10/09/2012 BBC Newsline

Good evening. The headlines on BBC Newsline: A Lisburn teenager with

autism is left in a critical condition following what police say

was a brutal and sustained attack. The regeneration of the Maze Prison

site takes a significant step forward with the appointment of the

man who's to head the project. See the site for what it is and not

what it was. I want to change people's perception and we have to

get people to come here. A family dog dies after being set on fire -

a couple say their children are probably scarred for life.

We knew she could not take the pain of much longer. But she was unable

to walk at the end. We start a week-long test drive of an electric

car - will it have the juice for my daily commute?

Rory McIlory does it again. Today's weather, hardly fit for harvesting

- find out how the rest of the week in shaping up later in the

programme. An autistic teenager who was brutally beaten in Lisburn and

lay unconscious and undiscovered overnight has been described as a

gentle giant by police. Detectives investigating the vicious assault

are baffled as to the motive and they have appealed for help from

the public in tracking down the culprits.

Scott is six foot three inches tall and weighs in at 15 stone. The

teenager suffers from autism and is a well-known figure around Lisburn.

Last Friday night, he was discovered badly beaten, lying in

the grounds of these disused commercial units, next to the tow

path not far from the centre Lisburn. He had been repeatedly

kicked about the head and face. He lay undiscovered overnight before

being tracked down by a police dog handler who knows the area well and

he was acting on information from the teenager's friends that he was

seen heading in the direction of the towpath. He was unconscious, he

had been kicked repeatedly around the face and head. He but for the

local knowledge of the police dog handler and the extensive search

conducted, it is highly unlikely that he would have been found as

quickly as he was. The dog handler knew the area and was able to go

specifically to that spot. mother reported him missing on a

Thursday night at 10pm. Police now I know he left the South Eastern

College that afternoon. He played football in the nearby gardens and

was last seen alone in a nearby area. Police don't know what

happened in the 30 our period between then and a 17 year-old

being fined. The fact he is artistic makes them more vulnerable.

He has good friends, a loving family who are very shocked at this

time. It was senseless, no reason for it. It was a brutal attack.

Police are baffled as to the model for behind what they have described

as the brutal beating of a vulnerable teenager. There is

nothing to suggest it was sectarian or that a robbery was involved. The

police officers investigating this case say somebody out there knows

something and they want a person to get in touch with them. The Maze

prison closed 12 years ago and since then, what to do with the

site has been the subject of controversy. Today it was announced

that the chairman of Glentoran Football Club is to lead the body

which will oversee its redevelopment. Businessman Terence

Brannigan is a former chairman of the CBI and is also a member of the

DUP. There has been years of wrangling

about how the controversial jail site should be developed but the

appointment of this man, Terence Brannigan, means the project is now

up and running. If you look here, you will have the peace building

and conflict resolution centre air and over here, you will have the

Royal Ulster Agricultural Society on 65 acres. The the plan is to be

able to hold the agricultural show here next year while the peace

centre is scheduled for completion by 2015 but given the massive scale

of this site, developing work could still be continuing the 20 years.

It is a long job but the developing corporation want to see the public

using the site as soon as possible. We want to have events, music

events, we want a community to come in and see the site for what it is,

not what it was. The DUP were quick to welcome today's appointments.

have a requirement to get a balanced board a living we have

done very a belt. We have people with business acumen. Sinn Fein are

also delighted. But for a short time this afternoon, Sinn Fein

officials appeared concerned about this admission from the new

chairman. You are a DUP member? At first, sources said he had not

declared his DUP membership on his job application. Then the day

because Minister played the matter down. I am quite relaxed about the

political allegiances of people who are on it. If there's any

controversy around one person in particular, which I am told the

media have been interested in, that is a matter between that person and

the people who processed the application will stop them is

development board members also include a former Sinn Fein

councillor and a former police assistant chief constable. Still to

come on the programme: Why filling up your car could be cheaper than

you ever imagined. Join me for more on our e-car trial. The collie dog

who was set on fire two weeks ago has been put down. Three year-old

Codie suffered serious injuries after she was doused with flammable

liquid and set alight close to her home in Maghaberry. Her owners say

they are devastated but that the vet decided she was just in too

much pain. You may find some of the pictures in this report upsetting.

