17/07/2025
Other News In Brief
Man In Court Charged With Possession Of A Firearm
A 41 year-old man is set to appear before Belfast Magistrate's Court today (17 July) charged with theft and possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
Police arrested the man in east Belfast on Tuesday, 15 July. All charges are to be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.
Sinn Féin Calls For Minister's Support Of Alternative Summer Camp
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has been called upon to support an alternative summer camp at Stormont following the cancellation of a cross-community event in Comber, due to the planned participation of young members from a GAA club, earlier this week.
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew said: "As the Minister responsible for sport, Gordon Lyons should be vocal in supporting events where children and young people can play together, learn new sports, make friends and build friendships."
51 Year-Old Pleads Guilty To Fraud
A 51 year-old man, who pleaded guilty to 24 counts of fraud, received a sentence of 20-months, suspended for two-and-a-half years, at Laganside Crown Court yesterday (16 July).
Ryan O'Kane, from the Omagh area, committed the offences in 2018 which included a number of individuals from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland investing a lump sum of money, ranging from £1000 upwards, into a company claiming to be on the global market in algorithm software.
Each of the victims was guaranteed on a return of their initial investment and any profits, if earned at the end of 12-months, however, Mr O'Kane failed to repay the investments.
A police investigation commenced and all ten victims were repaid just before sentencing was heard yesterday.
Detective Inspector Winters said: "O'Kane targeted the life-savings of innocent people, and acted with no thought for the long-lasting trauma he caused through his deception. His only concern was to line his own pockets.
"Today's sentence should send a clear message to those involved in scamming hard-working people, that they will be vigorously pursued and brought before the courts to face the consequences of their actions."
A 41 year-old man is set to appear before Belfast Magistrate's Court today (17 July) charged with theft and possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
Police arrested the man in east Belfast on Tuesday, 15 July. All charges are to be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.
Sinn Féin Calls For Minister's Support Of Alternative Summer Camp
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has been called upon to support an alternative summer camp at Stormont following the cancellation of a cross-community event in Comber, due to the planned participation of young members from a GAA club, earlier this week.
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew said: "As the Minister responsible for sport, Gordon Lyons should be vocal in supporting events where children and young people can play together, learn new sports, make friends and build friendships."
51 Year-Old Pleads Guilty To Fraud
A 51 year-old man, who pleaded guilty to 24 counts of fraud, received a sentence of 20-months, suspended for two-and-a-half years, at Laganside Crown Court yesterday (16 July).
Ryan O'Kane, from the Omagh area, committed the offences in 2018 which included a number of individuals from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland investing a lump sum of money, ranging from £1000 upwards, into a company claiming to be on the global market in algorithm software.
Each of the victims was guaranteed on a return of their initial investment and any profits, if earned at the end of 12-months, however, Mr O'Kane failed to repay the investments.
A police investigation commenced and all ten victims were repaid just before sentencing was heard yesterday.
Detective Inspector Winters said: "O'Kane targeted the life-savings of innocent people, and acted with no thought for the long-lasting trauma he caused through his deception. His only concern was to line his own pockets.
"Today's sentence should send a clear message to those involved in scamming hard-working people, that they will be vigorously pursued and brought before the courts to face the consequences of their actions."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
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18 August 2011
Criminals Sentenced For Benefit Fraud
A man was convicted at Belfast Magistrates' court on Wednesday for claiming benefits he was not entitled to. Raymond Crooks, 52, of Bentinck Street, Belfast was given three months imprisonment suspended for two years and ordered to pay court costs of £22 for wrongful encashment of Employment Support Allowance totalling £173.
Criminals Sentenced For Benefit Fraud
A man was convicted at Belfast Magistrates' court on Wednesday for claiming benefits he was not entitled to. Raymond Crooks, 52, of Bentinck Street, Belfast was given three months imprisonment suspended for two years and ordered to pay court costs of £22 for wrongful encashment of Employment Support Allowance totalling £173.
24 June 2011
Benefit Frauds Fined And Sentenced
Five people were convicted at Lisburn Magistrates' court this week for claiming benefits they were not entitled to. Damien Laverty (34) of Glenbaw Park, Dunmurry claimed Jobseekers Allowance totalling £6,746 while failing to declare employment. He was given a four-month prison sentence suspended for two years and ordered to pay court costs of £40.
Benefit Frauds Fined And Sentenced
Five people were convicted at Lisburn Magistrates' court this week for claiming benefits they were not entitled to. Damien Laverty (34) of Glenbaw Park, Dunmurry claimed Jobseekers Allowance totalling £6,746 while failing to declare employment. He was given a four-month prison sentence suspended for two years and ordered to pay court costs of £40.
27 May 2022
Finance Minister To Ensure Energy Payments Are Made In NI
Finance Minister, Conor Murphy, has said that he is committed to working with Treasury to ensure the Energy Bills Support Scheme will provide assistance to citizens here given the absence of an Executive.
Finance Minister To Ensure Energy Payments Are Made In NI
Finance Minister, Conor Murphy, has said that he is committed to working with Treasury to ensure the Energy Bills Support Scheme will provide assistance to citizens here given the absence of an Executive.
13 July 2018
Man Charged Over Banbridge Murder
A man charged with the murder of another man found dead in Banbridge is to appear before Newry Magistrates' Court today, 13 July. The body of 55-year-old Richard Gerard Scullion was found at a property in the Millmount Court area on Monday, 09 July. Police are appealing to anyone with information to contact them.
Man Charged Over Banbridge Murder
A man charged with the murder of another man found dead in Banbridge is to appear before Newry Magistrates' Court today, 13 July. The body of 55-year-old Richard Gerard Scullion was found at a property in the Millmount Court area on Monday, 09 July. Police are appealing to anyone with information to contact them.
02 December 2019
Pair Charged Over Co Armagh Security Alert
A man and woman are due in court over a security alert in Tandragee, Co Armagh. The blast bomb device was made safe after it was discovered during a police search in Woodview Park on Saturday 30 November. A 20 year-old woman and a 21 year-old man have been charged to appear before Newry Magistrates' Court tomorrow, Monday 02 December.
Pair Charged Over Co Armagh Security Alert
A man and woman are due in court over a security alert in Tandragee, Co Armagh. The blast bomb device was made safe after it was discovered during a police search in Woodview Park on Saturday 30 November. A 20 year-old woman and a 21 year-old man have been charged to appear before Newry Magistrates' Court tomorrow, Monday 02 December.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.