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27/03/2009
Other NI News In Brief
Jury Out On Northern Bank Cash
The jury in the trial of a financial adviser accused of laundering money from the £26.5 million Northern Bank robbery has retired to consider a verdict. Irish state prosecutors claim Timothy 'Ted' Cunningham knew that more than £3 million traced to him was from the infamous December 2004 heist. The 60-year-old, of Farran, Co Cork, denies 20 offences linked to the 'dirty money' racket which moved cash from Belfast to Cork in the Irish Republic. The financier maintained that £2.3 million discovered in a locked cupboard in the basement of his home on February 16, 2005 came from the cash sale of a gravel pit in Co Offaly to Bulgarian businessmen
NIHE Evicts Rowdy Tenants
Two social housing tenants in north Belfast have been 'turfed out' by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive for anti-social behaviour. The authority took possession of the two properties in response to ongoing complaints. The repossessed properties are in the New Lodge and Lenadoon areas of Belfast. NI Housing Executive officials went to court and secured an Order for Possession in respect of both properties. The orders were granted on the grounds of proven unacceptable behaviour by the tenants, which included loud noise, parties and abusive behaviour.
French Meat Exports Sought
European sales executives from six local beef and lamb processors are now following up new business leads in France made during an Invest Northern Ireland organised visit to Belfast by top retail and foodservice buyers from Paris during the week. The value of Sterling against the Euro has given Northern Ireland companies a much sharper competitive edge, according to Maynard Mawhinney, Invest NI's Food director. "As well as quality, innovation and, of course, the total traceability of our beef and lamb, the buyers were quick to spot that the current value of sterling makes Northern Ireland meat exceptionally good value," he said.
Deal Agreed On Lecturers' Pay
A three-year dispute over higher education lecturers' pay has been resolved, the NI Employment Minister has said. An offer for FE colleges up to 2011 has been accepted following a ballot of University and College Union members, Sir Reg Empey added. It includes a 6% increase with an additional payment for some lecturers at the top of their scales funded from efficiency savings.
Voting Gets Easier
The new Electoral Office Business Plan - which was published on Thursday - includes a number of measures that will make it even easier for members of the public to register to vote and to obtain electoral identity cards. In the run up to the European Parliamentary Elections on 4 June all Area Electoral Offices will be open to the public on some Saturday mornings. Later in the year some offices will pilot evening opening whilst others will pilot provision of the full range of services at locations other than the Electoral Office on a limited opening basis. A further significant improvement in the level of customer service will be the reduction from 14 to a maximum of seven days in the time taken to produce electoral identity cards.
Dump Man Loses Assets
A Co Antrim man was yesterday made the subject of a £200,000 confiscation order at Antrim Crown Court for waste offences. This is the first confiscation order secured by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) Financial Investigators independently of the Serious and Organised Crime Agency (formerly the Assets Recovery Agency). Brian Thompson George (65) of Ballyutoag Road, Carnaghliss, Nutts Corner, Crumlin, appeared in confiscation proceedings following his conviction on 5 December 2007 when he was fined £75,000 and given a two year sentence suspended for two years. The waste was discovered on 25 May 2005 during an inspection visit by officers from the NIEA (formerly the Environment and Heritage Service), after they received complaints about illegal dumping. A subsequent intrusive search on 20 July 2005 disclosed various wastes. At today's hearing the Court determined that Mr George had financially benefitted from his criminal conduct in the sum of £1,841,571 and made a confiscation order in the sum of £200,000.
(BMcC/JM)
The jury in the trial of a financial adviser accused of laundering money from the £26.5 million Northern Bank robbery has retired to consider a verdict. Irish state prosecutors claim Timothy 'Ted' Cunningham knew that more than £3 million traced to him was from the infamous December 2004 heist. The 60-year-old, of Farran, Co Cork, denies 20 offences linked to the 'dirty money' racket which moved cash from Belfast to Cork in the Irish Republic. The financier maintained that £2.3 million discovered in a locked cupboard in the basement of his home on February 16, 2005 came from the cash sale of a gravel pit in Co Offaly to Bulgarian businessmen
NIHE Evicts Rowdy Tenants
Two social housing tenants in north Belfast have been 'turfed out' by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive for anti-social behaviour. The authority took possession of the two properties in response to ongoing complaints. The repossessed properties are in the New Lodge and Lenadoon areas of Belfast. NI Housing Executive officials went to court and secured an Order for Possession in respect of both properties. The orders were granted on the grounds of proven unacceptable behaviour by the tenants, which included loud noise, parties and abusive behaviour.
