08/04/2014 BBC Newsline

you can head to our website. Now on BBC One we join the

This is BBC News line. The headlines: The first state visit by

an Irish President to the United Kingdom has started.

Already, Michael D Higgins has fulfilled a number of engagements,

including an actress to both Houses of Parliament.

The Florida gun Runner smuggling weapons for the IRA during the peace

process speaks out for the first time.

The row over posters about foreign workers in east Belfast. Join me at

Augusta where a confident Rory McIlroy says he can become the first

golfer from Northern Ireland to win the Masters. And not quite as chilly

for tonight and tomorrow, but there'll be more cloud and patchy

rain for some as well. Good evening. Or as the Queen said

in her official Twitter feed earlier, Failte go Windsor, welcome

to Windsor. Today at the start of the first

state visit by an Irish President to the UK, we saw the sort of pomp and

circumstance not normally associated with Anglo-Irish relations. Here at

Windsor Castle, guests are arriving for the state banquet due to start

at 8 o'clock. Among the guests will be the Deputy First Minister, Sinn

Fein's Martin McGuinness. Here, sgrout side the castle walls, there

is a protest -- here outside the castle walls, there is a protest,

some have gathered representing the Omagh bombings and some killed in

Birmingham pub bomb attacks and other atrocities.

It's a return of of the visit the Queen made in 2011 yet it's so much

more of that. For 800 years, Britain and Ireland shared a chequered

history. With an 800-metre carriage rocket-propelled grenade, the Queen

and the President sought to show that the old animosity had been

Consigned to the past. Oh yay, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth

I will welcome Mr and Mrs Higgins as for the first time in our history...

From early, crowds gathered to see the spectacle and welcome the

President. Went down well the Queen going there

last time, the Irish people welcomed her. We are returning it now. We've

never had the Irish President here have we? It's something for the

books. I think it's really important. One of the most important

ones we've had here in Windsor and I'm local so I like to come to these

events. The President was welcomed into the heart of the castle, formal

duties followed. A review of the Guard of Honour and

later, after a private lunch, a chance to view items from the Royal

collection with an Irish significance.

The visit is meant to demonstrate the depth of the limps between the

countries and the vastly improved relationship they have built in

recent years. At Westminster cathedral, there was

a reminder of the days when the bullet and the bomb were part of

Anglo-Irish relations. President Higgins paused in tribute at a

memorial plaque for Lord Mountbatten, the Queen's cousin,

murdered by the IRA in Sligo in 1979.

Also in the cathedral, a wreath-living at the grave of the

unknown warrior. A recognition of the role of Irish soldiers who died

in the service of the British Army in the Great War.

And then it was on to the Palace of Westminster for an address to

members of both the Commons and The Lord's. We have a fresh canvas on

which to sketch our shared hopes and which to advance our overlapping

ambitions. What we now enjoy between Ireland and Britain is a friendly

cooperative partnership based on mutual respect and deep and

indelible personal links that bind us together in cultural and social

terms. In an hour-and-a-half, the focus

will switch back here to Windsor Castle, 160 specially invited guests

will attend a state banquet at which both the President and the Queen

will speak. Their comments are expected to

reflect the theme of this visit, one of mutual respect.

A Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament are back here to

Windsor for tonight's Newsnight programme, the deputy first, many

Martin McGuinness, was asked by Jeremy Paxman at tonight's state

banquet here at Windsor Castle, when there's a loyal toast, would he

stand up and toast the Queen. I will absolutely observe all of the

protocols and civilities that are conducted in the course of that

event to honour the President of Ireland. The President of Ireland?

Yes, well the dinner is basically an honour. But you wouldn't toast the

Queen? Well, if there's a toast to Queen, I'll observe all the

civilities and protocols. You can see all of that interview on BBC Two

at 10. 30 tonight. This visit will reconnect with the artistic and

working life of Britain. Today was very much about the political.

