27/07/2011 BBC Newsline

Good evening. This is BBC Newsline with Donna Traynor and Noel

Thompson. The headlines this Wednesday evening -

Margaret Ritchie's expected to face Children run for cover gunmen opens

Battling the bottleneck. Plans for an Enniskillen bypass are unveiled

but where's the money? After a ten year wrangle some giant

steps for a visitors centre on the north coast. One year and

accounting for a landmark day in London and for their Northern

Ireland. We are at the Olympic Stadium.

And it's all change in the weather, rain replaces sunshine this evening

and there'll be a sharp fall in The holiday months are usually

quiet in politics but it looks like being a hot and heavy summer for

the SDLP with speculation that the party's deputy leader is preparing

to challenge Margaret Ritchie for the leadership.

Patsy McGlone's formal challenge would have to wait for the animal

conference in November, but as our political editor, Mark Devenport,

exclusively reveals the Mid Ulster MLA could declare his hand in the

I want to announce at the new leader is a Magritte to achieve.

Margaret Ritchie became SDLP leader ago beating the South Belfast MP,

Alastair Macdonald by 35 votes. The new leader overcame her first major

challenge at the Westminster election of 2010. She successfully

defended the South Down seat previously held by her mentor Sir,.

The party retained its to overseas. During this spring's Assembly

election campaign, her performances came for criticism. The said UN --

against double stopping but are trying to get two people double

jobs. A as the Assembly election results came in the SDLP which had

hoped to make gains ended up two seats down. After the election the

gulf between the leader and her deputy mate party McGlone clear. He

was passed over for a ministerial job and declined to his leader's

offer of a Stormont committee chairmanship. The deadline for

leadership nominations is due in mid- September. It is thought he

will be preparing to publicly declare his hand as early as next

month. It is thought that Alastair Macdonald hasn't completely ruled

himself out. Margaret Ritchie's critics wanted to stand down before

the party conference later this year in order to ensure what they

call a smooth transition. Over the course of the summer she has

continued to insist she remains the day and will fight any challenge

which she might face in the autumn. Children had to run to safety when

gunmen opened fire in a park in west Belfast last night. Sinn Fein

claimed it seems to be a case of dissidents falling out with local

hoods. Kevin Sharkey has been to the park. Today, to Oldham were

playing football here. It is a city council park. This Willowbank Park

is very busy by day and night. There is a children's play area

behind me. A lot of young children were out playing. There is a

football pitch and a match taking place. After the match started a

number of men came into the grounds, called out the names of some people

they were looking for and when they could not find them they fired

shots into the air. Here in West Belfast, I have been talking to a

number of people who live here and did not want to appear on camera

but they did tell me that there was quite a lot of panic last night as

people started to run for cover. daughter came home terrified saying

what had happened. She had to hide under the slide. She was terrified.

One had his hand over his ears saying it was noisy. I was shocked

at my children saw that kind of thing. Councillors say frustration

over anti-social elements can bubble over. They described to me

what had happened. Somebody came in. Everybody had left their was dead

quiet afterwards. Local neighbours came out. The place was pandemonium.

Given the number of people here, there was pandemonium. Police say

they have not received a complaint yet but inquiries are continuing to

find out what happened. A 22-year-old man is being

questioned about the murder of Constable Ronan Kerr in Omagh has

been released. Four other men and a woman, who was arrested in the town

this morning, are still being questioned. Mr Kerr died in a car

bomb attack outside his home in April.

Next to the Smithwick Tribunal in Dublin which is investigating

claims of Garda collusion in the murders of Harry Breen and Bob

Buchanan in 1989. The senior RUC officers were ambushed by the IRA

after leaving a meeting with the gardai in Dundalk. The first phase

of the public hearings ended for the summer today. Our Dublin

reporter Jennifer O'Leary has been covering it for us. Jenifer, has

there been any evidence of collusion so far?

