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19/12/2016
Other News In Brief
Woman Convicted Of Benefit Fraud
A woman has been convicted for claiming benefits she was not entitled to at Newtownards Magistrates’ Court.
Mandy Nelson (50) of Cranley Grove, Bangor claimed Jobseeker’s Allowance totalling £4,264 while failing to declare employment. She was given a 12 month conditional discharge.
She is also required to repay any money wrongfully obtained to the Department for Communities.
NI Electricity Firm Enters Administration
An electricity supplier in Northern Ireland has gone into administration.
Open Electric had around 1,100 customers and they have now been moved to Power NI.
Customers who pay by direct debit or pay when they receive a bill do not need to do anything further.
However they will need to contact Power NI to set-up payment options.
Pay as you go customers will need to contact Power NI to receive a new keypad number.
Jenny Pyper, Chief Executive of the Utility Regulator said: "Customers of Open Electric do not need to worry, particularly over the Christmas period, and they will not experience any disruption to their electricity supply. All of Open Electric's customers have now been switched to Power NI, which is the nominated supplier under the contingency arrangements established for this kind of situation by the Utility Regulator, Power NI and NIE Networks.
"We have been carefully watching market developments in general, particularly over the last few weeks, and have been speaking with suppliers. As soon as we decided that Open Electric's licence should be revoked, we activated established arrangements to ensure that affected customers did not lose their electricity supply, and were transferred seamlessly to Power NI.
"Open Electric's customers have now all been transferred to Power NI on the same tariff basis as Power NI's existing customers. We regulate Power NI's tariff so customers can be assured that the price they pay, reflects the actual cost of delivering electricity to their home or business."
Concerns Raised At Direction Legacy Investigations Are Taking
Doug Beattie MC MLA, the Ulster Unionist Party’s Justice spokesperson, has expressed his concern at the direction Legacy Investigations are taking.
Mr Beattie said: "Recent public comments with regard to the role played by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in directing the PSNI as to what cases the Legacy Investigations Branch (LIB) should be looking at, have caused a great deal of concern, both in Northern Ireland and in Great Britain.
"On the PSNI website it statesm "All Troubles related deaths will be reviewed by LIB using the Case Sequencing Model which does not prioritise military cases".
"Yet last week the Chief Constable told victims of the Troubles "there are some circumstances where the director of public prosecutions can direct me to effectively conduct an investigation and it is in those cases that the majority of my LIB are occupied at the moment".
"Last week I asked for a meeting with the Chief Constable to discuss paramilitary activity and I have subsequently asked to expand this meeting to cover legacy investigations. I have also asked repeatedly what action the PSNI intends to take in the case of Kieran Conway, who confessed on television to either the murder, assisting the murder, or attempted murder, of British soldiers when he was in the IRA.
"As my Party colleague Danny Kinahan MP said on Friday, there has been a totally disproportionate focus on the actions of State forces when compared to the actions of terrorist groups and I genuinely fear this is bringing the entire judicial process into disrepute in the eyes of the public and affecting their confidence in the system itself."
(CD)
A woman has been convicted for claiming benefits she was not entitled to at Newtownards Magistrates’ Court.
Mandy Nelson (50) of Cranley Grove, Bangor claimed Jobseeker’s Allowance totalling £4,264 while failing to declare employment. She was given a 12 month conditional discharge.
She is also required to repay any money wrongfully obtained to the Department for Communities.
NI Electricity Firm Enters Administration
An electricity supplier in Northern Ireland has gone into administration.
Open Electric had around 1,100 customers and they have now been moved to Power NI.
Customers who pay by direct debit or pay when they receive a bill do not need to do anything further.
However they will need to contact Power NI to set-up payment options.
Pay as you go customers will need to contact Power NI to receive a new keypad number.
Jenny Pyper, Chief Executive of the Utility Regulator said: "Customers of Open Electric do not need to worry, particularly over the Christmas period, and they will not experience any disruption to their electricity supply. All of Open Electric's customers have now been switched to Power NI, which is the nominated supplier under the contingency arrangements established for this kind of situation by the Utility Regulator, Power NI and NIE Networks.
"We have been carefully watching market developments in general, particularly over the last few weeks, and have been speaking with suppliers. As soon as we decided that Open Electric's licence should be revoked, we activated established arrangements to ensure that affected customers did not lose their electricity supply, and were transferred seamlessly to Power NI.