Stephen Walker, or political reporter, is at Westminster where

the President addressed both Houses of Parliament. Stephen, how do you

think the speech went? What stands out, in your view? I was struck by

the large number of historical references, the whole speech was

littered with historical references. He talked about the history of

democracy, the history of the House of Commons, he mentioned the Magna

Carta, talked ability countess Markovic and national MPs and Daniel

O'Connell, then he fast-forwarded to the Good Friday Agreement and talked

about how the historical events affected British/Irish relations and

the history of Britain and Ireland. The Anglo-Irish relationship was the

recurring theme? It was throughout the entire speech. He talked about

how his siblings settled until Britain. He talked about the bad old

days when the relationship wasn't good and then about how the

relationship was much better in recent years. He used a lyrical

phrase where he talked about sketching fresh canvas so very much

the whole relationship of Britain and Ireland was a recurring theme of

this speech. And how was the address received?

It was very well received. If you looked at the Royal Gallery, it was

standing room only, the great and the good were there, the Prime

Minister, David Cameron, was there, the Leader of the Opposition Ed

Miliband was there, there were lots of local MPs there as well, so it

was standing room only. He was very well received, there was a good

introduction from John Bercow and President Higgins at the end was

given a standing ovation. Thank you. That's all from Windsor

for moment. Join me later when we look in more detail at the

importance of this state visit. For now, back to Belfast and to Tara.

Tonight's Spotlight investigation from Florida features an exclusive

interview with a gun runner who armed the IRA during the peace

process. Mike Logan was granted immunity from prosecution by the

American Government in return for information.

The programme also blames the IRA boss at time accused of ordering

guns over a period. Spotlight's Mandy Macaulay has more.

Mike Logan started gun running for the IRA a year after they called

their ceasefire. I was told to ignore my headlines and keep sending

guns. From 1995 to 1999, he posted around

200 guns to the IRA in toy fire engines. I was a regular customer

here. Sometimes I would buy four or five at a time. Brought them home,

the kids would play with them, then I would pack 'em up and ship 'em

off. Mike lowingle said his contact in the IRA was this man, Sean Spike

Murray, now at the heart of the peace process. Nevers the Sinn Fein

delegation as part of the recent talks and is involved in a variety

of groups dealing with cross community and parading issues. Mike

Logan said Sean Murray was security conscious in his dealings with him.

The IRA believe that there was British surveillance everywhere,

that they could hear through the walls with different Quiess and so

forth -- devices. Mike Logan tells Spotlight that Sean Murray let him

know one of his guns was used in the double murder of two RUC officers.

We start with the murders of two policemen in Lurgan. They were on

foot patrol when they were shot at close range.

He would break down. He'd tell me which weapons had been received. He

circled a couple and he said "that one there" had been used -- he would

write down. Sean Murray declined to be interview bid Spotlight and said

our accusations were without foundation. He went on to say he'd

never been arrested, detained or interviewed about any of the

allegations and that the PSNI would have acted if there had been any

evidence. He told us his focus was and remains on helping the peace

processes. You can see that special Spotlight investigation tonight at

10. 35 after our late news here on BBC One.

One of two men ordered to pay over ?1.5 million in damages to the

families of those killed in the Omagh bombing is being questioned by

police about the Real IRA attack in August 1998. Seamus Daly was

arrested in Newry yesterday and is being questioned by detectives at

the serious crime suite in Antrim. A man is being reported missing in the

area close warren Point harbour. The 34-year-old was last seen at 4. 45

on Sunday afternoon. He was wearing dark jeans and a dark top. Police

have asked anyone who knows where he is to contact them. The Enterprise

Minister has said it's wrong for people to say there should only be

local jobs for Lib Dem people. It comes after posters calling for --

local people. It comes after posters were put up. They were described as

racist. These are some of the posters

plastered around east Belfast. Although they don't say it, what

they are complain being about is workers being brought in from

outside the area to complete a contract on an oil rig.

It's no secret that most of the 600 people employed to work on the

refurbishment of this rig were recruited from Great Britain and

mainland Europe. When the company announced the deal last year, they

said because of a skills shortage, only a third of those needed could

be found in Northern Ireland. East Belfast community worker Jim Wilson

says the posters are a sign of people's anger.

