15/01/2014 BBC Newsline

That's all from us. It's goodbye from me. And on BBC One

Good evening. The headlines on BBC Newsline: A dissident republican is

jailed for having these guns and explosives.

Police investigating the murder of Constable Ronan Kerr believe they've

made a breakthrough in their search for his killers.

David Cameron helps secure a multi-million-pound contract for an

East Belfast firm. Peaking for the Paralympics -

Northern Ireland's Kelly Gallagher clinches another gold.

And with heavy rain in the forecast for some parts over next couple of

days, another warning has been issued.

A 36-year-old Omagh man has been sentenced to a total of ten years in

prison on charges arising from a dissident republican arms haul near

Coalisland in County Tyrone. The find included guns, ammunition,

explosives and a wide range of bomb-making equipment, along with

parts for improvised mortars. It was part of the investigation into the

murder of PSNI Constable Ronan Kerr. We'll have more on the background to

that in a moment. First, BBC Newsline's Mervyn Jess was in court

for the sentencing. This is Gavin Coyle from Culmore Park in Omagh at

an earlier court hearing. He pleaded guilty to having the guns and

explosives and being in the dissident IRA. When police swooped

on these industrial units at Mountjoy Road near Coalisland nearly

three years ago, they could hardly believe their eyes. Concealed inside

the buildings and in stolen vehicles parked inside was a significant

terrorist arms haul. Amongst the weaponry were four AK-47 assault

rifles and ammunition, explosives, bomb-making material including timer

units, switches, incendiary devices, and parts for improvised Mark 16 and

17 mortars. Today the court was told the weapons dated back to the early

'80s, but they were still functional. The judge said it was

very fortunate that police found the weapons before they were put to use.

She also issued a destruction order on the guns and stressed that the

authorities should make sure they are. Coyle stood in the dock flanked

by security officers and made no comment as he was sentenced to six

years for being in a terrorist organisation. He was also sentenced

to ten years age on the explosives and guns charges, to run

concurrently, with half in custody and have on licence. The judge said

she was giving him credit for pleading guilty to a contestable

case and recognised he was keeping the weaponry and explosives for

others who intended to use them. Gavin Coyle made no comment as he

was led away in handcuffs. Taking into consideration time spent on

remand, he will spend just over two years in jail.

Police believe they know the identities of the men who planned

the attack on Constable Ronan Kerr and made the bomb that killed him

almost three years ago. Detectives say they've established links

between those responsible and 16 other incidents, including the

attempted murders of two other police officers. The search that

resulted in today's conviction of Gavin Coyle was part of the huge

investigation into the murder. It's said to be the largest in the

history of the PSNI, including the inquiry into the Omagh bombing. Our

home affairs correspondent Vincent Kearney reports. A forensic officer

sets a rifle against a wall. Just a small part of the largest haul of

weapons and bomb-making equipment for many years. The whole includes

four rifles assessed to be of the Kalashnikov variety, ammunition

including six loaded rifle magazines, timer power units you

sensual for the nation of improvised explosive devices, components for

rocket launchers and other explosive devices, and a quantity of

explosive. Police today released pictures of what they found in an

industrial unit near Coalisland, and said lives had been saved. The

assault rifles were in what police describe as a state of readiness.

While they were rusty, each successfully fired when tested. One

rifle had been separated from the others, suggesting it was being

prepared for use. Magazines containing bullets had also been

taped together to facilitate quick reloading. Two cars stolen weeks

earlier and found inside the unit had bottles of petrol in the back

seats, suggesting they were to be used in an attack and then burnt out

afterwards. There were also timer power units, used to detonate bombs,

and a quantity of Semtex. The search was part of a huge investigation

into the murder of Constable Ronan Kerr. The 25-year-old officer was

killed when a bomb exploded under his car in Omagh in April 2011. At

its height, more than 100 detectives were involved. Nearly three years

on, police believe they know the identity of the man who made the

bomb. He's described as an experienced bomb-maker who lives in

the Republic. Detectives also believe they know who led the bomb

team, described as the driving force behind the plan. The scale of this

investigation is vast. Nearly 8000 items have been skied -- seized,

there have been 123 searches and 14 arrests. A senior detective said

major progress had been made in the case against the bomb maker and in

cases against three other people for a series of offences linked to the

murder of Ronan Kerr. Police say they have established links between

the killing and 16 other incidents, all carried out by a group of 20 to

25 members of the dissident republican group referred to as the

new IRA. These include the attempted murders of two other police

officers, including a fluent Irish speaker and captain of the police G

18, who was injured when a bomb exploded under his car four years

ago. The state the group responsible consists of individuals from Tyrone

and in the Republic, Monaghan and sloth. The police today described

the conviction of Gavin Coyle for possessing the guns and explosives

found in the industrial unit as a significant milestone. His

conviction is far from the end of the investigation into Ronan Kerr's

murder, at the end of a chapter in what will be a long story they hope

will end with further convictions. You're watching BBC Newsline. Could

public sector workers be about to see big changes to their pensions?

