19/03/2012 BBC Newsline

Good evening, this is BBC Newsline with Sarah Travers. The headlines

this Monday evening: A warning our economy could be

damaged if Westminster introduces a pay freeze for thousands of public

sector workers. Dealing with the past, former

paramilitaries and top police officers learn lessons from the

conflict in South Africa. And a carnival St Patrick's Day

atmosphere as potential flashpoints pass off without incident.

I am live on the route of the Olympic torch with details of your

chance to see it this summer. We are live in Loughgiel where they

have come out to welcome their curling heroes.

And the sun may have disappeared today, but it should break through

in places again tomorrow. The Finance Minister has warned

that the Northern Ireland economy could be badly damaged by Treasury

plans to effectively freeze the pay of many public sector workers. It

has been widely reported that this week's budget will start a process

aimed at bringing average public sector wages into line with those

in the private sector. In Northern Ireland, average wages in the

public sector are much higher, meaning those workers could face

years with no real pay rise. Sammy Wilson said the plans could have a

devastating impact on thousands of people here. Our business and

economics editor Jim Fitzpatrick reports.

There are more than 200,000 public sector workers in Northern Ireland.

The combined wage bill is well over �4 billion. The Chancellor, who

pays that bill, wants them to come down. It seems not all staff are

being targeted. Certain sections of the civil service may be first in

line for a prolonged pay freezes. The Chancellor is being cheered by

the private sector, which has long argued it cannot afford to pay what

the public sector workers enjoy it. They are having to pay more so they

are less competitive so we cannot export and we have a problem.

but unions argued that pay comparisons which appear to show

public sector workers in Northern Ireland enjoy between 15% and 30%

higher Blears are misleading. it should be paid irrespective of

whereabouts in the United Kingdom you are employed. If you are

employed at the same employer are doing the same work at the same

level, the pay rates should reflect that. In Northern Ireland, the left

and a public sector dominated economy. Even those that do not

work directly for the state rely on the pay packets of those to do.

Retailers, restaurateurs, plumbers, electricians. If those wage packets

are effectively cut to bring them into line with private sector it

might require a pay freeze lasting years, that would mean less money

spent. If the savings go back to Westminster, it could be bad news

for the Northern Ireland economy. There will be less spending power

in the Northern Irish economy, less spending power means less jobs for

people who would deliver the normal goods and services which people

spend their money on. And that means increased unemployment, it

means lower standards of living and it means that people are going to

find it more difficult to make ends meet. Under Gordon Brown, Best Buy

was offered the chance to lower public care and -- public a Antigua

Sailing to spend elsewhere. -- Best Buy was offered.

And starting tomorrow on BBC Newsline, our political

correspondent Martina Purdy has a series looking at how more economic

changes could affect your life. Will you fare better in the new

benefits system? I will be looking at reforms to the regime the

Government says in broken -- is broken.

The police say they are investigating alleged sexual

offences against as many as 50 boys here. The details emerged at a

Belfast court hearing, were 17 year-old boy was accused of

inciting a child to engage in sexual activity along with making

and distributing indecent images of children. All of the charges relate

to internet activity. The accused was released on bail on the

condition that he does not use the internet.

The countdown to the London Olympic Games is well and truly underway,

and today, the route the Olympic flame will take through northern

Ireland has been revealed. Our reporter Will Leitch is at one of

the landmarks which will be visited by the flame.

I am at Carrickfergus Castle, just one of the iconic buildings the

torch will visit. For five days out of the whole 70 day relay, Northern

Ireland's cities, towns and villages will share the Olympic

torch, as will Dublin for a morning as well. For 95% of the population,

say the organisers, the flame should pass within 10 miles of you.

On day one, it starts at the Titanic Centre in Belfast. It goes

up the Antrim coast past Carrickfergus onto Lauren, a glance

and Ballycastle. Ending in Port Rush. Next day, it starts in a

rowing boat in Coleraine before heading west and over to Lemar

baddie. Passing over the new piece Bridge. Then it is Southend West

from Derry to Strabane, Oman and Enniskillen. Before moving

eastwards to our match, Portadown, Banbridge and Yuri. On day four, it

starts in Dublin. It restarts in new-right, passing through Lisburn

and ending with a celebration at city hall in Belfast. The last day

sees... Five days in Ireland, before the torch moves on to

Scotland. It will even visit all of the MLAs

at Stormont. You can see all the details of that route on BBC News

Online. Throughout the whole relay, there will be around 6000 Olympic

torch bearers - from day one at the Titanic Centre, right to the local

finish in Moorfields, there will be well over 100 people every day,

chosen as an inspiration to their communities. So, what is it like

for the people who were picked? Teresa Craig has been meeting one

of them, Sion Mills schoolboy Darryl Harper.

