18/06/2014 BBC Newsline

20 years after the Loughinisland massacre,

I tried to remember the people who died that night.

One year on from the G8 Summit, I'm live in County Fermanagh to see

if the hoped-for boost to business has been realised.

Rory McIlroy confirms he will play for Ireland at the 2016 Olympics in

Brazil. And we have much more dry weather to come but it is going to

feel cooler. Details shortly. Police have removed protest banners

from a house in the Knocknagoney area of east Belfast,

where a man originally from Nigeria In spite of the action

by the police, Michael Abiona says He believes the protest -

which included the slogan 'local BBC Newsline's Mark Simpson

has been to meet him. Michael Abiona has been living in

Northern Ireland for four years. He was allocated a Housing executive

property in East Belfast but the house he was hoping to move into was

covered in protest posters. Local houses for local people, was written

on one of the banners. He has the keys for the house but now does not

want to move. It is about discrimination, intimidation and

racism. This speaks for itself. The banner they have placed there, local

housing for local people, it is just shameful that this is happening.

Michael has a three-year-old son who lives with him during part of the

week. The protesters said their opposition to the family was nothing

to do with the colour of their skin. They said the house should have gone

to pensioners or the disabled. The protesters only agreed to speak on

television if their faces were not shown. This is a mixed community. We

do not have no racism appear. So why does nobody want to appear on

camera? Because we are being called racist. We are horrified. We are

certainly not racist. This is about a bungalow put up for pensioners. As

we were filming, the police arrived and removed the banners. One by one,

there were taken away and the street is now back to normal. But it is too

late for Michael Abiona. He was supposed to move into the house this

week. Now he says he does not know where he was going to stay, but he

wants to remain in Belfast. I have received lots of messages condemning

that act. It is not part of them in Belfast. That is enough for me to

realise how fast is not bad. It seems this was not an isolated

incident. Tonight at housing executive said there had been more

than ten cases in South and East Belfast where people could not move

into the house they had been allocated.

This afternoon, First Minister Peter Robinson said he does not think the

protest can be described as racist. He spoke to our political editor. I

think we have to build a respectful and tolerant society, and we must

condemn any act of racism. In this particular case, very clearly, local

people have a level of concern with housing executive allocations and

those matters that need to be dealt with by the housing executive. But

let's be very clear, nobody should be judged on the colour of their

skin, their particular religious background, or their race. Should

any action be taken against people who are polluting have intimidated

him to the extent that he is now not prepared to go into that house? --

people who appear to have intimidated him.

prepared to go into that house? -- people who appear to have It was a

peaceful protest and there was no threat issued to him, so I think it

is clear that those are matters for the police and the Public

prosecution service, but there isn't any indication that they sought to

intimidate him, however it did have the impact of him deciding he did

not want to live in that area and from his point of view, he certainly

will have felt like a stranger in Northern Ireland in those

circumstances. The job that we have as politicians is to encouraging

people to feel part of our community. Do you feel that racism

is on the rise here? I am not sure this can be described as racism in

terms of the intentions of the local people. Local in this situation

means very local. Do you think it would have been the same if they had

seen someone with white skin moving into the area? It has happened. This

is not a new phenomenon. There are people who have been brought up and

raised in housing estates all of their lives. Their children grew up

in that area and they cannot get housing in that area, so there is

resentment that people from outside their local area are getting houses

and they cannot get the children housed close to them. That is

something that has to be dealt with by the Housing executive. It is

nothing to do with those who are granted housing accommodation in the

local area, and from my point of view, I do not seek to justify in

any way for that because that is what the rules and regulations are.

I want to make it very clear that I oppose anything that suggests that

people are not welcome in Northern Ireland because of their racial

background or the colour of their skin.