The Prime Minister has helped secure an order for a Belfast factory worth

more than ?100 million, which he says will help protect jobs. It's a

deal to sell defence systems like missiles and radar equipment to

Indonesia. Here's more from our business correspondent Julian

O'Neill. This is precision engineering at work. What's being

made are Starstreak missiles. Production of the weapons system

might date back two decades, but the order book is still being filled.

The missiles are just part of what is the biggest ever export deal for

this division of the French-owned multinational firm Thales. The

contract is with the Indonesian Ministry of Defence and will run for

five years. I think it is a world first. As an integrated short range

defence system which combines radar is command control and weapon

systems like the missiles we produce here in Belfast. A strong selling

point was the deployment of the same weapons technology during the London

Olympics. David Cameron helped as well. He gave his support to the

deal, two years after endorsing defence sales to Indonesia, a

country whose past human rights record has been criticised. Mr

Cameron said: for these sizes of contracts, I

believe the Prime Minister intervention and support is

essential. We are competing on the world stage against very big

contractors from America, Russia, China, who bring political support

of their own. Thales has done work with the Indonesian Ministry of

Defence before. This contract dates back to a smaller order about two

years ago, and although the company has more than 30 plants across the

UK, the majority of work for this contract will be carried out here in

Belfast. The news is a boost for 500 workers here. Last year, the local

workforce was trimmed by 50 staff because of reductions in global

defence spending. But today, the jobs that remain will feel more

secure. The historic Crown bar in Belfast

city centre is set to reopen after getting a new drinks licence. It's

been closed since last Friday after an administrative air led to its old

licence expiring. -- and a bit of a mistake. -- and administrative

mistake. It's expected to open to the public tomorrow morning.

The DUP deputy leader has accused Sinn Fein of a lack of leadership

and wallowing in the filth of murder. Nigel Dodds made his

comments in Parliament as relations between the two parties become even

more strained over the Haass proposals to deal with flags,

parading and the past. Our political correspondent Martina Purdy has this

report. Although these negotiations is chaired by Richard Haass may be

over, the main parties are still talking, trying to reconcile their

differences. But there is little sign of progress. The attacks and

counterattacks seem to be getting worse. Here is Martin McGuinness. I

have watched over the last 18 months to units parties dancing to the June

of extremists within their own communities. And that has to end. I

say that because I believe the influence of these people has

impacted on the negotiations and the outcome. That brought this reaction

from the DUP during Question Time. Martin McGuinness's comments last

night about extremism are seen by both sides of the community is both

untrue and an attempt to distract from Sinn Fein's lack of leadership

in aggressive bus back in the dressing their glorification of past

terrorist times, as witnessed in Castlederg, and caused enormous

damage to community relations. Will she urged Sinn Fein to stop

wallowing in the field of murder? The DUP's Sammy Wilson also complain

about what he regarded as an fair policing, claiming loyalists had

been jailed for public order offences while Sinn Fein MLA Gerry

Kelly was left with a police warning over his actions after a

controversial Orange march. Would she agree that public order offences

have to be dealt with strongly that even they, or confidence will be

lost in the police? The Prime Minister told Parliament he saw

merit in the Haass proposals. To date Sinn Fein said the government

needed to an ambiguously embraced the package and provide the

necessary resources to implement it, but that won't happen without

agreement between the DUP and Sinn Fein.

We had a lot of reaction last night to our story on horrific animal

cruelty. Four men pleaded guilty, three of them from the same East

Belfast family. The USPCA and the police described it as some of the

worst they've seen. Over the last two years, BBC Newsline has covered

some horrendous animal cruelty with reports on stag hunting, cock

fighting, the maltreatment of horses, badger baiting and, last

night, cats being used in the so-called blooding of dogs. Donna

Traynor has been to the USPCA's headquarters.

The new animal welfare law came into effect in 2011. The remit for farm

animals is under the Department of agriculture. The welfare act was

supposed to protect animals. What is the ratio between

prosecutions and the number of incidents?

The USPCA campaigned for this legislation. But it is not being

used properly. 4000 visits, but only one prosecution. This is not being

implemented properly. Where does the difficulty lies? There is a

reluctance to act early enough. Opportunities are missed. The

legislation is fantastic. But on the ground we are hearing that it is not

being used effectively enough. There used to be five officers

looking after animal welfare. That has been increased to nine officers.

Are there enough resources? There are not enough staff to enforce the

law. We need custodial sentences. That will send a clear message that

this is not acceptable. Thank you for joining us.

We have been inundated with comments on social media from people

concerned about animal cruelty. Join in if you can.

Still to come: The highs and lows of local football. From save of the

night - to slip up of the season! The Carrickfergus Advertiser and

Ballyclare Gazette newspapers are to close. They're part of the Alpha

Newspaper Group. Eight jobs will be lost but the company says it hopes

some of the workers will be redeployed to other papers in the

group. The campaign of attacks against the

companies once owned by the bankrupt businessman Sean Quinn have raised

fears about the future of jobs along the Fermanagh-Cavan border. Today

the company - renamed Aventas - announced a ?13 million investment

at its cement factory which it says will secure long term employment and

send a message to those carrying out the acts of sabotage. Here's our

South West reporter Julian Fowler. Cement made Sean Quinn the richest

man in Ireland. From the top of this tower you can see the companies he

established. The company has a new name, Aventas. It will deal with

recycled waste. It avoids the use of landfill sites.