Just to clarify first, what is meant by collusion in a case like

this. It isn't an admission of an act that the failure to act. It

includes turning a blind eye to something. There has not been any

direct evidence of active collusion. We did hear that in 1987 a high-

ranking officer was told are you see concerns about an officer based

at a police station was described as a necessarily associating with

the IRA. That so officer did not seem to us express any concern

about this. That tribunal can't put this information to him as he has

since died. There is a long time to go. Only the judge can come to any

conclusions. When it returns in the autumn, who can we expect to hear

from? There are a number of key witnesses who made allegations of

collusion. There are a number of people who have claimed to have

spies in the higher rate. -- in the eye area. It concerns a man from

Newry. He claims to have been an MI5 agent. There is the man who

used a name of Martin Ingram. He handled IRA informers for the

British Army. Also, a number of IRA commanders. They have given

evidence to the tribunal including one who was involved in the ambush

but it remains to be seen as to whether any of them will give

direct evidence. A we will return to the autumn to cover all the

witness statements. Wasted hours in Enniskillen's

traffic jams could be a frustration of the past if a new bypass becomes

reality. While the minister says there is no money to build one yet

a plan for the route of a new road went on public display today. Now,

at the moment if you are travelling between Belfast and Sligo you have

to go through the town. If and when there is a bypass the traffic would

go from the A4 Belfast Road across a new bridge near the Killyhevlin

Hotel. The four kilometre route would lead to the Sligo Road. A

short option would end at the Derrylin Road. Julian Fowler

explains on why people believe a bypass is long overdue.

There was some relief for motorists in Enniskillen this morning as the

holidays meant traffic was lighter than normal. Congested in the town

can be a nightmare. Enniskillen is an island town and that is the

problem. All the traffic that wants to pass through has to cross one of

the bridges over the earned and at peak times that can cause a real 2

litre bottles of cider. The Enniskillen southern bypass would

involve building a new bridge. The estimated cost is now �30 million.

The minister admits he doesn't have the money to build it. It will

depend on getting the statutory approvals, it will depend on events

are a public inquiry. It will largely depend on the availability

of finance. I'm not going to put a timeline or date on it. It would

cost -- cut journey times but what about the economic impact? Two more

shops and the high streets are pulling down the shutters this week

so would a bypass be the death- knell for her town-centre shops?

Not according to one Enniskillen trader. We are standing at the

Killyhevlin Hotel here. My business attracts customers from the east of

the province and they will take longer to get from where we are

standing to Enniskillen than the word from getting to Belfast to

hear. It is really crazy. There are 10 set of traffic lights on the

road through the town and many motorists say a bypass is badly

needed. We have been the poor work relations for long enough and have

been laughed at the wayside. It is long overdue. It has been hard to

bypass but it is crying out for a bypass. No, definitely not. We

can't afford it. Absolutely, it is an absolute nightmare. In the

current financial climate there will be no end to the congestion

You are watching BBC Newsline. Still to come on the programme -

How the closure of a hotel has a ripple effect through the whole of

a seaside town. Manchester United playing here can only mean one

thing, the Milk Cup youth football Work only started a few months ago

but already the new visitor centre at the Giants Causeway is taking

shape. Our rural affairs correspondent Martin Cassidy went

there to see what the multi-million pound project looks like. He spent

time with the architects, builders and project managers from the

National Trust. It has provided many happy memories

that doors of the Marine Hotel have been closed since Christmas. Before

going into effete -- receivership in May. It has left the town

without a major hotel. A club the closure of the hotel has

been a huge blow. It is a flagship and it is a focus point when the

tourists come here. We had the wrong report their! New

facilities at the Giant's Causeway bring more tourists to the north

coast on it is too late for a business to benefit as we have been

finding out. The closure of at the Central Hotel has been felt

Have hit has provided many happy memories - - memories. But the

doors of the Marine Hotel and Ballycastle have been closed since

Christmas before going into receivership in May. It has left

the town without a major hotel. closure of the hotel has been a big

loss to the business community here. It is a focal point, a flagship. It

is a focal point for whenever tourists come to Ballycastle, if

they want to stay. But it being closed at the moment, but focal

point has been lost. Inside it looks like business as usual. Many

local clubs and groups relied on the venue for functions and

fundraisers. It is a big loss to our club and surrounding clubs. Now

we need to go outside the town for our annual dinner. All the clubs

will need to look for a new venue. The council does not have a leisure

centre, so one of the other benefits of this would tell was its

leisure facilities. There is one group that is missing the pull more

than most. The windows appear tend to be longer and colder and darker

than in most places comic scenes. The pulls a big meeting centre.

