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08/01/2016
Other News In Brief
Unionists Urged To Give The Go-Ahead To Develop Sports Centre In L'Derry
Unionists are being urged to give the go-ahead to develop a new sports in Dungiven, Co L'Derry.
SDLP Councillor Gerry Mullan who called for a recorded vote on the matter is appealing to the 17 councillors who voted against the project to "pull back from the brink".
Mr Mullun said: "It is very difficult to see how any court could rule in their favour given that the shortfall for this project is £300,000 which would be paid out of Community Landfill Tax and if that doesn't happen, due to unionist objections, the ratepayers will bear the cost of renovation of the existing facilities which could be in the region of £1million.
"This is exactly what happened on Craigavon Council many years ago when unionists refused to accommodate the needs of the GAA in that area. The Dungiven situation is very similar and when you consider the needs of people with disabilities it is more serious. The present facilities are hopelessly inadequate and the Causeway Coast and Glens Council is blocking its replacement even though not a single penny of ratepayers money is being asked for."
Man Convicted Of Benefit Fraud
A man has been convicted for claiming benefits he was not entitled to at Newry Crown Court.
Mr Maurice Copeland claimed Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £21,979 while failing to declare capital. He was given a 12 month conditional discharge.
Mr Copeland has repaid the money in full to the Social Security Agency.
Call For Minister To Lift Blood Ban
Following a request for urgent blood donations today in the Ballymena area, SDLP North Antrim Assembly Candidate Connor Duncan attended but was unable to donate.
He was prevented as a result of the on-going ban preventing gay men from donating blood.
He said: "Today has highlighted the absurdity of the continued ban on gay men donating blood. The Blood Transfusion Service is desperate for more donations and yet the Health Minister continues to exclude a large number of people as they try to save lives.
"This farce is compounded when you consider that the shortage of blood here means that we are importing blood stocks from Britain every day where gay men are allowed to donate.
"I welcome that the Health Minister has announced that he will lift the ban if advised but we are a month on now and it would appear that seeking advice is not high on his list of priorities. I and my SDLP colleagues are calling on him to take action on this matter as soon as possible."
(CD)
Unionists are being urged to give the go-ahead to develop a new sports in Dungiven, Co L'Derry.
SDLP Councillor Gerry Mullan who called for a recorded vote on the matter is appealing to the 17 councillors who voted against the project to "pull back from the brink".
Mr Mullun said: "It is very difficult to see how any court could rule in their favour given that the shortfall for this project is £300,000 which would be paid out of Community Landfill Tax and if that doesn't happen, due to unionist objections, the ratepayers will bear the cost of renovation of the existing facilities which could be in the region of £1million.
"This is exactly what happened on Craigavon Council many years ago when unionists refused to accommodate the needs of the GAA in that area. The Dungiven situation is very similar and when you consider the needs of people with disabilities it is more serious. The present facilities are hopelessly inadequate and the Causeway Coast and Glens Council is blocking its replacement even though not a single penny of ratepayers money is being asked for."
Man Convicted Of Benefit Fraud
A man has been convicted for claiming benefits he was not entitled to at Newry Crown Court.
Mr Maurice Copeland claimed Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £21,979 while failing to declare capital. He was given a 12 month conditional discharge.
Mr Copeland has repaid the money in full to the Social Security Agency.
Call For Minister To Lift Blood Ban
Following a request for urgent blood donations today in the Ballymena area, SDLP North Antrim Assembly Candidate Connor Duncan attended but was unable to donate.
He was prevented as a result of the on-going ban preventing gay men from donating blood.
He said: "Today has highlighted the absurdity of the continued ban on gay men donating blood. The Blood Transfusion Service is desperate for more donations and yet the Health Minister continues to exclude a large number of people as they try to save lives.
"This farce is compounded when you consider that the shortage of blood here means that we are importing blood stocks from Britain every day where gay men are allowed to donate.
"I welcome that the Health Minister has announced that he will lift the ban if advised but we are a month on now and it would appear that seeking advice is not high on his list of priorities. I and my SDLP colleagues are calling on him to take action on this matter as soon as possible."
(CD)
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