Everybody loved her, she was not wary of any buddy. She loved

orthodox and anyone in the village or anybody that you her knew she

was at special dog. Two weeks ago, Codie suffered horrendous injuries

when she was doused in flammable liquid and set alight. She appeared

to be making progress but on Friday, the family that said there was

nothing more he could do. The first week, she was not as bad as the

second week. The pain was getting worse as the dead skin started to

come away. Each day we saw her deteriorating and we knew she could

not take the pain and much longer. She was on the strongest pain

medication they could give her but she was unable to walk in the end.

It has been hard watching her. family have been overwhelmed by

support from the public with messages from home and abroad. They

are appealing for anyone with information about what happened to

their much loved pet to go to the police to make sure this does not

happen again. It has scarred our children's lives for life, probably.

We are always going to find it difficult to come to terms with. We

don't have sympathy for people who do these sort of acts. Two men

arrested in connection with the attack have been released on police

bail pending further inquiries. Detectives say their investigation

is continuing. Politicians at Stormont want the Chancellor George

Osborne to cut taxes for tourism related businesses. A DUP motion

today highlighted the tough competition the industry here faces

from the Republic where VAT is less than half the rate here. Our

Business and Economics Editor Jim Fitzpatrick has more and joins me

now. Why single out VAT and the tourism

industry in particular? Tourism employs a lot of people here. The

good thing is, you don't need massive qualifications to get a job

there and if we can grow that sector, it could bring young people

at of employment. -- out of unemployment. Why VAT? Because it

is less than half in the public and less again in some European

countries. I spoke to one of our top restaurant years and he argued

the case. It would be the best thing that could happen to the

hospitality industry when you think of the percentage that is taken out

of the overall turnover. Not the profit. To slice that much in to

your week is a nightmare. A look at countries like France and is

reduced to 5%. It just freeze so many things up, it is impossible

for businesses to survive. I can see a lot of trades in big trouble.

Stormont has no power over the 80 so was today's debate. Us?

pointless but it was definitely powerless. That is why some people

think Stormont would be better served looking at those taxes over

which it does have control. Such as rates and I spoke to an expert who

do is with businesses in trouble. The son has rates is an issue that

Israel and is something that needs to be addressed. It has not been

looked at in 10 years and that is the main cost within businesses

today. We advise businesses who are struggling to pay their rates and

we need Stormont to look at that. That is the one piece of

legislation they can directly impact and changed so that is

something where they have control of and if they have control of that,

they should look at that to see where they can help reduce that and

benefit businesses directly. much would a cut in either tax

cost? Let's have a look. Northern Ireland, it raises �2400 million at

you. That would not be the cost here because we're only talking

about one sector, not liking it out entirely. Because this would have

to be applied across the UK, the absolute cost to the Chancellor

would be in the order of billions. Let's look at rates. In Northern

Ireland, that is �500 million commercial rates. Stormont has

control of that. If it cuts that, it would lose that money from its

coffers so the question is, is it willing to put its money where its

mouth is. The priest at St Patrick's church in north Belfast

has offered to hold talks with a loyal order after a parading

disputed lead to trouble in the area. Last month bands taking part

in the Royal Black Institution parade defied a Parades Commission

ruling by playing music outside the church. Now the administrator of

the church, Father Michael Sheehan, has asked the Royal Black to meet

with members of the Church. He said they have an opportunity to

demonstrate with generosity and goodwill that it is possible to

reach local agreement. Still to come on the programme: I'm

live with some of the world's best anglers hoping to land the biggets

prize in coarse fishing. We all know the price of diesel and

petrol but what if someone offered to sell you a car with cheaper

running costs but the only problem was you had to stop to top it up

every 90 miles or so. This week on BBC Newsline we're taking an

electric car for a test-drive. Our reporter Conor Macauley will be

using it for his daily commute and he is just getting a little juice

before he heads home. There are a range of battery

operated cars on the moment -- on the market at the moment. This is a

pure battery-operated car and has a range of about 90 miles. I have 25

miles to do tonight. I brought it here to get a charge before I set

off. Range is the key issue in these vehicles because many people

are quite understandably afraid, worried they will run out of power

before they get to where they are going. It is called range anxiety.

