09/04/2014 BBC Newsline

become a distraction. Now it is time Our main story is that the

Hello and welcome to BBC Newsline. Tonight's top stories: The Irish

President and the Prime Minister meet during the second day of the

historic State visit. After last night's state banquet

Martin McGuinness tells us it was the right thing to do.

Unionists call for a meeting with the police after allegations that

the IRA smuggled guns from America while on cease-fire.

The sale of a former Quinn group business falls through after death

threats and attacks on property. Join me at the Masters where our

champions are trying to rewrite the record books.

And a bit damp overnight, but it'll gradually improve tomorrow.

Good evening. President Higgins' state visit to the UK is continuing,

the emphasis switching somewhat from the ceremonial towards marking the

Irish contribution to life in Britain. We've asked Sinn Fein's

Martin McGuinness how he felt about toasting the queen at last night's

State banquet and we'll hear that and his response to last night's BBC

Spotlight programme on gun-running. First our political reporter,

Stephen Walker, is in London. Stephen.

Yes, although some of the headlines have been grabbed by Martin

McGuinness' presence there's no question the broader Anglo-Irish

relationship has been the focus for the President and his hosts. He was

in Downing Street where he met David Cameron. He also went to a hospital

where he met many Irish doctors and nurses. Conor McAuley has been

following the day's events. A warm greeting in Downing Street

marked the first formal meeting between an Irish head of state and a

British prime minister on English soil. The visit is intended to

reinforce the breadth and depth of interconnection between the two

countries in trade, culture and politics.

An extremely warm welcome to number ten Downing St. It is really

remarkable how Anglo-Irish relations have not only been transformed but I

see them on an ever-increasing rate. They had lunch ahead of a private

meeting. The focus of the visit has changed. Yesterday was all about

ceremonial welcome and today it was intended to highlight how ordinary

Irish people contribute to everyday British life. President Higgins

visited the University College Hospital, where he met Irish doctors

and nurses. It was a way of marking the role of Irish people in

providing key public services here and gave some the chance to chat to

the President in Irish. In other events today, alongside the

Duke of York, the president reviewed the rigid mental colours of Irish

regiments from the dish army that had been disbanded. And there was a

chance to meet young scientists. Where he again spoke of the need to

build on an improving relationship. It is essential that we instigate

far-reaching dialogue is not only between the disciplines but also, I

would suggest, in its application between Britain and Ireland. It is

valuable to see these national dialogues expanded and mature wood

alongside the strengthening of scientific cooperation between our

two peoples and scholars. There are 200,000 Irish people

living in Britain and the visit of President Higgins is cementing their

place. It is an attempt to move Anglo Irish relations to a new high.

Conor McAuley reporting and tonight President Higgins and his wife are

at a banquet at the Guildhall here in London. Tomorrow the main event

is a Northern Ireland reception at Windsor Castle and a cultural

evening at the Royal Albert Hall. Thank you. Earlier I asked Martin

McGuinness about his attendance at last night's state banquet and

whether his toast to the Queen would be seen by some as the ultimate

betrayal. I was given an invitation by both

the President and Queen Elizabeth. I was invited to attend this event and

of course, the decision had to be made and I think the right decision

was made. I am the Deputy First Minister and I attended with Peter

Robinson. It had an oral island -- and all Ireland dimension, which I

thought was important. My national anthem was being played and then I

didn't think it would be right to snub the Queen and the British

national anthem. So I think the vast majority of people on the island of

Ireland will be supportive of me contributing to a process of

conflict resolution and acts of reconciliation.

What about others who wouldn't be supported, the victims and their

families in Northern Ireland? There are many victims on all sides

and I think that the contribution I've made over the course of the

last several decades to bring in peace to Ireland is something that

is hugely significant and important. My heart goes out to all victims,

that is why I've been involved in vitally important discussions around

trying to conclude proposals are deals with the past, the issue of

parades and flags. I think my community has suffered terribly and

the republican community has also suffered. There are victims on all

sides but I take tremendous support from the fact that the vast majority

of victims don't want to see is brought back into conflict and they

want to see their children and grandchildren reared in a peaceful

society. What about the programme last night

that suggested that talk of peace up to 1999 was on the surface?

I am the one, probably, a key player within the Sinn Fein to go see that

was very much an advocate for the removal of organs from Irish

politics. -- all guns. The IRA put their weapons beyond use. Where are

the guns now? They won't decommissioned?

I am working on the basis that there was no foundation to the story. I

don't know what the validity of the story is. I have only heard of it

since the programme aired last night so I don't know about the

authenticity of the allegations that have been made. It would be wrong of

me to comment on something I have no knowledge of.

