31/10/2011 BBC Newsline

Good evening. This is BBC Newsline with Noel Thompson and Sarah

Travers. The headlines this Monday evening: It's all change at

Belfast's A&E departments. Do you know where to go in an emergency?

I'm live with the details. How a woman from Lisburn has forced

a UK retailer into a poppy U-turn. The man who discovered the Titanic

on the bottom of the ocean comes to see how we are getting ready for

the ship's centenary. Go I'm glad that Belfast has finally - - is

finally proud of having built the Titanic. They build an amazing

shape. It's only six days to go until the

MTV awards. The stage is going up at the City Hall, but what will

Belfast get out of it? Find out later in the programme.

No big scares in tonight's forecast, but just to be sure I'll have the

weather for the week ahead later in the programme.

Belfast will have one fewer Accident & Emergency department

within hours. The Medical Director of the Belfast Trust has admitted

the unit at the City Hospital is unlikely to reopen in the immediate

future. Health unions believe it's closed for good. The closure is

expected to mean 40,000 extra patients for the Royal, Mater and

the Ulster Hospitals. So, how will they cope? The City's A&E will

close at 8.00am tomorrow morning. If you turn up after that you will

be redirected to the nearby Royal Victoria Hospital. Emergency cases

will be transported by ambulance. Nursing staff will examine patients

and then decide to admit or transfer people to other hospitals.

Some may be asked to see their GP or simply be sent home. Well,

Halloween night is always a busy one for emergency staff. We can now

go live to our Health Correspondent, Marie-Louise Connolly to see how

the Royal is gearing up to be Belfast's main A&E centre.

It may not appear busy now, but I need this time tomorrow night when

the Royal Victoria Hospital becomes the main hub for accident and

emergency care in Belfast this area will be available to treat the

patients that will come as the result of the City's accident and

emergency closure, but to hear how the hospital and its staff are

queuing up for that, I am joined by the trust's medical director. The

Royal College of Nursing has told the BBC that its members are

concerned there were not enough beds available. And we are not

going to expect to see any more patients coming through our doors.

We had the same bed as we always have. We are increasing the

physical capacity of our emergency capacity to increased - - to deal

with increased demand. Waiting times have been up significantly.

For the members of the public, will they have to wait longer to be

treated? The that must be everybody's concern, but we work

very hard to try and ensure that that does not happen. We will

continue to have a medical admission - - Admissions Unit on

the City Hospital side. We will have more experience that working

longer ours on each of our sites. We expect them to be able to move

patients through the system quicker. We believe we have taken the steps

and changed the way we do things in order to make sure waiting times do

not increase. Considering the millions that have been spent under

refurbishment at the Ulster Hospital and here, you aren't still

insisting that that is - - that this move is temporary. We made

this move for operational reasons on a temporary basis. If we do

succeed in recruiting the staff we need, we will reopen the City

Hospital and there will be a wider consultation with the public about

the future planning, but ultimately that is not a decision for us. That

is a decision for a minister. order for this move to work and ran

very smoothly, aren't you relying on the goodwill of the public? A

lot of people who we have spoken to were even aware of the changes.

Have you done enough to educate the public? I believe that we have. I

think people will rapidly understand what is happening. We do

need the goodwill of the public, but we need to earn it. We believe

we are modernising our service to deliver the service they expect.

We can actually hear the fireworks from where we're standing and its

staff are appealing to the public to be safe to reduce the amount of

pressure here. And that story has got some of you

talking on our Facebook page. You can join the debate and add your

thoughts at Facebook.com/bbcnewsline.

A man in his 50s has died following a fire at a flat in Sydenham in

East Belfast. He was rescued by firefighters from the first-floor

flat at Station Road at around 8.00pm last night. He was taken to

hospital, but died during the night from the effects of smoke

inhalation. Early indications suggest the fire was accidental.

The police say the sudden death of an elderly man near the village of

Clady in County Londonderry was not suspicious. Hugh Scullion was found

dead at his home on the Clady Road near Portglenone last night.

A woman in Northern Ireland has managed single-handely to change

the policy of a major UK chain store. The discount chain Poundland

didn't allow its employees to wear poppies, until Lyndsey Patterson

got involved. Mervyn Jess takes up the story.

