01/07/2011 BBC Newsline

David Dunseith in his comfort zone, preparing to move others out of

theirs. Good afternoon, once again, from me, David Dunseith. For 20

years, he presented the popular Talkback programme on Radio Ulster

and his voice was among that the most recognisable in local

broadcasting. I don't think anyone can quite appreciate now, because

we're so used to the format of radio, that he was such an expert.

He did get at some of the most difficult times, he did it in

trying circumstances at any broadcaster has had to deal with.

Londonderry boy was a policeman before entering journalism in the

1970s, working for Ulster Television and then moving on to

the BBC in the late 1980s. thing I learned most from working

with David was respect. From the highest to the lowest, he always

respected the people he was interviewing and more than anything

else, he respected the audience. Even those politicians put through

the wringer have fond memories of him. I arrived late, ran from here

in the City Hall into the BBC, up the stairs, into the studio and I

thought, at least they would give me time that to get my breath back.

He left me, he asked a question and he sat back and smiled! I can well

recall going in to do an interview and coming in with some officials

and he said to me, I know you, you live in our local community, you

don't need all of that but I am going to ask you that he was

absolutely right because he always wanted to talk to you as the person,

not some high-falutin policies because David was very much a

person of the people. It was very many years into his career when I

learned he was a former member of the RUC and given the animosity

between republicans and the RUC, it was all the more credit to him, but

he was totally professional in the way in which he dealt with all the

political parties, made no exceptions whatsoever. Of course,

he was from Derry, there was at Londonderry? When David Dunseith

retired, he was presenting the seven days programme but he will be

remembered as the voice of Talkback, a programme he left in 2009,

signing off with the words of another folk hero. What do I say?

There's a song, a Woody Guthrie song, so long, it's been good to

know you. Got to be drifting along. A former journalist and BBC manager,

Robin Walsh, knew David throughout his many years in broadcasting. He

will be quite embarrassed that we would have this adulation for him

today but what are your reflections of him? I think he would be hugely

embarrassed, I have to reflect that I don't think I have ever

encountered such a huge outpouring of sympathy, support, marvellous

tributes and admiration for any local broadcaster, or you have to

do is look at the local papers, this programme, Radio all day, on

all channels. He did have longevity in his career but what part of his

character, his broadcasting character, did you think made him

stand out above others? Total integrity, Denis Murray said it

there, a man full of integrity. David went back, right from the

grip of the civil rights movement in the mid-Sixties, saw the birth

of the peace process and its development and I don't think any

other broadcaster has gone 40 years tracking of the complexity and

twists and turns and situation here. What he did was, he brought a

calmness to the whole thing. His mission was to inform and explain,

this he did brilliantly and I do think this community owes him a

huge debt of gratitude. He called Talkback the People's Parliament,

it was a platform for the people to air their views. Fairness should be

a core ingredient of every journalist, it difficult was that

in such contentious times during his career? I don't think it was

difficult at all because it came naturally to him and going back to

the tributes and the top of his relationship with the audience on

Talkback, I think the thing that would have pleased him most of all,

he would have been delighted about the political tributes, but those

tributes from members of the public. His public had a mutual respect for

each other. It wasn't all politics, he had agreed to wry sense of

humour and that obviously came across in his broadcasts. That was

the delight of the man, he could switch from this serious, the very

troublesome stuff that he had to report and explain, to the light

touch. That came naturally and David was a natural broadcaster.

The Social Development Minister, Nelson McCausland, has asked the

Housing Executive not to suspend its contract with one of its main

repair companies, Red Sky. Earlier this year, the Housing Executive

terminated all its maintenance contracts with the company.

In April, Red Sky of workers protested about the termination of

the contract which pushed the company into administration. The

East Belfast based from carrying out maintenance jobs on most

Housing Executive properties in the City, the contract was worth about

�8 million a year. The Housing Executive ended all its repair

contracts with the company after it carried out an investigation into

its work practices which included allegations of overcharging. It

gave BIC the company three months' notice. Red sky strenuously denied

the allegations. Today the DUP Minister Nelson McCausland said

because of a number of ongoing investigations at the Housing

Executive, he had concerns about the contract's process. Issues are

emerging and it is not just one district or one contract, that

raises question in my mind - is there something here that is

endemic within the organisation? short time after the contract was

terminated, Red Sky it went into administration, some politicians

including Robin Newton, expressed concern at the potential loss of

400 jobs at the company. Everyone is concerned about jobs, of course

they are. But the issue here is about an issue of public confidence,

an issue about ensuring the contracts are properly managed and

monitored and that has not always been the case. The evidence for

that is very clear. Now the minister has asked the Housing

Executive not to terminate its contract with Red Sky and instead,

let it run for another eight weeks and suspend any action to award

other contractors to allow for a new system to be put in place.