For one County Tyrone schoolboy, the prospect of carrying the

Olympic torch is a dream come true. Darryl is in his first year at

Strabane Academy. It was teaching staff there who nominated him.

really happy. I cannot wait to carry the torch, it is going to be

good fun. In a few months, Darryl will replace school books with the

Olympic thing. He is excited at cannot believe he has been chosen.

He it means a lot. I am surprised to got chosen. While he may be

modest about making history, it is no surprise to his family and all

those who know end. He is a talented horse rider and it is not

his first taste of the Olympics. It is his love of all things

equestrian that has opened these opportunities to him. Very excited

for him. Especially in his first year a pig school. He travels to

Omar twice a week for the riding of the Disabled Association and has

competed twice in national championships. Her we are really

pleased for him because his own efforts earned it for him. He could

not be a better representative. am hoping people will be watching

me. As Darryl looks forward to done in the white and gold uniform of

the torch bearer, he says it will be at day he will remember forever.

Teresa Craig reporting there. The flame arrives here in 11 weeks time,

before passing through our towns and cities, beautiful countryside

and landmarks. Our best to all the torch bearers as they get practice

running and holding aloft - not easy.

BBC Newsline will have full coverage when the torch arrives.

Still to come on the programme: Potential flashpoints on St

Patrick's Day pass off peacefully. And agony as Ireland's men's hockey

team say goodbye to their Olympic dream, but ecstasy for the hurlers

Politicians from both sides of the border will be welcomed at the

White House tomorrow as guests of President Obama. But away from the

limelight, a peace-building experiment has been taking place,

involving senior police officers and former paramilitaries. They

have travelled to South Africa to study policing, and crucially, how

to deal with the legacy of the past. The trip was spearheaded by the

Conflict Research Institute at the University of Ulster, with the help

of community groups. The BBC's special correspondent Fergal Keane

reports. In a place once traumatised by

political violence, an extraordinary group has come

together. Here, a former senior IRA man, chatting to a police officer,

his organisation once wanted to kill. This man is a top policemen

from the Irish Republic. Sitting near him, a former loyalist

prisoner. He is very easy to be angry with people who don't know.

But when you get in touch with humanity and get to know them as a

person, anything is possible. have come here from a place with a

political settlement but what still bitter divisions over the legacy of

violence. Here, they met when Mrs from the truth and reconciliation

commission. Who is a victim? A victim is someone who was violated.

South Africa's truth commission named names and was often

emotionally highly charged. There is no consensus for anything like

this in Ireland. But for one influential figure, some process is

needed. Do the DEC, as a Republican, the

IRA taking part in some kind of truth Commission? Very much so.

Even if that meant saying painful truths? The it is about conflict.

Conflict is at the end of the day about war, it is about killing

people. So obviously it is painful. But the devil is in the detail. No

group wants to see its members publicly named and blamed. There

are strong political opposition to public inquiries or an amnesty for

those who inflicted violence. only have the story. It means

discussions like this and others at home are tentative, part of a much

longer process in that creating trust and for the first time in

Irish history, the possibility of a shared memory. It is contentious,

it is the blame game. But if people could create the Good Friday

Agreement, they can come up with a way of dealing with the past.

journey emerged from a cross community initiative with funding

from Europe. It builds on previous visits to other conflict zones.

There is no end to this or start to it. We need to look at their

experiences here and we will create Tyrone. There must stop, the island

jail where Nelson Mandela and others were imprisoned. -- the last

stop. Here, the cells where men spent decades of their lives. Yet

they emerge with a message of reconciliation. This is a brave

journey, Auld enemies working together to try and find an answer

to a question that divides politicians and confirms Government.

How do you answer the demand from the victims of violence for the

truth about the past? The answer to that question may be some time in

coming. But it is central to creating an enduring peace.

