19/11/2013 BBC Newsline

Good evening. The headlines on BBC Newsline:

A woman tells how she fought off a gang of sex attackers but was left

badly beaten. I have stitches. I have bruises and I was beaten like

an animal, from head to toe. Belfast City Centre traders welcome a

Council campaign to help Christmas business.

The Utility Regulator warns high prices are here to style.

A Ballymena church defends its plans for a huge development.

Shock news for motor cycle road-Is radioing fans. One of bike's biggest

names says he is taking a break from the sport.

And a wintsery theme to our weather but tonight is all about the wind.

I'll be back with the details. First, the story of a woman who has

given a shocking account of being beaten by a gang who tried to

sexually assault her early yesterday. The woman has taken the

unusual step of speaking publicly, because she says she wants to

protect other people living in the area. Donna Hawkins has been telling

our reporter, Elaine Magee, about what happened.

Bruised, about thorred and badly shaken, Donna Hawkins is comforted

at her north Belfast home by her sister. She has lived in the area

all her life and felt no danger when she left family and friends at a

social club to take the short walk home. On the way she passed three

men in this alley and says she was attacked from behind.

I was beaten like an animal from head-to-toe for no reason at all.

They tried to rape me. Which they didn't succeed to do but they kicked

me from head-to-toe and tried to destroy me. But my appeal is for

no-one out there who saw people acting suspiciously, heard activity

in that area, any taximan, anybody, no matter how small you think it is,

this is my appeal, because there are wome there are girls next week.

Somebody else's daughter, granddaughter. It could have been a

young girl coming out of a fund raiser which happened that night.

Can I ask you, Donna, what went through your mind when the attack

happened? I was just in total shock, Elaine, in total shock. I was

screaming. I screamed and I kicked and I fought and punched and this is

what I got for defending myself from being attacked by three brutal

animals. The 51-year-old mother of three

managed to get away and was treated in hospital for her injuries. She

has reported what happened to the police and says by speaking

publicly, she hopes that others won't have to go through a similar

ordeal. A suspicious object at the centre of

an alert in Armagh was what's been described as "a have Iable explosive

device" homes in Alexander ae were evacuated while the Army made the

bomb safe. 40 families in the anders Andersonstown area of Belfast had to

leave their home after a bomb alert. The trial has begun in Belfast of

Marian McGlinchey, also called Marian Price who was convicted of

bombing the old bailingy in London in the 970s. The charge against her

was to instigate a terrorist attack on Massereene barracks in west

Antrim more than four years ago. barracks in March 2009 claimed the

lives of two soldiers. Mark Quinsey and Patrick as incar were collecting

a pizza hours before they were due to be deployed to Afghanistan. The

pizza delivery man was also wounded. Two men accused of the murderers

were subsequently tried and acquitted. This case involves a

number of phonecalls made the day after the killings, claiming

responsibility. In court today was 59-year-old Marian McGlinchey,

formerly Marion Price of stockman's Avenue in Belfast. She's accused of

buying property for the purpose of terrorism, naming buying the mobile

phone used to make the calls. The call was made 24 minutes after

the phone was topped up clearing responsibility on behalf of the Real

IRA. The court was told that Marian

McGlinchey had a background and involvement in dissident republican

activity. They further assert it was unlikely she was aware the phone

would be used in this way. She was released on licence and

returned to jail when it was revoked in 20011. She was released again in

May of this year. She denies the charges against her and the case

continues again this week. Coming up later in the programme: We

visit the church whose mission to expand is causing controversy in

Ballymena. It's been a difficult year for

traders in Belfast. The latest figures suggest footfall is down 10%

on this time last year. There was welcome news for businesses today

that the City Council is spending an extra ?275,000 on a festive

promotion campaign. But, with the prospect of more

protest marches until the run-up to Christmas, Helen Jones has been

gauging the mood among traders. A boost, almost ?250,000 and just in

time for Christmas. We are hoping to animate the city, bringing people

into the city centre and having events that will encourage people to

bring their children and families in and enjoy themselves, shop in

advance of Christmas and have leisure time, use our who isty palt

facilities, restaurants and bars. -- hospitality. From straight

entertainment, street protest. Very much part and pour sell of last

year's run-up to Chris matches its impact was felt at the Christmas

market which had to close temporarily. More protests are

expected thisser yoo. It is the second year of market trading for

this business. It is going to close the market down, with the security

they had last year. It'll be closed down you will lose a day's trading.