The Executive is spending �200 million establishing these power

points to get around that. We have 40 of them installed and in

the next nine months, we will install another one hand and 30

charge pounds. Electric vehicles have a range of around 100 miles.

People have journeys which may exceed that and the need to be

reassured that they can top up. People can be afraid to travel more

than that distance. These charge pounds will help to alleviate the

anxiety because people will know where they hour and they can charge

up while doing their shopping. about the cost of the car and

banning it? There are deer to buy but cheaper to run. This one costs

�30,000 although there is a �5000 government grant. It is in the

running costs were you will see the difference. I put � 40 of diesel to

do my journeys and they tell me I could do the same mileage with

about �10 of electricity. We will check all of this out around the

car this week. If you have any questions, send a message on

Twitter. Later, a report to get on a trip around Northern Ireland,

purely on battery power! Rory McIlory has been quoted in a

newspaper article today saying he feels more British and Irish. Some

people have regarded that as important because of the Olympics

in four years' time. Golf will be played there in real as a sport for

the first time and it appears by these comments that Roy McIlory may

planned to play for Team GB rather than team Ireland. He does go on to

say it is a difficult choice and leaves them in an awful position

and hopes everyone will understand would have a choice he makes. He

has played all his got so far for Ireland. It is not definitive and

the debate will go on. To many people, it does not really matter.

What ever the case, he would make any Olympic team at the moment. In

unbelievable form at the moment. Last Night's win was worth almost

$1.5 million. He has won over $20 million in his short career and he

has a chance in a couple of weeks' time to win another $10 million

bonus in the play-offs. It is absolutely staggering. He told us

the secret to his excess was winning that second major

championship. To get in contention, I felt I hadn't been there for a

while. Once I could finish it the way I did, it gave me so much

confidence going into these events. In Boston when I had a chance to

win, I was able to do it and today, having a chance going into the

final day, it should be another great round. And then some of the

best golf in my life now and confidence is high and we just want

to keep this going as long as I can. To win with the best deals in golf,

it is a nice feeling, knowing that you can turn up to these events and

win and win regularly. It does a lot for your confidence. Northern

Ireland have no fitness worries ahead of tomorrow night's World Cup

qualifier against Luxembourg. Luxembourg provide the opposition.

They may be regarded as footballing minnows but are 23 places above now

than in the world rankings. The return of Shane Ferguson to the

squad following injury gives Northern Ireland another attacking

option. Against another country they have played only once, winning

3-1. We tried to win and will utilise our possessions as much as

possible and create as much opportunity as we can. Will there

be many personnel changes? One or two, I think. We have a few things

we have worked at and we have looked at the opposition. If I

change the team, is a reflection on the team but as having a different

approach to the team. David Healy made his debut in that match

against Luxembourg 12 years ago. Michael said today he wanted to the

striker to sign up for this game and the trip to Russia but he was

unavailable. Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has

warned James McClean that he is lucky to still have an

international career. James admitted sending a stupid and

disrespect comment on Twitter after his omission from the starting

line-up for the World Cup match against Kazakhstan on Friday. He

has since apologised to the whole Irish squad. The Republic face Oman

in a friendly at Fulham's Craven Cottage tomorrow. James McClean is

on the bench once more. Coleraine moved top of the Irish

Premiership after victory over bottom side Lisburn Distillery.

Midfielder Stephen Lowry scored a second for the home side in a 2-1

win. Linfield bounced back from their midweek defeat to Crusaders

with a little help from the referee. Striker Ryan Henderson benefitting

from a deflection off the official, much to the annoyance of the

Portadown defence. Ballinamallard ended Cliftonville's unbeaten start

to the season. Jason McCartney with the injury-time.

Ulster rugby players continued their impressive start to the

season at the weekend, grabbing a dramatic 16-13 win over the Ospreys

to make it two out of two in the Pro Twelve under new coach Mark

Anscombe. Walking out of the changing rooms,

Ulster new a victory could send them to the top of the Pro Twelve

and capture a rare victory in Swansea where they last won rugby's

league trophy in 2005. Traditionally they have struggled

when playing Wales. The Ospreys were home and dry. At 13-3, their

undefeated record as coach looks finished. Paddy Jackson and kept

Ulster within striking distance. But, it looked too little, too late.