Well, unionists have been reacting to the allegations made in that BBC

Spotlight programme by demanding a meeting with the PSNI to ask if they

were aware of claims that a senior member of Sinn Fein was involved in

buying and smuggling weapons from America. The accusation was made by

a gun-runner who's been given immunity from prosecution. Sean

Murray denies the allegations, as our political correspondent Gareth

Gordon reports. The man on the right is Sean

Murray. Months ago he had a ringside seat as a Sinn Fein negotiator. On

last night's programme, he was named as the brains behind a Florida

gun-running operation in which this man, Mike Logan, admitted posting

around 200 weapons to the organisation between 1995 and 1999.

One of these weapons, it is alleged was used to murder two police

community officers in 1997, five weeks before the second IRA

cease-fire. It was also alleged that authorities on both sides sought to

distance the IRA and Sean Murray from the operation in order to

protect the peace protests the -- the piece process.

They knew that it was run by Sean Murray and was sanctioned at the

highest levels by the IRA for top the question is how many of this

matters. According to unionists, it does

quite a lot and they want to see if anything can be done.

I don't think it's surprising that a member of Sinn Fein would be

involved in criminality such as this that what we now have is someone

coming forward, telling us in quite minute detail what was going on. So

we want to know what are the authorities going to do about that?

After the On the Runs, we said, if there is more, get it out on the

open now. It is a shame we had to hear from the BBC but if there is

more and I've no reason to doubt there isn't, let's get it out. We

have to move on and we have to deal with these issues.

Sean Murray says he has never been arrested, detained or interviewed

about the allegations, adding that PSNI would have acted had there been

any evidence. Police investigating the death of a

baby last month in Belfast have started a murder enquiry. It was

radically injured in a house in the east of the city. -- radically

injured. One of Northern Ireland's biggest

construction firms has pulled out of plans to buy a former Quinn Group

business. The Lagan Group had wanted to buy Quinn Roof Tiles. Last week

its chairman Kevin Lagan received a death threat in relation to the

planned sale on the same day that his wife died. Here's our south west

reporter Julian Fowler. 17 people. The takeover company said they would

create new jobs. After news of the deal, there were a series of arson

attacks on property and machinery. The final straw came last week when

the attacks became personal. On the day his wife died, Kevin Lakin

received a letter threatening that if the tiles business was sold, the

purchasers would not live to see the benefits of the sale. Lakin group

said no business can operate when threats against operational

decisions but employees, directors and their families at risk. It said

it sent out completely the wrong message to other potential

investors. There have been more attacks this week. Three mechanical

diggers were burnt out at a quarry on Monday. Police say while there is

a risk to people's livelihoods, there is a greater risk to life and

called for the community to provide information on those involved.

Still to come: A tin of soup, a box of cereal, a carton of juice.

Basic foodstuffs that you would find in a family shopping basket but some

people cannot afford to buy even the basics.

Former Chief Constable Sir Huge Orde has rejected claims that Downing

Street asked the police to release two IRA suspects being questioned

about the attempted murder of a UDR soldier. He was giving evidence to

the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee. Our Home Affairs

Correspondent Vincent Kearney reports.

It is seven years and Sir Hugh Orde had a reputation for straight

talking. Today was no different. He was asked why the PSI had failed to

make the Public Prosecution Service aware that John Downey was wanted

for the murders of four Max urges -- four soldiers. He was told he wasn't

wanted. Last week Baxter told the Northern affairs committee that he

was inhibited from passing on the information because it could have

perverted the course of justice. Sir Hugh Orde said he was wrong.

In my professional judgement I find it hard to understand why a

detective chief superintendent did not share with his assistant chief

the fact Mr Downey was wanted in London. I find that inextricable.

He also rejected a claim that Downing Street had asked the police

to release men after they were arrested over the attempted murder

of an off-duty soldier in 1981. That never, ever happened in my term

of office. At no time did Downing Street ever try and influence my

decision making. He said he had no idea that the

information provided by police was being used to form the basis for

letters sent to on the runs. He rejected the suggestion that he must

have had some idea. He didn't know there was something

happening... That provoked an angry response.

I take issue with what Ian has said. It is not plausible. I'm afraid it

is what happened. It is a fact. We did what we were asked to June,

entirely properly, entirely lawfully. Your question about what

people did with that information you have to get in front of them so they

can answer the question. I was playing a game around a very

delicate peace process. Former Secretary of State Sean

Woodward also today rejected claims of political interference.

