17/01/2014 BBC Newsline

Mikaeel Kular's community. That's

Good evening. The headlines on BBC Newsline: Almost 100 jobs are lost

at Mivan construction, but elsewhere in County Antrim, Wrightbus winds a

major contract. The First Minister accuses Martin

McGuinness of talking nonsense, acting irrationally and playing mind

games. It is just crazy stuff. I think we really need to get some

sense into the situation. A pensioner is recovering in

hospital after he's shot in the chest by a masked man near

Ballycastle. The prospect of striking gold in the

Tyrone hills causes a deep rift in the local community.

Ulster make two changes for their European Cup showdown with

Leicester. And it may not be the best weekends. There is more cool

and wet weather on the way. Almost 100 workers at the Antrim

construction firm Mivan have been made redundant. That is about one

third of the workforce. The company, which won many business awards over

the past two decades, was put into administration last week. Our

economics and Business Editor is at Mivan's headquarters. Tell us more

about what happened there this morning. 98 members of staff today

were told they were losing their jobs. That is because some of the

contracts have been cancelled, which is what commonly happens in a

business goes into administration. Two thirds of workers still have

their jobs and will be back here and Monday morning at the administrator

tries to find a buyer for this business. -- business. Mivan has

been a successful company with contracts overseas. What went wrong?

It was a contract in Romania that was the undoing of his company.

There were two attacks, and between them, they lost to the company at up

to the company at up to ?2 million. -- two contracts. The company had to

eventually go into administration. I am told there are parts of the

business but are attractive to potential buyers and that error also

potential contracts in the future. Just up the road in Ballymena a

successful firm was celebrating again today. Wrightbus has won the

lion's share of a ?70 million contract for one of the UK's biggest

transport firms. Wrightbus is best known for making the so-called Boris

bus. This latest order involves a different type of innovation. The

bus looks like any other, but it uses what is called micro-hybrid

technology. Energy recovered from the braking system power things like

onboard electronics for stop eight cuts overall fuel consumption by

about -- electronics. It cuts several Phuc consumption by 10%. The

local MP says the order recognises the skill of the Ballymena

workforce. I am really delighted for the company, and it is another

success and another feather in the cab of Wrightbus. Wrightbus will

deliver the Eagles and the next few months, with all of them expected to

be in service by next year. -- the vehicle. The manufacturing sector as

a whole is smaller than it was before the recession, but it is

recovering. Official figures out next week should show the extent

about recovery. Per a taste of the kind of developments that might help

economic recovery, there is another Wrightbus project on the way in the

south of England. -- for a taste. Charging plates will be built into

the road, and indication of where this company is going next. What

we've seen today is a stark contrast between two parts of the economy.

Mivan in the construction sector was really hit by a hangover of debt

from the years of boom and bust. Meanwhile, Wrightbus an innovative

manufacturer, is well placed to benefit from any upswing in the

global economy. Peter Robinson has accused Martin

McGuinness of talking nonsense, acting irrationally and playing mind

games. The First Minister was reacting to Deputy First Minister's

remarks on the BBC last night. The two top ministers are showing

frustration with each other as the deadlock over the Haass proposals on

flags, parading and the past deepens.

There is some flash photography in this report.

Side-by-side in perfect harmony just days ago. Peter Robinson and Martin

McGuinness have no trouble smiling for the cameras at public events to

promote Ireland's historic records. Just do not mention the Haas talks.

Last night, the Deputy First Minister showed his frustration on a

BBC programme. I am fed up hearing that the public out there, who

deserve better, are disgusted with their politicians and feel we cannot

agree on anything. Martin McGuinness said the problem was with unionism.

The political excellence of unit -- are unionism. They agree with my

analysis that, in the city of Belfast, the groups are all the same

thing, and they have been hostile to the process in the course of recent

years. And a rational attack on unionism, according to the First

Minister. -- and a rational attack. Is Martin McGuinness telling me that

there are members of the UBS that are some weight associated with --

that are in some way associated with that group and are taking

instructions from them? It is crazy stuff. He suggested that Martin

McGuinness might be feeling the political pressure. It is very

unethical for someone to take the pain out of the grenade in this

critical stage. A Belfast Orange man who was part of the Haas talks team

claims Martin McGuinness was talking nonsense. I think Martin McGuinness

has felt this way for quite some time now. Nomad or how he tries to

embellish it, it is still a lie. -- no matter. At this protest camp, all

shades of unionism have united ever a band parade and they take a

different view. You have figures from the Orange Order and DUP

politicians, all applauding the same speeches. What McGuinness is getting

at is not that they are all members of the same organisation, but they

have a common cause. What is the view from inside the camp? I am

disgusted by being called eight -- an extremist by Martin McGuinness,

with his party president background. That is ridiculous. The extremists

are across the road. This worker with his party's -- with his

party's background. So, plenty for the party leaders to

consider when they meet at Stormont next week.