We will use it in our manufacturing process.

More than 1100 people are employed either Aventas. The jobs have been

put at risk by attacks. These attacks have been condemned by Sean

Quinn. The new boss says the investment sends out a strong

message. It is a narrow minded minority that is conducting the

campaign of sabotage. The 16 million investment secures the future of

jobs in this area. After a downturn in the construction

industry this company believes that a corner has been turned.

This investment is a positive development and a vote of confidence

in the future of this company. Now to an issue that's causing a lot

of controversy because it affects so many people here. Public sector

pensions. The Government is proposing big changes and last night

MLAs voted through the latest stage in a bill that will allow them to

make those changes. Our reporter jury McCullough has been looking at

this issue for BBC Newsline. These proposed changes would affect

30% of the workforce in Northern Ireland. That is more than 200,000

people. It would mean that the earliest public sector workers could

retire with the 65. That would go up to 68, bringing it into line with

the future state pension age. It would do away with final salary

pensions. Unions say it would have a massive impact.

The changes will mean many people will have to work until at least 68.

Pensions Bill be devalued. It is bad news. If you make a worker work an

extra eight years you are blocking that job for a young person looking

to get into work. The bill will contain protection for

those close to retirement, but some are worried. When I retire I will go

away with a smaller lump sum. My terms and conditions have been

changed. The finance minister says these

changes need to happen and that delaying them could cost Northern

Ireland up to ?300 million. We spoke to a financial adviser who set out

the case. In the 1960s we were living on

average until the age of 71. Today it is 80. Think of the impact that

has on pension schemes. In another 20 years that will increase again.

It places as huge amount of pressure on the schemes. Something has to

change. The police and fire services are

exempt from the proposed changes. The final changes of the bill are

due to be concluded in the next few weeks.

News of yet another gold medal tonight as one of our top

Paralympians is peaking at just the right time. Gavin's here.

The team is yet to be officially announced but Kelly Gallagher from

Bangor is in the form of her life with just seven weeks to go until

the Winter Paralympics in Russia. The 28-year-old visually impaired

skier has clinched a third gold medal at the World Cup in Canada in

as many days. Coming into this meeting, Kelly and her guide

Charlotte Evans, had just one World Cup victory to their names and are

now favourites to win Great Britain's first ever gold at the

Winter Paralympics. Joe Gormley chalked up his 30th goal

of the season for Cliftonville last night in their 3-2 win over Ards.

And celebrated with a kiss from his mum. The win takes the champions to

second in the table, one point behind leaders Linfield, who could

only manage a draw with Crusaders. Mark Sidebottom reports.

With just a few minutes on the clock Ards opened the scoring.

There is no more potent strikeforce in the country at the moment.

This goal was down to individual brilliance. Joe Gormley famously

does not do television interviews, but he is not camera shy when it

comes to handing out kisses. The girl in the crowd was his mother.

Some of the passing, I do not think anybody could have handled them

tonight. At Windsor Park Linfield were

quickly off the mark. We saw the best and the worst of the

goalkeeper. 1-1 the final score. As the new season beckons for Derry

City, the Candy Stripes have a new man in charge. And Roddy Collins has

just one goal - to win the League of Ireland. Kieron Tourish reports The

rest of the goals from last night's games are available on the BBC Sport

website. The cake was off limits. They have a

tough schedule as they prepare for the new season in March.

The new manager was making jokes as usual.

I need a challenge. Every game you play. You know after seven or eight

games where you are going to go. Roddy Collins has signed several new

players. It is great. City is similar to

Liverpool. I like the look of the new manager. He seems to be an

honest fellow. I love playing up here. That was a big factor in

coming here. Roddy Collins has been to Scotland and England to look for

players. He believes he will be signing for or five players in the

coming weeks ahead of the new season.

Roddy Collins now feels Derry are shaping up for a good season.

Snooker and Mark Allen has narrowly missed out on a place in the quarter

finals at the Masters tournament in London. The Antrim man lost to

Australian Neil Roberston in a tense deciding frame this afternoon - the

world number one eventually winning by six frames to five.

Time now for the weather. Rain will be an issue for some parts over the

next day. Heavy rain on the way. It will turn colder. Clearer skies have

been moving in from the West. This evening residual showers will clear

away. Temperatures will fall away. In the countryside it will be close

to freezing. There may be some fog patches. We are keeping an eye on

this area of showers offshore. Any showers are likely to be prolonged

and slow-moving. The Met office has issued a rain warning. It looks as

though it will be the East that will have the heavy showers. The fog and

the frost will be the main issue for some through the rush hour. The

further West you are, the showers will be less intense. The rain

lingers into tomorrow night. Inland becoming a frosty and body.

Thank you. Our late summary is at 10.25. You can also keep in contact

with us via Facebook and Twitter. From BBC Newsline, goodnight.

see the incredible adventures of these miniature heroes