24/10/2013 BBC Newsline

Good evening. The headlines on BBC Newsline:

Claims that collusion led to the deaths of more than 100 people in

the 1970s. We've the latest from Chicago on the

trial of the man accused of leaving this County Armagh student with

brain damage. A new multi-million pound centre for

the performing arts in Bangor. I'll have the latest on the escape

of six monkeys from Belfast zoo, and the dramatic capture of one of them.

A Shanghai surprise. We'll show the amazing golf shot played by Graeme

McDowell in China. And we've a pretty wet spell coming

up, with a risk of localised flooding in places by tomorrow

morning. A new book claims members of the RUC

and UDR were part of a loyalist gang that alleged to have been the base

of a loyalist gang which killed 120 people in the early 70s. It is

claimed its members not only belong to the UVF but also the RUC and UDR.

At the time it was owned by this man, James Mitchell, an RUC

reservist. Nine years ago, BBC Spotlight asked him about claims he

was part of what had been the gang. It is a bunch of dammed lies, it

didn't happen. Get that into your head, it didn't happen. James

Mitchell has since died. A book published today claimed there was

collusion between the security forces and loyalist paramilitaries

on a huge scale. It includes extracts of reports saying:

It is incredibly significant. There is nothing that a good cop despises

more than a bad cop, and that was the case in this series of murders.

The officers from England were truly appalled at what they discovered.

This man accused of murder admitted he had been a member of the UVF

gang. I was quite happy to co-operate at any level, with any

person who had a basic loyalty to Northern Ireland, who served the

same belief system, same ideological system as myself. People who were

drivers, who were able to take people 's lives. Who operated at an

intelligence level. One former dignity First Minister claims

members of the gang were protected by some within RUC special Branch.

Good policemen who were trying to investigate those murders were not

given the information that they should have been given by Special

Branch. And, why? Because Special Branch were in cahoots with the

people who carried out this murders. That is disputed by this former

senior special Branch officer. I worked in the mid-Ulster area in the

mid-1970s and at no time did I see anything indicating people were

condoning this. For allegations to say this ran to the top of the

organisation, I would like to see the evidence to support that. If

people have it, put it on the table. We all need to know what happened if

the evidence is there. More than 20 families have lodged complaints

about the original investigations with the ombudsman. Police say they

cannot comment as the ombudsman is now investigating those allegations.

A pipe bomb was thrown at a police patrol in Newtownabbey last night.

The attack happened as their car drove along the Mill Road next to

Bawnmore Park. Some residents were out of their homes until five

o'clock this morning, and others were told to stay at the rear of

their houses, while the army examined the scene.

The Garda Ombudsman is to review the cases of two Roma families having

children removed from them, amid claims they couldn't prove their

identity. Two reports have been ordered, after a seven-year-old girl

was taken from her home in Dublin for 48 hours, and a two-year-old boy

from his home in Athlone overnight. DNA tests proved that both children

were members of their families. Ireland's Justice Minister, Alan

Shatter, has said he's confident that the police acted in good faith,

but said it was important that any necessary lessons are learned.

The Burmese opposition leader and former political prisoner Aung San

Suu Kyi is here on her first visit to Northern Ireland. She's been

meeting politicians at Stormont, and children from Catholic and

Protestant backgrounds in Belfast. BBC Newsline's Mervyn Jess reports.

