16/07/2014 BBC Newsline

A former senior policeman says claims of military intelligence

complicity in Kincora abuse must be investigated.

Eleven years in jail for the former scout leader and GAA

The latest figures on the economy give some cause for hope.

The amazing new technology that helps people walk again.

Join me at The Open golf championship at Royal Liverpool

where one of our major champions is already celebrating a win.

And tomorrow is shaping up to be a fine summer's day

but how long will it last - find out later in the programme.

A former Assistant Chief Constable says it's possible there was a

cover-up of child sex abuse in the 1970s by the intelligence services

Alan McQuillan was speaking as pressure grew

for the former Kincora Boys? home in East Belfast to be included in a UK

Our political correspondent Martina Purdy reports.

In 1980, the systematic sexual abuse of young boys in this care home was

revealed. Three-man including this man, William McGrath, were jailed.

McGrath was jailed for three years. He was the housemaster he had also

founded a far right loyalist organisation. What made the

revelation is more shocking were claims that the RUC had been told of

the abuse several years earlier and had failed to act. Looking back,

those former senior policeman -- this policeman thinks it is possible

that the abuse was covered up. You have to remember the time that this

was going on in Belfast. Effectively, law and order had

broken down. We were under martial law and the police had collapsed as

an organisation. The army were in the lead of security operations.

There were lots of strange security operations in Belfast at that time.

In that atmosphere, the security forces and the government is trying

to get control of a massive amount of order and mayhem. Frankly,

anything was possible. There are growing demands for the Home Office

to include Kincora in a national enquiry into child sexual abuse will

stop the allegations are quite serious. Prominent political

figures, not just in Northern Ireland, but also in Great Britain

who were in Northern Ireland at the time of the allegations. I have

written to the Secretary of State and sat with her. I have also tabled

questions for the secretary and am waiting on a response. We need every

MP at Westminster to put pressure on the government to ensure that

Northern Ireland and Kincora is included within the enquiry. This

former boys home, already part of an Independent enquiry into abuse, but

that enquiry is not considered sufficient to answer the questions

that politicians and journalists have posed for decades about Kincora

and its dark history. A former scout leader, GAA referee

and part-time firefighter has been jailed for eleven years for abusing

children across two decades. 62 year old Patrick McQuillan

from Moyle Avenue in Ballycastle Patrick McQuillan was well-known in

Ballycastle because of his work in a variety of groups, including

discounts and the GAA. Tonight he begins a jail sentence after being

convicted of dozens of sex abuse offences against six boys. Mr

Justice carer said the impact -- spoke of the damaging effects the

abuse has had. He said this was a serious case involving the abuse and

corruption of six young children. It had lasted for nearly 20 years.

McClellan had used his service in the community in his offending. One

victim that he knew through scouting was abused on the pretext of

teaching him to swim. On other occasions, victims were abused when

he was showing down his St John's ambulance equipment. Sentencing him

to 11 years and banning him from working with children and vulnerable

adults, Judge Gordon carer QC said McClellan refused to acknowledge his

guilt. He was also placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for life.

Fourteen suspected paedophiles have been arrested here as part of a

UK-wide operation targeting people accessing child abuse images online.

The PSNI say two children were identified as being at risk.

More than 650 suspects were arrested across the UK.

Last night we heard how our household incomes are well

Tonight new figures suggest the economic recovery is still fragile.

The job market is continuing to improve - but overall economic

output actually fell in the first three months of this year.

Our Economics and Business Editor John Campbell reports.

Manufacturing has been the star performer in our economy over the

last year. This company exports huge machines to mines and quarries over

the world. Like other firms in this sector, it has powered out of

recession and is adding jobs. We have recently announced that we have

50 new jobs. Some of those have already been filled. The rest will

be filled over the coming months. The wider economy is also seen

better news in the job market. The number of people claiming an

implement benefit has fallen by nearly 9,000 in the last year. There

was a fall in -- of 900 in June alone. Although things are picking

up in the jobs market, the overall economy fell, shrinking by not .4%.