was not on the good for keeping us mobile, but you get friendly with

all the other participants. It was like a little club. We used to have

aerobics twice a week. It was more than just keeping us dead, it was

the social side. The council says the closure is a blow to the local

economy, but it is optimistic it will reopen. The hotel would have

been the heartbeat of the town, particularly for the local

community and visitors. There is very little that we can do in

relation to the closure of itself as a private enterprise, but we're

hoping that the private sector will return the hotel to its former

glory. The owner was unavailable for comment, but it is believed the

hotel will be put up for sale in the autumn.

Let's go back to the Giants Causeway and are reports on the

visitor centre. It is our number one tourist

attraction, but as well as the Stones, this summer there is

something you for tourists to see. Work only began in March, but

already the new visitors' centre is taking shape. While visitors browse

around the Heritage Site, teams of steelworkers prepare one of the

final what sections for its concrete skin. In just a few more

weeks to build them work on the roof will be finished, then comes

the Transport Mission - - the transformation. This reform will be

so one with seeds and grass and it will look like a wild meadow.

Locally quarried stone will be used to clad the walls and black basalt

is used to related to the surroundings. The stonemasons are

providing amazing craftsmanship. More than 80 work men are currently

on site. The building programme is on schedule. At 18 when �5 million

it is a major investment for taxpayers as well as the National

Trust. We are being funded by the Tourist Board and the National

Trust itself. It is an on budgets. If all goes to plan, the new

building is due to open next spring. It will be 12 years after the

original visitors' centre bird to the ground. The arguments over the

site may have gone on for over a decade, but now at last there is

the feeling good giant steps are being taken.

Now sport, and Darren Clarke and Rory McIlroy have both been made

honorary life members of the European Tour in recognition of

their British and US Open victories. The pair were presented with their

badges at the Irish Open today. Thomas Niblock is in Killarney.

It is the second consecutive year that the Irish Open has been held

here. The difference between last year and this, that there are two

new major winners. The Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, was here. Both Rory

McIlroy and Darren Clarke became on remembers of the European Tour this

afternoon. Just because I have won a golf tournaments hasn't changed

the perception I have of myself or me in any way whatsoever. I won a

golf tournaments. I want to win some more. There has been a little

bit of chat about what I should or should not have done. Look what

happened in Norway over the weekend. Rory McIlroy is another major

winner playing this weekend hoping for success. No matter what country

you from, you want to win your national open. Being a major

champion in coming here this year, expectations are going to be highly.