The police are investigating the motive for a gun attack on a

74-year-old man near Ballycastle last night. The pensioner, who was

shot in the chest, is said to be in a stable condition in hospital. This

quiet area of five miles from Ballycastle became a crime scene

last night. The attack at this house last night took place shortly before

a quarter to nine. It is understood the victim was working in a shed

alongside this bungalow when he was shot in the chest. It is an attack

that has caused rate alarm in this community. The community are very

shocked for stop I have had several phone calls about it. Local people

the -- shop. I have had several phone calls about it. This is one of

the safest communities in Northern Ireland, said this has come as a

great shock. Following the shooting, the pensioner was taken to the

hospital, where he remains in a radical condition. Police are hoping

the -- are saying it is too early in the investigation to point to a

specific motive. Regardless of the reasons for this attack, people do

not have the rights to bring these matters into their own hands. The

attack is being treated as attempted murder. Police want anyone with

information to come forward. An inquest has found that, with

hindsight, there may have been possible opportunities in diagnosing

a rare blood disorder from which a woman and her unborn baby died. But

the coroner said he was unable to determine if the 36-year-old mother

and her son would have survived had there been an earlier diagnosis.

This woman was 26 weeks pregnant with her second child when she was

taken to the hospital on the 12th of June, 2011, with symptoms suggestive

of a stroke. She died shortly after arriving, and her baby was delivered

stillborn. A postmortem revealed that what she had been suffering

from was a very rare blood disorder known as TTP, which can be difficult

to diagnose. In his findings, the coroner highlighted a number of

different occasions the cheek concluded may be regarded as

possible opportunities to make that by guesses. -- that he concluded.

Cara made contact with medical profession and -- professionals six

times before her death. Her friend had called the doctor because she

was concerned that Cara's speech was slurred and hurt face was drooping.

A paramedic was called to take her to hospital. Cara was unwilling to

go to the hospital because of a long wait she had had in a different unit

earlier in the week. The local doctor tried to contact her twice by

phone without success, but did not make a home visit. The coroner

concluded that although Caro was mentally competent at this stage,

she was not in the position to assess the serious consequences for

herself and her unborn baby. In a statement, the Southeastern health

and social care trust said that Cara's tragic death has heightened

the awareness of this rare disease, which will make staff is better

prepared in the future. Cara's family that she would never

knowingly have put the life of her baby or her own life in danger.

A teenager who raid a 76-year-old woman can now be named after the BBC

went to court to challenge the terms under which his name was kept from

the public. Ryan McGreechan was just 15 when he raid the pensioner in

March 2011 after going into her home. She died later that year. His

identity was protected through his trial last year because of his age.

But following a appeal court hearing today the BBC can name him.

McGreechan is serving eight years. Three men from Liverpool have been

jailed for a total of 17 years for their involvement in a plot to rob a

multi-millionaire in Belfast. The plan was foiled by a lengthy

surveillance operation by the police.

These are the Merseyside robbers who plans to break into the home of one

of Northern Ireland's richest men on the outskirts of South L fast.

Michael Herbert Renz the largest Kentucky fried chicken franchise in

the area. The court was told how the gang arrived from Belfast on a

ferry. They went on several trips around the property of Mister

Herbert -- Mr Herbert before returning to Merseyside. They

entered the garden of his home carrying a rucksack and crowbars.

This time, the police swooped, and the three men were arrested.

52-year-old Michael Blondel and his accomplice were sentenced to three

years, and Craig Murray was sentenced to five years. Four Irish

language groups in Northern Ireland are to lose a substantial part of

their funding. Foras na Gaeilge which was set up under the Good

Friday Agreement, says it is cutting finance to groups throughout Ireland

and in future will give money to promote the language and provide

services on an all-island basis. Our main concern is the people that

will be made redundant. But with the work you're doing, particularly

cross community work, we do not think that will be done by the

All-Ireland association that is taking over. They don't understand

it, they don't understand the society you the way we do, they

don't have the experience we think this will be a disaster.