It is not every day that a member of staff brings about a change in

company policy within 48 cars. That is what Lindsey Patterson did. Last

Friday she went into her place of work wearing this poppy pin on her

uniform. She was told by her manager that it was against company

policy and she had to remove it. She refused and walked out of the

store. The story hit online site of angry customers bombarding pine

and's management with complaints. Within 48 hours the company's chief

executive had changed the policy for their entire UK operation,

leaving it up to the discretion of staff whether they wear a poppy or

not. I feel it should not have got to the stage. I thought I should

have been able to wear it. It shouldn't have been a problem.

fact that it has been sorted, are you happier now? Yes, I am happy

that I'm able to show respect to that troops. It is a win-win now

four or that employee of, and any other employee can wear their poppy.

We have changed what was our politically correct policy, but it

and then the people. Puntland said that the policy review took place

after listening to the feedback of staff and customers on the issue.

Stay with us, still to come on the programme: The Snow Patrol stage is

going up here at the City Hall and MTV has announced more big names,

so who is coming? All the details in a few minutes.

25 years of ghosts and ghouls on the banks of the Foyle.

The man who found the Titanic was in Belfast today. He discovered the

wreck just over 25 years ago off the coast of Canada. Today he was

visiting the new Titanic project and the drawing office where the

ship began its life. That's where Mike McKimm caught up with him, as

he met a new generation of Titanic enthusiasts.

Today the latest discovery about the Titanic was being made by

Belfast schoolchildren. There had been invited along to meet the

explorer and find that he had discovered the ship back in 1985.

He also had a chance to visit what has become known as the Titanic

signature project, part of which depicts the bow of the doomed ship.

Next year live video pictures from the wreck will be shown here. Even

a quarter of a century after the fine, he is still excited by the

story. I know that it is constantly rediscovered by every generation. I

find the most useful part about it is the fascination of young people.

I was surprised actually when we came home to find 16,000 letters on

my desk from young people. I am able to use their fascination in

the Titanic to get them to be fascinated in science and

technology. We felt the Titanic in 2005 and it was clear that the ship

was collapsing in on itself. Some would suggest that in time it would

only be a rusty pile left on the seabed. I don't believe that. I

think the greatest damage being done to the Titanic are by people

going down and hitting with submarines. When time - - when

cameras have gone deep inside the Titanic, it is in a high state of

preservation. There is a kind of mixed feelings about the Titanic in

Northern Ireland. Well, I am glad that Belfast is finally proud of

having built the Titanic. They build an amazing shape. It wasn't

their fault that it sank. It was an amazing piece of engineering. I am

really pleased that they now are proud. He will be back in Belfast

next year to mark the centenary of the sinking of the ship. Today

young people got him to sign off on that.

Now you may have noticed that there's a bit of excitement in

Belfast surrounding the MTV Awards being held at the Odyssey arena on

Sunday. Yesterday morning hundreds of fans queued outside the

Waterfront hall to audition for a place in the audience. The

screamers, as they're called in the industry, had to prove their

passion, by, well, screaming! And that's not all that's been

happening, the City Hall has been closed off, too. Our reporter

Natasha Sayee is there. Natasha what's going on there?

Yes, this is as close as we can get because MTV has completely closed

off the site, that's because they're working on the stage for

Sunday's massive Snow Patrol concert. Of course there is a lot

of excitement, but there will also be a bit of disruption around here.

One lane here is closed to traffic. And if you're not that into MTV's

music, you might be wondering what all the fuss is about. What will

Belfast get out of this? Well, I've been finding out.

It is only six days to go until the MTV awards had Belfast and it is

hoped we will be swamped with big so that - - big celebrities and

tourists. Why did they decide to come here? We came over in early

January and had a really good chance to it get to know the city,

enjoy some of the famous hospitality and that is what sold

it, really. Combined with this great world-class venue, great

hotels and the infrastructure can supported. Belfast is the smaller

city we have ever done this show in, so are many ways it is a leap for

us, but fingers crossed we will pull it off! It has cost the city

council and the tourist board almost a million pounds to get MTV

here, but it is thought our economy will make �10 million out of it. 19

local companies are involved, including this one. Its staff will

be serving drinks to the VIPs. is pretty exciting. A big kick for

ourselves, probably one of the bigger sponsor will ever do.

