Man Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

A man has been convicted for claiming £9,262 benefits he was not entitled to at Downpatrick Crown Court.

Alastair Irvine claimed Jobseeker's Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £9,262 while failing to declare employment. He was given 100 hours community service and two years probation.

The fraud was uncovered following an investigation by the Department for Communities.

Mr Irvine is also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Department.

Library Re-Opens Following Extensive Refurbishment Work

A library in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, has re-opened following extensive refurbishment work.

Green Party representative Áine Groogan attended the official re-opening of the Victorian Library.

She said: "The work and effort that has went into this project is commendable and I have no doubt that this will become a real hub for the local community.

"The library has already seen an increase of 20% in usage since it has been opened to the public in August and looking around the refurbished building today, it is not hard to understand why.

"They have turned this beautiful Victorian building into an inviting and comforting space that is accessible and open to all, no matter what their background is.

"My local library was a massive part of my life growing up, as it is to so many and we need to cherish them for the role they play in our communities, from teaching a child to read their first book, to running computer classes and bringing people together for a knit and natter."

Alliance Condemns Attempted Dog Poisoning

Alliance East Belfast MLA Chris Lyttle has said incidents of attempted dog poisoning on the Comber Greenway are "disgustingly reckless acts of animal cruelty".

Anti-freeze was found in dog food along the Comber Greenway in Belfast.

The discovery was made at the Barnets Road end, just before the Police Headquarters.

"The Comber Greenway hosts a huge number of animal-loving dog walkers on a daily basis. It is a fantastic facility, so for someone to allegedly leave poison in what appears to be a deliberate attempt to affect dogs is a disgustingly reckless act of animal cruelty," said Mr Lyttle.

"I have been in contact with the PSNI and Belfast City Council's animal welfare and parks departments, and have been assured they are taking this matter seriously and actively investigating it."

(CD)