Other News In Brief

Man Fined For Pollution Offence

A Co Down business man has been fined for a pollution offence at Newtownards Magistrates' Court today.

Mr Robert Martin Hamilton was fined a total of £3,000, plus court costs of £25 and an Offenders Levy of £15 for making polluting discharges to a waterway.

On 4 February 2015 Water Quality Inspectorsacting on behalf of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) inspected the Enler River at its confluence with the Ballystockart River and observed that it was grossly polluted. The Inspectors traced the source of the pollution to premises owned by Robert Martin Hamilton. It was observed that sludge had been spread on the fields and had run off into the waterway.

On 6 February 2015 an Inspector, acting on behalf of NIEA again observed pollution in the Enler River at its confluence with the Ballystockart River. The discharge was traced upstream to property and premises owned by Robert Martin Hamilton. A brown coloured liquid, believed to be vegetable processing waste water was observed flowing off the fields into the waterway. It was observed that the waterway above these premises was clear.

A sample taken on 6 February 2015 confirmed that the discharge contained high Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Total Ammonia and Suspended Solids content.

In excess of 2.5 kilometres of waterway was impacted by the discharges.

Improvement Project To Start In Co Down

An improvement project worth over £200,000 is to begin in Portaferry, Co Down.

Work on the £205,000 scheme, funded by the NI Executive, at Coach Road/Deerpark Road, is to start on Thursday, 25 February.

The resurfacing scheme is expected to be substantially completed by the end of March.

Transport Minister Michelle McIlveen said: "This scheme will greatly improve the strength, shape, drainage and surface quality of the carriageway and footway on over a three quarters of a mile (1,420 metres) section of this important A Class road between Portaferry and Kircubbin."

Diversions will be put in place during the works.

Alliance Supports Special Olympics

Alliance Assembly member Trevor Lunn has highlighted the important role the Special Olympics plays in the lives of hundreds of young people across Northern Ireland.

The MLA for Lagan Valley was speaking after attending a Special Olympics bowling event at Lisburn Leisure Park, where he presented medals to participants.

He said: "For many young people, the Special Olympics gives the opportunity to develop skills and participate in sports. Bowling is a lifetime fitness sport which contributes to balance, coordination and motor skills.

"It is a particularly beneficial sport to people with intellectual disabilities, irrespective of their age or sports abilities, since it ensures physical exercise and at the same time participation and social integration."

(CD)