20/02/2014 BBC Newsline

And that is all from us for this evening. Now on BBC One, it is time

for Hello, and welcome to BBC Newsline.

Several hundred people have been attending a meeting in Downpatrick

to show their opposition to reduced Accident Emergency services in the

area. Since January, Downe Hospital no longer provides emergency care at

night or at weekends. A shortage of emergency doctors has been blamed

for the move. Julie McCullough reports.

This evening's meeting was organised by the community health committee, a

body campaigning for a 24-hour emergency care to be reinstated in

the area. This was reported at Christmas time as being a temporary

closure. We want the service reinstated now. The people who use

that surface and who need to see a doctor in A in Downpatrick are

travelling to the Ulster Hospital, the Royal Hospital or wherever to

get seen. Why not send the doctors back to Downpatrick to see the

people in a convenient location in a modern hospital? Although there were

opportunities for politicians to have their say, this evening was

also by people sharing their experiences. There's been so many

accidents on farms recently that we need all the services that we can

get. Believe it or not, my animals have got better service than we have

got at the present time. If I call a vet, I can get one within 15 or 20

minutes. We, on the farm, or any other local person in the area, have

to wait at least an hour before we arrive at Accident Emergency.

Those who came here tonight to send a clear message to the Health

Minister know it will take more than a public meeting to get the changes

they want. A nurse who worked at a care home in

Carrickfergus has been struck off for failing to investigate

allegations of abuse against elderly and vulnerable residents. Last year,

a whistle-blower told the BBC that she'd raised concerns regarding

patient safety and neglect at the same home as far back as 2005. Our

health correspondent Marie-Louise Connolly reports.

This nursing home in Carrickfergus houses elderly and fundable

residents. In 2010, the manager was made aware that a number of families

were concerned about how loved ones were being treated by a particular

member of staff. Evidence was brought before the Nursing And

Midwifery Council, which investigates cases of potential

misconduct. They found the manager had failed to investigate

allegations of abuse by one member of staff against five residents.

They also find her guilty of bringing the nursing profession into

desperate feud -- disrepute. They said they had reached their decision

as it was their duty to protect the public and the vulnerable. The care

assistant against whom the allegations were made ceased working

at the home at the start of 2011. The manager also left and a new

nursing manager was appointed. With regard to the case, the hearing

heard high by failing to investigate the allegations, she had continued

to put residents at risk. The chairman said that Mrs McCall had

deliberately closed her eyes to what was going on around her. He said,

due to the prolonged nature of her misconduct, the panel had no other

option but to strike off the nursing register. In an unrelated case last

year, the BBC revealed how a whistle-blower first made

allegations of patient neglect and per practice at Cherry Tree eight

years ago. She said her concerns were ignored for years. Shortly

after she went public, the Health Minister ordered his own review. In

response to the hearing, a statement issued by the home said it was a sad

day for the nursing profession and for those who strive to meet the

highest standards. MLAs have criticised Northern

Ireland's most senior judge after he suggested the Justice Committee was

acting outside its powers. The Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan

accused the committee of "unconstitutional conduct" in its

inquiries into judicial appointments. I was taken aback by

the correspondence from the Lord Chief Justice and the tone of the

letter. I do not believe it is helpful. It is not conducive to the

type of relationship we have been seeking to build with the Lord Chief

Justice and I do feel it is an attempt to frustrate the workings of

this committee. Masked men have stolen ?3,000 from

two elderly sisters in south Belfast. It happened last night at

Vernon Street. May Kelly was visiting her sister Eileen when the

masked men came into the house and said they were searching for drugs.

The men escaped in the direction of Oak Way. The pensioners weren't hurt

during the robbery, but were left shaken. They did not want to appear

on camera. We just couldn't do anything,

because we didn't know where to run two, to tell you the truth. How

would they like their mothers to get this? Old-age pensioners, not able

to defend themselves. The voices of May and Eileen Kelly

who were robbed in south Belfast last night.

The funeral has taken place in Newry of Paul Lambert, who was killed in a

suspected hit and run in San Francisco last week. Hundreds of

people attended the requiem mass at the Church of the Assumption in

Drumalane. It's the second tragedy for the family in the last year -

his cousin, Kevin Bell, died in a suspected hit and run incident in

New York in June. Three laundering plants capable of

producing 26 million litres of illegal fuel each year have been

uncovered by customs investigators and the police. The plants were

discovered in the village of Cullaville in South Armagh. Susie

Millar reports. Revenue and Customs investigators

say the three plans were producing illegal fuel which would have netted

around ?18 million in duty. The main plant, in a barn behind a house, was

automated and designed to allow tankers to drive straight in and

fill up. This one is quite sophisticated. It has an automated

system. There are timers in place so they can do it without being

on-site. The facilities for storage of waste products are on-site, and

there is big tankers available outside to be filled up from the

overhead gantry. While most discoveries of fuel laundering

plants are in revolt locations, this one differs in that it is just off

the Main Street of Cullaville. The other factor into their's discovery

is that the tonnes of waste generated would have been illegally

dumped, possibly into the water supply. So far, no arrests have been

made. It will cost almost ?1.4 million

pounds to repair roads damaged in the recent storms. The largest

single bill is ?382,000 to repair the sea wall on the Rostrevor Road

near Warrenpoint. Part of the wall and the road collapsed into the sea

last week. The weeks of persistent rain have resulted in flooding in

County Fermanagh. The Derrychara Link Road in Enniskillen was closed

today, although some drivers ignored the warning signs. Water approached

a number of business units, and pumps have been brought in to help

ease the situation. Water levels in Lough Erne are currently about two

feet, or 60cm, below their peak in 2009, when severe flooding resulted

in widespread disruption to businesses and the road network.

Ireland's cricketers recorded an impressive win in their first

Twenty20 international against the current world champions, the West

Indies. Playing at Sabina Park in Kingston, Ireland restricted their

hosts to 116 for eight. Ed Joyce then starred in the reply - he hit

40 runs as Ireland won at a canter by six wickets.

Now here's Cecilia Daly with the weather.

Good evening. It has been colder today and there

could be some ice in sheltered spots tonight. Also, maybe a drop of snow

for higher ground, for instance on the Sperrins, the Antrim Hills and

the high ground. Heavy showers and gusty winds. The theme continues

into tomorrow. Yes, heavy showers around, but in between, sunshine and

rainbows. The showers will be wintering, particularly over higher

ground, and it will be called first thing with perhaps some ice in

places as well. Looking at the bigger picture, a rash of showers

are across the island of Ireland. Heavy showers moving into Scotland

with some snow for the Scottish mountains. Some snow over the

Pennines. Further south, showers will become fewer, particularly over

eastern England, East Anglia and the south-east. Temperatures in London

getting into double figures. Most places will have a cold day with

temperatures in single figures. When the showers, long, the temperature

will drop. It will feel cold at times. The sunshine at last thing

very long. Tomorrow night, there could be a little bit of ice. A dry

start on Saturday before it becomes cloudier and damper from the West.

Heavy rain and strong winds to come on Saturday night. It will become

drier later on Sunday. Enjoy the rest of you evening.

Goodbye.