29/10/2013 BBC Newsline

weekend. That's all from us. Now the news

where you are. Good evening. The headlines on BBC

Newsline: A fourth letter bombers found in less than a week. This time

it is addressed to the Secretary of State. Reports of domestic violence

are at record levels. There are criticisms about the police deal

with that. The woman who was with Natasha MacShane when she was

attacked as to meet her for the first time since that night. It has

been a controversial time for Crumlin College and today we learned

that the principal had to leave her home because of an alleged threat.

The education and library board have delayed a decision to close the

school. Also on the programme. Going monkey hunting? You are definitely

going to need one of these. We topped the cracks like the on the

tail of the last missing macaque monkey. -- we talk to this crack

sniper. A bumper year for Croke Park and hurling, but the Ulster final

has yet to happen. Why is the game here in crisis? And there was a

definite nip in the air today - is it time to turn the heating up a

notch? I'll be back with your forecast. A fourth bomb sent in the

post in as many days was addressed to the Secretary of State. The

where Theresa Villiers and the First where Theresa Villiers and the First

Minister and Deputy First Minister have offices. Chris Page reports.

This building is where politicians make some of their most significant

decisions. Storm on Castle is the headquarters of the First Minister

and Deputy First Minister but today, everyone here was evacuated when a

letter bomb was found in the post room, addressed to the Secretary of

State, Theresa Villiers. She was in London. I think it is reckless. That

is why I condemn it. The fact that it had my name on it is not

particular the significant. It is the risk to others who are just

doing their job. It is for the Vice posted in the last few days. One of

them was defused at the office of the public persecution service in

Londonderry. Two others were addressed a senior police officer

and the chief constable and were accepted by Royal Mail workers. One

of these devices was found by staff working night shift. Workers here

mainly handle items like that the presence and bills but are well

briefed about what to do if they discover something that is more

suspicious. We train the staff to look out the characteristics of what

might be said -- suspicious personal package, and the staff have shown

that they are very good at identifying these items. Today, the

justice minister visited staff to thank them and expresses concern. It

is an issue that could literally put at risk anyone's life and if there

are other people on the delivery round, echoed put at risk the life

of the general public. These things are to stop. Police believe the

seven Republicans asked sending the letter bombs. It is a worrying

situation for those targeted and for postal workers who unexpectedly find

themselves on the front line. Four men and a woman have appeared before

a court in Glasgow charged in connection with dissident republican

activity. The five, who are aged between 26 and 39, were arrested in

Scotland last week during a security operation which also involved the

PSNI and MI5. The group have been charged with trying to buy firearms

and explosives, as well as conspiracy to murder. All were

remanded in custody and will appear in court again next week. Domestic

violence, reported to police, has reached record levels. There were

more than 11,000 recorded crimes last year. But an inspection report

says the police are not doing enough and that a series of improvements

recommended three years ago haven't been implemented. Our Home Affairs

Correspondent Vincent Kearney's report begins with images of a

reconstruction based on a typical incident.

I am so frightened. Why didn't you say something? I just got so

ashamed. The police deal that is my calls on domestic violence every

hour. There were more than 11,000 recorded crimes last year, the

highest figure since records began. One victim today spoke to the BBC

about the moment she finally decided to leave her abusive husband. A

sergeant who was a specialist in domestic abuse,

Women's Aid takes calls from thousands of people like Sarah,

every year, and says that many more do not report their views. The

research shows that a woman can be assaulted 35 times before she brings

a police reaches out for any kind of support, so you're probably talking

about hundreds of thousands of incidents of actual abuse. There

have been many campaigns to encourage victims to call the

police. What starts behind closed doors ends behind locked doors. But

the criminal Justice inspection report says that the police are not

doing enough to combat the problem and catch those responsible. It says

that only one of 13 recommendations from a report three years ago have

been achieved. Brendan McGuigan is the chief criminal Justice

inspector. The recommendations came from the police themselves. These

were things that they wanted to do. We translate those into

recommendations in the report, only to go back to find out that the

limited progress has been made. In 2010 there was some momentum. Going

back at 2013 at is clear that they have taken their foot off the gas.

We realise that the rough challenges within the report, things we have to

get better at and do faster, but we have seen an increase in reporting,

and that, for us, is a critical indicator of the fact that the

public and in particular, victims, have confidence in our ability to

you what they are saying, to deal with the crimes, and the

perpetrators, to make their family environment safe again. They will

meet again soon to assess the police response to their criticism. And if

you have concerns about domestic or sexual violence, now or in the past

a helpline number on the screen along with a 24 hour police number.

The American woman assaulted in Chicago along with the County Armagh

student Natasha McShane, is to meet her friend for the first time since

the attack. The Irish-American community in the city has raised

money for the trip. Natasha McShane has been unable to walk unaided or

talk since both women were beaten with a baseball bat three years ago.

Last week a man was convicted of trying to murder them. The story

continues to make headline news in Chicago, as Martin Cassidy reports.

