Other News In Brief

Woman Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

A woman has been convicted for claiming benefits she was not entitled to at Craigavon Crown Court.

Alicia Sloane claimed Employment and Support Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £26,414 while failing to declare capital. She was given a nine month prison sentence suspended for three years.

Mrs Sloane has repaid all money wrongfully obtained to the Department for Communities.

Work Begins On £3.5m Development In East Belfast

Construction work has started on a £3.5 million development in east Belfast.

Hagan Homes is developing the new homes at a site on the Upper Newtownards Road.

The 30 two-bedroom apartments will take up nine months to complete. Approximately 50 construction jobs will be created.

Phase 1 of the development is scheduled for completion in February 2017 and the entire site is due for completion by May 2017.

Jamesy Hagan, Managing Director, Hagan Homes, said: "We are delighted to announce our plans for the new housing development on Upper Newtownards Road in East Belfast. It is a clear indication of Hagan Homes' confidence in the local market and a further sign of rejuvenation in the construction sector.

"Demand for superior homes offering value in Northern Ireland is high and the Upper Newtownards Road development offers homebuyers the opportunity to live within Dundonald village which is convenient to key arterial routes as well as a wide range of amenities and entertainment. The two bedroom apartments are designed to appeal to all demographics, whether first-time buyers, young professionals or downsizers."

Resignation Shows Need For Abortion Law Reform – Ford

Alliance MLA David Ford has said the resignation of a paediatric pathologist over interventions by the Attorney General on abortion law demonstrates the need for MLAs to legislate to allow termination in cases of fatal foetal abnormalities (FFA).

Mr Ford was speaking after the resignation of Dr Caroline Gannon, who said the interventions by John Larkin made her position "untenable".

He said: "As Minister of Justice, I tried to introduce legislation to legalise abortion in the narrow area of FFA but I was blocked in the Executive. Meanwhile, the various drafts of guidelines from the Minister of Health created a chill factor, which meant doctors felt threatened with criminal prosecution if they carried out a termination unless there was irrefutable evidence of a threat to the woman's mental health.

"The fact Dr Gannon now feels she cannot carry out her duties to her patients is a clear demonstration the law must be changed. I do not wish to see so-called 'abortion on demand', but I do believe the law should allow compassion to women faced with a dreadful diagnosis who feel they cannot carry a foetus to full term."

(CD/JP)