Aung San Suu Kyi was treating this as the main event on her brief tour

of Northern Ireland. Meeting pupils from Protestant and Catholic

backgrounds at a school in south Belfast. This is her first time in

Northern Ireland. It is understood she had asked to come here during

her five-day visit to the UK. Had she a message for local political

leaders? Actually, it is what message they have for us which is

more important. They are further along the road than we are with

regard to achieving peace. I have great admiration and respect them

because they have achieved something very difficult. They have the

courage and intelligence to achieve what they wish to achieve. There was

time for the pupils from Wellington College and Aquinas Grammar School

to put the Nobel Peace Prize winner under the microscope. This morning,

she was met by junior ministers at Stormont Castle. They were standing

in for the First Minister and Deputy Minister currently on assembly

business in America. She then went on to Parliament buildings where she

was greeted by the Speaker. Coming up on the programme: Six

monkeys escape from Belfast Zoo. We've footage of the culprits at

large. There's fresh controversy over

funding for the UK City of Culture celebrations. Derry City Council has

hit back at criticism that it's failed to deliver on a promise of

?10 million for the prestigious year-long event in Londonderry. The

council has insisted that it has honoured and exceeded its

commitment. As Keiron Tourish reports, the cultural events are

continuing but, so too are the disputes over money and

accountability. In the city or song, performances

are continuing. Most other groups are taking part in the first ever

International choral Festival. Competitors from the UK and Ireland

as well as Belarus and Italy are showcasing a host of talent. I think

it is really good to take part in it because I love singing. Our school

can show what we are capable of doing. It is great fun as well.

But, while there was plenty of harmony on the scenes,

behind-the-scenes there is The centre will cost ?12 million and, as

our education correspondent Maggie Taggart reports, it will train

people for the growing entertainment industries.

The southeastern regional College has a vibrant performing arts

department but it says facilities do not match the talent. The

multipurpose hall isn't always available for rehearsals. This music

room is part of a recording studio but isn't completely soundproof. The

new building will change that but it has been a long road. Three years

ago, the dreams of converting this car park were dashed, but the

college never gave up and now its determination has paid off. The

Department of employment has found ?12 million to build the centre.

Employability will go through the roof because we will have

state-of-the-art facilities, from lighting and technical theatre which

is an area of growth and employment. Right through to recording studios

and theatre. In 2010, we revealed the news funding had been refused.

Brian had hoped he would train in the new building but it has come too

late for him. I was very disappointed. But definitely now, we

are getting a new building. Sadly some people might not be here. But

it gives the opportunity for some of us to come back and see the great

productions. Little comfort to him, but the cars will go in January with

the opening due in 2015. Still to come on the programme:

Stephen Walker goes behind the door of Number Ten.

A special report from Downing Street on a table which has found a new

home. Belfast Zoo has issued an appeal for

information about two missing monkeys. Six of the lion-tailed

macaques escaped on Monday. Four have been recovered, including one

which was captured on camera, as Mark Simpson reports.

A monkey on the loose in the grounds of Belfast Castle. People in this

part of north Belfast couldn't believe what they were seeing.

Including Michael McGowan who filmed these pictures while walking his dog

this morning. The dog took a second glance, I took a second glance. The

monkey wasn't in the least bit worried. It leapt onto a windowsill

of the castle. In the meantime, the zoo had been wrong, they came. They

had a dart gun. Everybody was very calm. What actually happened, I have

never seen this, the best rugby tackle I have ever seen happened in

the gardens of Belfast Castle. The monkey scarpered into the

undergrowth. They didn't have time to get a shot. It was an absolutely

brilliant tackle. Do you think the Ulster Rugby coach needs to be

informed? Yes, there is serious talent in the grounds of Belfast

Castle! It wasn't the only monkey which escaped from Belfast Zoo on

Monday. Somehow, five others got out, sparking a frantic search of

local gardens, Bush is and trees. Two of the monkeys are still on the

loose. But this boy is tonight no longer at the castle, he is back at

Belfast zoo. If you see the missing monkeys call

Belfast Zoo. The negotiating table at the G8

summit in County Fermanagh has been given a new home... In Downing

Street. It was made by a Portadown firm and used by world leaders

including Barack Obama, Angela Merkel and Vladimir Putin. The Prime

Minister David Cameron has been showing it off exclusively to our

Political Reporter Stephen Walker. In June, some of the world's most

powerful people talked around this table. It began life in a Portadown

workshop. The Prime Minister wanted something intimate and natural so

that was the theme, a small round table with a centrepiece almost like

a half. -- like a hearth. The centre of the table was centred with a

piece of Ember. It symbolised gathering. This table now has pride

of place in Downing Street. The table is in this room. That is

right. It was the room of Lady Thatcher. She is picked it up there.