People will be put off coming into town on those days. It is a

write-off in terms of that but hopefully it is a one-off and, you

know, people won't be put off coming into town. Traders are already

know, people won't be put off coming finding it tough. We hear about

shops closing, we hear about retailers going into administration

and online shopping, too, can be a problem for business. We keep

hearing about these green shoots of recovery but it appears people on

the ground aren't feeling that recovery just yet. Out on the high

street and the mood is one of optimism Everybody has a right to

protest. We don't mind that. It is how it is done. This area isn't on

at this time of year. We are hoping it goes well and everything quietens

down and they talk and get something sorted. It hasn't been a bad year

for this businessman. He has opened new premises. It could have been a

very different story. That was a broughtal time for business. The two

black Fridays, our two best day of the year, where everybody comes out

to party, we lost them. The recession is not my worry or

to party, we lost them. The problem. The issue with political

instability and the flags is the biggest problem I have. We will

always get through recession if we have to bring our prices down but we

can't control the security igs swa. That's definitely my biggest

nightmare. -- security situation. A year on and high on Belfast's

Christmas wish list, is a more peaceful end to a more difficult

year. And there is more on that theme of

rebuilding the economy on Spotlight here on BBC One at 10.35pm after our

late news. One thing it seems will not be

changing in the near future is the high cost of energy.

The Utility Regulator is responsibility for ensuring

customers get value for money in electricity and gas. Today, the

woman who leads that body, warned high prices are here to stay. Our

economics and business editor John Campbell reports.

The rise in energy prices in recent years has been eye-watering.

Consumers and businesses have been relentlessly squeezed. Since 2007,

the price of electricity has increased by 47%. The price of gas

has risen even more, up by 76%. Household incomes have not kept

pace. Typically, they have only gone up by

about 11%. The Utility Regulator has a say in how much we pay,

controlling part of what you can be charged for gas and electricity.

She's warned that the era of high prices is set to continue.

! I'm afraid that the eia of high

energy prices is going to be with us for a considerable time. And there

isn't any silver bullet. But I think the dialogue that my team have

really provoked across all consumer groups and with the

really provoked across all consumer been a very productive one, aimed at

shedding some light on where costs are, and bringing more transparency

to our understanding of the markets. It's what has been happening on the

international energy markets that has, to a large extent, driven the

spike in your bills. These markets are influenced by a bewildering

array of factors. Everything from the Fukushima nuclear disaster in

Japan to wars and revolutions in north Africa and the Middle East. In

the face of this, what can consumers do? By switching consumers can save

money. From the highest energy tariff available to the lowest,

there is a saving of 18%, ?108. It is significant in any bill but

especially now when we have more demand and need in the winter months

for energy. The local energy market is changing. The

for energy. The local energy market growing. Reif youables are playing

an ever-charging part and competition is increasing. Taken

together, these factors might help keep a lid on practices in into the

future but it is events far from these shores, like wars or the

growth of economies, which will help push prices up.

