Other NI News In Brief

Yoga Aids Cancer Care

The Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) is running a new course of its popular Recovery Yoga sessions for cancer patients in May with the help of yoga teacher and well-known restaurateur, Jeanne Rankin. A qualified and experienced yoga teacher, specialising in yoga therapy and providing programmes specifically tailored for cancer patients, Jeanne (pictured) said: "UCF's Recovery Yoga is a calming and enjoyable six-week programme. It has been specially developed for people who are undergoing or who have had treatment for cancer and may be feeling fragile or low in energy. During the sessions participants can learn gentle movements and easy, effective breathing exercises to help build energy levels, strengthen the body and improve their sense of wellbeing," she said, noting that the six-week course will take place every Wednesday starting on 4th May from 12.30pm to 2pm on the 1st floor of (her own) Cayenne Restaurant, in Shaftsbury Square, Belfast.

Derry On Alert

There's a security alert underway after a suspect device was found in Londonderry. It was discovered in the Carnhill area on Wednesday morning and a number of houses have been evacuated close to the scene. Police have advised motorists to avoid the Collon Lane and Carnhill areas.

Lyric Liquors

The new £18m Lyric Theatre in Belfast is on schedule to open on Sunday 1st May - and with the help of local solicitors firm, O'Reilly Stewart - a liquor licence has now been granted. This means that, on opening night, guests at the Lyric will be able to enjoy all of the new theatre's hospitality facilities. Seamus McGranaghan, Associate Solicitor at O'Reilly Stewart said: "We originally assisted the Lyric Theatre in relation to the temporary transfer of its liquor licence to Elmwood Hall, so that the theatre's programme could continue while work at the Ridgeway Street site was in progress. We were then delighted to use our expertise to advise the Lyric Theatre in relation to the granting of the Theatre Licence in respect of the new building," he said. Ciaran McAuley, Chief Executive of the Lyric Theatre, added: "Our bar has impressive views over the River Lagan - perfect for relaxing before and after shows."

Car Dealer Fined

A Larne car dealer trading as Lowes of Larne was this week fined a total of £500, plus court costs, at Antrim Magistrates' Court over six charges under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. In a case brought by the Trading Standards Service of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Kenneth Lowe, who trades as Lowes, pleaded guilty and was fined £500 in relation to one of the charges and was given a conditional discharge for 18 months for the remaining five charges. He was also ordered to pay £1,600 in compensation. A complainant purchased a Volkswagen Golf from the defendant company in December 2008. The complainant believed that the vehicle was a 'GTI' model as it had been included on the bodywork of the vehicle, on the display information card and on the key fob but discovered that the vehicle was not a 'GTI' and was in fact a much lower specification 'trendline' model. The vehicle had also been described as being 'RAC inspected' but evidence was obtained to prove that this was not the case.

Smoking 'Costs Traders'

Two shopkeepers have been fined £500 each for selling cigarettes to persons under the legal age. Paul Savage, of The Candy Bar, Sicily Park in west Belfast, was also ordered to pay costs of £69 following a test purchasing exercise at his shop on December 16, 2010 when he sold cigarettes to someone under 18. Paul Murphy, trading as Siopa Spud at the Ashton Centre on Churchill Street, north Belfast, was also fined and ordered to pay costs of £69 following a test purchasing exercise at the shop on the same day. The prosecutions were brought by Belfast City Council. Meanwhile a Co Antrim man has been fined for failing to cooperate with a council officer investigating an alleged breach of the smokefree legislation on June 15, 2010. Tom Smyth, from Castletown Road in Ballyclare, was fined £50 and ordered to pay costs of £66.

Frauds Pay Up

Three people were convicted at Newry Magistrates' Court this week for claiming benefits they were not entitled to. Alexander Lynch, 59, of Circular Road, Londonderry, claimed Housing Benefit totalling £12,348 while failing to declare capital. He was fined £300 and ordered to pay court costs of £28. Doreen Anderson, 42, of Keggall View, Newry claimed Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £8,312 while failing to declare she was living with a partner. She was fined £300 and ordered to pay court costs of £37. Paula McKibben, 41, of Mullartown Park, Newry was given a six month conditional discharge and ordered to pay court costs of £22 for wrongful encashment of Disability Living allowance and Income Support totalling £791. All are also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.

(BMcC/GK)