Other NI News In Brief

Road Tragedy

A male driver has died in a road accident on the Portglenone Road in Randalstown after his car was in collision with another vehicle just before 9am Thursday. Two people in the other car were taken to hospital. Police said their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

Wilson 'Rates Ballymena'

The Stormont Finance Minister Sammy Wilson has met with Ballymena councillors and businesses to hear their views on his non-domestic rating proposals and their concerns for the future. The proposals relate to a large retail levy and expansion of the small business rate relief scheme. If introduced, this would provide tangible help to those small businesses who need it most. The Minister also heard the concerns of the local traders regarding the impact of the economic downturn and visited a number of independent businesses in the town. "I am acutely aware of the concerns that many traders have, both here and in other towns across Northern Ireland. The downturn has been very difficult for most sectors of the economy, however some have fared better than others during that period," he said. "My proposals are intended to rebalance the rating system during the economic downturn, helping to create the right conditions for recovery, and broadly doubling the amount of rate relief provided to small businesses, without it being a draw on the public purse."

Frauds Get Punishment

Three people were convicted at Craigavon Magistrates’ court yesterday for benefit fraud. Leo McKernan (57) of Woodside Hill, Portadown claimed Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £10,939 while failing to declare his partner's employment. He was given a two-month prison sentence suspended for two years and ordered to pay court costs of £31. Michael Kelly (29) of Lower Nassau Street, Londonderry was fined £100 and ordered to pay court costs of £76 for wrongful encashment of Jobseekers Allowance totalling £93. Thomas Haughian (48) of Charles Street, Lurgan was fined £300 and ordered to pay court costs of £19 for wrongful encashment of Jobseekers Allowance totalling £566. All are also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.

Omagh Care Home Opens

A new residential housing scheme in Omagh has been officially opened. The NI Social Development Minister, Nelson McCausland and his colleague, the Health Minister, Edwin Poots were on hand at the £2m Mulhern Close scheme that now provides purpose built accommodation for Western Trust patients who resided in long stay learning disability hospitals across Northern Ireland. The facility includes three single storey clusters of domestic styled accommodation, each housing four residents. Each of the 12 residents has their own bedroom and en suite bathroom linked to communal kitchen, dining room and lounge facilities. Therapy and relaxation rooms and sleepover accommodation for care staff are also provided on site. Care is provided around the clock by Oaklee Care and Support Services.

SF Calls For Fuel Poverty Action

The Sinn Fein Energy Spokesperson, Phil Flanagan has following the launch of the NI 'Energy Wise' campaign by DUP Ministers Arlene Foster and Nelson McCausland by challenging the Ministers to take imaginative steps to address fuel poverty. "What the Minister should have been announcing was forward looking initiatives such as energy brokering, the introduction of social tariffs and the implementation of the Green New Deal. These are the types of initiatives which will make a difference to people's lives and which the Ministers should be leading on. There is no substance to this announcement by Arlene Foster and her DUP Ministerial colleague," he said, adding, "This excuse for a 'new energy strategy' will do nothing to mitigate against continued energy price increases or alleviate the increasing incidence of fuel poverty."

BMA Student Leader Named

A medical student from Saintfield, Co Down has been elected Chairman of the BMA's Medical Student Committee in Northern Ireland. Luke Boyle, who is currently in his final year at Queen's University Belfast, was elected unopposed to the post. "I am honoured to take up this position, having been involved with the student committee for a number of years. I will be working hard with my colleagues to ensure that medical student issues remain on the public and political agenda," he said. "While we have welcomed the recent move to effectively freeze tuition fees for local students studying at QUB, we still need to ascertain the impact for those who are required to move away from home for whatever reason. Student debt will remain a key issue for us to challenge as we strive to ensure that medicine remains open as a career to everyone - not just those who can pay for it."

(BMcC/CD)