A A 47-year-old woman has died after a road crash in Crumlin in County

Antrim. The collision involving a van and a car happened last night at

the junction of Moira Road and Ballydonaghy Road. Two men were

taken to hospital with injuries that were described as serious. The

police are appealing for witnesses to contact them. A prison officer

has appeared in court charged with misconduct in public office

following the death of a prisoner in custody five years ago. Daniel

Joseph Barclay, who is 35 and from Belfast, told Craigavon Court he was

not guilty of the charge. The case relates to Colin Bell, who took his

own life in Maghaberry jail in 2008. He had been serving a life sentence

for murder and had been on suicide watch. The prison officer failed to

stop his name being made public. The police have re-opened an

investigation into the killing of a west Belfast man in 1992, after

getting new information. 25-year-old Patrick Sullivan was stabbed during

an incident on Odessa Street. A west Belfast man was later convicted of

his manslaughter. The cap church behind a huge development on the

outskirts of Ballymena has insisted its plan will enhance, not destroy

the town centre. Earlier this month, independent retailers told BBC

Newsline they objected to a new supermarket which is part of the

97-acres at Ballee. Today the Green pastures church spoke to our

north-east reporter, David Maxwell, and explained why the retail element

was necessary. It's far from a traditional Church

building and inside there are more surprises. Not your average creche,

this three-storey play area and there is a queue to join this gym

which is open to the public. Green Pastures was only founded in 2007

and already it needs more space. Success and what it is, is a good

question. I suppose some people have it and some lack it. But when a

church has it, then everybody realises it and people flock to it.

I guess I would attribute it really down to the presence of God. The

presence of God is the thing that makes a church a place that is

alive. The church has around 1,000 members and has big expansion plans

and this is what they look like. It wants to build housing, a hotel and

a supermarket on this site on the outskirts of Ballymena. Those

commercial aspects will found a new church building, a nursing home and

housing for vulnerable adults. What we have tried to do is come up with

a plan that will begin to meet the social needs that are out there. The

project is such that the church is at the centre of the community. We

really want the church to be at the centre of our community and if there

are needs there, we would hope that the church is available to meet

those needs. Some say the retail aspect of this scheme could damage

this town centre. Others don't want to see the lands built on at all.

But the pasture, who was once a director of Bus Manufacturer Right

Bus, says he wants director of Bus Manufacturer Right

board. We are not this great, big developer that is there to maybe

cause devastation. We are here for the town. You know, we are going to

be creating parks and we are going to be creating areas to walk more

and nicer than what we have at the minute. At the centre of the

development will be a new church building, a kind of mega church. If

Green Pastures gets the green light, its building could be bigger again

by 2017. Next, news of an economic boost to

Londonderry in the shape of millions of pounds of funding. The historic

walls and some landmarked buildings are being enhanced to encourage

people to explore the city and its night-time economy.

This was night-time economy.

project, lighting up the entire stretch of the city's historic

walls. The aim is to make the evening economy more vibrant and

encourage people to get out and about in a safe and more attractive

environment. With the walls being 400-year-old,

we have to promote thep rich cultural history that they offer to

the city. The wonderful views that people can get, right across the

city from various vantage points along the walls, but also allow

people, that when they are in the city, for whatever reason, it gives

them another thing to do. It's not just the city walls that have been

put under the spotlight. Several historic buildings are all lit up,

too. They include the seat of power in the Guildhall as well as the

aplane tis boys memorial ha. Saint krchl olum's memorial cathedral has

also been included. -- St Clm's. The prospect took years to complete and

cost in the region of ?2 million. What do residents and visitors make

of it? It is nice. It is exciting. It would be nice if it looked like

that all the time. Anything to improve the city, I'm for it, 100%.

It makes the walls stand out. I think it looks really pretty. Not

sure it is worth ?2 million but it looks good. It's cool, and lovely

and bright. There is an unusual twist in the lighting scheme, too.

The Playhouse Theatre is changing colour all the time. Here is a

festive red as we countdown the sleeps until Santa arrives.

We have got news this evening that may shock fans of road racing.

Stephen Watson is here and may shock fans of road racing.

name is stepping back, this guy. Yes, Michael Dunlop, one of Northern

Ireland's top riders has revealed tonight he will not be racing next

year. He has finished a remarkable season, winning races at the

international meetings, the North West, Ulster Grand Prix and four

victories at the Isle of Man TT. What has he been saying?