If we take a longer view, it is up by 1.6% compared to this time last

year. What is actually going on? I wouldn't get too carried away on one

set of quarterly data. It was not consistent with what we are seeing

in the labour market. It is rare that he would be businesses hiring

more staff, as we have seen, and actually then the in contraction

mode. It does not make sense so I suspect they will be revised. This

man says his customers point to some familiar factors holding back

growth. The one thing I still notice that can be difficult is the ability

of customers to obtain finance. Our equipment tends to be expensive. We

have found a locally and nationally, some banks are little bit unwilling

or more prudence to land than they used to be. Businesses like this are

thriving but there is still -- there are still questions for the wider

economy. How will we cope when interest rates rise? What about the

continuing squeeze on public finances? The answers to these

questions will define the shape of our economy over the next couple of

years. The family of a young UDR soldier

murdered near Castlederg 30 years ago say they've been left

heartbroken after tributes marking 20 year old Heather Kerrigan was

killed alongside colleague and friend Norman McKinley

when a landmine exploded under A broken poppy, the only visible

sign of tributes left by the families of the two soldiers killed

in 1984. The tributes were vandalised after a service on Monday

night. The family of Heather Kerrigan said their grief has been

compounded by IRA graffiti daubed close to the scene of her murder.

The PSNI have already taken the sign away. The crosses have been broken.

This is all that is left. This is the spot where Heather Kerrigan and

Norman McKinley were killed 30 years ago. There were eight UDR soldiers

on patrol that morning, including Heather's brother who was also

injured. It still feels like it happened yesterday. I am very, very

sad. Things were starting to move on but when I see this, it's going to

plunge us back into it. While the tributes are now gone, the family

have a much loved daughter and sister. I say her memory will always

remain. -- they say. Plans for

a republican hunger strike parade in County Fermanagh have been branded

by unionists as highly insensitive. The parade in Derrylin,

scheduled for the 3rd of August, commemorates the 1981 hunger strikes

in which ten republicans died. Unionists say families whose

relatives were murdered by the IRA Sinn Fein say unionist sensitivities

were considered in deciding where People needs to understand the high

esteem in which the hunger strikers are held in by our community. They

need to respect that. We have had letters from Unionists today about

tolerance and respect, but needs to be tolerance and respect given to

Republicans as well. These people were marchers. They weren't

law-abiding citizens who went about their everyday life. I think that is

the reality. These people that they are glorifying our people who were

murderers. Stopping the flab taking hold of

the young, we see what's being done For the first time ever,

Virgin Atlantic is to operate They'll begin next summer

from the International to Florida - and although limited

in number the airport says it's Here's our business

correspondent Julian O'Neill. One of the big names in aviation is

spreading its wings. Virgin Atlantic is on its way to Aldergrove and will

begin a summer service to Orlando next year. The airline is new to

Northern Ireland but, over the years, the Belfast to Florida route

has been operators come and go. years, the Belfast to Florida route

is here to stay. We know this is years, the Belfast to Florida route

are very confident that it will grow and that the trade in Northern

Ireland will be behind us. and that the trade in Northern

with Richard Branson's Caroline for three years. The airport sees this

as a breakthrough three years. The airport sees this

reflects its recent struggles in the local markets. A year-round service

to New York is stopping temporarily in winter.

Belfast getting any new long hole flight is something of a minor

triumph. Just for flights in each direction but this is something the

airport will be desperate to build upon. Other routes with other

airlines are being sought but long haul, out of Belfast, will only ever

account for less than 10% of Aldergrove's business. Canada,

markets into Asia are important. There is a strict limitations on

what Belfast can do but we can certainly do more than what we are

doing now. There was a time when 30,000 people flew directly between

Belfast and Florida. Next July, even with Lane School, virgin will carry

over 3,000. It's a small start spot for Aldergrove and important one.

The findings of a judge led review into

the operation of the On the Runs scheme will be published tomorrow.

It was established after First Minister Peter Robinson threatened

to resign when it was revealed that a secret agreement between

the government and Sinn Fein led to around 200 republicans being sent

letters telling them they were not wanted by the police.