There is no doubt there is a stills shortage in Northern Ireland now,

it's obvious there is. The number of people we have at the shipyard don't

have the skills but there are still skills there. If there isn't, why

are we not training our children to accommodate the skills, give them

what they need to go on to the rigs and work. The company says they

provide local employment opportunities through their supply

chain and the service sector, a sentiment echoed by the Enterprise

Minister, Arlene Foster, at Stormont earlier today. I think it's wrong

for us to say we only want jobs in Northern Ireland for Northern

Ireland people. We want people to come to Northern Ireland and share

skills and experiences with us in Northern Ireland to build up the

Northern Ireland workforce so that we can be competitive and global.

Others though believe that the posters are more sinister. They

believe they send out a racist message. Putting up the

unsubstantiated lies, accusations of immigrants coming into Northern

Ireland, particularly at a time when we have seen recent racist

incidents, is only going to heighten tension and cause undue fear with

the immigrant community. Police say although the posters had been

reported to them as a hate crime, they've concluded that no crime has

been committed. A family - including two young

children - have been threatened in their home during a robbery. They

were returning to their house at Fernridge Road in Newtownabbey in

the early hours. They were approached by masked men carrying a

gun. The father was beaten about the legs during the incident - and all

four members of the family were tied up while the men ransacked the

house. The gang got away with jewellery, money and a car. The

Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry has heard that nuns provided

cheap childcare services to the state during the last century. The

Inquiry is examining claims of abuse at 13 homes and training centres

here from 1922 to 1995. Kevin Sharkey was at today's hearing. The

living conditions at Termonbacca boys' home and Nazareth House were

under review again today. Giving evidence was a retired director of

the social services trust who worked with some children during the 70s

and 80s. There have been allegations of sexual, physical and mental abuse

at these two homes. Today the retired official was asked for his

observation about Termonbacca he said he thought the atmosphere there

caring and welcoming. The witness was questioned by the chairman about

the amount paid to homes run by nuns, compared to fees at state

homes. He was asked ills it a case that the state was getting child

care on the cheap? Yes, the witness replied. He said this was possible

because nuns provided charitable and voluntary services to the state. The

former Chief Medical Officer of England will head a group of experts

to consider improvements to the way the health service is run in

Northern Ireland. The announcement came along with the publication of a

review into the A at the Royal Victoria Hospital. Our Health

correspondent Marie-Louise Connolly reports. While still on the subject

of hospitals and emergency care, today was about making announcements

signposting ways forward and highlighting solutions. Showing he

meant business the Health Minister sa patient care must come first and

he was pulling out all stops to achieve that. Edwin Poots published

a range of actions. The most significant was to commission Sir

Liam Donaldson to assess thousand health service should be governed.

The RQIA to undertake a programme of inspections.

The regulator's full report on the royal emphasised poor staffing

#4re68s, too much emphasis on targets and low morale. The

announcements couldn't be more timely with Belfast hosting tomorrow

a summit on emergency care. Consultants will discuss a range of

issue, including staffing, funding and patient safety. An indication of

just how fragile things are, the entire summit, which involves the

Health Minister, is to be held in private. Back to Donna now at

Windsor. Guests continue to arrive here at Windsor for this evening's

reception marking President Higgins' State visit to the UK. It's

impossible to escape history here. We've compiled just some of the

images of major events in Anglo Irish history over the last 100

years. Professor Richard Burke is with me.

It has been a long and difficult journey to get us to this day. How

do you think the state visit will be written in the history books? I

don't think it is the most epic development in the history of Anglo

Irish relationships. But it does restore diplomatic normality between

the two states and that has to be seen as a Sigg captain develop --

significant development. It seemed as relaxed as the Queen's visit to

the republic in 2011? Yes I think the Queen's visit was anticipated

with greater trepidation and therefore relief that it passed off

so well. In this case, I don't think there were expectations of any great

problem and therefore I think it was expected to be more relaxed and it

was so. They will see this visit as successful, the diplomats, but what

about the problems in Northern Ireland? How do you think that will

affect Anglo Irish relations as they move on? Well those problems still

exist. There are problems of sectarianism and political problems

and there is bitterness among victims of the Troubles. But

improved relations can only contribute positively to wards a

good outlook into the future. Thank you. And one final bit of

Anglo-Irish affairs. The Republic will host England for a friendly

football international in Dublin in June next year - 20 years after a

match at Lansdowne Road had to be abandoned because of crowd trouble.

