12/08/2011 BBC Newsline

Good evening. This is BBC Newsline with Sarah Travers. The headlines:

Calls for an inquiry after a woman is repeatedly stabbed at a north

Belfast Health Centre. By the end of September, the City

Hospital's A & E could be temporarily closed. I'll have the

latest reaction. An outbreak of new tree disease in

one of Northern Ireland's top woodlands - I'm live in Tollymore

Forest Park to find out more. The remarkable discovery made by a

turf-cutter in an Irish bog. The dancehall on the border locals

hope to turn into a shrine to the showbands. It's the most talked-

about sports injury since David Beckham - how is a lake Maggiore

copping in golf's last major of the year. -- Rory McIllroy.

And it's not all wet news this weekend - there may even be a

glimpse of sunshine. Somewhere normally associated with

well-being turned into a scene of horror yesterday when a woman was

stabbed repeatedly in a north Belfast health centre. It happened

within minutes, leaving the 40- year-old lying in a pool of blood

in front of shocked social workers and members of the public. Today, a

man was charged with attempted murder but the attack's led to

calls for an inquiry. Chris Page has more.

It's believed Mary Reynolds was stabbed more than 20 times at this

well-being Centre in north Belfast. She is in a stable condition in

hospital. It is believed the accident happened during and

appoint an with social services. people are going into a situation

like this, their safety has to be guaranteed going in and coming away

from it, and that is the responsibility for social services.

A few hours after the attack, a man was arrested, and today he was in

court. He appear in a court accompanied by four guards. He is

charged with attempting to Mother Mary McReynolds. The accused is 23.

He is also charged with trying to cause grievous bodily harm and with

having an offensive weapon, specifically, and knife.

The heaving at Belfast magistrates' court lasted less than two minutes.

He did not speak but nodded to confirm he understood the charges.

There was no bail application and the district judge remanded the

accused in custody until next month. The Chief Executive of the Belfast

Health Trust has told the BBC that the City Hospital's Accident and

Emergency department must close temporarily by the end of September

to ensure the safety of patients. A shortage of senior doctors means

rotas can't be filled. Unions and some health professionals have

reacted angrily, with the Royal College of Nursing accusing the

Trust of failing to consult those who work on the front line. Our

Health Correspondent, Marie-Louise Connolly, is at the City Hospital.

The move is being described as temporary but is that likely to be

the case? It's hard to imagine that management will revert back to what

is currently in place now. After leaving patients and staff through

what will undoubtedly be a very difficult transformation process,

bringing services here all work to the Royal Victoria Hospital side.

However, the man at the helm of this great ship says he has no

other option. Unless he can recruit senior medical staff to run his

accident and emergency department here it the city, he must come up

with a contingency plan. We believe that if we are not able to mitigate

the staff shortages we know we may have at the end of September, we

need to plan to actually close at the accident and emergency services

at Belfast City Hospital on a temporary basis from the end of

September, and plan from now until then to see if we can mitigate

those staff shortages to avoid that. How will the Royal Victoria

Hospital cope with the extra patients - where will it put them?

In an open and honest interview, he was realistic. He said that it

would not be easy but there is a plan place. People will be directed

to go to the Royal Victoria Hospital, that will be their major

hot site, as he described it. That will be the a major into a Kania,

where the public will call and be examined, and their decision will

be made - whether to admit them to the Royal Victoria Hospital, or, if

you're a cardiac or I haematology patients, you could be redirected

back here to the City Hospital. That is good news for staff because

it means beds may remain open here, it just will no longer be

considered a major play so where patients are going to be admitted.

Was there not going to be consultation on the potential

closure of the department? That's right. That consultation are still

going to happen, and my understanding is that will happen

during the second week of September. They are BMA and various members of

the public will be involved. Some are saying that that is ironic,

that there will be consulted then, considering the contingency plans

that are being put in place just now. What we are looking for is the

plan. Please, will somebody talk to us about the plan and allow us to

help you to put that plan together and discuss the options you have

for the options -- the problems you have. I do not think that is

unreasonable. It is important to say that the City Hospital's A&E

department is open for business tonight, and that will remain the

case until at the end of September. People can still come along here to

the accident and emergency ward unless we hear any different.