Did I try in any shape or form to interfere or suggest we would like a

particular outcome in the way Mr Baxter misleadingly put forward to

this committee last week? Not at all, at any time.

The government is also facing questions about the underwear and

scheme as part of an enquiry into one of the most notorious incidents

of the troubles. The senior coroner said that he wants to know if any

letters of assurance were sent to suspect in the IRA murders of ten

Protestant workers at Kingsmill. There's a crisis in

at our hospitals. That was the message from the President of the

College of Emergency Medicine at a summit in Belfast today. Health

professionals were told that change is urgently required in hospitals

across the UK. Among a range of contentious issues discussed was the

need to reintroduce prescription charges here. Marie-Louise Connolly

reports. While there was plenty of tea and talking, at least there were

no tantrums. Inside the conference room, however, there was some tough

talking with a message from those who set standards in emergency

medicine that things can't be allowed to get any worse. What we

are trying to do is turn this crisis around ensuring people are listening

and clearly they are and the summit has been affect day-to-day and we

are delivering that into a plan and in that plan, as the Minister said,

it is about implantation of that plan. The last thing we need is

another plan sitting on the shelf gathering dust. But for that plan to

work, pressure must be removed from the hospitals by transferring more

care into the community. According to the Royal College of Nursing,

however, the document designed to make that happen, Transforming Your

Care, has become merely a vision without action. Not entirely, says

the man in charge. I would like to see it implemented more quickly so I

would be in agreement with that so momentum needs to build pace and we

need to move forward at a greater pace than is currently happening.

The reintroduction of prescription charges reared its head but perhaps

that's something for others to deal with in the future. While the

delegates acknowledged that today's emergency summit is progress, some

of them have told me that there has been enough talking and now it is

time for action and that action needs to start as soon as possible.

Officially we are out of recession but the knock-on effect is having a

major effect on everyday lives. Those operating food banks have told

us there are many people in Northern Ireland who haven't eaten for two or

three days because they can't afford to. Between January 2013 and

December 2013, the church-based Trussell Trust, which runs 15 food

banks here, had almost 9000 people needing food from them. Almost half

of those were children. Donna has visited the trust's food bank in

Newtownards, where the highest proportion of people getting help

are working but on low incomes. This is one of 15 projects operated by

this charity in Northern Ireland, there are other organisations doing

the same, distributing free food and you can see in the Newtownards

storeroom that people don't get luxury hampers, these are a sick

foods, milk, juice, packets of soup, things you see in every weekly shop.

Unfortunately, many people in Northern Ireland cannot afford that

weekly shop so they rely on people who donate this food to charities.

Shops, as this is, churches and schools all donate. With rising

living costs and stagnant wages, perhaps cut wages, people are

finding it difficult to make ends meet and many are suffering from

food poverty. Julianne is the manager here in the tonight's. This

is not a walk-in centre. Hardy people end up your? We work on a

referral system with about 80 agencies so we provide agencies with

food vouchers, and entering, their health care professionals, like

Saint Vincent Paul, women's aid, GPs and MLAs, those tablet

professionals. They give clients those voters and they come here and

avail of the emergency food. For so many people it is a very difficult

experience to, and seek help and say, I am in need. What do they say

to you when you encounter them? I think first of all, when they come

here, I think it is a cacophony shop so right away, there is a shock, it

is not what they expected. -- it is like a shock. It takes a lot of

courage to come here. We're just here to help them, have a chat and

make them a cup of tea and give them emergency food. Suzanne, many people

are seeking your help and other charities. What sort of demand is

there? This year there has been an egg demand, people are struggling

throughout the province but the main reason people do visit food banks is

that they are on low income and they have hit crisis point and they come

here to avail of the emergency food, unfortunately. It is a

terrible situation to be in but it is nice to be able to facilitate

people being said here. Comments have been made, even at Westminster,

the people are not prioritising and the problem is exaggerated across

the UK but particularly here. How do you respond? There has been a huge

increase over five years with the fuel crisis and people have to

choose between heating and eating when it comes to the monthly budget

and that is not a situation people should be in whenever you are

working and trying your best for your family. It is a very bad

situation but also has been a huge increase in the price of food over

the last five years so those are the main reasons that people working are

struggling to put food on the table. About 130 tonnes of food has been

distributed by this charity in the past year, right across Northern

Ireland. We tried to speak to people who would come to a place that this

seeking help but they felt, some of those supposed embarrassed, and none

were available for comment. If you want to share your experience of

food poverty, please get in touch. Our phone line is 03704 111 630. Or

text Newsline followed by your comment to 63399. Our email address

is [email protected]. Back to that State visit and among the many

ceremonial events to happen yesterday was a presentation with a

difference involving President Higgins and a rather large dog.

