Man Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

A man has been convicted for claiming benefits he was not entitled to at Dungannon Crown Court.

Patrick McGuckin claimed Income Support, Employment and Support Allowance and Rates Relief totalling £52,395 while failing to declare capital. He was given a two year prison sentence suspended for three years.

He is also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.

Durkan Slammed Over Woodburn Forest Decision

The Alliance Party and Sinn Féin have hit out at the Environment Minister after his Department ignored a request which gave an oil firm permission to drill in Woodburn Forest near Carrickfergus.

Alliance East Antrim MLA Stewart Dickson is calling on Minister Mark H Durkan to establish an independent Environment Protection Agency (EPA).

Mr Dickson said: "The Department of Environment (DOE) needs to seriously look at how it effectively allowed permission to be granted for this project, which has the potential to poison the drinking water for people in East Antrim, while destroying part of a scenic forest.

"A strong, independent EPA would not only send out a tough message against polluters and improve the quality of life for everyone in Northern Ireland but be a major step forward in ensuring we don't see mistakes like this repeated, with the potentially disastrous consequences they may have."

Sinn Féin MLA Oliver McMullan said: "Reports that the DOE ignored a request to take part in a consultation over the application to drill at Woodburn Forest is very worrying.

"By ignoring this request the department effectively granted Infrastrata permission by default. This blunder needs to be explained.

"This issue has caused considerable concern in the local area, particularly around the potential impact any drilling could have on the water table.

"The environment minister has serious questions to answer on why his department did not respond in time and allowed this to proceed."

Funding Reduced For TB Testing

The Department of Agriculture has been criticised for reducing the funding they provide to enable Private Veterinary Practices to undertake TB testing by 10%.

Ulster Unionist MLA Jo-Anne Dobson raised her concerns at Stormont's Agriculture Committee.

She said: "For many decades DARD has completely failed to get to grips with the issue of Bovine TB across our cattle herds but now they are seeking to make others suffer increased pain because of their own failings.

"They have brought forward plans to reduce the financial contribution to private veterinary practices undertaking TB Testing by £600,000, or roughly 10%. Internal administration and red tape would be a better place to start looking for savings rather than a decision like this which could come with an even greater price tag for the public purse in years to come.

"Many will fear that this decision would lead to the closure of many smaller practices and wield irreparable damage to the private veterinary practices both large and small, across Northern Ireland but especially those serving isolated rural areas."

(CD/MH)