There is something different about the determination at Ulster rugby

at the moment and just when it looked like Ospreys would hold out,

within minutes, Paul Marshall crossed the line and after

consultation with the T N O, Ulster were a row for that to try and the

wind. To come to Ospreys home ground and get a win. We will take

it. The second half, we just put her head down and we knew we had to

wear them down and we do that eventually. Next up, it is Munster

on a Friday night. There were mixed fortunes for Northern Irish riders

in the latest round of the Superbikes in Germany. Jonathan Rea

crashed out early in race one although he did recover with a 4th

place in race two which leaves him 5th overall. But Eugene Laverty had

two podium finishes, coming second in both races yesterday. That means

he is now up to 6th place in the standings. The next round is in

Portugal in two weeks' time. Finally, it promises to be a

special night at Seaview where QPR and Northern Irish legends will

turn out at a special match in tribute to the late Alan McDonald.

We have all heard about the one that got away but if you are fish

in Fermanagh, you had better watch out. The best coarse anglers in the

world are trying to land the biggest prize fund in the sport.

The winners of the World Pairs Championship will net a whopping

�30,000. Our Fermanagh district journalist Julian Fowler is in

Enniskillen. Are the fish taking the bait?

certainly are. These waters behind me attract thousands of fishermen

each year. This week, some of the best anglers in the world of coarse

fishing have come here to try their luck. On offer is the biggest prize

fund in the sport. With me now is the organiser of the competition.

How it big in this competition? They is is the biggest in the world,

it is the richest event and it has attracted angers from all over the

world, Australia, Brazil, Germany, and the UK. It is massive. Look at

that used here, you cannot get any better. Taking part is Andy, how a

good was the fishing today? Pretty good, beautiful surroundings and

you just cannot beat it. A reasonable start to my festival.

The sun is out now but it was pretty wet earlier? A don't even

notice it when I am catching fish. What is it about Fermanagh, the

fish or is there more to it? have a good time with all the lads,

the Anders go out at night and have a great time. A huge prize fund on

offer, it has been sponsored by waterways Ireland and tourist

boards on both sides of the border, what will we get out of it? It has

brought people to this part of the words that has not happened for

years. There's at least two UN and 50 anglers plus their families and

the average spend is over �1000 a person so just in this little area

alone, it has been fabulous for the hotels, pubs, the food, shops,

everything. It is fabulous and the money on offer is unbeatable.

competition will be taking place in Fermanagh, Cavan, Leitrim and

Monaghan for the rest of the week and hopefully there will be tight

lines. It is beginning to dry up in a lot

of places. It might have been good weather for fishing today but for

many, it was miserable. It looks as if it was the worst day of the week.

As we progress through the week, it will be when the at times and we

can expect a shift in temperature. These birds, has snubbed by Peter,

obviously enjoying themselves in the puddles. For many of us, it was

cold and wet and miserable. You can see the drier weather in June in.

It will continue to drive up quite quickly during the first part of

the night. The next area of rain comes in the early hours. Some of

the shares could be heavy with fund an extent. Skies will then Clear

and temperatures will deal to 6- seven degrees. The good news about

tomorrow is that it is drier and brighter. There will also be a keen

and chilly westerly wind blowing. Fortunately, with more sunshine

around, it will be more pleasant and it will be a lot drier. For

many South Eastern areas including Belfast, a large part of the day

will be tried. Temperatures just up on today at around 14 or 15 but

still quite cool along the coast. The average for this time of year

is 16 degrees so we are a little shy of that tomorrow. The Chartres

easily tomorrow evening and tomorrow night, another weather

front moves southwards bringing it more rain for Wednesday.

Temperatures start to creep up a little bit towards the mid- teens.

Then we move into Thursday and Thursday looks at being an

interesting day. A lot of dry weather around. Strong winds but

not cold winds but temperatures back up-to- 18 degrees, possibly

We have had a statement in from Brian McIlory and he says, I wish

to clarify that I have absolutely not made a decision regarding my

participation in the next Olympics. On a personal level, playing in the

Olympics would be a huge honour, however the Games in Rio are still

four years away and I certainly won't be making any decisions with

regards to participating any time soon.

That clarifies what we were talking about a little earlier. That's it