Thousands of people took part in St Patrick's Day carnivals all across

Ireland this weekend. And in Armagh, a controversial loyalist parade on

St Patrick's Day passed off without incident. There was also no repeat

of trouble in Belfast's main student district. Our reporter Dan

The biggest parade included big golf stars. There was also a

Titanic theme and an Olympic team for 2012, all watched by an

estimated 20,000 people who lined the route through the city centre.

I took a drive around this area on Saturday night way it seemed there

were more police officers and stewards than there were students,

who had taken advantage of the long weekend to go home to their

families. But in Armagh, there were two

arrests as a contentious loyalist band parade held in the city passed

peacefully. But some businesses said people stayed away and that

their trade suffered. Last week, the Parades Commission upheld a

decision... Earlier in the day, hundreds of people had lined the

route through the city for the annual sum Patrick's parade.

Although our Mart was unlucky with the weather, it did not stop the

families from enjoying the fun. In Downpatrick, the patron saint of

the proceedings for the town centre. Very proud to be here. The best

parade in the country! Thousands lined the route to watch

60 floats as they wound their way through the town. We are really

enjoying the atmosphere, it is very good. This is my first time and it

is really good. Really busy. Dublin had by far the largest parade in

the republic. There were spectacular scenes as tens of

thousands of people watched the many different loads, bans and

dancers on display. Derry saw more than 90 community groups taking

part in the parade through the city. It was excellent, and excellent day

out. The kids love debt. E Newton Abbey, soldiers and their family

enjoyed a fun day. The 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Regiment were

joined by cadets and other VIPs to receive the shamrock. The brain

also held off for the 100 who took part in the annual pilgrimage to

the top of this mountain to end this year's St Patrick's Day

proceedings. The St Patrick's Day bank holiday

weekend is one of the busiest of the year for sport. Here's Stephen

Watson I'll bring you all the action from

today's three schools finals shortly. But first tonight it's

hockey heartbreak for Ireland. The men's teams narrowly missed out on

a place at this summers Olympic Games after a dramatic last-second

defeat to Korea. Ireland lost 3-2 in the final of the qualifying

tournament for London 2012. The look on the players' faces said

it all. This is how it feels to agonisingly missed the opportunity

of fulfilling your sporting dream. They have given so many years of

their life to qualify for these Olympic Games and a missed out in

the last 20 seconds, it is heartbreaking. Ireland were left to

watch on. Korea celebrated. They had booked their Olympic place in

the most dramatic fashion. Ireland led the game twice. Ireland have

scored! But the Koreans for back to level at 2-2. Then this happened.

Korea's goal in the last seconds was referred to the video referee

forced to a such a thin margin and a cruel way to go out. But the goal

The goal is being given. players and the staff have worked

hard, longer than three years. It will be tough for them to face up

tomorrow, but as in life, Sport the deals as blows and we have to stand

up again and keep going. The men may have missed out, but now it is

the turn of the women to try and qualify for London this week.

Let's hope they can make it. The St Patrick's Day Bank Holiday

is traditionally the biggest day in the schools sporting calendar. At

Ulster rugby headquarters, Ravenhill Methodist College won the

Northern Bank Schools Cup. The Belfast School beat Ballyclare High

by 22 points to 6. Methody dominated the first half scoring

three tries - Rory Winters gave them an early lead and added two

more before the interval to give them a commanding lead. James

Harrison raced between the posts and Conor McKee squeezed in at the

corner. Methday are the most successful school in the history of

the competition and added another try in the second half to seal

their 33rd win and lift the second oldest trophy in world rugby.

Our Lady and St Patrick's won today's Senior Schools Football

Final at New Grosvenor. They beat St Malachy's College by three goals

to nil. Captain Tom Grimley gave St Patrick's a 1-0 half time lead. And

despite having a player sent off at the start of the second half, the

ten men went on to score two more goals. Grimley again and this one

by man of the match Matthew Cola- Lucca. Our Lady and St Patrick's

lifting the Maxol Direct Trophy. The winners of today's BT Macrory

Cup are St Michael's Enniskillen. They beat St Pats Maghera in the

Gaelic football final at the Athletic Grounds in Armagh. St Pats

controlled the first half and Gerry Bradley's fine goal helped them to

a four-point lead at the break, but St Michael's fought back in the

second half and added seven points in a dominant display. Fermanagh's

Rory Brennan becoming the first captain to get his hands on the new

Crossmaglen must replay their All Ireland club Gaelic football final

after drawing with underdogs Garrycastle at Croke Park. But the

big winners on St Patrick's Day were the hurlers of Loughgiel

Shamrocks. They who won the All Ireland Final for just the second

time in the clubs history. And the celebrations in Antrim are still

going on 48 hours later. Mark Sidebottom is there.