Meanwhile, Peter Robinson has cancelled a trip to Brazil because

he is concerned about the potential for difficulties at the height of

the parading season next month. The Secretary of State says it is

crucial the parties set a date for talks to take advantage of the next

few weeks. But this evening, Sheen Fein named the Unionists, accusing

them of dragging their feet. At Stormont today, a game of two

halves. A tactical show of togetherness as MLAs from across the

parties teamed up with community relations week. I sense that there

is a new momentum. That was nine days ago. Today the Government said

talks. As soon as possible. It is a crucial time. There is limited that

when there are a limited number of weeks before we hit the parading

season and then the parliamentary recess. It is important as the Prime

Minister said in his article a few weeks ago to take advantage of the

next few weeks to make progress. And today he repeated it. I very much

hope that the work can continue between the parties in Northern

Ireland to discuss the Richard Haas ideas and principles for flags,

parades and the past and I hope everyone can come together and sort

these issues out. The plan was to pick up where the talks left off

before the marching season reaches a peak in July. Unionists have already

made it clear they will not discuss the past until Justice Hallet has

released a report on the On The Run Number-mac Controversy. We Have Set

Out Communication To Each Of The Political Parties And No One Has

Responded. Even Though We Have Not Had A Response of the party setting

a date I would like it did take place as soon as possible. But while

we should commence those talks, we cannot obviously deal with the

issues that are related to on the run cases. But if the talks are

already running out of steam, run cases. But if the talks are

The meetings I have been at with regards to contentious parades in

the last few weeks convinced me more than ever before that we need to

tackle this as a matter of complete and utter urgency and the Ulster

Unionists are on stand-by. Peter Robinson says he is so concerned

about parades he has cancelled a planned trip to Brazil. Things

associate is back to Northern Ireland at this time would be wrong.

What about the deputy minister? No idea what his position is. So far

there has been no response from Mr Magennis.

Exactly 20 years ago today, six Catholic men were shot dead by the

UVF as they watched a World Cup match at a pub in Loughinisland.

Their relatives have reacted angrily to a fresh appeal for information by

the police about the attack. They have accused the PSNI of hypocrisy

for making the appeal just two weeks after the Police Ombudsman accused

the chief officer of obstructing his investigation into the attack by

withholding information. He should have been a night of

celebration. He scores! But shortly after the goal that beat Italy and

secured the greatest football result in the Republic's history, the UVF

brought carnage to this pub in Loughinisland. Within seconds, six

men who had been watching the match were shot dead. A survivor who was

shot four Times has written a book about the attack and this morning on

radio Ulster, Colin Smith read an extract describing how his best

friend's father saved his life. Dai we were being hit. He threw himself

on top of me, attempting to shield me from the bullets racing towards

us. Fallen backwards now, off my store, and again I glimpsed the two

boiler suits at the door. One with a machine gun. I feel myself being hit

in my legs. I assume it is bullets but I feel no pain. I have nothing

to compare this to. He is lying on me now, completely still. To still,

I think. I slide out from underneath him. There are no moans, no

breathing, just silence. No one has ever been convicted of

the murders. 20 years on, the PSNI today appealed to anyone with

information to help catch the killers to come forward. But the

solicitor for the families of those killed today say they are angry

because evidence provided by the public at the time was destroyed.

This was a case that the... Within hours the getaway car was found by a

member of the public. Within weeks of the exhibits in the case, the

guns come ballot for us, boiler suits, gloves, were all found by

members of the public. Far from securing and preserving that

evidence, the police set about destroying that evidence. The

families have also criticised the PSNI for failing to give the Police

Ombudsman information about the attack. Michael Maguire is

investigation the allegation that the killings were not properly

investigated because an informant was being investigated and there was

collusion between the police and the killers. He has placed a court order

to force the police to hand over information. The families are

furious. They have made their concerns articulately over the past

seven days. Their concern is, who is the chief constable covering up for?

Who delivered what is there to hide? A judge last week asked for an

agreement to avoid a dispute being settled in court. It is understood

the two sides are engaged in discussion about the issue. Still to

come, Rory McIlroy decides to play for Ireland in the 2016 Olympics.

I've always been proud to wear an Irish T-shirt or an Irish uniform.

The Historical Institutional Abuse inquiry has asked for the inquiry to

be extended by a year. The inquiry is examining claims of abuse in

institutions run by the Church, state for charities between 1992 and

1995. The extension is granted the report will be given to Stormont in

2017. The trial of a civilian CCTV operator accused of voyeurism or

other offences has been told there was a systems fault in CCTV suites

at Antrim Road police station. It alleged he trained a police camera

into the living room window of a private property for his own sexual

gratification. The jury was told today it was incorrect that only one

operator could have controlled the camera. The charges. The Queen is to

visit Northern Ireland for two days next week. She will be accompanied

by the Duke of Edinburgh on their 21st visit here. They were last year

two years ago for diamond jubilee celebrations. For the first time

full details of her schedule had been released. She will visit

Crumlin Road jail as well as the paint all wearing team of thrones is

filmed. --. We are one year on from the G8 and looking back to see what

benefit Fermanagh has helped. Over ?1 million was spent on

infrastructure and police operations. Unusually for the G8, it

was trouble-free and while world leaders discussed the economy,

pictures of a sunny Fermanagh were being around the world. Donna is

back in Fermanagh this evening. It is still peaceful and still sunny.