And I thought it would be a good idea to bring it back here because

it has important memories and symbolism. It has great memories for

me from the G8. It is used for conferences and all sorts of things.

What I liked was I asked for a small table. I wanted to make sure that

you did not have translators and assistance there. Everyone could sit

rounded. Everyone could sit around it. How did the other leaders react

to it? It was a talking point and they did like the fact that it was

small. One or two of them said to me afterwards we managed to create an

intimate atmosphere and people put aside their briefing notes and spoke

naturally. It was useful as a conference room and a meeting room

and as King Arthur find there were advantages to having a round table.

Deferment Portadown has been pleased by the reception. I saw it when it

was open County Fermanagh and I am glad to see it is being used. It has

been used by world leaders and seen by millions of people on television

and now the special piece of history for Northern Ireland has found a

permanent home. Headstones have remained the same

for centuries. There's a name, some dates and perhaps a few words. But

21st century technology in the shape of this credit card sized plaque

might change that. It's been designed in part by a Portadown

funeral director. It fixes to a headstone and triggers what is in

effect an electronic epitaph using a portable tablet or phone. Gordon

Adair has been trying it out and he's in philosophical form. Do not

pass by my epitaph traveller at having stopped, listen, learn and go

on your way. The ancient man who penned this famous inscription could

not he would have an epitaph like this. I went on to a standard iPad.

Listen carefully. That launches an application. That launches a

sample, in this case, of this family history of this person. It places a

dedicated space on the Internet for friends and family of the deceased

have stored whatever they think is appropriate. That could be

photographs, music, whatever they think. This project is the

brainchild of application designer Richard and a Portadown -based

funeral rector. Interestingly, both men are driven by the memory of

their fathers. There are two aspects to this. There is history and love.

For example, it is the love I had for my father and that would be

exemplified in his life story at four other people, that might be

history. People who worked with him in real life wants to come and see

for he was born, sometimes it can be audio so you can hear a story as

well as see pictures. You can find out about the life of that person,

bits that you did not know before you work with him. I developed the

technology based on a conversation after he passed away, with one of my

cousins and she told me stories about him I had not heard. I decided

I wanted to keep those memories alive for my children and

grandchildren and I knew a way to record them, store them and then saw

the opportunity to offer those facilities to others. They say

interest has been huge and they expect the plaques to become a

by general directors. Maybe just one by general directors. Maybe just one

last word of warning. Go on, traveller, lest, even while Dave, it

seems baffling to you. A jury is expected to go out later

today in the case of a man accused of attempting to murder this Armagh

woman. We are looking at live pictures from the courthouse in

Chicago were Heriberto Viramontes has been on trial. The prosecution

and defence inside the court have been summing up the case. Natasha

McShane from Silverbridge and her friend, were attacked in the city in

April 2010. She sustained brain injuries having been hit on the head

by a baseball bat. If there are any developed once we will bring them to

you on our later programme at 10:30pm this evening.

The future of European club rugby hangs in the balance. The sport's

governing bodies from the Six Nations have been meeting in Dublin

today in at attempt to save the Heineken Cup. Stephen Watson's here.

What's the latest? These crunch talks are happening

because the English and French clubs have said they will not take part in

the existing Heineken Cup after this year and will breakaway to form a

new European club competition. In the last 48 hours the Welsh clubs

said they would follow suit. After today's discussions there are new

proposals are on the table designed to get universal agreement for a way

forward that satisfies everybody. The Heineken Cup would be saved but

in a new look format. Instead of 24 teams there would now be 20. But the

big change would be how those places are allocated. There would be six

from England, six from France and seven from the Pro 12 league made up

of Irish, Welsh Scottish and Italian sides, with one place guaranteed

from each Pro 12 country. The 20th spot will be allocated after a

play-off. What does this mean for Ulster?