Thank you very much. You are looking at the next generation. As

for the current generation, the captain, 14 -- 48 hours on Cant --,

Is a little boy is the son of the man who scored seven points. Those

three goals, we are going to look at the penalty. I don't think it

I know these people here respect the goal I scored. In a word, what

does it mean to the community? Fantastic. It is a great

achievement to win a game and a great credit to everyone involved.

We are hoping to prosper as a club. Johnny, for you, you have now

doubled up. I was only a few months old when we last one, long may it

continue. Look at this haircut, they call him Rory Mackle Roy,

The best haircut needs a haircut, I think!

It was in the words of the coach Declan Kidney a very bad St

Patrick's Day for Irelands rugby players. They ended a disappointing

Six Nations campaign with a defeat to England on Saturday. Ireland

beaten 30 points to 9 at Twickenham. Huge disappointment, embarrassment.

We are a much better team than we showed that today. It is very quiet

and sour in the dressing room. Through the Six Nations, there were

glimpses of how good a side we want to be. Who wins in a draw is not

good enough for this group of players.

It certainly was a weekend to remember for the Belfast Giants ice

hockey team. They won the Elite League title for the first time

since 2006. And as Austin O'Callaghan reports the thousands

of Giants fans made it a noisy It was a victory sealed with a kiss

and a bottle of champagne. After some near-misses in recent seasons,

the Belfast giants are walking tall once more. It is hard to find the

words. Mike Bird year and we have finally won the League. We

previously lost by a point and what happened out there is a feeling I

cannot describe. It is the best moment of my career so far. It was

largely due to a dominant display overt title rivals Sheffield. Extra

seating had to be installed to accommodate the capacity crowd of

7,000. The players endured the paying punters got value for money.

It is like watching 20 of your children accomplished something

brilliant, and to do it in front of 7,000 people, it was literally the

perfect ending to a near-perfect season. It does not get better than

that. It is hard to express how you feel right now because you are just

so happy for the Guy's and so relieved. This is their third

league title, but the first they have won in front of their own fans.

Linfield moved a step closer to retaining their Premiership title

by thumping Donegal Celtic at Windsor Park. They brushed DC aside,

4-0, with Gary Browne scoring his first two goals for the club. The

Champion now have a twelve point lead at the top of the tableafter

Portadown were stunned by Carrick losing 3-1 - with David Bell's

strike a goal of the season contenderJonny Evans scored his

first ever goal for Manchester United when he slammed home the

opener at Molineux in yesterday's 5-0 win against WolvesAnd

Kilmarnock, managed by Kenny Shiels, stunned Celtic to winning the

Manchester United 15-0 against Wolves.

The former Ballymena and Coleraine manager led Killie to the trophy

for the first time in the club's history.

Carl Frampton has retained his Commonwealth Superbantamweight

title with ease. He floored challenger Prosper Ankrah in the

second round in Sheffield on Saturday night. Frampton, managed

by Barry McGuigan, is now looking for a shot at the British or

European title. It was not completely dry today, we

have had some showery rain developing, but once we get the on

tonight, the prospects for the rest of the week are looking mostly dry.

The cloud will come and go a bit, but that means there will be some

breaks so we should see some sunshine coming through from time

to time. Plenty of that across Belfast this morning with blue

skies, and a blue sky towards the north coast, but here at the clouds

were bubbling up and it continued to rolling through the afternoon,

spoiling the party and bringing some rain. That has been edging its

way south east. It will gradually fizzled away and we will get drier

weather this evening, but it will remain cloudy and dusty as well.

That breeze will bring further patches of light rain through the

course of the night, particularly for central and northern areas.

Milder to nine than the last couple of nights. By tomorrow, it is

drying up and it should brighten up as well. After a fairly cloudy

start to the day, we will find the gusty wind gets to work on the

cloud, lifting and breaking it. The favoured spots to see sunshine are

likely to be parts of Derry, north coast, parts of Antrim, County Down

and County Armagh. To the West, more cloud, but I'm hopeful the

cloud will lift the. The to and -- the son temperatures as well.

Tomorrow night, clearer spells for a time, a bit cooler than tonight,