The Housing Executive have said they have received no written

instructions from the minister and said they have dealt with any

failures in contract match it. Sinn Fein have accused Sammy Wilson

of breaking the ministerial code. They say he has made public his

review of the appointments of Stormont's special advisers before

the executive has considered his findings. The minister who heads

the department of finance and personnel looked at these

appointments after the outcry over the culture minister's aide.

When a former IRA prisoner appointed her former paramilitary

leader in jail as her special adviser, she created a public

outcry. Mary McCardle was imprisoned for life for her part in

the murder of Mary Travers and the attempted murder of her father, Tom

Travers as they left Sunday Mass in April 1984. As the family and

victim groups cried foul over the appointment, Peter Robinson asked

his finance minister to review ministerial appointments. Sammy

Wilson has now finished his report and circulated to ministers. He

says that in future, there should be an audit trail showing he was

shortlisted for the job and what criteria were used. A minister

should be able to justify why an adviser was chosen, for example,

what were their educational achievements and qualifications?

Most controversially of all, he said there should be at betting

procedure included the security one, appropriate to the civil service

level of the grade for an adviser. They were designed to ensure there

is confidence in the people who are appointed to these positions, they

are well paid, public positions. There are certain restrictions that

you cannot put on, for example, people's political persuasions

because they are political advisers and therefore, you got to make some

allowance for that but by and large, we have tried to mirror what would

happen for people who are appointed of crude in the civil service.

Finance Minister says if the measures were in force, Mary

McCardle would not have been appointed. But to come into

operation, Sinn Fein needs to support them. That is extremely

unlikely because so many of their advisers, past and present, have a

paramilitary past. Sinn Fein sources have accused Sammy Wilson

of breaking the ministerial code by going public on his recommendations

on the TUV's Jim Allister has described Sammy Wilson's proposals

as bluster. Still to come on the programme: A

teenage girl who died in the Blitz, remembered 70 years on by her five

sisters. Arsonists have destroyed an Orange

Hall in County Fermanagh. The blaze at Roslea was started in the early

hours of this morning. Salvaging what they can from the

ashes. This Orange Hall went up in flames around 6am this morning. The

heat is still radiating off the walls here inside the hall. The

thought is that the fire began in the lean-to outside where the oil

tank is highest. The flames caught quickly, went into the roof and the

building was engulfed. Locals cannot believe what has happened.

Just devastated. We were here a week ago doing flower arranging and

it's unbelievable, the carnage. band parade which is marked every

year as a contentious parade by the Parades Commission and we believe

that this is an attempt to deliberately raised tensions in the

area prior to that banned parade. The attack so close to the border

has been condemned by both sides of the community. This is wrong. In my

belly, this is sectarian, whether it is in an Orange Hall, or at GAA

hall. It does nothing to help community relations in this area.

The hall was slightly damaged in an attack last it over and those

repairs should have started today, instead of members here

contemplating demolition but say they are determined to rebuild.

The elderly mother of two IRA men killed by the SAS has told

dissident republicans that the war is over and they should end the

campaign. Patsy Devine was speaking after a pipebomb was found at the

perimeter fence of Strabane's police station close to a play park

and to her home. A pipe bomb was discovered at the

perimeter fence of Strabane police station around teatime yesterday.

The PSNI believe it was thrown between 3pm and 4pm yesterday

morning. All day, children were playing in a nearby park. This is a

play area, there was a gentleman who spoke to us yesterday to tell

us he was down here with his two children, playing unaware that 50

yards away was a viable explosive device. If the children had lived

at that, this would have been a fatality. This is unbelievable that

people would sink to such levels. The attack happened close to the

home of a well-known republican family. 82 year-old Patsy Devine

lost her two sons in 1985. The IRA men were killed by the SAS. I said

it before, I said get themselves on, the war is over. Get themselves a

job and stock that carry on. It is a disgrace, the people don't want

it any more. We're fed up with that. It has to come to an end some way.

It's all old people who live here. It's only a small minority and

until they realise that, they're going nowhere. They're only causing

hardship to their own people. is your message to them? Have a bit

of sense and wise up. Police in the town have issued an appeal for

information, they want to hear from anyone who knows any suspicious

activity in or around the park in A motor dealership in Ballymena

that was exposed by this programme for the illegal act of clocking

cars has been fined for breaking consumer laws. In December 2009,

seven Towers Autos offered to sell two cars that had had their mileage

put back. In one case, more than 100,000 miles had been taken off.

