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14/05/2014
Other News In Brief
Three Arrested Over Drugs Seizure, Waringstown
Three people have been arrested after detectives from the PSNI's Organised Crime Branch seized a quantity of suspected Class A drugs in Waringstown, County Down, on Tuesday 13 May.
Two men aged 18 and 56 and a 39-year-old woman were detained following searches at a property in the Main Street area.
Around 4,500 tablets, thought to be ecstasy, were removed from the property and taken away for examination.
Police have urged members of the public with any information about illegal drugs to contact their local station on the non-emergency number 101. Information can also be given anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Arrests Follow Fuel Laundering Plant Discovery
Four men have been arrested in relation to the discovery of an illegal diesel laundering plant in south Armagh.
Customs officials and PSNI officers searched a commercial address in the Jonesborough area on Friday and discovered a fuel laundering plant inside an agricultural shed.
It is thought that the plant was capable of producing nearly 20m litres of illicit fuel a year, which amounts to over £12m in potential lost revenue.
Officers removed over 15 tonnes of toxic waste and almost 40,000 litres of illicit fuel, as well as a number of vehicles, pumps and equipment.
The four men - two from Northern Ireland and two from the Republic of Ireland - were interviewed by HMRC and released on bail. Investigations are continuing.
Belfast Taxi Driver Fined £600
A Belfast taxi driver who previously had his taxi drivers licence revoked has been fined a total of £600 and disqualified from driving at Belfast Magistrate’s Court.
51-year-old Patrick Cassidy of Ormeau Road, Belfast, was convicted and fined £100 for failing to hold a Taxi Drivers Licence, £100 for using an unlicensed taxi and £400 for using an uninsured vehicle. He was also disqualified from driving for six months and ordered to pay court costs and an offender levy.
The offences were brought to light on 14 May 2013 when a DVA Enforcement Officer visited the premises of Sunnyside Taxis, Ormeau Road Belfast and was driven in a taxi by Mr Cassidy to the Gasworks. Checks revealed that the vehicle used by Mr Cassidy was unlicensed and that he did not hold a taxi driver's licence or valid insurance. Mr Cassidy was subsequently interviewed in connection with the matter.
Three Convicted Of Benefit Fraud
Three people have been convicted at Belfast Magistrates' court for claiming benefits they were not entitled to.
26-year-old John Wilson of Carrigmore Grove, Fortunetowns, Dublin claimed Incapacity Benefit totalling £13,236 while failing to declare employment. He was given a six month prison sentence suspended for two years and ordered to pay court costs of £510.
Zoe Totten, 23 of Doagh Road, Newtownabbey claimed Income Support, Housing Benefit and Carers Allowance totalling £8,384 while failing to declare employment. She was fined £250 and given a conditional discharge for 12 months.
Karen Snodden, 36, of Grosvenor Road, Belfast claimed Income Support totalling £3,341 while failing to declare capital. She was fined £250, given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay court costs of £46.
All are also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.
(IT)
Three people have been arrested after detectives from the PSNI's Organised Crime Branch seized a quantity of suspected Class A drugs in Waringstown, County Down, on Tuesday 13 May.
Two men aged 18 and 56 and a 39-year-old woman were detained following searches at a property in the Main Street area.
Around 4,500 tablets, thought to be ecstasy, were removed from the property and taken away for examination.
Police have urged members of the public with any information about illegal drugs to contact their local station on the non-emergency number 101. Information can also be given anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Arrests Follow Fuel Laundering Plant Discovery
Four men have been arrested in relation to the discovery of an illegal diesel laundering plant in south Armagh.
Customs officials and PSNI officers searched a commercial address in the Jonesborough area on Friday and discovered a fuel laundering plant inside an agricultural shed.
It is thought that the plant was capable of producing nearly 20m litres of illicit fuel a year, which amounts to over £12m in potential lost revenue.
Officers removed over 15 tonnes of toxic waste and almost 40,000 litres of illicit fuel, as well as a number of vehicles, pumps and equipment.
The four men - two from Northern Ireland and two from the Republic of Ireland - were interviewed by HMRC and released on bail. Investigations are continuing.
Belfast Taxi Driver Fined £600
A Belfast taxi driver who previously had his taxi drivers licence revoked has been fined a total of £600 and disqualified from driving at Belfast Magistrate’s Court.
51-year-old Patrick Cassidy of Ormeau Road, Belfast, was convicted and fined £100 for failing to hold a Taxi Drivers Licence, £100 for using an unlicensed taxi and £400 for using an uninsured vehicle. He was also disqualified from driving for six months and ordered to pay court costs and an offender levy.
The offences were brought to light on 14 May 2013 when a DVA Enforcement Officer visited the premises of Sunnyside Taxis, Ormeau Road Belfast and was driven in a taxi by Mr Cassidy to the Gasworks. Checks revealed that the vehicle used by Mr Cassidy was unlicensed and that he did not hold a taxi driver's licence or valid insurance. Mr Cassidy was subsequently interviewed in connection with the matter.
Three Convicted Of Benefit Fraud
Three people have been convicted at Belfast Magistrates' court for claiming benefits they were not entitled to.
26-year-old John Wilson of Carrigmore Grove, Fortunetowns, Dublin claimed Incapacity Benefit totalling £13,236 while failing to declare employment. He was given a six month prison sentence suspended for two years and ordered to pay court costs of £510.
Zoe Totten, 23 of Doagh Road, Newtownabbey claimed Income Support, Housing Benefit and Carers Allowance totalling £8,384 while failing to declare employment. She was fined £250 and given a conditional discharge for 12 months.
Karen Snodden, 36, of Grosvenor Road, Belfast claimed Income Support totalling £3,341 while failing to declare capital. She was fined £250, given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay court costs of £46.
All are also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.
(IT)
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Taxis To Be Permitted To Use Bus Lanes
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28 October 2014
New Test For Taxi Drivers Introduced
A test for new taxi drivers is to be introduced later this week, it has been announced. From 31 October, new taxi drivers will be required to pass a Taxi Driver Theory and Practical Driving Test, the DOE has said. The test will affect new entrants to the industry.
New Test For Taxi Drivers Introduced
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19 June 2014
New Taxi Regulations Outlined
From January next year, taxi customers will be able to hail all cabs, black or otherwise, in the street, rather than having to secure a booking beforehand. The news comes as Environment Minister Mark H Durkan outlines the timescales for new legislation affecting taxis to be brought in.
New Taxi Regulations Outlined
From January next year, taxi customers will be able to hail all cabs, black or otherwise, in the street, rather than having to secure a booking beforehand. The news comes as Environment Minister Mark H Durkan outlines the timescales for new legislation affecting taxis to be brought in.
10 December 2014
Belfast Taxi Driver Fined £1,000
A Belfast taxi operator has been fined £1,000 for four taxi operator offences today at Belfast Magistrates Court. Roderick Hassan, trading as A1 Taxis, Union Street, Belfast, was convicted and fined £200 for keeping false and/or misleading taxi booking records and providing a false statement.
Belfast Taxi Driver Fined £1,000
A Belfast taxi operator has been fined £1,000 for four taxi operator offences today at Belfast Magistrates Court. Roderick Hassan, trading as A1 Taxis, Union Street, Belfast, was convicted and fined £200 for keeping false and/or misleading taxi booking records and providing a false statement.
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