McCusker said: "It was great to rally as a community to address the concerns around the increasing levels of drug misuse.

"The key thing about the drugs issue is that all the relevant agencies need to sit up and listen.

"We need to put together a six-month action plan to deal with the increasing problem, and inter-agency working is key to its success. Whether it’s the PSNI dealing with the criminal element, or the PHA, HSC or the Belfast Trust ensuring there is adequate services to deal with issue."

(CD/MH)