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27/02/2017
Other News In Brief
Woman Convicted Of Benefit Fraud
A woman has been convicted for claiming benefits she was not entitled to at Londonderry Magistrates' Court.
Yvonne Blackwell claimed Income Support totalling £5,969 while failing to declare employment. She was given 100 hours Community Service.
She is also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Department for Communities.
Bristol Firm Fined For H&S Breach In NI
A firm based in Bristol has been fined for a health and safety breach in Northern Ireland.
Vertase FLI Limited was fined £6,000 plus costs of £1,033 for one health and safety breach at Dungannon Magistrates' court.
The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) launched an investigation into a workplace incident on 26 May 2015 in Omagh.
Vertase FLI limited was contracted to carry out a land remediation project at a mining site in the Gortin area of Co Tyrone, which involved welding large rolls of lining membrane together on reclaimed land. The incident occurred when workers were tasked with unloading a delivery of the geotechnical lining membrane from a curtain sided lorry.
The rolls of membrane had been transported on curtain-sided trailers and were being off-loaded on site using straps attached to lifting chains suspended from an excavator.
However the rolls of lining had moved during transport from the manufacturer. On opening the curtain side it could be seen that the rolls were unstable, but Vertase FLI Limited did not put sufficient measures in place to stabilise the load or to remove personnel from the area. As a result, an employee working for them was struck by a falling roll of lining membrane, weighing approximately half a tonne, sustaining serious injuries.
Anne Cassidy, an inspector with HSENI's major investigation team, said: "Every employer must ensure that lifting operations involving lifting equipment are properly planned by a competent person, supervised and carried out in a safe manner.
"The dangers of a load moving in transit are well recognised and employers must ensure that all lifting operations are carried out without risk to those in the area."
Serious Questions Remain Over Donation To DUP For Brexit Campiagn - SDLP
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood has said that serious questions remain over the donation of over £400,000 to the DUP as part of the Brexit campaign.
Mr Eastwood called on the DUP to explain why the money was funnelled through their party and what the group’s agenda beyond Brexit is.
He said: "Under pressure, the DUP has finally revealed that their Brexit benefactor is the little known Constitutional Research Council. But the admission raises serious questions about the group's origin, makeup and agenda.
"The group's chairman, Scottish Tory Richard Cook, is known to have links to the former head of the Saudi Intelligence Service and a range of other foreign business interests. This raises fundamental questions about where this money originated, who exactly provided it and what agenda they’re working to.
"Brexit is the biggest economic, social and constitutional threat to this island since partition. People here realised that and voted to remain in Europe. They deserve to know why this secretive organisation funnelled money through the DUP to fund campaign adverts outside of Northern Ireland. They deserve to know if political donation laws were exploited to keep the activity of the Constitutional Research Council secret."
(CD/MH)
A woman has been convicted for claiming benefits she was not entitled to at Londonderry Magistrates' Court.
Yvonne Blackwell claimed Income Support totalling £5,969 while failing to declare employment. She was given 100 hours Community Service.
She is also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Department for Communities.
Bristol Firm Fined For H&S Breach In NI
A firm based in Bristol has been fined for a health and safety breach in Northern Ireland.
Vertase FLI Limited was fined £6,000 plus costs of £1,033 for one health and safety breach at Dungannon Magistrates' court.
The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) launched an investigation into a workplace incident on 26 May 2015 in Omagh.
Vertase FLI limited was contracted to carry out a land remediation project at a mining site in the Gortin area of Co Tyrone, which involved welding large rolls of lining membrane together on reclaimed land. The incident occurred when workers were tasked with unloading a delivery of the geotechnical lining membrane from a curtain sided lorry.
The rolls of membrane had been transported on curtain-sided trailers and were being off-loaded on site using straps attached to lifting chains suspended from an excavator.
However the rolls of lining had moved during transport from the manufacturer. On opening the curtain side it could be seen that the rolls were unstable, but Vertase FLI Limited did not put sufficient measures in place to stabilise the load or to remove personnel from the area. As a result, an employee working for them was struck by a falling roll of lining membrane, weighing approximately half a tonne, sustaining serious injuries.
Anne Cassidy, an inspector with HSENI's major investigation team, said: "Every employer must ensure that lifting operations involving lifting equipment are properly planned by a competent person, supervised and carried out in a safe manner.