Apartments here have been rented for almost �1,000 and nights. Every

fully - - free flat in this building has been booked and 8000

hotel rooms are gone. Speaking to hotelier's in the last couple of

days, they are ready. They are looking forward to hearing

champagne corks popping. 20,000 people are expected to come from

all over the world. Of course, they will be spending money when they

are here, but it is what they tell people when they get and that is

really important. This is again ginger. We have never been at this

level before. We have had tall ships, Special Olympics, presidents

and prime minister's visit, but this goes all that out of the water

in my opinion. It takes us into another international level of

competency. So big expectations for raising the profile of the city and

the economy, but let's not forget the music. Last night General

fiasco kicked up Belfast Music Week. 170 gigs across the city in the

run-up to the main event, so what does MTV, and you mean to them?

can only be a great thing. Local artists are emerging. Hopefully a

lot of tourists will come into Northern Ireland to help the

economy. I think it is fantastic, and jam-packed week. You couldn't

Just before I hand back here - some news from MTV. Justin Bieber will

be performing at the awards and for those of us were a little bit older,

David Hassell off will be there as well. -- David Hassell off.

If he sticks up around as long as David Hassell of has, we will call

him a star. Rory McIlroy is one. Two �5 million richer this evening.

Not bad for a week's work. It's the biggest ever first prize in world

golf. Last week Rory McIlroy switched his management company and

it did not taken long to deliver them a win. He celebrated his

fourth win as a professional after beating American Anthony Kim in a

play-off at the Shanghai Masters. He has another chance to win lots

more money in China this week. Golf's richest prize comes with

some serious pressure. When this million-pound putt shaved a hole in

the 18th green, Rory must have wondered whether another win was

going to slip through his fingers. going to slip through his fingers.

He had to go to sudden-death. The difference between first and second,

�700,000. He was in pole position. He left himself a testing part.

When the American nest, he tapped in to pick up his and the sport's

biggest ever checked. He has now won four times in his professional

career but admits that figure career but admits that figure

should be higher. I would be the first is the I have not won enough

first is the I have not won enough in my four years as a professional.

Today was great for me, I was under pressure on the back nine. To be

able to win from that position gives me a lot of satisfaction.

tees off on Thursday in another lucrative event in China but for

rain, it is the winning not the money that matters.

The police and GAA in Antrim are investigating an attack on a

referee at the end of a gaelic football match in Ballymena on

Saturday. Ray Matthews was taken to hospital after allegedly being

assaulted by a group of players and supporters at the end of an U21

championship game. Matthews had sent off three players near the end

of the match. It was billed as a clash of the

Gaelic football club heavyweights. The All Ireland champions of the

last two years going head-to-head in the AIB Ulster Club the quarter-

final. In the end it was all too easy for Crossmaglen. They beat St

Galls and will now play Ballinderry in the last four. Thomas Kane was

at Casement Park. 12 months ago Crossmaglen welcomed

the All Ireland champions onto the pitch with a guard of honour. The

gesture was reciprocated this time round, but that was where the

friendly relations ended. There whereas many yellow-card as scores

in the first half but once stood out in particular - Jamie Clark

with the coolest of finishes. Two Crossmaglen goals all but ended the

game as a contest. This strike was followed up by at penalty. They

replied with two goals of their own but they were little more than

consolation. We were unsure of where we where relay. Things have

been not up to scratch. Today was about trying to get over this game

and get momentum going far as again. Crossmaglen Rangers have never lost

a game at Cup -- at Casement Park. Ulster welcomed back their Rugby

World Cup players at the weekend but sadly couldn't get back to

winning ways. They slumped to their fourth defeat in a row, beaten by

the Scarlets in Wales. Ulster trailed by 13 points to 3 at half

time, before some quick thinking by Andrew Trimble got them back into

the game in the second half. He nipped in to touch down for a try

in the corner. But the Dragons sealed the victory with a second

try just before the end. Next up for Ulster - Connacht this Saturday.

In local football Linfield are 5 points clear at the top of the

Carling Premiership. Aaron Burns scored the winner against Dungannon

Swifts. Second placed Portadown lost their unbeaten home record to

third placed Cliftonville. Martin Donnelly on target. Glentoran are

in fourth. Stephen Carson was among the scorers in the 4 nil win over

Donegal Celtic. Best goal of the day - Mark McSkimmins' last minute

strike for Glenavon as they earned a draw with Coleraine. And look

away now if you are Carrick goal keeper Maros Valko. Stuart Dalls

took advantage of the blunder. Crusaders went on to win 5-1. A bit

of a horror story to finish. Never mind all that - you know what

tonight is - its Halloween! Yes, all kinds of ghoulish goings ons

happening and not just here in the BBC Newsline studio, but as usual

the North west is throwing the biggest party of the year.