A schoolboy, who's accused of attempted murder, has been refused

bail at the High Court. The 14 year-old has been charged in

connection with a shooting at a caravan in the Lagmore area of West

Belfast. It's believed to be linked to a feud in the traveller

community. Kevin Sharkey reports. A man was shot in the leg in his

caravan on Monday. Four people have been charged with attempted murder

including the schoolboy. The 14- year-old is currently being

detained at this juvenile justice centre. At a High Court today, his

defence team said the boy comes from a settled travellers family.

He is still at school. The defence said he could be looked after at an

address well away from many bad influences. Mr Justice McLaughlan

asked if there were malevolent forces within the boy's family

encouraging him. He said, people would be talking about parenting

issues. The person who shot into the caravan was wearing a balaclava.

The police said was a schoolboy, the defence say the description

does not match the 14 euros. Mr Justice McLoughlin said he accepts

that the evidence is circumstantial. He said it first appears that the

boy it is the gunmen and that is a serious case and the public has to

be protected, so he refused bail. Still to come on the programme.

There's no other car like it in the entire world, so what is it doing

in County Antrim? Find out later in the programme. And, do you come

here often? Celebrating the romance of the dancehalls.

A serious woodland disease has been found in one of our best known

forest parks. It's a new strain of the infection that's led to

thousands of trees being felled across Northern Ireland. This time

the affected area is Tollymore Forest Park outside Newcastle. Our

environment correspondent Mike McKimm has been following this

story and he joins us live now. So, Mike, for all those travelling to

Tollymore this weekend - what does this mean? Let me start off by

saying straightaway that the park is still open and that does not

affect people coming here at the weekend or the rest of the holidays.

What it this three here - it says it all. Effectively, this tea is

dying. Here to explain more about what is going on here, what is

going on here? You can see the foliage of the T showing symptoms

of the disease, turning from green to bronze. What is causing that is

a disease that is in the soil. It attacks the Ritz -- attacks the

Ritz and kills the tea. Overall, there is about two hectors of these

trees. They all have to come down? There are about two hectors within

the Labour Forest which will have to be felt. To put that in

perspective, it is less than one half of 1% of the area. People are

being asked to stay away from many areas that are signposted like

this? This is different to some other tree diseases that actually

spread through the air. This is spread through the soil, and we

need people to keep back from the soil. These are quite exotic and

ornamental trees. People have teas like this, including leylandii,

does it include them? There are also Leyland cypress, or leylandii,

but they are not attract -- attacked by this disease. After the

winter and the cold weather, some of those trees suffer but it is not

due to this disease. Thank you very much. Some good news for gardeners

- not to worry if your leylandii is looking a bit off. I'm sure plenty

will be glad to hear that. There's a row at one of our biggest

further education colleges over relations between senior management

and some staff. The Foyle MP and all six local MLA's have asked the

Minister to step in and deal with the controversy at the North-West

Regional College. Here's Keiron Tourish.

The north-west college caters for 20,000 full and part-time students

across Berry. Last September, during the restructuring, 12 staff

took voluntary redundancy. A number of areas where merged. There have

been claims that with all the changes, it is led to a breakdown

in relations between management and staff. One former senior staff

member who was made redundant said he is concerned about the impact on

colleagues. I am sad to see the way it is gone. Have you an axe to

grind with the management? I don't have an axe to grind but they have

principles. I'll tell it as I see it. That is maybe wireman the

position I'm in. The story took a dramatic twist when the Foyle MP

For example, the relations agency could carry out a behaviour audit.

We think there LRA should be brought in here. And they would be

having to co-operate with them. member of the board of governors

are represents almost one-third of the fund and 60 staff, insists

there is no crisis at the north- west College. I think it is

important that they bring us back to where it should be negotiated,

at the table with employers. We need all sides to re-engage again

at and resolve this the way it should be resolved, at the

negotiation table. No one from a college was available for interview,

but a spokesperson pointed out that it wasn't -- subject to an internal

audit process with which it fully complied.

