07/03/2012 BBC Newsline

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

Noel Thompson.. A pilot has a lucky escape as this aircraft crashes in

a field in County Down. Amanda eyes at his home.

A big drop in the number of older people getting meals-on-wheels. We

ask why? Red faces at the to respond as a

brochure puts a bit of Tyrone and Fermanagh.

He joined we live at the Odyssey arena worthy Belfast Jains are

hoping to skate away some silverware. -- are hoping.

It could be about icy in places tonight.

First do that lucky escape for the pilot of a light aircraft in County

Down. The man's plane came down and Kilkeel in Co Down. The pilot was

taken to hospital and is said to be in a stable condition.

Good evening. It and 50-year-old pilot tried to land behind.

Unfortunately he miss the landing strip and landed on a building site

at the end of it. One man who sought a happening was Conor Cole

and he is with me now. Tell me what you stop? I was at the foot of a

club and I looked up and sold their aeroplane coming down. I saw a

waving about there. All I could hear next was a bang. I looked and

I walk down to see what I could do. Then this man tried to get across.

He could not get across from the Rev R. If the weather had an

atrocious at this point? howling wind and rain. It was

lashing down. The accident investigation unit told us that

they were aware of the ascendant. They are going to pursue a bit with

a pilot who is in a comfortable position. A stable position in

hospital. -- the incident. A pensioner has died in a house

fire in County Antrim. It happened at his home between Ballymoney and

Dervock. Forensic teams would continue to

look through the charred remains at the house late this afternoon. The

emergency services were called to these two semi-detached houses at

around 8 o'clock last night. It is believed the fire started in this

one where a man and his -- in his 60s lived alone. He died in the

blaze but their neighbours were able to alert the man next door.

heard this battering on the window. Next door is on fire. The room was

full of smoke. We tried to fight our way into next door. The flames

pulled us back. They is all that is left of his bedroom. The fire

ripped through the ceiling from next door and has destroyed where

he would have slept. This is all that is left of the wall as you

come up the stairs and the smell of smoke is still second the air. He

has had a very lucky escape. With a heat the kitchen window smashed.

With a wind last night, it was engulfed in flames. I think the

poor man had passed away before that anyway. It was just silence.

Because of the fire is still not known. -- because.

The number of elderly and vulnerable people having a meal

delivered to their home has dropped dramatically. In one health trust,

the figure has fallen by 76%. Stormont's Health Committee says it

wants to know why fewer people are using the service. Is it their

rising cost, on attaining of the roles that entitle people to meals-

on-wheels? For some people, the meals-on-

wheels service provided by the five health trusts is the only

nutritional lifeline they have. But despite an ageing population, it

has emerged that fewer people are now receiving a lifeline. In 2007,

almost 7,000 men and women receive meals. That figure has now fallen

by around 36% to just over 4,000. Part of the reason could be cost.

In these stringent times, all of the health trusts must save money.

Some are prepared to save more money than others by not

subsidising their meals quite as much. Each health trust has been

told by the Department of Health it must charge of high 50p per meal.

But it has emerged that that cost varies from one area to another. --

The criteria used by each of the trust to determine who is eligible

for the service differs. While in Belfast there has been a small

increase, in the southern trust figures have dramatically fallen by

around 77%. It is not acceptable. Someone

saying in their Northern Trust is entitled to the same as someone

staying in the Southern Trust. My concern is that the Department has

sent out a circular telling the trusts that they should only charge

a certain amount of money and three of that the five trusts have

ignored that. Healthcare is under a review.

According to the recently published review in the future, there will be

few if any residential homes for the elderly. Some people believe

that will place even greater demand on the meals-on-wheels service.

have to be assessing people on the basis of need not the ability to

pay or the criteria being tightened and tighten so less people

accessing this service. And I think that is the worrying trend with

this, we are squeezing the resources that we do have much too

tightly. According to some of the health trusts to appear before the

committee, fewer people may be a villain of the server does duty

alternatives such as ready meals or an increase in the number of older

people being supported by their families.

A man from Newtonabbey who stabbed his estranged wife to death has

been jailed for life. Gerard O'Kane admitted to murdering Anne O'Kane

in May. Gardai and County Kildare are

investigating the murder of two men by gunman who forced their way into

a house. One of them was in his late teens and a foreign national,

the other was Irish and in his thirties.

