15/11/2013 BBC Newsline

Commonwealth Summit in Sri Lanka. That is all from the BBC News at

Good evening, the headlines on BBC Newsline. Job cuts at an airline in

Belfast. I'm live at the City Airport to find out what it means

for passengers. The families of 20 people killed by

a loyalist gang are taking legal action against the government and

the police. A mild has told how his father lost his life when the

Filipino typhoon cut power to a hospital ward. The controversial

police plan to get a service medal to staff at a cost of over ?300,000.

Also, not a bad evening for Children in Need. Still some dry weather for

the weekend, too. Join me for the forecast.

First to the news that a light aircraft has crashed in County

Fermanagh. The plane carrying two people ditched in Lough Erne this

afternoon. Our reporter Julian Fowler is at the scene on the phone

for us. What other details have you got?

This plane had taken off from Enniskillen. It was a light aircraft

and the two people on board were carrying out aerial photography work

when the plane lost oil pressure. That meant the power to the engines

was basically lost. He dry to find somewhere to land the plane but they

said the fields in the area were too small to land safely so it became

obvious to them very quickly that they would have to do a landing in

the water. The plane came down in the water quite close to a local

estate. It carried -- landed 30 metres from the shore and the

passengers dry to open the doors but were unable to do so. They had to

climb out of the window and swim to shore. They said that when they

turned around, the plane was already below the water. They needed to

shore safely and raised the alarm. They are OK and they have been

checked out. Air accident investigators will have to carry out

an investigation over the weekend. A 46-year-old motorcyclist has died

in a road accident in Newtownabbey. It happened shortly after 7:00 this

morning on the Monkstown Road when his bike was in collision with a

car. The airline Flybe is planning to

make more than 50 of its staff redundant in Belfast. The move is

part of a wider programme of cuts across the UK announced earlier in

the week. What does it mean for its operations at the George Best

Belfast City Airport? Our Business Correspondent is there. Tell us

more. Unions have been told that Flybe ones to make 52 people

redundant here at the Belfast operation, that is one third of the

workforce. 16 will be pilots, the rest will be engineers and cabin

crew. It is news that everyone would have been dreading ever since on

Monday that Flybe announced that 500 jobs would go from its UK wide

operations. Most jobs are going from headquarters but Belfast is next in

line to suffer losses although some bases are closing altogether. The

rationale behind this? Flybe has a new Chief Executive who wants to

make cuts to ensure the long-term future of this airline. It has been

through other cost-cutting programmes before, it has also sold

landing slots at Gatwick. This has helped the airline turnaround a loss

operation into profit. This will be of little consolation to those 52

staff here who are expected to be made redundant. For customers could

this mean for services? In terms of routes, Flybe says it is business as

usual. That will be a huge relief to the City Airport where Flybe is its

biggest operator. It operates 12 routes, 500 services are offered

every single week to and from Belfast hi Flybe. Those routes will

be kept under review, an indication that nothing can be taken for

granted. It has had difficulty filling those seeds and I think in

the months ahead, a keen eye will be kept on those passenger numbers with

both Flybe and the airport keen to see them boasted.

The families of 20 people killed by a loyalist gang that included RUC

and UDR members are taking legal action against the government and

the police. They claim the authorities knew about the

activities of the gang which has been accused of more than 100

murders but allowed it to continue. This farm in South Armagh is alleged

to have once been the base for a loyalist gang that killed 120 people

in the early 1970s. It is claimed its members not only belonged to the

UVF but also the RUC and EDR. The families of many of those it is said

to have killed came the government, police and army knew about their

activities but failed to stop them. Nine years ago, this mild, a former

RUC Sergeant and convicted killer, told the BBC he was a member of the

gang. He said the farm was used as a base for its activities in the

1970s. Things would have been planned their because it was a safe

house. That house was always watched. Special Branch, military

intelligence even went to the house, so it was not a secret house

because everybody knew what was going on there. It is claimed there

was collusion between loyalist forces and paramilitaries on a huge

scale. It includes extract from a report from the Historical Enquiries

Team. In one report, they said there was indisputable evidence of

security force involvement with loyalist paramilitaries which should

have rung alarm bells all the way to the top of government. The families

of 20 people said to have been killed by the gang have now launched

legal action. They are claiming damages alleging failure by the

government, the Ministry of Defence and the police to fulfil their legal

duties to take action against those involved.