The firm was fined �400,000. When our reporters went undercover, they

uncovered evidence that clocked cars were still being sold there.

A commemoration to mark the 95th anniversary of the Battle of the

Somme has taken place at Belfast city Hall. The ceremony was led by

the deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast, Ruth Patterson of the DUP. 24

wreaths were left at the cenotaph. Earlier this morning, the Lord

Mayor, Sinn Fein's Niall O Donnghaile, left a wreath of

laurels at the monument, continuing his party's policy of not attending

the main commemoration. Today marked another high-profile

event for the Lord Mayor, who took office just over a month ago. Since

becoming a city's youngest first citizen, he sparked controversy

over symbols at the City Hall and has dealt with disturbances in his

home patch in the Short Strand. Earlier this week, our political

editor, Mark Davenport, spent a day with him.

One other fringe benefits of being mayor is that you get an official

car. One of the big drawback is your day start early and finishes

late. On behalf of Belfast City Council I am delighted to welcome

you all... Nahla Dolly -- Niall O Donnghaile's first engagement is a

seminar, ben Amy do with his staff, then he greets the Deputy Prime

Minister of the ones war-torn country of Kosovo. If things had

worked out differently, instead of putting on and take off his chain

of office, he could have been a member of the Youth Forum, who are

setting up an event in the City Hall. One of the Unionist veterans

said he had a overcoats older than the mayor. The that says something

about the Mail or the older politicians who cannot accept him?

It says something about the older politicians. It is old men in grey

suits and we need to change that. He stirred controversy by taking

down pictures of the Queen Mother and Prince Charles from the wall of

his parlour and replacing them with the proclamation made during the

Easter rising. Predictably, Unionists were not impressed.

People talk about of breath of fresh air, but you are not a breath

of fresh air if you throw out portraits because they happen to be

the royal family. Young people can his boys old attitudes. The mayor

is unapologetic, saying he left other pictures of the royal family

in place and says members of the DUP are not talking to him. What

about the criticism that despite his tender years, his politics is

the old-fashioned republicanism passed on by his parents, both IRA

prisoners? Both were political prisoners during the 1970s. I was

born into a republican family but not indoctrinated into

republicanism. We were a house that was great for debate and at many

times we had conflicting views, like many families do. We were

great ones for having those discussions around the dinner table.

The big item on the agenda is a visit to East Belfast by the Irish

President, Mary McAleese. Significant at any stage but all

the more so in the wake of recent trouble. In the short straw of

Trinity Centre, she is a big draw but there is no doubt as the

affection for the local boy made good. He is a nice lad and very

friendly. He could be anybody's grandson and we are all proud of

him. He proved his mettle by accompanying the present across to

the underside of the peace line. Then it is off to a Gaelic Club in

west Belfast. The day is not much more than halfway done with

engagements at a plumbers' awards ceremony and a four-day festival

still to fulfil, so the mayor will not be home until late into the

evening. A hard life but a good life!

Five sisters who were evacuated during the Belfast Blitz 70 years

ago returned today to pay tribute to another sister who died in the

raids. The women, who now live in Dublin, laid a wreath in memory of

Susan Henry, who was killed when a bomb hit a house in Unity Street.

The air raids on Belfast in 1941 killed more than 1,000 people and

caused widespread devastation. Among the dead, 16-year-old Susan

Henry, killed alongside her aunt. We were in Randalstown and we did

not know where she was. We got a telegram to say she was missing. My

mother came to Belfast to see if she could find her body. The fire

brigade men told her to go home. it was the second tragedy to hit

the family. Less than six months earlier, their father was killed at

sea. The traumatised youngsters were taken to live with relatives

in Dublin. We used to stand in the middle and we would not move if we

heard a plane. I had to come out and bring as in, we were frightened.

There was more tragedy to come. younger brother was only three. He

pulled a cup of tea over his jumper, he was in hospital from the

Wednesday and on the Friday, he got convulsions and it was as a result

of the air raid and the bombing that he died. Such was the impact

on the family that the impact of 1941 were never discussed. 70 years

after Susan Henry died, her sisters came back to lay a wreath in her

memory. It is emotional but it is wonderful, absolutely wonderful.

Not that it is going to help anyone, but it is great to think they are

remembered. The names of all of those who died during the Second

World War bombings are on show at the Northern Ireland war memorial.