Yes, it's fright night in Londonderry and once again the

banks of the Foyle will be teeming with carnival crowds dressed in the

most weird and wonderful costumes, and the sky will be alive with

fireworks. Our reporter Keiron Tourish is

there live for us this evening. And Keiron, we're terrifying ourselves

here but 2011 is a special year for the festivities up there.

Another scary moment there. Yes indeed this is a very special here,

the 25th anniversary of this carnival. It is hard to believe 25

years have rolled in. Lots of people have got into this carnival,

as you can see, I am joined by people at the moment. It is as

popular as ever now. The tills have been ringing as people came out in

huge numbers this year to stack up for Hallowe'en. It has grown to

such an extent that some shops like this one specialise in merchandise

just for the occasion. It is for her friends, they get decorations.

A lot of people are having home parties the -- this year. Everyone

wants to be part of the celebrations. Shopkeepers are able

to cash in. The highlight of course is a massive fireworks display on

the River Foyle. Thousands of people lined the route, all keen

for a glance of the colourful spectacle. Over the last 25 years,

the costumes have been imaginative. There is still great enthusiasm for

a party in 2011. It is so legend ary, some of the best celebrations

are here. It is really special. Looking forward to more they year

than last year, I will go down in see the fireworks and staff.

Hallowe'en festivities have grown over the years. They have -- they

contribute a lot to the local economy. We are talking about

millions in terms of what it can do, it is not just about accommodation,

it is about shops, restaurants, bars, visitor attractions. It is

about everything which makes a complete product for the people

coming here. I am sure you will be it is a carnival of colour. I am

joined by a member of the council. Every year this event attracts

thousands of people to come into the city centre. We have a great

community behind the events and families come out in their costumes

unique and special. We have just added music and attractions over

their three-day event. This year is it -- this year it is the 25th

anniversary and we hope people will get an extra up Spicer fun and it

will be extra special. I remember when there was only about two or

300 people but now they are about 25,000. Yes, we plan for about

25,000 people coming into the city centre and I think it is because it

has a good reputation, all ages enjoy it. The word has spread and

we work on the marketing side to bring in the tourists. It is an

occasion for the year that people plan to come to and enjoy. Economic

rate is very important for pubs, clubs and would tells, it generates

a lot of income? Events are very important for the city yet, as you

know. They generate income through accommodation. Because of the

spread over the weekend and the bank holiday, there had been a lot

of people from the Republic of Ireland to her here. After the

parade and the fireworks, we hope they will remain. We hope they will

enjoy the city for what it is. The community here makes it special.

Thank you for joining us on the programme. We leave you with a

glimpse of some of the talent available here in the city. This

art group are going to perform and We are going pumpkin crazy here in

the studio. As you can see, it has dried up in the north-west,

dried up in the north-west, conditions are quite good for the

fireworks display later on. This is where the rain is at the moment. It

is clinging on to the east coast but it should move away within the

next hour. If you're heading out tonight, we will see the rain

cleared and we will see some stars appear. Hopefully most places will

have a good evening for Hallowe'en. A largely dry night coming up but

it will be cooler with temperatures down to five or six. Clear skies

tonight means clear skies tomorrow. You may catch and a sunrise

tomorrow morning. If you are off on half-term, Newcastle was paved with

rain and big wins and a lot of low cloud. Tomorrow there should be

sunshine so no excuse not to go outside tomorrow. A nice morning to

start of November, a little bit chilly to start off with but it

will recover. Lunchtime tomorrow we are looking at highs of 12 or 13

degrees. Not to windy and not too many clouds around, so we should be

an ice afternoon. We're still looking at a little bit above

average temperatures. Much more pleasant compared to today. Dryness

continues into the evening but the breeze will pick up again. Tomorrow

night we are looking for our next area of rain to imagine from the

Atlantic. As the breeze comes along, it will not be as Chile. On

Wednesday we will have both heavy rain and heavy winds. A dry start

to Wednesday but it will end up wet as the next weather system moves in

from the West. We could see up to 10 mm of rain on Wednesday,

possibly more on the hills. It will feel quite unpleasant combined with

the winds. We are keen to keep an eye on the rainfall. It clears up

towards the end of the week, some sharp showers, still mild but

fairly windy. Thank you for that a reminder of

our headlines: Hours to go now our headlines: Hours to go now

before the closure of the accident and emergency unit at Belfast City

Hospital. Casualties will have to go to the Royal and other hospitals