A mild from the Philippines who is living in Belfast has lost his

father in Typhoon Haiyan. Rick Lapuz is originally from Tacloban, one of

father in Typhoon Haiyan. Rick Lapuz the cityies worst hit. He is now

concerned about other families and how they are going to survive with

hunger and disease becoming an increasing problem.

All of the houses are gone. And aerial view of Rick Lapuz's home. A

city that has been wiped out. His father had been in hospital but died

when electricity supplies were cut. The storm came and that is it. It is

like the whole area has been wiped out and there is no electric. The

rest of the family is OK where he lives but every time he phoned them,

they all say that they would not be able to survive starvation and

thirst because there is nothing there at all. Rick works for a

fast-food chain while his wife is a nurse. They have donated supplies

but it is hard to know what the future holds. The people in work are

very supportive. People we would see here tap our shoulders and are very

caring and generous. Despite that, the uncertainty of what is happening

day to day to his brothers is preying on his mind. He is not

telling me the real story but there is one thing he told me, that the

house of my father, the writ has been taken away. It is flattened. At

night, you cannot go there on your own. You have to be extra careful.

Rick will not be able to attend his father's funeral but here's hoping

at some stage to go back to the Philippines and see the rest of his

family and help in any way he can. Still ahead on the programme. We

catch up with Pudsey Bear ahead of the big BBC Children in Need night.

The PSNI are planning to award a service medal to officers and

support workers who have served three or more years. It is believed

the cost of implementing the proposal could be just over

?300,000. Already questions are being asked about the expenditure

and who should get the police medal. This is not the first time it has

been proposed that the policing service here is recognised

been proposed that the policing medal. The RUC was awarded The

George Cross for service three byte the Troubles. Other medals continue

to be awarded to individuals for long service, distinguished service

and gallantry. The cost of a new medal marking the first ten years in

the PSNI has raised eyebrows. Policing Board members who

unanimously backed the project said they were told it would cost

?50,000. Now a leaked document states it could be in the region of

?315,000. The idea that it would cost ?300,000 did not come up. We

were told it was within the budget of the PSNI themselves. I have

already raised this with the Policing Board this morning and I

intend to raise it again will stop I think it is a great difficulty. It

was not talked about in any way at the time. I can understand why

people are concerned, I am concerned about this massive increase in

cost. I would not like to stand over that, I think if that is what it is

going to cost, it puts an uncertain slammed on the project. They should

be acknowledged for their outstanding work but the cost of

this in these times of economic difficulties is just excessive. The

Department of Justice supports the project, saying it recognises the

contribution of staff in challenging and unique circumstances. The

Northern Ireland Office says the medal is at a very early stage and

approval must come from a Cabinet Office in London and then it goes

before the Queen. It is clear there will be more talking out of this

particular project before that happens.

Millions of pounds in European funding to build a cross-border

bridge linking County Down with Louth have been withdrawn. The EU

had placed around ?15 million towards the Narrow Water Bridge

project but that offer was withdrawn this afternoon because the project's

backers failed to raise enough money to proceed. Our political

correspondent Martina Purdy has the details. The problem with this

project which was backed by the Irish government and storm and was

that it hit a huge roadblock in June when it emerged the cost of the

project was going to be twice as much as originally anticipated.

Around ?30 million to build the bridge will stop the lead agency try

very hard to make up the shortfall and have had some success in recent

months but there still was a shortfall of ?6 million and the

problem was, they ran out of time because the European money was

conditional on the project being built by the end of December 2015

and this afternoon, the European funding body said they could not

wait any longer. What is the reaction to this? It is not

unexpected in Terry because earlier this week, and Kenny warned about

this deadline but still there is disappointment and bitterness about

this. The SDLP's Margaret Ritchie says she is suspicious about the

timing. She is concerned it is falling between Belfast and Dublin

as each side of the border waited for the other to act. The DUP says

it is not all bad news, though many still can be reallocated for

projects but that is cold comfort for the one point gem of commerce

projects but that is cold comfort who say people will be devastated by

this. 13 people including a one-year-old

baby escaped injury in a suspected arson attack in Londonderry early

this morning. The Fire Service says getting all the residents out of a

block of flats was a complex operation.