Relatives of the two young soldier shot dead at NASA main army

barracks where Anandan today for the unveiling of a new memorial. --

mass and been barracks. They braved the early spring

weather to make their way through their centre abandon this morning.

Catholics and Protestants coming together for a cross community

service to remember Patrick Azimkar and Mark Quinsey. They were shot

dead and six others wounded when the Real IRA attacked Ms Barrett's.

As the lone piper played, Rhesus were laid. And then a new memorial

stone was unveiled. As relatives of the two murdered soldiers looked on.

It is supposed to get easier every year but it does not. But seeing

how many people have come out and have come to support us, it has

given me a lot. I cannot say how thankful we are. While the families

of the six soldiers killed in Afghanistan tonight come to grips

with their loss. You are watching BBC Newsline.

Still to come: I am in Dublin when it Ireland take on Scotland.

For a manner is big enough, so why did it steal a bit of Tyrone? --

for a man. The finance Ministers Samuelson

says the UK Treasury should not allow its concerns over Scottish

independence to influence his decision on allowing Stormont is

set a minimum of corporation tax. Mr Wilson said Northern Ireland had

urgent priorities of its own with regard to attracting inward

investment. We cannot wait for a decision on

what happens in Scotland. This must be regarded as if the Government is

serious about helping us re-balance the economy in Northern Ireland,

this has to be regarded as an issue of great importance. There

Nationalists and Scotland are no political issue. This working group

has been set up independently and following on from the successful

consultation in which we Gozzer to 5% of the 700 responses massively

in favour. We have gotten a grip of all the main organisations onside.

We have all five political parties on side. You have not got that one

part -- on it in Scotland. There are concerns about attracting

so business from outside Ireland. Agricultural is staging a bit of a

recovery with buoyant cattle prices and rising income. Martin Cassidy

has been to this week's National Beef Association event in Dungannon.

They may not be making too much noise about it, but farmers are

witnessing any economic recovery and a booming demand for cattle.

There is generally a world shortage of food. There are ambassadors from

each country. We need to supply and we continue to increase the level

of supply. We will not need all those targets. They is a long time

since farmers felt as good as this. Now a last they are back. We have

just had a show in Oban. We did tremendous trade. A third of the

animals went abroad. Including Switzerland, Italy, Estonia,

Germany, Fin land. There is more contact with Europe if so we are

buoyant. It is like the beef trade. Comparing for a -- competing for a

share in the beef market a whole variety of breeds. Some suited to

upland pastures, others with a solid reputation for again and she

a solid mateyness. The income in all shapes and sizes. None bigger

than this bill that it weighs in at over a ton. Amazing when you think

he is less than three years old. have money in their pockets,

farmers can be persuaded to spend. And that will help spread the

recovery through the wider economy. The weather may still be called,

but the green shoots of recovery are clear to see the spring.

Puts me in that mood for a big stake there.

A programme to help young people in a disadvantaged area of Newtonabbey

has had a major cash injection. Monk in turn has a higher rate of

unemployment and many young people drop out of school without

qualifications. But a boxing club is helping that with a big brand

These young men are determined to make a better life for themselves.

Monkstown has a high level of disadvantage where educational

attainment is low and many young people drop out of school without

any qualifications. Here at the local boxing club, a scheme aimed

at taking them off the streets and giving them opportunities is

helping. The boxing end of it, teaches them self-esteem,

discipline. It teaches them to become aware, you know, of

themselves, and what they are capable of doing. And this makes a

big difference. These teenagers train four to five times a week,

they box, train in sport and get life learning skills. They say it

has given them the confidence to aim high. Well I like it, it keeps

you off the street. I learn respect and discipline. I like it because

it gets you out of the house. plan to win a gold medal. I just

hope to be in the professional boxing some time. Up until now,

Monkstown boxing club has been running vul -- voluntarily but

today's announcement this club will get almost �378,000 from the big

Lottery Fund means other local youngsters will benefit. Hopefully

champions of the future. The Princess Royal has been in Northern

Ireland for a series of engagements today. Her visit started at the

Pony Club national conference in Belfast. She met pupils from

Sullivan Upper and another school at Hollywood library. There she

witnessed a special science demonstration. She asked if we did

the project and we said who helped us. Really nice. Scary a bit.

Pretty neat. When she talked to us, it was easier to talk to her.