Not great and it is more risky. Currently three Irish provinces are

guaranteed a lucrative European Cup place. Under these new proposals

it's much more fluid. Yes, there's a chance all four provinces could

qualify as they have done this season but it also introduces a

potential scenario where only one Irish team makes it through. As you

might expect this row also boils down to money. The English and

French clubs complain the current format does not give them a fair

share of the revenue. Under these new proposals there is a three-way

share of the money between English and French leagues and Pro 12. The

English clubs have already said they think this is only a part solution

and there are stumbling blocks over television rights. They say they

will not go into any competition run by the ERC.

On the pitch things are much more straight forward at the moment.

Ulster are back to Pro12 action tomorrow?

After back-to-back Heineken Cup victories Ulster return to Ravenhill

in Pro 12 to play the Cardiff Blues. And Mark Anscombe has named a strong

Ulster side. The one big change from the team which beat Montpellier last

week is Stuart Olding named at full-back. He's an exciting young

player. It's the first time the 20-year-old has been named in that

position. He made a big impression last season with some eye-catching

performances. New Zealander Jared Payne moves to centre.

Ulster are in form and so too is golfer Graeme McDowell. He lies in

tied fourth place on the leaderboard at the BMW Masters in Shanghai. His

round of 70 today, two under par, included one of the longest putts

you're ever likely to see, as Nikki Gregg reports. After a five-week

break from the game, Graeme McDowell admitted he did not know what to

expect in Shanghai. It was not theirs. -- it was not this. What's

100 feet between friends. It was a bonus really. I knew I did not want

to headed long. I just crawled onto the front right edge. The putt was a

good putt. It was fortunate to go in. It was a nice little bonus,

shall we say. That set him up for an opening round two under par 70. The

round from Rory McIlroy included three bogeys. He finished the day

one under par with Padre Carrington level par. I hope you enjoyed that.

For the past few years, we have been following the career of Mark

Pollock. He was the first man to trek to the South Pole. He was --

lost the use of his legs but was determined to find whatever -- do

whatever he could to find a cure for paralysis. He now lives in Dublin.

This man is a history maker. He completed this walk to the South

Pole in 2009, becoming the first blind person to make the journey.

But for the last three years, he has had a different challenge. He is

paralysed from the waist down after a fall but he is back on two feet

with the help of robotic legs and hopes that one day, this machine

might improve to the point where it is an alternative to a wheelchair. I

have in pushing the device to the limits of what the engineers have

designed it for. I have in breaking different pieces of the equipment

and working with the engineers, and they break bits, and then they fix

it, and we move further. It is that sort of determination which makes

him want to carry on. He returned to his old school. He was promoting an

annual charity run which takes place next month in more than 30 cities

across the world, including Belfast. Our ambition is to create a global

community of people who come together to contribute to my mission

of trying to find a cure for paralysis. I feel like an explorer.

I feel it I am working on a problem that is 100% unsolvable. That is why

I am trying to find and work with some of the best people around the

world. He has made a habit of overcoming adversity. Mark Pollock

never feels to inspire. A remarkable man. Now time for a

weather update. We have some wild weather to look

forward to. Wet and windy conditions coming in. Eastern counties will be

affected later tonight and early tomorrow morning. Be prepared for

some localised flooding and you should bear this in mind if you are

going to be out in the rush hour tomorrow morning. More persistent

and heavy spells of rain will swing in during the night. It is not as

cold as last night and temperatures will reach around 11 degrees.

Tomorrow we should see an improvement through the middle part

of the day but it will be a miserable start for many others. It

could be mid-morning before the last of that rain moves away. Drier

conditions move into the West and they will extend eastwards for a few

hours. Temperatures will reach around 15 degrees. There will be

sharp showers around. Rain will come in from the north-west later the

afternoon. That will gradually extend its way eastwards along with

an increasing breeze. The rain clears away to leave dry and cooler

conditions tomorrow night and a dry start for Saturday. There is more

wet and windy weather to come over the weekend.

That's all from the BBC Newsline team. Keep up to date with News

Online and you can follow us on Facebook and Twitter.