In the Irish-American Heritage Centre in Chicago, a community

gathers to give thanks for justice and pray for the recovery of Armagh

girl, Natasha McShane and her friend, Stacy. It is nice to feel

the support. And that I did fight that night with everything I had my

body. They were robbed on the 23rd of April 2010. The attack has left

Natasha McShane unable to talk or walk unaided. Her family say that it

has changed her life or other. Whilst Natasha McShane continues her

recovery at home in County Armagh, friends of the family attended the

service in Chicago. We got her up and got her walking but only a

couple of steps and then she had to go back in the chair. Natasha and

Stacey remain in contact. The Irish-American community had a

surprise for the two girls, arranging for Stacey to come and

visit Natasha at her home in Northern Ireland. I am thrilled that

I have so much support from all of these wonderful people and they get

to hold hands with my best friend again. The man convicted of

attempted murder faces a sentence of between 6-120 years. His accomplice

has been imprisoned for 22 years after pleading guilty to two counts

of attempted murder over the attack.

BBC Newsline has learned that the principal of a County Antrim school

had to leave her home overnight last week when the police warned her of a

possible threat. It's not the first time Annabel Scott has been

threatened. The news comes on the day her school, Crumlin Integrated

College, was due to be recommended for closure. But there's been a

last-minute change of heart. Our Education correspondent Maggie

Taggart reports. Protests have dogged the principal, Doctor Annabel

Scott after resuspended following a damning inspector 's report. She has

not worked in the school for three years. As parents meet to stop the

closure of the school, it has urged that last week she was informed of a

threat and was advised to leave her home for a night. The school is

fighting for survival and parents and politicians at the campaign

meeting last night plan to keep open the only school in the growing

Crumlin area. My children all did very well. It is my son's future.

And they not want him to have to go to school getting the bus. They

thought it was a done deal as the education board met to discuss the

future of the college. The board went into private session and it was

there expectation that it would rubber-stamp the recommendation to

close, but even though the majority of board members are also members of

the education committee that made that recommendation, many of them

change their mind, and the decision has now been delayed. The members

have agreed to think again and hold another special board meeting. It

would be welcome to the campaigners and I have had lobbying from a

number of sources Stacey to have that assertion reversed, -- to seek

to have that decision reversed, but the objective in the long term is to

have shared education. We have got to show people how well the school

is doing, how to satisfactory and it is getting better, it has a 61% pass

rate this year. We have got a good school, sell it, and let's show that

the shared system is what the whole of Northern Ireland needs, and use

it as an example. They will meet with the education and catholic of

operatives in the hope of finding a lasting solution. The Health and

Social Care Board have told relatives and residents that none of

Northern Ireland's statutory residential homes will close before

the end of 2014. The ban on admissions will also be reviewed.

The Board made the announcement during an, at times, heated public

meeting in Belfast today. Maybe somebody has sat up and listen Diane

I am encouraged, and watch this space, because if you ignore all of

this our boys will be heard loud and clear again. It is important that

the board members hear the views of all the stakeholders, some of whom

travelled long distances to excess -- attend the meeting. They

vigorously expressed their concerns, we are listening, we have heard

those concerns, and it is time for us to take those views away and

consider the consultation paper in the light of those. Plenty to come

on the programme before 7pm: What do you take with you when you are on

the hunt for a monkey missing from the zoo? BBC Newsline has

highlighted the success of the UK City of Culture year as well as the

rows over money and accountability. We can now reveal details of a

bitter dispute between the organisers - the head of Derry City

Council, and the chief executive of the company set up by the council to

run the events. The division is exposed in scores of emails obtained

by us through a Freedom of exposed in scores of emails obtained

Information request. Enda McClafferty reports. It has been a

big year for dairy. Tens of thousands have turned out for the

events. While the crowds enjoyed the thousands have turned out for the

festivities, behind-the-scenes, tensions have been simmering. These

are the chief executive that the heart of the dispute. This is way

that has been played out. We have been looking through scores of

e-mails sent by the two chief executives over the past 18 months.

They reveal some deep divisions. Sharon O'Connor had concerns before

2013. This is the e-mail she sent to Sean McCarthy back in September.

This was the reply about getting help from the council.

But why should we hear if two bosses cannot agree, so long as events like

the Turner prize continue? The success of the city of culture

programme depends on the legacy left behind. That is no wonder threat

because of what is happening behind the scenes. I think it is

regrettable that it is in the public domain. We must look to the future.