Our Home Affairs Correspondent Vincent Kearney reports.

A judge ruled in Federica John Downey could not stand trial for the

murders of four soldiers. He had been sent a letter as part of the

on-the-runs scheme telling him he was not wanted by police. Although

the letter was sent by mistake, the judge said it was legally binding

because of the PSNI had failed to correct the information. Unionists

reacted with outrage to news of the existence of the scheme. First

Minister Peter Robinson threatened to resign. I want a full judicial

enquiry into all of these matters so that we can see if you knew, when

they knew and what they knew. It is absolutely vital that nobody is

allowed to get away with this. I want all of the letters in. The

government set up a judge-led review which did not have the power to...

Her hearing for held in private but many of those who gave evidence have

also appeared in public hearings at Westminster. Committee members said

they were shocked by some of what I heard. We heard that it was a

culture in the Northern Ireland office to make sure that Republicans

were not prosecuted. 95 of these individuals were connected in some

way or other to 200 in murder investigations. The Secretary of

State has said that the PSNI is to blame but it has apologised.

Unionists said the real blame should lie with Tony Blair's government and

the Northern Ireland office. There is a feeling around that there is a

whole establishment than -- stitch up going on to ensure that any blame

well and with the PSNI. Unionists will also pay close attention to

what it says about the others involved and what, if anything, is

said about the legal staff is the letters that were sent and whether

they should be rescinded. The controversy over Garth Brooks'

five cancelled concerts could end up Promoter Peter Aiken told a Dail

committee he was But as Mark Simpson reports,

even the promoter admits the whole The Garth Brooks saga is not quite

over yet. The man himself is still in America but the ship carrying his

concert stage is now docked in Belgium. In Dublin, the cancelled

concerts were top of the political agenda. In many ways, you could not

make it up. Just ask the concert promoter, Peter Aiken. There have

been serious consequences to me. This has cost me up to seven

figures. The person I feel most sorry for is Garth Brooks. The

effort he put into this, people will never see a show like this again. No

matter what happens, going forward, they will never see the show he was

going to put on. Will you seek damages? I am seeking legal advice.

Is there any hope of a last-minute deal to save the concerts? If

someone pulled a switch, we could do it. Ticket refunds will start

tomorrow at 9am. Ticketmaster say they will give full refunds

including the service charge. Anyone who bought online or by telephone,

their debit or credit cards will be refunded automatically but it could

take up to ten working days. The only consolation for fans is that

tickets for the ill-fated concept will one day become collectors

items. Still to come, we meet the makers

of the bionic suit that's helping One in five children here are obese

before they get to primary school. Doctors say childhood obesity is

their biggest concern - Andy West went to a summer sports

camp in East Belfast to meet some of those taking part and ask them what

they know about healthy eating. Lunchtime in the sports hall.

Crisps, biscuits, chocolate yoghurts even chocolate damages. But as well

as the treats lots of healthy stuff too. Why is it so important for you

to run and jump and play sports? What's your name? Isabella. Why is

it important to eat healthily and exercise? It helps you get healthy

and strong. The odd street is fine as long as you run it off but the

Royal College of paediatrics says obesity in Northern Ireland is on

the rise and needs to be tackled. Life has changed, how we live our

lives and how we play. There is a myriad of issues. What's good for us

is that our paediatricians are detecting this. One in five children

here are classed as overweight before they start school.

here are classed as overweight children are overweight and that is

a fact. It is difficult for parents to Alan is time to be able to

provide a healthy lunch for the children. 90% of doctors here say

childhood obesity is their biggest worry. There is a real fear that

tomorrow's generation will pay the penalty for today's as habit. --

today's bad habits. A new bionic suit

which enables wheelchair users to Among those trying it out was 20

year old jockey Jonjo Bright from Templepatrick who was paralysed

in a riding accident just over Until this week, these few steps

would have been impossible. Initially told he'd be on a

ventilator for the rest of his life, this is a dream for Jonjo Bright.

ventilator for the rest of his life, There is only one bionic suits in

Ireland's. It's incredible, the feeling it gives you. I imagined it

to be very robotic but it is not. It feels very natural. Each staff feels

normal. I have not forgotten feels very natural. Each staff feels

kind of motion of walking. These suits cost of the best part of

?150,000 but have shown major health benefits to those using them. It's

clear that devices like this are making a massive difference in the

lives of people like Jonjo Bright. The issue for Northern Ireland is

how many such devices we can afford. That depends on the Health Minister.