For the Henry sisters, it remembers -- it marks a time in their lives

they would run a forget. The Liverpool football manager,

Kenny Dalglish, became a doctor in Belfast today. With that and the

rest of today's sport, here's Mark. The latest footnote in a hefty CV

reads "Kenneth Matheson Dalglish, Doctor of Science". The honorary

degree was conferred upon him by the University of Ulster for his

services to football and charity. The man from humble beginnings look

awkward on centre-stage in Belfast and was. With his wife looking on,

he used the occasion to highlight an event which has left an

indelible mark on Liverpool Football Club. The Hillsborough

disaster, where 96 people lost their lives. The families are still

waiting for justice which hopefully we will have sooner rather than

later. Until this moment, few in attendance were actually aware that

Scotland's most capped player was being honoured at all. I didn't

know anyone famous was going to be here. It was nice to see him. He is

no Alex Ferguson. Any advice? have served other people well. It

is very humbling. As whether Liverpool football club should move

to a camp -- a move to a new site from Anfield, this was Kenny's

contribution. The nostalgic decision would be to stay at

Anfield, the other decision is build a new one. It is possible,

let's favour Anfield because of the history. If they can redevelop it

and extend it, for me, I would not have any problem. If he gets his

way they will be staying there. This year's Foyle and Milk Cup

competitions received a financial boost this evening. Tourism

Minister, Arlene Foster, has announced that a one-off funding

package is to be provided for both of this year's tournaments

following a decision of the Northern Ireland Executive.

This Sunday sees Armagh contest a first provincial hurling final

since 1945. The team is largely drawn from Middletown and few

outside of the border town expect an upset against hotly fancied

Antrim. Thomas Niblock has been to meet the hurlers who aim to make

history. You gave me 100%! When you mention

hurling in Ulster you perhaps think of the glens of Antrim, where the

sport is a form of religion. Or even the Ards Peninsula, a hotbed

of hurling in County Down. What you do not probably associate with

hurling in Ulster is Middletown, but you probably should. This

Sunday, the County Armagh village will have no less than 13 players

involved in the Ulster final. is a dream come true. If someone

said we would be in a Ulster final, we would have laughed at them and

call them crazy. It is a great honour and I'm looking forward to

it. I do not think it is any surprise to the guys down here and

to ourselves, who are part of the panel. There has been a lot of work

put in in terms of development, not only at senior level but also

coming up through the ranks. Especially after the minor final

and under 21 final, we feel this is a natural progression. That stems

from under 40 level, where Middletown won an All-Ireland under

each title. Many represented our match in their semi-final victory

over Down, the best possible tonic for hurling in the Orchard County.

For people to say boys from the club playing in an Ulster final, or

boys from other clubs, it is a big lift. Whenever I was younger we

would ever have dreamt of getting close to the Ulster final. It is a

great lift from them. Middletown will be hoping it is not a case of

unlucky 30. They hope to deny Antrim the 10th Ulster Championship

in a row. The match is live on BBC Radio

Ulster medium-weight on Sunday. It's been quite a day for Northern

Irish athletes in Athens at the Special Olympics World Summer Games.

Newry's Joyce Haughian won gold in the ladies' bowling. Oliver Magee

from Lisburn has also taken gold, in the bocce. And Dungannon's

Patrick Donnelly, citing Rory McIlroy as his inspiration, has won

gold in the golf competition. Well done all three.

They have been sweeping all before them this week, well done!

And what better way to end this lovely Friday afternoon than

sitting on the grass in front of Belfast's City Hall, or watching

the men's semi-finals at Wimbledon? If you missed it today, the final

will be broadcast here on Sunday and it looks like the weather won't

let us down, even if our hopes of a British champion do... It will also

show at the Olympic Games and other It is not often we can watch

Wimbledon outdoors. We should be able to catch the women's and men's

finals. I cannot always guarantee sunshine but certainly there will

not be rain. There was a little rain this morning. Bat has been

fizzling away. There has been cloud in the sky. I would not be

surprised to see patches of blue along the north coast towards

Portstewart and even inland areas brighter than they have been. A

fine and dry end to the day and a dry night to come. There will be

clear spells around with patches of card coming and going. Temperatures

staying into double figures for most of us. Into the weekend, it is

getting warmer. It will not be sparkling blue sky all the time.

High cloud is threatening, to allow some brightness through. Tomorrow

starts out dry and bright rather than Sunday. Inland, we have to

watch the clouds. It all starts to bubble up and build in the

afternoon. It will stay dry and food quite warm. The best of the

brightness around the coast, parts of Antrim and Down. Tomorrow would

be a good day for a wedding or going out and about. Not good use

tomorrow if you someone from hayfever. The pollen levels are

very high and will stay high into Sunday, even though they will be

cloud edging in. But we have a week when the assistant edging in. It

might just threaten the odd spot of drizzle to spoil things in the West.

Moored right and wet weather. The cloud will start to roll in but