Still ahead on BBC Newsline this evening. Thomas Niblock looks head

to the Ulster rugby team's next European match it is one of the

biggest game in Ulster Rugby's history. Tonight I will have all the

build-up from Ulster and thereupon 's here at Leicester. -- their

opponents. A gold exploration company is

expected to be given formal permission next week to begin

prospecting for gold near Gortin in County Tyrone. But its plan to blast

a one mile-long excavation tunnel into the hills has caused a deep

rift in the local community. Kevin Magee reports.

This is what the Canadian gold expert thinks -- exploration company

Dalradian Resources is hoping to find in the hills of Tyrone, large

deposits of gold. Its plan is to extend an existing exploration shaft

by more than one mile into the countryside, but the arrival of the

49ers new Gortin has split the community. Some see it as a golden

opportunity. It will be very good for local appointment, there will be

at least 20 new jobs. This is an underground mine that

will minimise the landscape damage. It is crucial to strike a balance

between economic development, job creation and environmental

protection. Others fear the sheer scale of the operation will destroy

what has been designated an area of outstanding natural beauty.

The promise of jobs is very attractive, but gold mining is a

very dirty business. It doesn't come out as the gold as we know, it comes

out as rock, and there is a lot of rock. 45,000 tonnes, to be precise,

would be removed by blasting. One third will remain on site, the

rest will be removed. That will mean the equivalent of

1200 lorry-loads of rock this size taken away from our -- for analysis.

The company is forming a charity giving ?30,000 to local causes over

the past two years. But one man says they should be

spending money on an environmental impact report. To assess the risk

revolved with such a massive project should be demanded by the Department

and funded by the company. This would alleviate any concerns

for the community and for the environment. But the Department for

the environment says such an assessment is not necessary and

stringent conditions -- conditions will be attached.

No one from Dalradian Resources was currently available for an interview

but it maintains this scheme will not have any impact on the

environment. It is thought the company will be given the go-ahead

next week to start prospecting and if large enough deposits can be

found it hopes to establish one of the largest gold mines in Europe in

the Tyrone Hill 's. -- Hills. First it was the UK City of Culture.

Now Londonderry begins a year of being Music City 2014, building on

the success of the last twelve months And tonight it's hosting its

first big outdoor event. And if you are a Westlife fan you might notice

a familiar face. Here's our North-West reporter, Keiron Tourish.

It is called here in the city sing and it is the first big event to

kick-start Music City 2000 and -- 2014.

This area in the city centre is being transformed. And there is a

range of performers and well-known faces.

Former Westlife member, Shane Phelan -- Shane Filan is performing a short

set and is looking forward to it. It is always nice to be back in

Northern Ireland, I haven't been to Derry for a while.

It is exciting. And you are the lead act, I understand.

I am, I am pleased to do it. Northern Ireland has a lot of

memories for me over the years, so I am pleased to do the concert. Music

City 2014 aims to capitalise on the huge success of events like the BBC

Radio one big weekend, which took place during Derry's time as City of

Culture. We give thanks to all of the people

across the spectrum who came out last year to make it such a

wonderful success. People in the city are promised a

spectacular view when they come out tonight.

I you -- New York-based artist uses wager -- laser technology to light

up the skies. It is great, especially for Star Wars fans,

because they think the art like they'd like big light sabres and

they look like them, -- they think they look like light sabres.

Traffic lights, very different! Gavin Andrews is next with the

sports news and it's rugby first - the result of Ulster's next game

will determine if they get a home quarter final match in the Heineken

Cup. And that makes it the biggest game

of the season for Mark Anscombe's side. The team to take on the

Leicester Tigers was named today. Rory Best will make his 150th Ulster

appearance. Callum Black is also in the starting front row and is one of

two changes to the side which defeated Montpellier last weekend.

Roger Wilson replaces Robbie Diack and winger Craig Gilroy has

recovered from injury and starts. Last night we assessed the mood in

the Ulster camp. Tonight we find out what they think in Leicester. This

week Thomas Niblock made the journey to Welford Road, the home of

England's most successful rugby club.

Leicester Tigers! Rugby success in England is defined

by the Leicester Tigers, they are simply the best in the business. No

English side has won more European cups or collected more Premiership

titles. They are also current champions of England, in other words

Ulster are up against it and will need their travelling support in

full voice on Saturday. Judging by the past, that should not really be

a problem. Tell me about the occasional 's last

year. The official line was that you drunk as dry.

At the time it was our record of drinks sales. You did a great job

and it was very colourful and the bar afterwards.