"Open Electric's customers have now all been transferred to Power NI on the same tariff basis as Power NI's existing customers. We regulate Power NI's tariff so customers can be assured that the price they pay, reflects the actual cost of delivering electricity to their home or business."
Concerns Raised At Direction Legacy Investigations Are Taking
Doug Beattie MC MLA, the Ulster Unionist Party’s Justice spokesperson, has expressed his concern at the direction Legacy Investigations are taking.
Mr Beattie said: "Recent public comments with regard to the role played by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in directing the PSNI as to what cases the Legacy Investigations Branch (LIB) should be looking at, have caused a great deal of concern, both in Northern Ireland and in Great Britain.
"On the PSNI website it statesm "All Troubles related deaths will be reviewed by LIB using the Case Sequencing Model which does not prioritise military cases".
"Yet last week the Chief Constable told victims of the Troubles "there are some circumstances where the director of public prosecutions can direct me to effectively conduct an investigation and it is in those cases that the majority of my LIB are occupied at the moment".
"Last week I asked for a meeting with the Chief Constable to discuss paramilitary activity and I have subsequently asked to expand this meeting to cover legacy investigations. I have also asked repeatedly what action the PSNI intends to take in the case of Kieran Conway, who confessed on television to either the murder, assisting the murder, or attempted murder, of British soldiers when he was in the IRA.
"As my Party colleague Danny Kinahan MP said on Friday, there has been a totally disproportionate focus on the actions of State forces when compared to the actions of terrorist groups and I genuinely fear this is bringing the entire judicial process into disrepute in the eyes of the public and affecting their confidence in the system itself."
(CD)
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25 November 2024
Other News In Brief
DfC Launch Public Consultation On Gender Pay Gap A consultation on proposed changes to Section 19 of the Employment Act (Northern Ireland) relating to the requirements for employers to publish information on the pay of male and female employees has been launched by the Department for Communities.
Other News In Brief
DfC Launch Public Consultation On Gender Pay Gap A consultation on proposed changes to Section 19 of the Employment Act (Northern Ireland) relating to the requirements for employers to publish information on the pay of male and female employees has been launched by the Department for Communities.
27 June 2008
Rathlin's Big 'Switch' Pulled
Rathlin islanders are at last able to enjoy a dependable supply of electricity. Yesterday, NI Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy officially switched on a new 10.4km subsea electricity cable which extends from Ballycastle to Rathlin Island.
Rathlin's Big 'Switch' Pulled
Rathlin islanders are at last able to enjoy a dependable supply of electricity. Yesterday, NI Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy officially switched on a new 10.4km subsea electricity cable which extends from Ballycastle to Rathlin Island.
25 September 2003
Minister announces £30m electricity initiative
Enterprise Minister, Ian Pearson has announced plans to invest £30 million in a new initiative aimed at reducing electricity bills for Northern Ireland's businesses. It is hoped that the funding, which is part of a draft budget, will help businesses save 10% on their electricity bills.
Minister announces £30m electricity initiative
Enterprise Minister, Ian Pearson has announced plans to invest £30 million in a new initiative aimed at reducing electricity bills for Northern Ireland's businesses. It is hoped that the funding, which is part of a draft budget, will help businesses save 10% on their electricity bills.
06 February 2004
NIE issue warning following gunshot damage
Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) has issued a safety warning after gunshots damaged overhead electricity equipment in north Belfast this week. Residents in the Ballysillan and Ligoneil areas were affected on Wednesday following gunshot damage to overhead electricity equipment. The damage left customers without power for nearly six hours.
NIE issue warning following gunshot damage
Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) has issued a safety warning after gunshots damaged overhead electricity equipment in north Belfast this week. Residents in the Ballysillan and Ligoneil areas were affected on Wednesday following gunshot damage to overhead electricity equipment. The damage left customers without power for nearly six hours.
10 December 2003
Police investigate electrocution in Co Tyrone
Police have begun an investigation into the death of a man who was electrocuted in Co Tyrone on Tuesday. The incident occurred at around 3pm in the Ballylaw Road area of Strabane. It is believed the man was assisting a forklift truck as it moved a hut, however it touched electricity cables killing the victim.
Police investigate electrocution in Co Tyrone
Police have begun an investigation into the death of a man who was electrocuted in Co Tyrone on Tuesday. The incident occurred at around 3pm in the Ballylaw Road area of Strabane. It is believed the man was assisting a forklift truck as it moved a hut, however it touched electricity cables killing the victim.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