He has issued a statement saying despite offers he did not sign any

deals because of what he calls "various complications attached to

each." He also adds that unless he has the right equipment and

structure under him that he will not race at all but as of now he says he

won't be back until 2015 at the earliest. Honda said of course they

would not renewing their contract with him,p recently. Do you see this

as a bringmanship? Will a deal materialise? Possibly. To be honest

this doesn't really surprise me this evening, because as far back as

this doesn't really surprise me this August, Michael Dunlop told us in an

interview he was considering this option. I equally wouldn't be

stopped if there is a u. U-turn and he is on the grid again next year.

If he is not, it is a massive blow or road racing, every sport has

their headline star N Northern Ireland, this fellow is the main

attraction. Talking of something more positive, the Irish bid to host

the Rugby World Cup in 2023, a good way away but went before the Cabinet

in Dublin today. It'll be discussed with the Stormont

competitive very soon. There will be stiff competition from other

countries like South Africa and Italy and France who have already

expressed an interest in bidding but at the moment. The Irish bid starts

Ritchie Macau, captain of the world flash photography in this report.

Ritchie Macau, captain of the world Cup winning All Blacks, returned the

Webb Ellis trophy yesterday. It is less than two years to go until

Rugby World Cup 2015 takes place in England but the momentum for an All

Ireland bid is gaining pace. It is the biggest thinger Ireland can ever

do in sport. Dublin is too small for the Olympics. We are too small for

the euros. The Rugby World Cup is probably the biggest thing we can do

as a sporting nation. I think it would be a huge benefit to the

country and the economy in terms of the hundreds of thousands of people

visiting the country, but also, I think it would be symbolically

important for Ireland, too, because it would be an All Ireland effort.

Venues in Northern Ireland are to be key parts in hosting a World Cup.

Gaelic games stadium, Casement Park key parts in hosting a World Cup.

when redeveloped will be included. At the GAA's Congress earlier this

year, delegates gave central council permission to support the bid.

Across the city, be Ravenhill is more than half-way 20 an upgrade to

an 18,000 capacity. The Ulster coach, who is from New Zealand,

knows exactly what it would be to stage the games here. It would be

amazing. We had it back home in 2011. It is fantastic for the

country. Countries like Ireland and New Zealand are similar in a lot of

ways. It is the whole atmosphere. It is something to be savioured. But

there is a long way to go until Ireland's call is answered in this

process. Bids need to be in by 2016 with a decision taken a year later.

process. Bids need to be in by 2016 Football now: Roddy Collins is the

new manager of Derry City. He'll be assisted by Peter Hutton. The pair

accepted their roles this morning. Collins is a former manager of

Bohemians and Athlone Town. He impressed Derry's board who believe

he will bring many qualities to the job. You thinker, enthusiasm and how

much he wanted to come to Derry City. -- hunger.

His experience in League of Ireland football and motivation. We spoke to

lots of players. Every player with he spoke to they were all saying

about how hungry they made him feel and how motivated. That, to us, even

when you meet him, that seems to come across clearly. It's a night of

international football and, while Northern Ireland don't have a

fixture, the Republic of Ireland are away to Poland. We'll have the

fulltime score and action in tonight's late bulletin. Two months

ago it looked tonight's late bulletin. Two months

career was over after he broke his leg, as we reported here on BBC

Newsline. Now, remarkably, the Lisburn gymnast is back in training

and hoping to realise his dream of competing at next year's

Commonwealth Games. It's a long way from landing

somersaults and backflips but these are figure steps for Luke Carson. He

faced the prospect of never being able it compete again, after

suffering a second leg break inside two years. The scars are the result

of a five-hour operation, in which a steel rod was inserted into his leg.