Amazing, but, really nervous as well. The reaction has been

positive. They are very excited as you can see and they have enjoyed

having her look at all the things and experiments they have been

doing. The Belfast Giants are chasing silverware at the odyssey

tonight. Steven Watson is there for us. Good evening Steven. Yes, good

evening. The Belfast Giants are having a fantastic season, they are

still in the hunt for three trophy, including tonight, they will be on

Challenge Cup final and we will look ahead to the big game in a

moment. But first tonight, we hear from to giants of Irish rugby,

Tommy Bowe who last night confirmed that he will be coming back to play

rugby in Ulster at the end of this season, and Ulster's Rory Best who

will Captain Ireland against Scotland, in the Six Nations

championship in the absence of the injured skipper Paul O'Connell.

Niall Foster is with the squad in Dublin. This morning Rory Best

trained alongside his team-mates in preparation for Saturday's clash

against Scotland. But this afternoon, all the attention was on

the Ulster man, as he was announced as Ireland captain. I think there

is no doubt that any time you get to captain your country, like I say

you must be doing something right. There is a lot of hard work goes

into every one of our squads but the higher up you go the more the

margin for error is reduced. You have to put in the hard work, and

you know and hope it pays off on the day. I feel honoured to be

sitting at captain as the Irish team. Not only will he lead Ireland

out on Saturday he will equal the record of 58 caps for a Irish

hooker. He would be a shoe in to do it and provided he was fit, there

is no better man, his performance of the last 12 months haz has been

phenomenal. He has been a fantastic servant for Ireland so far.

Especially the last 12 months he seems to be getting better. That

applies to the latest recruit who today couldn't hide his le light

about playing again for next season. It is my home club, I have enjoyed

my almost four years over in Wales with the ospreys, but you know,

Ulster are the team I grew up wanted to -- wanting to play. Came

through the academy, I am excited getting back there, I think that

are going places, and it is an exciting couple of years ahead.

meantime Tom India Rory will be answering Ireland's call here at

the stadium on Saturday. There was a big game at Ravenhill this

afternoon, Methodist College Belfast booked their place in the

schools Cup Final. They beat Campbell College by 18 points to

eight in the semifinal. It was close until half-time but Med

didominated the second half and ran in three tries. The first by Elliot

Mooney. Rudolph ber naid and Chris grey si booked two more. This year

the final is on Monday 19th March. Now to the big night here in the

Odyssey reenna. The Belfast Giants take on the Nottingham Panthers in

the first leg of the Challenge Cup final. The giants are having a year

to remember. Some down to a star player with famous sporting name.

At this point you might very well be asking yourself, what this has

to do with ice hockey. Well, Brazil had the one and only Pele, Belfast

is now claiming its only. E with 2 is goals in 41 game, New Yorker

John Pele is one of the stars of the Elite League. I have had ups

and down, I have had my slumps, I am starting to find my game here.

Scoring a lot of goals. If I can contribute to some wins I will be

happy. Pele's enthusiasm has brought attention o the Belfasts in

a record breaking campaign. loves the game and loves being

round his team-mates. He enjoys playing hockey. When you that and

you have a fun loving smile on your face when you come on the ring

attitude, it is infectious. We have a deep team. We don't have too many

weakness, I am one of the pieces of the puzzles. We haven't won

anything yet. That is the reason I came was to win championships. And

with three trophies up for grabs it is no wonder the coach is smiling.

Joining me live here is the Belfast Giants general manager. Could this

be the best season ever for the Belfast Giants? It could be, if we

can win the trophies we are still in line for, we have the Challenge

Cup first leg tonight. We are still in the hunt for the league, and I

mean, that will be decided on the 16th 17th March and the play-offs

after that. There is a lot of potential this year. Eight points

clear at the top of the Elite League with five games to go. Is

that the main focus, the big one? The league is the big one, you have

to switch focus to the Challenge Cup tonight. It is one of those

things a lot of teams wish they were in the same position as us.

Tonight we have to concentrate on the cup. The first game they played

was way back in the year 2000. 12 seasons on, you in better health

than ever on and off the ice? Absolutely. Without getting into it,

we are healthier off the ice and things are going really we it has

gone from strength to strength. We have had great crowds, we have had

just over 5,000 last three or four week, so it is, the crowds seem to

pick up at the end of the season. We hope to pack them in. The crowds

would love to see some trophies. No pressure! We are in this position

last year. The team this year are hungryier and that is all they are

talking about. All they have been talking about for weeks is the

league and let's win championships. We usually don't have that much

positive focus on what we are trying to do here. You have a

player called pel lai, it won't be a problem! We will have highlights

from the game on tomorrow night's programme and you can listen to

live commentary on the BBC sports website. Healthier off the ice rink.