"The dangers of a load moving in transit are well recognised and employers must ensure that all lifting operations are carried out without risk to those in the area."
Serious Questions Remain Over Donation To DUP For Brexit Campiagn - SDLP
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood has said that serious questions remain over the donation of over £400,000 to the DUP as part of the Brexit campaign.
Mr Eastwood called on the DUP to explain why the money was funnelled through their party and what the group’s agenda beyond Brexit is.
He said: "Under pressure, the DUP has finally revealed that their Brexit benefactor is the little known Constitutional Research Council. But the admission raises serious questions about the group's origin, makeup and agenda.
"The group's chairman, Scottish Tory Richard Cook, is known to have links to the former head of the Saudi Intelligence Service and a range of other foreign business interests. This raises fundamental questions about where this money originated, who exactly provided it and what agenda they’re working to.
"Brexit is the biggest economic, social and constitutional threat to this island since partition. People here realised that and voted to remain in Europe. They deserve to know why this secretive organisation funnelled money through the DUP to fund campaign adverts outside of Northern Ireland. They deserve to know if political donation laws were exploited to keep the activity of the Constitutional Research Council secret."
(CD/MH)
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20 November 2024
Man Extradited From Ireland To Face Serious Charges
A 33-year-old man has been extradited from Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland to face serious charges. The man is accused of assault causing harm, coercive control, contravention of a safety order, theft, and possession of a weapon. The alleged offences occurred in the Monaghan area between 2020 and 2021.
Man Extradited From Ireland To Face Serious Charges
A 33-year-old man has been extradited from Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland to face serious charges. The man is accused of assault causing harm, coercive control, contravention of a safety order, theft, and possession of a weapon. The alleged offences occurred in the Monaghan area between 2020 and 2021.
18 November 2024
PSNI Highlights Impact Of Serious Collisions On Victims And Officers
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is using Road Safety Week 2024 to highlight the devastating impact of serious road collisions on victims, their families, first responders, and investigating officers.
PSNI Highlights Impact Of Serious Collisions On Victims And Officers
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is using Road Safety Week 2024 to highlight the devastating impact of serious road collisions on victims, their families, first responders, and investigating officers.
28 November 2003
Final results in for 2003 NI Assembly election
UPDATE: With all counts declared on Friday evening the clear winners are the Rev Ian Paisley's Democratic Unionist Party who have claimed 10 more seats on the Assembly and Sinn Féin who have won 6 seats.
Final results in for 2003 NI Assembly election
UPDATE: With all counts declared on Friday evening the clear winners are the Rev Ian Paisley's Democratic Unionist Party who have claimed 10 more seats on the Assembly and Sinn Féin who have won 6 seats.
09 May 2005
NI council results at present
NI’s elected councillors as of Monday afternoon Carrickfergus: Billy Ashe, Terence Clement, David Hilditch, Patricia McKinney (DUP), Sean Neeson (AP), William Hamilton, Charles Brown (Ind) Newtownabbey: William Ball, Paula Bradley, Nigel Hamilton, Robert Hill, John Mann, Mandy Girvan (DUP), Tom Campbell, Lynn Frazer (AP), Janet Crilly, Ken Robi
NI council results at present
NI’s elected councillors as of Monday afternoon Carrickfergus: Billy Ashe, Terence Clement, David Hilditch, Patricia McKinney (DUP), Sean Neeson (AP), William Hamilton, Charles Brown (Ind) Newtownabbey: William Ball, Paula Bradley, Nigel Hamilton, Robert Hill, John Mann, Mandy Girvan (DUP), Tom Campbell, Lynn Frazer (AP), Janet Crilly, Ken Robi
20 September 2018
Sinn Fein Slams DUP Over Lifting Ian Paisley's Suspension
Sinn Fein has hit out at the DUP after the party confirmed that Ian Paisley's suspension has now been lifted. However, he will be subject to a number of conditions including a ban on holding office within the party for twelve months, according to the party. Sinn Féin Vice President Michelle O'Neill said Mr Paisley should have been sacked.
Sinn Fein Slams DUP Over Lifting Ian Paisley's Suspension
Sinn Fein has hit out at the DUP after the party confirmed that Ian Paisley's suspension has now been lifted. However, he will be subject to a number of conditions including a ban on holding office within the party for twelve months, according to the party. Sinn Féin Vice President Michelle O'Neill said Mr Paisley should have been sacked.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
