Other News In Brief

Orange Order Freedom Of Lisburn Withdrawn

A motion to grant the Orange Order the freedom of Lisburn has been withdrawn.

The proposal, issued by the DUP, needed a majority of two thirds in order to be passed but was rejected by 40% of councillors.

Alliance Party councillor Brian Dornan said the plan could not be justified.

"If an organisation is to have freedom of a city or a borough, it really needs to have the overwhelming support of residents of the area and it has to be undertaking exceptional work," he said.

"We didn't think those tests were met."

Derry Man 'Hit Wife With Bottle'

A man in L'Derry allegedly hit his estranged wife over the head with a full bottle of wine, knocking her unconscious, the High Court has been told.

Prosecutors claim Glen Smith assaulted the victim in front of her daughter after arriving at her house in the city with flowers, chocolate and wine.

The man’s wife is said to have suffered cuts, swelling and trauma following the 27 July incident.

MrSmith was arrested more than two weeks later, when police found £10 worth of suspected cannabis resin on him. He was refused bail.

Benefit Fraudster Convicted

A man was convicted at Ballymena Magistrates' court yesterday for claiming benefits he was not entitled to.

Christopher McFall (32) of Townhill Road, Portaglen was fined £200 and ordered to pay court costs of £22.

The total money claimed fraudulently by Mr McFall was £125.

He has since repaid all money in full to the Social Security Agency.

Body Found During Fermanagh Farm Search

The body of a man reported missing in County Fermanagh has been found near his farmhouse.

Just after midnight on Tuesday, a man living at Upper Tully, Kinawley, contacted police to inform them an elderly neighbour had not been seen for days.

An overnight search for the 89-year-old involved a police helicopter, along with thermal imaging equipment.

His body was found in a field at about 10:15 on Wednesday morning.

(IT)