There are plenty of guests here but not a Prime Minister or president to

be seen. Exactly one year ago today, when the world's media was focused

on Enniskillen in County Fermanagh, it was hoped if not expected that

the legacy would be a financial evident long after the leaders had

gone, but that has been the case? I wonder. The day when Fermanagh was

in the global Spotlight. Showing hospitality to the most powerful

leaders in the world and those few who had come here to protest. It was

described as the friendliest and most relaxed G8 in history. The

police are strangely friendly, it's a funny combination. While it was

peaceful, there was description. A caravan park just outside the ring

of steel, so did those staying here come because of the G8? We didn't

know it had been here until we arrived and were in conversation on

the campsite. We sought on TV and thought that looked lovely so we

would come this way this time. What about the benefits to the economy?

In the build-up to the G8, these fake shop fronts caused headlines

around the world. 12 months on, the butcher 's shop in Belle Koo is

still closed. One small business close to the Lough Erne resort was

told its produce would be put into the G8 media centre but that was

cancelled at the last minute. It would have been lovely to be able to

say Barack Obama at her jam or a piece of art pottery was given to

David Cameron or Angela Merkel, but those opportunities were missed.

Fermanagh council says there have been benefits from the G8, several

million pounds spent to rebate lies town centres, improvements to roads

as well as a tourism marketing campaign. One legacy lives on. At

the primary school visited by the President and Prime Minister, the

young people they met receive a letter from the White House. You are

coming of age in a world filled with opportunity. Young people across the

globe have shown the courage to imagine the world as it should be in

students like you and me hope for the future. Expect great things for

you and your classmates in years to come. I wish you all the best,

sincerely, Barack Obama. There is no doubt that pride many people feel

that Fermanagh hosted the G8 summit, but others will question whether the

huge price tag was worth it. With me is the general manager of the Lough

Erne resort and Tanya Cathcart from Fermanagh lately is -- Lakes and

tourism. Andrew, it was a great advert for you, but the number of

visitors you now have, how many are coming here because of the G8? I

think it's certainly set the resort in a position to show the world what

it can do, what the standards that we have and what is on offer here

and we have seen the growth in our international business and our

business has changed from being purely leisure and golf, we're also

seeing a growth in business customers coming for conferences.

Golf is certainly being promoted across Northern Ireland. You will be

a host of the Irish Open tournament in a few years. How much of securing

that he'll is to do with your ability to host the international

G8? I think that showed the resort was capable of hosting a world-class

and world side event. The course itself is a magnificent product and

it is just great that we're being spoken about now as the venue for

the Irish Open, it gives us a great that form to market the next two

years and build on experience and reputation gained hosting the G8.

Tanya, County Fermanagh was promised an economic boost, in particular

money for marketing. How much of that was realised? We were lucky in

that we got about ?400,000 last year from the Department of Enterprise

and trade for marketing, and the tourist board undertook a campaign

to promote the Fermanagh Lake plans, and we have also been using that

money to work with tourism Ireland, who marked Fermanagh

internationally. When it comes to figures, can you give me a number of

people who came because the G8 was hosted here? It is difficult to put

exact figures on it. We did surveys with her accommodation providers and

we got feedback when they interviewed people who came to their

premises and said they were here because they saw Fermanagh on the

television and read about it and wanted to come and see for

themselves, so we think it had a positive effect. Thank you for

joining us this evening. Lough Erne over the years has attracted many

visitors and with views like this on a day like today, it's easy to

predict it will still be a magnet for visitors and locals alike in the

years to come. Now, the American chemist and health care corporation

CVS is creating 100 new IT jobs in Belfast. The office it opened in the

city centre two years ago looks after its computer software. The

company, which a turnover of $26 billion last year, is getting an

Invest NI grant to help create the post. These jobs could go anywhere

in the world. We put up a strong proposition and that is why they

came to Belfast and we are extremely proud of that and the fact we are

exporting -- supporting them in America. It is on every street

corner in America and we are providing the back-up here in

Belfast. On the eve of all's Irish Open in court, Rory McIlroy has

confirmed he will play for Ireland at the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.

