Irwin given six months suspended sentence for oil fraud

A former DUP councillor has has been given a suspended sentence after pleaded guilty to 23 charges of fraud by false representation.
Derry Magistrates Court was told Bill Irwin had home heating oil delivered to his home, but invoiced to the local DUP office where he worked.
The 55 year old from Duncastle Road in Newbuildings admitted all 23 charges when he appeared at Derry Magistrate’s Court in February.
The charges date from March 2009 until February 2014.
A prosecuting solicitor said that the charges related to home heating oil valued at almost £9,000 being delivered to Irwin’s home over that period, but invoiced to the local DUP office and thus being paid for from the public purse of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Mr Irwin was given a six months suspended sentence.
He served as a DUP councillor on Derry City Council from 1993 until 1997 and subsequently worked in the DUP office in the city.