22/02/2018

Other News In Brief

Man Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

A man has been convicted for claiming benefits he was not entitled to at Antrim Crown Court.

Richard John claimed Income Support and Carer's Allowance totalling £6,692 while failing to declare employment. He was given 50 hours community service.

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

The fraud was uncovered following an investigation by the Department for Communities.

Construction Work To Start On Resurfacing Project In Co Antrim

Construction work is to begin on a £200,000 road resurfacing project in Ballyclare, Co Antrim.

The work is to take place on the Rashee Road between Cogry Road and Readers Park. It is scheduled to begin on Monday, 26 February, and is to be completed by Monday, 23 April.

Most of the work will be carried out using a one way closure, with Ballyclare bound traffic diverted along the Trenchill Road and Ballyeaston Road. Doagh bound traffic will use the Cogry Road, Bridge Road, Mill Road and Station Road. All diversions will be clearly signposted and to help minimise inconvenience to the travelling public and local businesses, the majority of the work will be completed off peak.

A full road closure is necessary to lay the final road surface and this work will be carried out during weekends to reduce the impact. At this stage this is planned to take place from 6.00am on Saturday 24 March until 6.00am Monday 26 March, and from 6.00am on Saturday 14 April until 6.00am on Monday 16 April.

Diversions will be put in place.

Marriage Equality Will Come Into NI - Alliance

Marriage equality will come into Northern Ireland, according to the Alliance Party.

LGBT Chair Micky Murray has said it is only a matter of time before equal marriage becomes legal in NI, after the Secretary of State said it could be introduced via Westminster.

Mr Murray said: "Alliance Leader Naomi Long MLA has written to the Secretary of State outlining a number of options to get powersharing up and running again here.

"In it, she asks the Government to seriously consider legislating for equal marriage, as well as reform of the petition of concern (POC) mechanism, to help remove some of the roadblocks to the restoration of devolution.

"A majority of MLAs support marriage equality, with it passing through the Assembly on the last vote relating to it, only being blocked by the DUP's use of the POC. While we would rather a restored Assembly with a reformed POC deal with the issue, today's comments from the Secretary of State are welcome.

"Ideally, those who have long campaigned for marriage equality would be able to attend the momentous occasion it passes in their local Assembly. However, in the absence of that institution, I invite a Member of Parliament to bring forward a Private Member's Bill on the matter."

(CD/MH)

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