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23/08/2017
Other News In Brief
Man Convicted Of Benefit Fraud
A man has been convicted or claiming benefits he was not entitled to at Omagh Magistrates Court.
Michael McMahon claimed Income Support and Carers Allowance totalling £3,454 while failing to declare employment. He was given a conditional discharge for three years.
The fraud was uncovered following an investigation by the Department for Communities.
Mr McMahon has since repaid in full the money wrongfully obtained to the Department.
Alliance Congratulates Disability Activists
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has congratulated local disability activists on their presentation of evidence of ongoing human rights violations to the UN Committee on the Rights of Disabled People.
Several groups made the journey to Geneva earlier this week to inform the Committee despite previous commitments to provide a framework for the delivery of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities here, there has been a failure to do so.
The Committee is currently assessing the UK's progress in implementing the Convention, which the UK Government ratified in 2009.
"I fully support this productive trip to highlight how the rights of disabled people here are not being upheld and are often violated," said Ms Armstrong, who is Chair of the Assembly's All-Party Group on Disability.
"There has been a failure of introducing legislation which would give disabled people here the same protections as they receive in the rest of the UK. More needs to be done to ensure disabled people are a full part of the decision-making which impacts them."
Farmer Fined For Pollution Offence
A farmer has been fined for causing pollution to a river in Co Armagh.
Mr Owen Martin pleaded guilty and was fined £500 plus £15 Offenders Levy at Newry Magistrates' Court for causing polluting discharge to enter a waterway.
On 25 November 2015, a Water Quality Inspector (WQI), acting on behalf of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), inspected an outfarm at Shaughan Road, Belleeks.
Silage effluent was discharging from the farm and subsequently observed to be flowing across the road, then down a laneway opposite the farm before entering a tributary of the Ballinasack and Forkhill River.
Downstream, the Inspector observed a significant covering of sewage fungus on the bed of the waterway. The Inspector returned to the farm and discovered that an effluent collection channel, close to the silage clamp, was blocked with mud, debris and vegetation causing the overflow. The effluent was observed flowing freely between the silage clamp and the roadway and the waterway was visibly impacted for a distance greater than 1km.
A sample taken at the time of the incident confirmed that the discharge contained poisonous, noxious or polluting matter which was potentially harmful to fish life in the receiving waterway.
(CD)
A man has been convicted or claiming benefits he was not entitled to at Omagh Magistrates Court.
Michael McMahon claimed Income Support and Carers Allowance totalling £3,454 while failing to declare employment. He was given a conditional discharge for three years.
The fraud was uncovered following an investigation by the Department for Communities.
Mr McMahon has since repaid in full the money wrongfully obtained to the Department.
Alliance Congratulates Disability Activists
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has congratulated local disability activists on their presentation of evidence of ongoing human rights violations to the UN Committee on the Rights of Disabled People.
Several groups made the journey to Geneva earlier this week to inform the Committee despite previous commitments to provide a framework for the delivery of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities here, there has been a failure to do so.
The Committee is currently assessing the UK's progress in implementing the Convention, which the UK Government ratified in 2009.
"I fully support this productive trip to highlight how the rights of disabled people here are not being upheld and are often violated," said Ms Armstrong, who is Chair of the Assembly's All-Party Group on Disability.
"There has been a failure of introducing legislation which would give disabled people here the same protections as they receive in the rest of the UK. More needs to be done to ensure disabled people are a full part of the decision-making which impacts them."
Farmer Fined For Pollution Offence
A farmer has been fined for causing pollution to a river in Co Armagh.
Mr Owen Martin pleaded guilty and was fined £500 plus £15 Offenders Levy at Newry Magistrates' Court for causing polluting discharge to enter a waterway.
On 25 November 2015, a Water Quality Inspector (WQI), acting on behalf of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), inspected an outfarm at Shaughan Road, Belleeks.
Silage effluent was discharging from the farm and subsequently observed to be flowing across the road, then down a laneway opposite the farm before entering a tributary of the Ballinasack and Forkhill River.
Downstream, the Inspector observed a significant covering of sewage fungus on the bed of the waterway. The Inspector returned to the farm and discovered that an effluent collection channel, close to the silage clamp, was blocked with mud, debris and vegetation causing the overflow. The effluent was observed flowing freely between the silage clamp and the roadway and the waterway was visibly impacted for a distance greater than 1km.
A sample taken at the time of the incident confirmed that the discharge contained poisonous, noxious or polluting matter which was potentially harmful to fish life in the receiving waterway.
(CD)
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03 July 2003
UN convention on disability welcomed
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) has welcomed the decision taken by a United Nations Ad Hoc Committee to proceed with a new policy of the rights of disabled people.
UN convention on disability welcomed
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) has welcomed the decision taken by a United Nations Ad Hoc Committee to proceed with a new policy of the rights of disabled people.
08 June 2005
Queen’s to debate future of Human Rights Commissions
The future of Human Rights Commissions in the UK and Ireland will be examined at Queen's University Belfast this week. The Human Rights Centre at the Queen's School of Law, in co-operation with the Faculty of Law, University of Bristol, will hold a half-day conference in Belfast on Friday on the role of both Commissions.
Queen’s to debate future of Human Rights Commissions
The future of Human Rights Commissions in the UK and Ireland will be examined at Queen's University Belfast this week. The Human Rights Centre at the Queen's School of Law, in co-operation with the Faculty of Law, University of Bristol, will hold a half-day conference in Belfast on Friday on the role of both Commissions.
18 September 2001
Executive publishes response to disability rights report
A new public consultation document entitled "Improving Civil Rights for Disabled People" has been published in response to recommendations made by the UK Disability Rights Task Force.
Executive publishes response to disability rights report
A new public consultation document entitled "Improving Civil Rights for Disabled People" has been published in response to recommendations made by the UK Disability Rights Task Force.
04 September 2001
Provisional Bill of Rights is unveiled
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has published its provisional proposals for what should be contained in a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.
Provisional Bill of Rights is unveiled
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has published its provisional proposals for what should be contained in a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.
21 August 2003
Guide aims to help balance disability rights with health and safety
A guide developed as a joint initiative between Northern Ireland’s 26 district councils, the Health and Safety Executive, the Equality Commission and Disability Action, is offering local employers advice on balancing disability rights with health and safety in the workplace.
Guide aims to help balance disability rights with health and safety
A guide developed as a joint initiative between Northern Ireland’s 26 district councils, the Health and Safety Executive, the Equality Commission and Disability Action, is offering local employers advice on balancing disability rights with health and safety in the workplace.
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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.