The remains of a prehistoric body, estimated to be up to 3,000 years

old, have been discovered in a bog in the Republic. Experts are

examining the remains, which were found partially buried in a leather

bag just outside Portlaoise. They'll be removed to the National

Museum in Dublin for further examination in the coming days. Our

Dublin reporter Jennifer O'Leary This is the Bob were for thousands

of years these human remains have been partially buried in a leather

bag. Chemicals in the ground make four or an ideal preservative. This

is the heel, this is it fits, but the torso and head, also in the bag,

did not survive. This is probably a ritual the position of a human

sacrifice. This suspicion is that this is probably a late prehistoric

burial, maybe I any age. They it was a bog worker who notice

something unusual. He applied the brakes and Parisian - - preserved

the body. We are well trained in spotting artifacts. We are

delighted to have uncovered such a It seems that there is a tiny

percentage of the population that the recession hasn't touched, the

super rich, and a County Antrim business is making the most of that.

The company restores Rolls Royce and Bentley cars and says the

downturn in the economy has actually been a bonus because, at

the moment, vintage cars are seen as a solid investment. As Natasha

Sayee reports, the company is doing business with royalty, celebrities

and multi-millionaires around the world.

You have just got to say, it is a real beauty. This 1930s will Troy's

Bunsen to was lovingly restored bit by bit inimical workshop just

outside Lisburn. It is a ready for the road and both the Sultan of

Brunei and the royal family of tide and want to buy it. When people

find hard chips and stock markets, they invest in gold, art and

vintage cars. There is quite a considerable increase in the people

who have invested in cars. This company is expanding, taking on

more staff. Be say it is about selling the skills of Northern

Ireland as well as cars. The heritage of Belfast and the

shipyard and so on, those men are still there, their descendants are

still here. Engineering is in our blood and I could not honestly be

based in a better part of the world. The only use materials sourced

locally, which is another reason why they have got backing from the

Government. This has a vital contribution to make to the economy

here. James's enthusiasm and passion for this business says it

all. When we come across people like this, we are keen to help them.

The air are a number of projects in the pipeline, including this,

rebuilding and armoured Rolls Royce that was in the convoy when Michael

Collins was shot. There is a list of celebrity clients as well,

including Nicholas Cage and Chris Evans. At the million pounds, it is

like it like this will be the most expensive car I will ever be in, so

I intent on enjoying the strive! - - intend. This filth absolutely

amazing. - - This feels absolutely amazing!

Next, to THAT wrist, and a prognosis on Rory McIlroy's chances

of success at golf's US PGA Championship. Doctor Stephen Watson

is here. I am no expert, but I can tell you

it looked painful. Rory McIlroy damaged his right wrist after

hitting the root of a tree early on in his first round. He was treated

on the course, and later in hospital after completing 18 holes.

He has strained the tendon in his lower right arm. The medical advice

is that playing on will not cause any more further damage. The

question, is can he cope with the pain? Well, Rory teed-off in his

second round today, but, as Austin O'Callaghan, reports it has not

quite gone according to plan. Less than one day after it that

shot, Rory McIlroy was back out on the course. Six television cameras

followed his every move. It was not until a few moments before he

starred time that Rory McIlroy decided to play. The forearm is

heavily strapped. It did not appear to give him too much trouble early

on, but in temperatures of 40 degrees there were moments when his

game appeared to falter. He found the water at one of the par threes,

and if the injury was holding up, at times his putter certainly

wasn't. This was a triple bogey on the par-three 8th hole. At times it

looked like he was not enjoying its. Another dropped shot left him in

danger of mixing - - missing the cut. He steadied his finish and

carded a round of 73 for three over par. He looks like being the only

Ulsterman to make the cut with Darren Clarke on 14 over par, and

Graeme McDowell at nine over. Dublin road racer Derek Costello is

still critically ill in hospital after a high speed crash at the

Ulster Grand Prix races yesterday. He was treated for trauma to the

head at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. Organisers say they

have been doing everything they can to make the Dundrod circuit as safe

as possible. There has been a lot more safety bail spots. We have

been taking trees, poles and hedges, taking them down. It is on going.

There are risk assessments done. We will be looking at the area where

it Derek crashed and trying to make that safer. The roads will close at

9.30pm. Full commentary will be on Radio Ulster.

The Ireland rugby team arrives in Bordeaux this evening for

tomorrow's World Cup warm-up game against France. Declan Kidney's

side will be hoping to make up for last weekend's disappointment

against Scotland as the scramble for World Cup places intensifies.