The former world number one had the option of representing Great

Britain. Earlier, Stephen Watson spoke to worry. Rory McIlroy had

previously suggested he would represent Team GB when golf was

reintroduced to the Olympics in 2016. He told me today he had

deferred a decision until now because of the risk of offending

anyone but he has opted for Ireland. Because golf is an All-Ireland

sport, he believes that is the correct position. I am Northern

Irish first and foremost, that is my country, that is where I feel

homers. It is something I have been thinking about for a while and a

continuation of what I have always done, which is played for Ireland,

whether it has been from boys golf to amateur golf, representing

Ireland in the World Cup of golf, I have been proud to wear an Irish

T-shirt or an Irish uniform and I will be proud to wear it at the

Olympics in Rio. I know previously you said you would be eager to play

for Team GB, but why the change of heart? It is always been keen about

what other people would think rather than making a decision myself and

being comfortable with it, I am a product of Northern Ireland and we

have a British school system, we pay for everything in sterling, so

they're obviously part of me that feel a little bit that way, but I

have always grown up wanting to play for Ireland, and golf, rugby,

cricket, hockey, they all due Ireland as one, I am close to a lot

of the Ulster boys and all they want to do is get in the Ireland team and

they are proud to pull on that green Jersey, just as I will be in a

couple of years. At one point you to meet you had three decisions, play

for Team GB, for Ireland or not at all. Was not at all ever an option?

It would have been a very selfish decision and it would have been an

easy way out for me come but I felt like for the good of golf, this is

the first time golf has been back in the Olympics for so long, and if it

doesn't have its best players supporting the event, then what is

the point? I am here to try and win golf tournament and be the best

player I can be, but I feel like I have a responsibility to grow the

game. How do you hope your decision will be viewed by everyone? I just

hope people respect that I was put in a sensitive situation and I just

try to make the best decision I could. I've played for Ireland by

whole life and there is no reason to change that now. I had great times

playing for Ireland, I've had great memories and it is just a

continuation of what I have always done, so I hope people respect that

and I hope I will be well supported when I go down there in a couple of

years. Another Northern Ireland champion, Graeme McDowell, told me

today the Olympics nationality decision is a complex issue. He

welcomed Rory McIlroy's announcement and said he hopes to die alongside

him for Ireland in a few years. Let's have a look at more pictures

live from County Fermanagh this evening. Beautiful sunshine, and we

have all benefited from the hot weather again today, so let's get a

full forecast now. weather again today, so let's get a

full forecast now. And we are happy to take credit for that weather,

Donna told me it was roasting in Fermanagh. We got temperatures up to

25 degrees, just below yesterday, and that was matched in County Down

when we also had 25 degrees. Clear blue skies in many places today,

unfortunately for the north coast we had missed in fog which kept

temperatures down. Through the evening, plenty of warm weather to

enjoy through the night. Slightly cooler than last night so not as

cool or muggy -- not as warm or muggy. We get some cooler air

tomorrow but it will not be that cold. It will feel fresher but there

will still be sunny spells and dryness. A cloudy start but it will

brighten up in the afternoon, the cloud breaking up and allowing

sunshine through, and with north-westerly breeze as it will

stay cool towards the North Coast, further inland we could get 19,

possibly 20 where we get the best sunshine, so another cracking day

for hanging the washing out, getting grass cut or going out for a walk.

The dry weather lasts into the evening, staying warm with spells of

sunshine and that dry weather continues overnight into Friday,

temperatures of ten or 11 degrees, and then Friday will be like a

mirror image of Thursday. Plenty of dry and bright weather. There will

be cloud at times, not sunny all the time, still feeling cool because of

those north-westerly coasts, -- breeze, but inland, it will still be

warm. We don't have any rain in the forecast at least until next Tuesday

and maybe longer than that, so towards tomorrow and into the

weekend, plenty of dry weather to enjoy. Keep the shades and a

sunscreen handy. Our late summary is at 10:25pm. We are back at the

sunscreen handy. Our late summary is at 10:25pm. We are back later time

of 7:30pm tomorrow because of the football. Have a good