French Meat Exports Sought
European sales executives from six local beef and lamb processors are now following up new business leads in France made during an Invest Northern Ireland organised visit to Belfast by top retail and foodservice buyers from Paris during the week. The value of Sterling against the Euro has given Northern Ireland companies a much sharper competitive edge, according to Maynard Mawhinney, Invest NI's Food director. "As well as quality, innovation and, of course, the total traceability of our beef and lamb, the buyers were quick to spot that the current value of sterling makes Northern Ireland meat exceptionally good value," he said.
Deal Agreed On Lecturers' Pay
A three-year dispute over higher education lecturers' pay has been resolved, the NI Employment Minister has said. An offer for FE colleges up to 2011 has been accepted following a ballot of University and College Union members, Sir Reg Empey added. It includes a 6% increase with an additional payment for some lecturers at the top of their scales funded from efficiency savings.
Voting Gets Easier
The new Electoral Office Business Plan - which was published on Thursday - includes a number of measures that will make it even easier for members of the public to register to vote and to obtain electoral identity cards. In the run up to the European Parliamentary Elections on 4 June all Area Electoral Offices will be open to the public on some Saturday mornings. Later in the year some offices will pilot evening opening whilst others will pilot provision of the full range of services at locations other than the Electoral Office on a limited opening basis. A further significant improvement in the level of customer service will be the reduction from 14 to a maximum of seven days in the time taken to produce electoral identity cards.
Dump Man Loses Assets
A Co Antrim man was yesterday made the subject of a £200,000 confiscation order at Antrim Crown Court for waste offences. This is the first confiscation order secured by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) Financial Investigators independently of the Serious and Organised Crime Agency (formerly the Assets Recovery Agency). Brian Thompson George (65) of Ballyutoag Road, Carnaghliss, Nutts Corner, Crumlin, appeared in confiscation proceedings following his conviction on 5 December 2007 when he was fined £75,000 and given a two year sentence suspended for two years. The waste was discovered on 25 May 2005 during an inspection visit by officers from the NIEA (formerly the Environment and Heritage Service), after they received complaints about illegal dumping. A subsequent intrusive search on 20 July 2005 disclosed various wastes. At today's hearing the Court determined that Mr George had financially benefitted from his criminal conduct in the sum of £1,841,571 and made a confiscation order in the sum of £200,000.
(BMcC/JM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
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13 January 2003
New electoral identity card set for issue
The Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland, Denis Stanley, has today announced the arrangements for the issue of the new electoral identity card. The new card is one way in which voters can provide photographic proof of identity if elections take place as expected in May.
New electoral identity card set for issue
The Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland, Denis Stanley, has today announced the arrangements for the issue of the new electoral identity card. The new card is one way in which voters can provide photographic proof of identity if elections take place as expected in May.
23 March 2009
Secure Voting Rights Now, Says Commission
The Electoral Commission is calling on thousands of 'missing' voters to secure their vote in time for the European Parliamentary elections on 4 June. The appeal starts today - the start of 'Register to Vote Week', in which a series of activities will take place across Northern Ireland to raise awareness of the need to register to vote.
Secure Voting Rights Now, Says Commission
The Electoral Commission is calling on thousands of 'missing' voters to secure their vote in time for the European Parliamentary elections on 4 June. The appeal starts today - the start of 'Register to Vote Week', in which a series of activities will take place across Northern Ireland to raise awareness of the need to register to vote.
24 July 2001
SDLP seek further measures to combat electoral fraud
The SDLP have called for new measures in the fight to combat electoral fraud at polling station following the recent tabling of a new Electoral Fraud Bill in the House of Commons.
SDLP seek further measures to combat electoral fraud
The SDLP have called for new measures in the fight to combat electoral fraud at polling station following the recent tabling of a new Electoral Fraud Bill in the House of Commons.
07 May 2002
Electoral Office to receive £1M additional funding
The Northern Ireland Office Minister Des Browne has agreed to give the Electoral Office an additional £1 million in funding to help prevent electoral fraud. The extra money comes just days after the Electoral Fraud (Northern Ireland) Act received Royal Assent on May 1, 2002.
Electoral Office to receive £1M additional funding
The Northern Ireland Office Minister Des Browne has agreed to give the Electoral Office an additional £1 million in funding to help prevent electoral fraud. The extra money comes just days after the Electoral Fraud (Northern Ireland) Act received Royal Assent on May 1, 2002.
13 October 2009
Top Cop 'Voted' Into Electoral Job
As a general election looms in the New Year, a senior post in NI's Electoral Office has been filled. PSNI Chief Superintendent Graham Shields (pictured) is being appointed as the new Assistant Chief Electoral Officer and will replace June Butler who left at the end of September.
Top Cop 'Voted' Into Electoral Job
As a general election looms in the New Year, a senior post in NI's Electoral Office has been filled. PSNI Chief Superintendent Graham Shields (pictured) is being appointed as the new Assistant Chief Electoral Officer and will replace June Butler who left at the end of September.
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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.