They are a constant reminder of how far he has come in his recover rain

had you far he still has to go. I think I have surpassed definitely my

own expectations and I would say certainly the surgeon's

expectations. It is only seven-and-a-half weeks on. I'm in

the gym nearly fulltime again I'm doing four-hours plus five days a

week. I have to train smart now. It was during a training session that

Luke was injured. Every now and again I'm sitting there, just in

between goes on the apparatus and I kind of get a little flashback of

the Ince dented but it was just - it was the worst pain I have effort

felt. I took off on the springboard. As soon as I z I knew something real

bad had happened. Along with a the physicalchallenge of getting back to

the gym. Look admits it has been a testing time emotion but the

prospect of compete g at next summer's Commonwealth Games has

spurred him on. I was thinking very negative. You have to get past that.

Things like this will either make or break an athlete. There are plenty

of other athletes who have gone through the same thing. It either

finishes them or they come back better and stronger than ever. That

second option sts one better and stronger than ever. That

for. Reaching the games in Glasgow would complete this remarkable

comeback. It certainly would. A long way to go

but certainly a,back to remember. We wish him well.

It is just over a month until Christmas and the grand pop radio

House in Belfast is putting on a rendition of Charles Dickens' A

Christmas Carol. This is different. It is being fwoermed by the Belfast

op rattive company and features a little bit of magic.

Does this look like a stage ready for an opening night? How about

this? The set for A Christmas Carol is totally computer generated,

meaning there is no traditional set on the stage Thankfully most of the

production there are people about. But there are certainly occasions

when it is empty apart from myself. It is daunting, I have to say. It is

one of It is daunting, I have to say. It is

me, that it was a case of trying to bring out most of the poetry that

was Scrooge. The nastines the humour and sadness and I must say that I'll

let the audience decide whether it works or not but it is certainly

daunting. So how does it work? The animated scenes will be projected on

to an HD screen and will change automatic cli. It's the first time

technology like this has been used for an amateur production in

Northern Ireland. -- automatically. It is digital

files projected through HD projectors which are at the back of

the stage. In front of those there is a screen, on which they are

projected. It is called back projected. The audience is sitting

in front of the screens, the actors are also in front and behind is the

projected light. The directedor says the benefits are incredible. It's

much cleaning going from one scene to another if you can do it in a

computer-generated way, rather than having to fly in various bits and

pieces and it makes our job easy when it comes to the ghostly scenes.

There are moments set in the graveyard where the tomes rise out

of the ground and the ghosts appear. A Christmas Carol is best-known for

the ghosts of the past and present but this production gives a clear

glimpse into the future. And keeping with that Christmas,

wintry theme, the weather is next. This morning was and the wither

wonderland in some parts of Northern Ireland. With an icy wind it felt

winterery. If you didn't have snow in your back garden most was over

the hills. This is our the Sperrins looked today. Snow lying on the

fields and you can see this picture in Ballykinler green at the bottom

and snow half way up the Mourns. Snow is not in the forecast tonight

but it'll stay chilly. We are expecting the winds to pick

up. Strong winds around tomorrow with severe gales in polices. As the

winds ease towards the end of the week, colder nights and frost will

return. Another warning tonight but this time for wind. The wind warning

comes into effect during the early hours. This side of mid-nighted it

will be cold and damp, mostly rain falling. As the wind freshens,

temperatures will pick up towards morning there. Could be heavy bursts

towards the east coast by the end of the night. Gales reaching the north

coast by tomorrow morning. Eventually that windy weather

affecting all parts and lots of showers around, particularly first

thing. Hail and thunder is a responsibility towards the east

coast. The showers, though, will gradually become fewer as the day

goes on, I think and mostly in the north and east and those gusty winds

will be at their strongest initially along the north coast. As you can

see, temperatures technically higher tomorrow, with the brisk wind, it'll

still feel pretty cold and eventually severe gales and gusty

winds will reach the Antrim coast, parts of Belfast and the Down area,

too. It is likely that the north channel and some of the fast ferries

will be affected by strong winds tomorrow. Eventually they'll slowly

start it ease away tomorrow night. Thursday is looking -- to ease away.

Thursday is looking more cheerful. Largely dry with sunshine and the

winds ease further for Friday, but with the risk of some frost.

OK. Our late summary is at 10.25pm on BBC One. Thank you for watching.

Goodbye, take care.