You have players who are unbelievably focused. They are all

trying to get on the plane. It might give us an advantage that all

our guys are fighting for places. Live coverage is on Radio Ulster MW

from 7.45pm. Another top Down Gaelic footballer

has been lured down under to play Aussie Rules football. Teenage

sensation Caolan Mooney arrived in Melbourne today. He follows in the

footsteps of Martin Clarke by turning his back on the amateur

game in Ireland to begin a new career as a professional player.

Mind in the mountains of morn, but destined to sparkle in the

Melbourne Cricket Ground. started in 2009, there was a scout

following the games. The ended up keeping their eyes on me. They had

been looking at me for six months. He embarks on a path that has been

well-trodden by team-mate Martin Clarke. After I came back from the

trial, he was congratulating me, telling me the things he did, tell

me about the homesickness, saying it will kick in for a while, but

other than that just giving me tips with the ball. He is adamant that

he will return to Gaelic football, but in 2013 Melbourne will be home.

There is a full programme of games in football's Premier League

tomorrow. You can see highlights of Linfield against Donegal Celtic,

Glentoran against Dungannon, Portadown-Lisburn Distillery and

Crusaders against Carrick on Final Score at 5.00pm.

A County Leitrim dance hall close to the Fermanagh border has been

bringing couples together for generations. It is called the

Rainbow Ballroom of Romance and the community in Glenfarne are hoping

to turn it into a museum dedicated to the showband era of the 1960s.

Our district journalist Julian Fowler has been along to find out

more. At a crossroads on the road between

Enniskillen and Sligo stance the Rainbow Ballroom of romance. In its

heyday it attracted all the top show bands. For generations people

have been coming here to enjoy the music, to socialise and to look for

love her. This was an innocent age when men and women like opposite

sides of the hall and soft drinks and tea were served at the mineral

ba. They came on bicycles, in cars and walking. They dance for five

Arras and they went home. It was a celebration of life. The man behind

the success was John McGivern, who also met his wife you. The it means

an offer lots for me to see the young people here. Maybe meeting

their future husband! Not everyone could pluck up the courage ask a

girl to dance. Occasionally there would be a ladies' choice, and that

is when you put on your best smile and hope that's your number would

come up and some poor Ladywood take pity on you and drag you around the

floor with happiness and joy. It didn't happen too often, which is

why I ended up a priest! Dances are still held here for those who

before - - preferred jiving to clubbing. There has been a new song

written to try to raise funds for the development of the showband

Museum. People aren't meeting each other there would be just too. I

think we should get back to Lisbon to live music. Sir, forget internet

dating and come down here. Meet people here at the ballroom of

romance. It is very good. A advice share to buy one couple who met you

50 years ago. The Rainbow Paul Crymble romance for every pore.

is the food of the soul. - - it is at the foot of the soul. This old

tin roof shed shows that Romance Never dies.

Now, for all the weekend plans, let's find out what the weather is

up to over the next few days. Here We are certainly to a few

reasonable days. Things will be a little bit better over the weekend,

though hardly perfect. At least most of today's rain is beginning

to clear away. If you are heading out, drier weather is on the way.

There may be a few breaks in the cloud in the early ours of the

morning, but by morning the blanket of cloud will have booked him again

and there will be drizzle. There is an meteor shower tonight, of though

unfortunately we will not have conditioned as good as that. Most

of us will start off Saturday with that being grey and misty. The

weekend overall will be drier and it will be a little bit brighter.

So, low cloud to start off with drizzle. Things will improve as the

day goes on and the afternoon will be largely dry, and a bit of a

breeze. So, very gradually we will see some brightness breaking

through as the breeze picks up. Many places will have a fairly dry

afternoon. When the sun does come through, it will kill very pleasant.

- - it will feel very pleasant. On Sunday there will be sunshine

around, but there will be some showers, too. One or two of them

could be quite sharp, but in between the sun will shine. It will

not be a brilliant weekend, but better than it has been.

Finally, a reminder of the stories making the headlines: Sinn Fein has

called for an inquiry after a woman was repeatedly stabbed at a North

Belfast health centre. A man was in court today accused of

trying to murder the woman. The incident happened during the

woman's appointment with Social Services.