It would be great to win the Irish Open having had the best results in

this tournament - - I have not had the best result here in the last

couple of years, but I am very excited. Organisers will be hoping

that having four Irish major winners will attract crowds. The

prize fund has been have to down to 1.5 million euros, but no real

surprises the bookmakers favour is, surprises the bookmakers favour is,

matches, Stephen, what's the latest on the Ballymoney teenager Chris

McNeill who collapsed during his game on Monday? It is exactly one

year to go to the Olympic Games in Kris Meeke meal, it sounds like

everything is going to be OK. So, why does Manchester United keep

coming to the Milk Cup? It it is a nice chance for the team to see

boys who might make it into the first in later on. We know that so

many big stars have come through and played at the Milk Cup, like

David Beckham and Ryan Giggs. Realistically, how many of these

young boys go on to make it at the club? I think about 80 % get out

good few years and the ball, maybe not at the top level. Sunderland

have about five of our boys at the moment. There are other boys around

in Peterborough and places. They have all got good careers, and that

is what it is about at the can make it at Manchester United. Coming

here is about learning life skills as well. Yes, life skills. They

have to learn with - - learn what to do with the fans, give

autographs and so want. They have a full day to prepare for a game,

which is difficult at times for young boys. They need to prepare

professionally for the Games. They have only been together for three

weeks. Good luck tonight. Highlights are on the red button

All this week on BBC Newsline we're looking at the best local hopes for

Gold medals next summer at the London 2012 games. Tonight we are

looking at the powerful, pocket- sized boxing champion Paddy Barnes,

who just needs Olympic Gold to complete his collection. Paddy

Barnes started boxing at 11. He said he had not even heard of the

Olympic Games! In the pre- London hype, it is almost forgotten that

her most successful amateur lost his first 15 fights. 11 years on,

he harbours but one dream. Gold. A grin about it every night. Polished

in Dublin's high-performance unit, but forged in inner-city Belfast,

remarkably badly Barnes is now a fit Club's 70 Olympian. He doesn't

respect any other fighter in the world and he just wants to win. He

will not be content until he gets a gold medal. He was a first European

jabbing from the north, and the Commonwealth gold. I must be one of

the favourites, so I am one of the better boxers. I should be going

into the ring with confidence high. It also helps that he can call upon

an old sparring partner who is now professional. We have been training

together since we were kids. We know each other quite well. What is

the tale of the taping you fight? - - 1 to me. I would think that the

Times that I beat Paddy, I am being in the Boxer is today. I think it

should be to each! For all his success the more striking thing

about Paddy Barnes is his sense of fun. But don't be duped. Standing

just five feet three inches tall and weighing 48 kilos, he packs a

mighty punch. It is exactly one year to go to the

Olympic Games in London. Suddenly the biggest sporting show on Earth

doesn't seem very far away. Our reporter Mark Sidebottom has spent

the day at the main Olympic Park in Stratford in East London. Good

evening, Mark. You're a bit early for any sporting action! They are

expecting the Olympics to attract 5 million be able to London next year,

so I've got a we get results and a receipt! Half a billion pounds the

stadium cost. Just to my right is a bit of public art. It cost 22

million. Then the aquatics centre were we were treated this morning.

It was 269 million. Earlier today we managed to catch up with Boris

Johnson, and they estimate taking a bigger this made his chest as well.

My chest has already pretty swollen. It is a fantastic achievement. I

want to say to the people of Northern Ireland, there will be

huge benefits to Northern Ireland from these games. What like?

Contracts of one kind and another. She knew our view bus - - you know

when you bus in London? It is directly designed for the people in

London and it is being made in Ballymena, I'm proud to say. When

the world comes to London next year, one of the icons they will see in

his amazing new bus pulled in Ballymena. - - built in Ballymena.

He is the consumer politician. - - Consumer politician. To this

untrained eye, you have got to be impressed at this multi-billion-

pound complex, and that it is here one year ahead of schedule. They

are anticipating up to 5 million people.

The only unfortunate thing is, I don't have the ticket. And I don't

Weather wise it is all change. The rain is very close to Belfast now.

We have had her real East West split it today. Thick cloud and the

rain has been moving in from the West that this afternoon. When it

arrives temperatures will fall by about five degrees. If you are

still clinging on to the dry weather in the state will be with

you later on. There will be some heavy bursts. Most of the all clear

whether the end of the night. No sunny start tomorrow, I'm afraid.

No fantastic sun rises in the morning, it will be cloudy and damp.

The last of the rain and drizzle will move away in the morning. It

should be largely dry for most is is in the morning and we will

eventually see some sunshine, too. Sunnier skies will sink southwards

through the course of the afternoon, probably not reaching Belfast until

fairly late in the day or early evening. Temperatures will be about

five degrees lower than today. There will be a noticeable breeze,

too. At least the sunshine does get there eventually and it will be a

reasonable evening. It will be a cooler night tomorrow as well. The