Mervyn Jess explains. Yesterday he was at Windsor Castle, parading in

front of the Queen and in glorious sunshine and receiving a new coat

from the president. Today, he is in a rather overcast Bangor meeting a

different audience. And Domnhall was not alone. His handler, from

Belfast, also travelled overnight after yesterday 's ceremonials at

Windsor Castle. You make a stronger connection with the President of

Ireland as opposed to the President of the United States, there is that

Irish quality being from the Irish regiment and when the army first got

their mascot, eight years ago, there were struggling to get a jacket for

a ceremony in Dublin and the guards had one in their storeroom so we

kindly donated that and they have now repaid that favour. The

significance of the State visit was not lost on one Irish guardsman from

Kilkenny. Things have come on in the last few years and the Queen coming,

that got things started and President Higgins yesterday, it is

brilliant. We will find was the star attraction at today's recruitment

drive. He is still not fully grown but his handler says this is one dog

that will measure up to the job. Quite the jet setter! Last night we

heard from Rory McIlroy ahead of the start of golf's US Masters. Tonight,

we hear from Northern Ireland's two other Major winners. Graeme McDowell

and Darren Clarke are also in the Masters field. Stephen Watson

reports from the Augusta course in Georgia. And don't miss the first

shot in this report! It is a tradition. And Graham poll has got

it mastered. Skimming balls across the pond at the 16th hole. Some fun

before the tournament gets underway properly tomorrow. And when he tees

up for real, it will be hard to contain excitement. Like a car --

like a child on Christmas morning, Augustine is the only venue that we

come back to every year for the major, and being as special as it

is, you never get tired playing this. I could play one course for

the rest of my life, this would be right up there. I feel like I have

learned something new every year I have come back about the nuances of

this golf course and I am just learning how to play. It is

exciting. It does kick off the season properly and everybody is

raring to go. The winner receives the famous green jacket. And the

members of that exclusive club were reunited last night but one player

was missing from the dinner. Tiger Woods, who was currently injured.

The world number one has only been absent from four major tournaments

during his career and by a twist of fate, everyone has been won by an

Irish golfer. And that is a fact that superstitious Graeme McDowell

is thoroughly enjoying. It is incredible, that statistic and we

hope that pattern continues! It might be my turn again! Who knows?

What would it mean to you to be the first golfer from Northern Ireland

to win that jacket? It is everybody's dream. It is tough,

regardless which measure I would like to win next. Because of the

history and tradition and everything here, and the legends that have

been, I think this would be special. And it is an extra special

tournament for the former Open champion Darren Clarke. He is making

his 500th appearance at a European tour event. It is a great honour, to

make 500, it does not seem that long ago whenever I started but time goes

quickly whenever you are on the tour. To get to 500 pretty quickly,

starting after they think that? I had no idea. In his 20 February

professional, Darren Clarke looks to rediscover his winning form. And

along with Graeme McDowell, he will try to write another chapter in

Northern Ireland's record books. Blue skies over there. Angie is here

with the weather forecast. Breezy today. We have some patchy

rain this morning that cleared away to leave dry weather. There have

been some breaks appearing and we had a clearer slot coming towards

the north-west so it might but in a reformed the sunsets. Quite a nice

end to the day but change is on the way and overnight we have an

approaching weather front and that is moving in from the north-west so

that will bring thickening cloud and eventually spills of rain but

particularly across the West and into the North, not particularly

heavy but it could be persistent and the breeze eases down and very mild.

Tomorrow, things will eventually cheer up and brighten up but it

looks like another cloudy start for many of us, damp and places as a

train slides across mid Ulster towards the South and East through

the morning rush-hour. It might be later in the morning before it moves

away from County Down. But we have brighter skies following behind

someone suddenly includes away it does brighten up in the afternoon

with some sunshine coming through. One or two sharp showers running

through places but not all places will get those. In the afternoon,

some places will stay mainly dry with highs at the average of 12

degrees. Tomorrow evening, not a bad end to the day with some sunshine

and the showers easing away but tomorrow night does potentially turn

quite chilly weather those clear spells and temperatures low enough

ground frost and maybe some mist and fog patches as well. One or two

visibility issues on Friday morning, chilly to start or not a bad day,

dry with sunshine and near average temperatures. Down through the night

into Saturday morning but beyond that, the rest of the weekend is

looking dry. Thank you. Our late summery is at 10:25pm. You can also

keep in contact with us via Facebook and Twitter. Goodnight.