The prize on offer to make a simple bash if Ulster win they will play

their European cup quarterfinal here at Ravenhill. If Leicester win they

will play at Welford Road and that game could, once again, be against

Ulster. We have managed to gain access to the way changing room this

weekend. Ulster will get ready here, on the

left hand side there is just one toilet. The changing room is pretty

basic to say the least, a couple of chairs and benches. We have for

showers, a physiotherapist bench, and a bath. Needless to say, no

advantage given to the visitors. Our biggest game of the year so far.

It is not a must win, but also date -- sides would definitely like to

win it. It is important if you have

aspirations to go on and win the competition. If Ulster ended up

winning the competition this year, would that surprise you?

No, because they are good enough, they have good enough players.

They are good enough to go anywhere and win, you saw that in Montpellier

where they controlled the game. You would imagine it will be very tight,

you imagine it will be a mistake from someone or a referee's decision

that may be the deciding factor. If Ulster plays to their potential this

weekend and so do all -- Leicester, who will win to Michael it will be

close want it? Leicester. I'm 100% confident we

will go through this weekend. It will be difficult but if we are

on top of our game I am sure we will win. The shadow of a World Cup

winning captain and a World Cup winning coach instils natural

confidence at Welford Road and they expect to win.

But expecting victory and achieving it can be two very different things.

I hope they have stopped the bar! -- stocked. Rory McIlroy is two

shots off the lead at the halfway point of the Abu Dhabi Championship

after recovering from a double-bogey for a five-under-par 67.

The Holywood man, who carded a 70 in his opening round finished the day

on seven under par for the tournament. He was five under for

his back nine thanks to shots like this. The old smile is back.

Kris Meeke remains in contention after eleven stages of the Monte

Carlo rally, the opening event of this year's World Championship.

Driving a Citroen, the Dungannon man is in third postion, one minute 37

seconds off the lead with four stages to go tomorrrow.

It's semi final weekend in the Power NI McKenna Cup. Cavan face Monaghan

in the last four, while Tyrone take on Derry. Mickey Harte's side, who

face the same opposition in the opening round of the National League

in a fortnight's time, have been hugely impressive in the

competition, recording a 24 point victory over Armagh in their final

group game. We would have preferred not to meet

each other at this stage, but that is the way it is. We will have to do

what we can on Sunday and it will not have any bearing on what will

happen a couple of weeks later. We want as many games in the McKenna

Cup as possible. You are only guaranteed three to begin with, we

now have a fourth, but we would like a fifth. We like to play football.

It's tight at the top of the Irish Premiership, with Linfield's lead

cut to just one point. David Jeffrey's side travel to Ballymena

tomorrow - while second-placed Cliftonville face Portadown at

Solitude. All a tough game, you know, we have had

one point out of six against them this season. And that is after being

in the lead at 83 minutes in both games. We will find it tough against

them, but we could be a bit more clinical in front of goal and we

will be in on good ground. All the results on Final Score here

on BBC One tomorrow afternoon. That's the sport tonight.

The weather forecast next with Angie.

I would not go far without the waterproofs this weekend, not

looking too good at all if you are planning on doing anything

outdoors, a pretty unsettled outlook. We have rain, showers on

the cards. It will also feel pretty chilly and particularly through

tomorrow night we are looking at quite a bit of frost and some icy

patches, maybe some fog, as well. We had some fog in the West this

morning and low-lying fog at Letterkenny. That lifted this

morning. We know have broken cloud coming from the West. -- we now.

They will be some showers scattered this evening. At this stage you

could see temperatures dipping low enough to give a touch of ground

frost and maybe the odd icy patches. If anything, the temperatures will

creep up overnight because cloud will close in, ending up with misty,

murky conditions and hill fog. Those showers they are a sign of a change

tomorrow. Low pressure is sitting to the north, also a weather front

creeping up through the Irish Sea, bringing the prospect of some pretty

dull and wet weather for many parts of Northern Ireland. The rain will

move in fairly quickly tomorrow morning. The West, said only parts

of it, may avoid the worst of the rain, the heaviest pulses likely

further east. Once it is therefore Mid Ulster, County Down, through

Belfast and into Londonderry, the rain is on and off through the day.

Given the ground is saturated there is a slight risk of localised

flooding. The West is definitely best and brightest tomorrow, but

even here chilly day, temperatures not much above six Celsius. The rain

starting to clear away from the north-east tomorrow at -- tomorrow

night, left with pretty cold temperatures. Generally close to

freezing, a widespread frost, some icy patches and maybe some mist and

fog. A cold start on Sunday, which is generally right, but even then

there will be showers, some of them heavy.

Finally a reminder before we go of our main story - almost 100 workers

at the Antrim construction firm company -- Mivan have been made

redundant. On our news online page we have an

interview with Westlife singer Shane