The Fire and Rescue Service say this could so easily have been the scene

of terrible tragedy. 13 people who live in this blog of flats were at

the centre of the early morning drama just after 6:00. Thick smoke

bellowed throughout the building before the alarm was raised by a

resident. A couple and their one-year-old baby boy, as well as

another mild, were among those rescued. The child was my father

says he is now fine after being medically examined. As soon as the

says he is now fine after being fire brigade came, we handed him of

the window and luckily, we knew somebody who was able to take him

for us until we got out ourselves. Very frightening. Fire crews wearing

breathing apparatus had to rescue five residents and they were not

down the stairs and for others what I themselves. Renzo teams were

examining a burned out car but which had been the communal area. As you

can see behind me, our colleagues are in -- investigating the cause

but only indications are that it was deliberate. This so easily could

have been a tragic set of circumstances not for the prompt and

professional actions of the Fire Service we could have been talking

professional actions of the Fire about a tragic situation. One

resident who escaped unhurt says he believes many lives could have been

lost. Although they are not making it official, the rug is lying in the

first garden -- front garden so it is obvious it was set on fire.

Anybody who would do that had to be of the mindset that people could

die. You would not like that and not know that that was a possibility.

They obviously didn't care. Detectives investigating this far

have appealed to anyone with information about any suspicious

activity in and around this block of flats to come forward. The Fire and

Rescue Service say the incident underlined once again the value of

having a working smoke alarm. Lots more to come on the programme

this evening. I think that Royal Portrush would be a great first

international major. Could one of golf's big majors be on its way to

the North Coast? At this time of the year, people do

weird and wonderful things to raise money for the annual BBC Children in

Need appeal. A whole host of local charities will benefit from the

money. Front face painting to the JAMA

parties, it has been a busy day for fundraisers across Northern Ireland,

all doing their bit for Pudsey Bear. In Londonderry, pupils at this

school but their parents along to a special Children in Need class. This

year we are getting all the special Children in Need class. This

in, including some fathers. Unfortunately they will not put on a

two to! Everybody get sponsored to do dancing and hopefully we raise

lots of money. There is much more to come. Teddy bears have taken over

this studio for a special teddy bears picnic programme. Tonight is a

huge celebration, it is a party atmosphere. Pudsey Bear is having a

picnic and it is all about raising money for Children in Need. It is

going to be a fantastic night. The fundraisers have been working so

hard to raise money for causes and children here in Northern Ireland

because the money raised here a chilly stays in Northern Ireland. We

are on the air at 730. You chilly stays in Northern Ireland. We

forward to a great night's entertainment. We will be having

lots of people here. 150 schoolkids ticking part in Gary Barlow's

Singh. We will be giving you how -- flavour of how your money is spent

throughout the evening. Pudsey Bear here will be hoping Northern Ireland

can top last year's total. The TV special follows the One Show

this evening. International football next and

Northern Ireland are in action in a friendly away to Turkey. It is the

first game since the manager Michael O'Neill signed a new two-year deal.