The two heads of state here today forged a greater alliance, I think

though that on that day on match day, the old allegiances will be

exactly the same as they always have been. That is a bit of sports news.

Back now to Tara who has some more immediate sports' news. Northern

Ireland's three golfing champions tee off in the first major of the

year - the US Masters - later this week. With the world number one

Tiger Woods missing through injury, the tournament favourite is now

Holywood's Rory McIlroy. After a turbulent year in 2013, the

24-year-old is showing a return to his best form. And in a special

interview for BBC Newsline, McIlroy says he's ready to win a green

jacket - the famous prize for the Masters champion. Stephen Watson

reports from Augusta. Augusta national golf club is a unique

sporting venue. Only the world's very best players receive an

invitation to take part in its annual event. Rory McIlroy arrives

here as tournament favourite, confident of mounting a Masters'

challenge. Hitting the ball well, I feel probably the most comfortable I

have felt coming into Augusta. I feel similar to how I arrived in 11.

So it is more managing expectations when you feel like you're playing

well and you feel you just have to keep dining what your doing and

conserve enough energy and put it into the four tournaments days. How

much does Major experience count and Augusta experience? Yes, 22nd Major,

but it is my sixth Masters. Each year you get more comfortable with

your surroundings. That is more important than I should be at the

point where I'm comfortable with the course and know what I'm doing out

there. So three years ago I had a great chance to win and it didn't

quite happen. If I get myself in that position again, I will be able

to handle it better than a few years ago. So difficult to watch the

youngster unravelling. Since then, Rory McIlroy has had double Major

success to add to that of Graeme McDowell and Darren Clarke. Northern

Ireland golfers have won three of the four Majors, what would it mean

to complete a Northern Ireland golfing Grand Slam? It would be mean

an awful lot. For Northern Ireland, to have won all four Majors if it

did happen, would be a very good feat for a small country. So it

would be a great thing to achieve and you know I'm one of three guys

that could maybe do it this week. There are starms approaching the --

storms approaching the area. Bad weather made day one was a wash out.

Practice curtailed and spectators evacuated from the course.

Thankfully the skies are much brighter today and there is a more

favourable forecast for the rest of the week. When Rory McIlroy is

hoping to shine and see his name at top of the Masters leader board.

Let's take a look at the weather now, here's Angie. The clouds are

rolling back in after a bright day. We did have that fresh and cool

westerly breeze, which did bring showers. Burr they were small

showers and they have been fading away. There is still a hint of

brightness in a few spots. But the clouds gathering from the north and

west. They will bring patchy rain across Donegal and then through the

night we will get some into Londonderry and along the north

coast. But not amounting to a great deal and it is milder than last

night with temperatures around eight degrees. Tomorrow, we are looking at

cloudy skies. We will have a good deal of dry weather. But it is a

slow start. It is grey with rain and drizzle during the morning. But they

will be clearing. By the time we get into the afternoon, apart from the

odd shower, it is mainly dry with a few bright intervals. But more cloud

than sunshine. Temperatures are a bit up on today. We could hit 14

degrees. We still have that breeze. The reason for the dry weather is a

ridge of high pressure. Through tomorrow night and into Thursday we

have a weak front edging in from the north-west. That will bring mainly

light rain. But as a result it means tomorrow night once again is going

to be on the mild side. So that is how we start Thursday. Dull and

damp. And it could take for a food -- good part of morning before it

clears. But it looks as though it will cool down and there will be a

few sharp showers. On Friday it is looking dry. Here at Windsor it has

been a dry but sort of cool start to the Irish president's first state

visit to the UK. The guests who are arriving for the state banquet and I

have a f figures I thought you might be interested in. The 160 guests

will sit at a table that is 55 metres long. That is a big table. It

has taken them two days to lay it out and they have done it with

precision with very expensive China silver and glass ware. I was talking

to one member of staff and asked them I wouldn't be wanting to do the

washing up with that expensive glass ware. He winked. I said, what are

you talking about? He said I will let you in on a secret. Its all

washed by hand in rubber sinks! That is what will happen at the banquet.

We will cover this at 10. 25. For now, good evening.