The future is key to this, the delivery of the legacy and the

future of jobs. In spite of the differences, the City Council and

the culture company remained determined to stay focused on

delivering the event. Still ahead on the programme: A trip down memory

lane, a new train station that is looking for passengers. They seek

him here, they seek in the year, as yet, the final monkey that escaped

from Belfast do has eluded traps and search parties. Our reporter has met

up with the team on the trail of the monkey. The missing monkey squad can

be assembled in minutes. In this band, of the equipment this man

needs to capture the monkey that is still on the loose. He used this

dark time to good effect on Friday, tranquillising one monkey that had

taken refuge up a tree. He said that despite how it looked, the animal

was never in any danger. It started to take effect, the monkey falls

asleep and slips then grabs old, it was a very controlled fall. This is

the enclosure at Belfast zoo. It gives them lots of room but this is

what keeps them in, it is electrified. Something spooked the

animals last week and be hopped out over the electric fence, taking a

jolt. Five of them are back in 24 hour lock-up until the whole group

is reunited. One of them is still on the run. She has been living here

for a number of years and this family group. They expect she will

want to come back here, it is getting colder and she might get

hungry. As most animals are governed by the stomach, the zoo is using

proven treats to get her back. Is she likely to be eaten by something

like a fox? I do not think so, at night she is likely to go up a tree

and be away from predators. They are hoping to find her without further

need for a needle. The hurling final will not be played until 2014, if at

all. Now the sport. There is not a great deal happening, it is

shambolic, that is how you the recent handling of the hurling has

been assessed. The dates have been postponed prompting several

respected voices to warn of an imminent crisis. Any moment we will

hear from the development officer but first our reporter has been

examining the state of play. Unquestionably, this year's hurling

championship was one of the best ever. Over 1.3 million people

watched the final live on television. At the same time, some

hurling fans in Ulster where saying the game is on its knees. In terms

of the rescheduling, it was a bit of a shambles. The people behind those

decisions have to look at their motives. Whether they like it or

not, the perception is that the game is getting a raw deal. The same

would not have happened in football. It has definitely been purely

managed. -- surely managed. Who in the right minds would put a hurling

final on in November? It is madness. Whoever made that decision was

completely wrong. This was last year's provincial final. Previously,

the winners qualified for the all Ireland deciders, that does not

happen any more. As of today and as of the last five years Antrim has

been so far ahead of the competition that the game has not been worth

playing. Just six weeks into the school year this game was played.

Dublin are the perfect blueprint and where we have all been looking,

other teams did not produce the teams without a lot of investment.

As a province and counties, the hireling counties, that is not

happening to the same level. There is not enough financial investment

or bodies. The dismal clear structure or strategic direction. In

Dublin 91% who play in the league games played in hurling and

football. In the US they are spreading the word of hurling. Some

say the same enthusiasm is not shown closer to home. I am joined by the

Ulster development manager of hurling. No strategic plan, it is

pretty strident criticism, is it fear? I would not say so. We have

got nine counties and three different levels of ability among

them. The accusation is that it is weathering on the vine. Dublin say

they have 50 coaches across schools. In Antrim and Belfast the equivalent

is two, it surely that is not acceptable? We wish we had the same

resources that are available down south. We are dealing with six

regional officers in Ulster, they are based in the grass roots. We

work at every level. Would you be better spending the money on coaches

at underage level than at Casement Park? That money is ring fenced,

there is nothing we can do about that. Will be Ulster final happen

and if so, when? I hope it will happen and early in the New Year. We

all hope it will be played before the new season gets underway. Thank

you for joining us. It has been confirmed that Northern Ireland will

play a friendly game away to Tokyo next month. Martin O'Neill is

understood to be signing a new two-year extension to his contract

as manager. The late bulletin is at half past ten. In March we featured

the train enthusiasts who want to turn the site into a big visitor

attraction. Part of the plan has come to fruition with the opening of

a 19th-century station. Our north-east reporter was the. It is

easy to imagine this sort of scene 100 years ago. This engine would

have cooled in the year with carriages full of tourists. -- cool

then. The Sunday school did the promenade and the Northern Cliff

path. The town developed and who and this place with it. Best line and

platform are no longer part of the public transport network. A group

which attempts to preserve our real wee history is trying to get the

visitors back and this new deal we building is part of that project.

The preservation Society have been on this site for 50 years but there

has never been a station here before. This is part of the ?4

million development. The station was described by a famous Ulster

architecture. The original was demolished in the 1960s, we have

rebuilt it for our special trains and visitors to our depot and

Museum. Work will now start on other parts of the site including a

visitors centre but people can watch restoration work and the Museum so

that the past is not forgotten in the mists of time. The weather is

next. It has been quite cold today. A clear and starry night coming up.

Temperatures are already around six degrees and will continue to fall.

There could be forced by morning. There may be a few showers but these

will diminish. These will ease during the next couple of hours.

Tonight will be largely dry, clear and cold. Some parts could get close

to freezing. Tomorrow morning and cold. Some parts could get close

windscreens. It will start dry but dream will move in from the west --

the good news is that it will not rain all the time. -- rain will move

in. A bright start for the East. A breeze will start to pick up quite

quickly. By the end of the rush-hour there will be splashes of rain to

parts of the West, that will continue to move eastwards. We will

lose the early sunshine and they will be strong winds, particularly

towards the east. By mid-afternoon it will become drier and sunnier in

most places. Thursday is Halloween, a blustery day with sunshine and

showers. Towards Derry those showers could become lively. Quite a cold

Halloween night. Pumpkins are not easy to carve. Looking ahead, Friday

is not too bad, quite a nice day, but more wet and windy weather

coming our way at the weekend. We have interesting conversations on

our Facebook page. The Van Morrison competition and the Irish Dancing

Championships.