Turkey has not played an international here for almost ten

years so this stadium will be packed come kick-off time. Jimmy Nicholl is

here, you won four of your 73 international caps against Turkey,

you had a good record in your days but I think the class of 2013 will

have a tough task tonight? This they will do but the last two away

games, I am looking forward to this tonight working because it is a

system that I enjoyed playing. There are a couple of young lads hoping to

get on tonight. Aaron Hughes is back tonight and we will see now begin in

the centre position as well? He has been doing really well and scoring

goals but he is still been doing really well and scoring

outside. I hope you get is the chances tonight. The game is live on

BBC Radio Ulster. Martin O'Neill's rain as the

Republic of Ireland manager will begin tonight with a friendly in

Dublin tonight against Latvia. The kick-off is a little under an hour

away. It is fair to say that when this

fixture was announced, there was not much excitement about it but that

all changed following the appointment of Martin O'Neill and

Roy Keane. An additional 20,000 spec tutors are expected this evening. I

am joined now by Brian care. The managers get nervous tonight? I am

sure, Martin O'Neill will want to start with a wind in this first

game. I am sure him and Roy Keane will be a little bit emotional being

their first game. There will be a certain edginess but they have been

around a long time and they have huge experience. The Roy Keane

factor is intriguing for most supporters, you know what it is like

to bring him in a setup because you brought him back from international

retirement? He had the sort of impact he usually has when he comes

into a grip. There was plenty of good humour around the place and he

was very good on the pitch, as he always is. For tonight, they will

want to get a wind and the players will now that they will be expected

to perform. Kick-off is at 7:45. Martin O'Neill said every new

manager gets a honeymoon period of ten minutes. Speaking to fans, they

already think this is a marriage made in heaven.

In Gaelic football, this Sunday it is the semifinal stage of the Ulster

Club championship with coverage on BBC Rradio Ulster medium wave from

2:00. The margin of success is always

short when Australia are in town but tomorrow, they will come up against

a face who has punished them before. It is going to be a difficult match.

Australia where outstanding last week and even from the Lions in the

summer, there has been a lot of personnel changes so it will be a

very difficult game but one that we are definitely looking forward to.

The game on Saturday has significance for Brian O'Driscoll

who, after the disappointment of not playing for the Lions in their final

test against Australia this summer, has some unfinished business. I

think Brian was disappointed, we know that Roma in the summer. It is

a massive opportunity for him and us to get a wind. 14 years on from

making his Ireland debut against the Wallabies, he will want to mark his

last game against them with a wind. Royal Portrush golf club has been

mentioned as a possible host for the prestigious USPGA Championship.

There are proposals in America to take the tournament overseas in the

near future and Ted Bishop, President of the USPGA, was asked

which venue he would like to see hosting the Major if the plan

progresses. I think that Royal Portrush would be

a great first international major. It was the first golf course played

outside England or Scotland for an open championship and I think that

given the powerful effect that Irish golfers have on the professional

game today, that might be a good place to start.

The weather is next. We are still expecting the first

really cold blast as we head into the start of next week. For today,

so far, so good. Not a knot of sunshine around. Plenty of cloud but

it has been nearly dry. For the fundraisers, we

it has been nearly dry. For the onto that dry, rather cloudy scene.

Through the night, maybe one or two here intervals but generally,

cloudy. It is quite mild for mid-November as well. Temperatures

at seven degrees. No storm ringers on the horizon for the weekend but

there will be more cloud than sunshine. Some real around but not

wet all the time. It will kill down on Sunday with the risk of some

frost in places. Tomorrow morning, a blanket of cloud and generally it is

dry. We should hold onto that dry weather for daylight hours.

Temperatures are again above average for the time of year at 12 degrees.

For the North and West, a weather front moves in

For the North and West, a weather some light rain. Breaking up as it

moves so we may not see an awful lot of that. As it clears away, we get

clear spells following in the North so temperatures should get down to

freezing. A bright start in places on Sunday before the clouds against

to bring some rain. Slightly lower temperatures as you can see and they

get even lower into next week. At increasing risk of wintry showers.

. A giant key awaits Van Morrison tonight as he receives the Freedom

of Belfast. We will have a full report on our late news but first we

join Maggie Taggart of the Waterfront Hall.

2,500 people are expected here tonight and with them, 200 people

who did not think they would get a ticket but got filmed at the last

minute because some people did not pick up their tickets in time. Van

Morrison has had many honours in his life like an OBE, the Hall of Fame

and honorary degrees and crannies. He has sold 75 million albums and he

has had a career spanning 60 years. If you have not got a ticket, we

have a flavour of the city and the mild himself. -- the mild himself.

-- the mild himself.