I wonder what they are up to there! There are many reasons why people

visit County Fermanagh. The Clogher Valley Show isn't necessarily one

of them although according to a leaflet the event is the only one

in the County. Hold on, the show is in Augher and that is in Tyrone.

Our journalist reports this mistake has led to accusations the County

is being ignored when it comes to promotion. The lakeland County.

Thousands come here, attracted by the sailing, fishing, or the

subterranean splendour of the Marble Arch Kayes. Burr the next

time tourist chiefs head down the motorway from Belfast, they may

want to bring a map with them. As Fermanagh is a bit further than

they think. The mistake on the leaflet produced by the Northern

Ireland Tourist Board has reinforced a few held by some that

not enough is done to promote the County. The highlight this year is

Titanic, and the causeway and the gulf, you hear very little else,

but we keep pushing it, that they will remember that the lake lands

are part of Northern Ireland, and need to be promoted. And there is

plenty happening in Fermanagh which could have been included on the

events list. Such as the first international festival celebrating

the author Samuel Beckett. He went to school here, so a lot of the

venues used for the festival will be in and round Enniskillen. It

will celebrate the work of Beckett through drama, comedy music and

also sport, so we are looking forward to that, and hopefully it

will attract a good local audience as well as an international visitor

too. As the Clogher Valley Show caravan park there is agreement

that more needs to be done to promote the area. It is hard enough

to keep the County Tyrone name up and running. We have the largest

one day show coming up which has been here for a number of years. It

is disappointing for the local people to see it has been called

County Fermanagh. It is County Tyrone, that is where it will stay.

The Tourist Board have said that further planned leaflets for this

weekend will contain an event for Fermanagh, the Beckett festival and

will list the correct location of the Clogher Valley Show. They

apologise and assure the organisers is aware the Tourist Board is aware

of the location of the vent. The Clogher Valley Show is billed as

the largest one day a churl show in Ireland. It will be held here on

the last Wednesday in July, but if you end up in Fermanagh, you have

probably missed it. -- agricultural P I guess whole idea is you bring

people and then they go to Tyrone. Any way, weatherwise, cold one day,

at least we had more sunshine than yesterday, but that was really the

end of the good new, because as promised, we had that cold gusty

wind, and that wind did bring pretty interesting shower clouds,

this rather ominous looking feature was paragraphed over the mountains

near Ballycastle. We had another one many looking wintry and

thundery. The extent of the showers extend across Ireland up into the

west of Scotland. They were more frequent in the north and west but

the strength of the wind means a few get across to the east. A few

of them were reporting hail, sleet and above two to three hundred

metres there will have been some snow. There still will be a few

showers of hail and hill snow for a time, so there could be a dusting

of over the hills. Eventually through the night they will tend to

ease off, or at least turn back to rain. Clear spells start to develop

inland, so the temperatures are dropping close to freezing, and

given that some of the surfaces could be damp and we have one or

two showers, that could give icy patches but hopefully that isn't

going to be a widespread problem. Either way it's a chilly start to

the day tomorrow. It will end up milder, and it is going to be

mainly dry. Some patches of rain in the north and north-west to get rid

of. Probably during the morning rush hour. To leave mainly dry

conditions. The cloud will be a sticking point tomorrow,

particularly across Fermanagh, Tyrone, up into Londonderry. The

best chance of aify bright intervals, sheltered parts of

Antrim and temperature, where ever you are they get up to ten or 11.

We will still have a noticeable wind tomorrow. That breeze stays us

with tomorrow night, fairly cloudy skies so much miler tomorrow.

Probably sitting round eight or nine. A bit of dampness in the air.

It is still cloudy and breezy on Friday. We have damp weather that

will move in during the afternoon. Once it clears it is drewer with

lighter winds, still a lot of cloud but hopefully a few bright spells

from time to time. A reminder of the main news. A plane trying to

land at an airstrip in County Down has crashed into a building site.

It is believed the pilot's injuries are not life-threatening. And in

national news tonight, six soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan, as

the biggest loss of British life there for six years. Our late