At a separate meeting That depends on the Health Minister.

make their pitch. It's a Californian company but the operations director

is Northern Irish. We see people getting well, not taking pain

medication, not taking tablets for the ovens. There is a whole wellness

of being behind it. Now is about money. We need to have a long-term

conversation here. The utilisation may be more expensive than the

actual acquisition. We need to have the requisite number

physiotherapists to provide support. There are only 80 suits in the

world, none in Northern Ireland. Many potential users want that to

change. Staff at Belfast Zoo have announced

more details about a new arrival The baby was born four months ago

but the mother was so protective of it keepers have only just found

out it's a girl. Ki-bi-bi which means little lady

in Swahili is the second new arrival Northern Ireland?s three major

champions Rory Mcilroy, Graeme Mcdowell, and Darren Clarke

tee off tomorrow morning in Golf's Stephen Watson is at Royal Liverpool

for BBC Newsline. Playing in the world's biggest golf

tournament is a serious business. Most of the time. Darren Clarke

Andrey Michael Roy were very relaxed during their early morning practice.

Though there was a competitive match taking place between two of Northern

Ireland's major champions, Rory McIlroy took the bragging rights at

the last hole. It's not the money. The amount is irrelevant. A

youngster with all that money in the bank. He's too young to gloat. It

was good, we did this in 2011. Obviously that worked out well for

one of us. It's his turn this time. Whenever I was first out onto, I was

testing myself. That's what brings you up to the top of the world

rankings. Also enjoying his preparation is Graeme McDowell. He

has fond memories of this venue from when The Open was last played here.

I have always felt like the Open Championship is one that I would

compete in at some point. There is nothing like the walks down the

fairway. They are just super special. There is no walk my kids.

Good vibrations here, I suppose. Hopefully some good omens. You is

the smart money on for The Open? Perhaps, don't bet against another

winner from Northern Ireland. All three of our champions are upbeat

about their chances of another major win.

Expecting some high temperatures by day and night over the next couple

of days. 30 degrees during the day in London. You can imagine what it

would be like at night. Some of those temperatures may affect the

Republic of Ireland too. It will certainly get warmer here. It will

get more human as well. We will be spared those very high temperatures

but it also means we will not have the worst of the thundery rain. If

you are lucky enough to be off tomorrow, enjoy it because it will

be a nice day that there will be thundery showers on Friday. One or

two sharp showers moving across as in the last few hours. No

thunderstorms today with the worst of the showers moving away. A lot of

places will have a fine, bright evening. Those showers disappear.

Reasonably fresh comparative next couple of night as well. There are

tomorrow's -- tomorrow is fine and warm. If you are lucky enough to be

off, make sure you don't forget sun protection. It should warm up

quickly through the morning as the cloud breaks and the sun come

through. We are expecting temperatures in the afternoon to

reach at least the low 20s. Plenty of fine weather tomorrow. The wind

coming in from the east so it will be a little bit cooler on somebody's

East Coast. Our highest temperatures will be over County Tyrone and

Fermanagh were we should see up to around 24 degrees. Plenty of fine

warm weather tomorrow but you can see that sea mist and fog just

threatening parts of the Southeast later on. That is a sign of more

human weather to come tomorrow night. It should just about stay dry

tomorrow but it will feel warm and humid and it will be quite misty and

marquee in places. On Friday, although starting dry, it's likely

to turn fairly thundery in places quite quickly from the south. It

will not be wall-to-wall rain, there will be some sunny spells.

Territories will easily reach the low 20s. Despite the rain, it --

despite the breeze, it will feel sticky. That area of low pressure

moving away on Friday, bringing intense downpours across some areas

in England. Our weekend is not looking too bad.

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