01/03/2016 BBC Newsline

Good evening, the headlines on BBC Newsline: The man accused

of murdering 29 people in the Omagh bombing is released from jail

We've been hearing the reaction of some families whose loved ones

I think that is the last man that will be within eight courts. The

sense of justice has never really been there.

appearing to agree with the comment "Get the ethnics out".

There are fresh calls for an inquiry into the sale

of Nama's Northern Ireland loan portfolio.

The Calais refugee crisis and the nine-year-old from Portadown

It was scary seeing everybody in the with her family at the camp.

Is Premier League football star Chris Brunt set to miss

the European Championship Finals this summer with Northern Ireland?

And the first day of spring but the weather will turn a decidedly wintry

tonight. There are warnings for snow and ice across Northern Ireland.

Find out how this will affect you, late in the programme. -- later in

the programme. The case against a man accused

of murdering 29 people in the Real IRA bomb attack in Omagh

in 1998 has collapsed. Seamus Daly, who is 45

and from Jonesborough in County Armagh, was also accused

of causing the explosion. Mr Daly had always

denied the charges. There's some flash photography

in this report from our home affairs Seamus Daly was released from prison

this afternoon. He was not happy to be greeted by the media.

this afternoon. He was not happy to almost two years in custody, charged

with the Omagh bombing and other offences. He was called last week

for a hearing enough evidence for the case against

him to proceed. It was not in court in Ballymena today when a

prosecution lawyer announced the ant is about question was Noel. -- the

Amazon. is about question was Noel. -- the

judge who heard evidence about the case last week was due to announce

today if it would continue. But the decision was taken out of his hands

today if it would continue. But the when a lawyer said that the case no

longer met the test for prosecution. The prosecution had relied upon a

star witness to link Seamus Daly to a mobile phone that used by the

Omagh bombers. He told them that Seamus Daly had called them from

that phone on the day. Butchering court hearings last week he conceded

he made a mistake and because the call could take place a week

earlier. I that point, the prosecution case fell apart.

Relatives of some of those killed in the bombing were in court when it

was announced the charges against Seamus Daly were being withdrawn.

Afterwards, they said they were frustrated and angry. We just feel

that this was the last chance for justice for ahmad-macro. -- Omagh.

And that is now over. And that is quite difficult to deal with. Very

difficult to deal with. They also said they had always had serious

concerns about the key witness and questioned the decision by

prosecutors to take the case to court on the basis of his evidence.

We did not express our concerns and if these people have read all the

statements and compared them, I don't know. I think they are in the

wrong job. Seamus Daly's solicitor also questioned the decision to take

the case to court and said the prosecution service and police have

questions to answer. The prosecution against the defendant, Seamus Daly,

was based on a house of straw. 29 people were killed when a bomb went

almost a quarter of eight and a devastated Omagh town centre in

August 19 98. More than 200 others were also injured in the blast, just

four months after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. No one has

been convicted of the attack and relatives of those killed and do not

believe anyone ever will. The bullet prosecution service says there are

ongoing lines of inquiry -- the public prosecution service -- that

the police plan to submit anything new at this stage. Nearly 18 years

after the single worst atrocity of the troubles, the likelihood of

convicting the killers appears more remote than ever.

Our reporter in the south west Julian Fowler is in

Julian, what been the reaction there?

The Director of Public Prosecutions Bara McGrory said he has great

sympathy with the families and shares their disappointment.

I've been speaking to the sister of Alan Radford who was 16 years

old when he was killed on the street behind me.

Claire Monteith told me she's angry but not shocked,

as she believed it was inevitable the case would collapse.

Personally, I think that is the last man that will be in a court. The

sense of justice has never really been there for myself or the

majority of my family. They felt the same. So it is just moving on from

this. And to know there will never be a definite closure or a definite

conviction is just... We will just have to leave it. I wouldn't say I

accept it, but to be able to just live with it and know that is the

way it is going to be. Anybody that has been active, as my family was

for many years, but then they were within the civil action within the

Justice route, anybody will know the truth. They know the truth behind it

all. We know what. I do not see the point for a public inquiry. I do not

support the calls for it. The truth we already know is what will be

their, apart from people saying we have wasted millions of pounds. It

doesn't get any easier, no matter how many years this goes on, it

never gets any easier. If like I say come you learn to live with it to a

certain degree. I don't accept his death. I will never forgive, nor

will I ever forget. The PPS said they and the police

share a determination to prosecute those responsible if any

new evidence to support But after 18 years that seems

a remote possibility. And there could be more bad

news for the families. Seamus Daly was one of four men

found liable in a civil hearing. That judgment will now be appealed

as his lawyer said much of the evidence was provided

by the same key witness who had been due to give evidence

in the criminal trial. The DUP MP Sammy Wilson has been

filmed appearing to agree with the comment "get

the ethnics out". Mr Wlson was taking part in a BBC

Spotlight programme last month when he had a conversation with

a man out of the reporter's earshot. Last month, Sammy Wilson and I were

filming for tonight's BBC Spotlight about the referendum. Sammy Wilson,

who was wearing a personal microphone had a conversation with a

member of the public out of my earshot. It was about whether we

should stay in the European Union or stay out. Are you with me? Between

EU me, get the ethnics out. You're absolutely right! After we had

viewed the footage, Spotlight asked why he had appeared to agree with

the man's comments, in response, Mr Wilson asked if the BBC was and I

quote, having a laugh. He went on to say I'm not prepared to spend any

more time being interviewed, giving explanations or responding to what

anyone would regard as a disgraced full request to facilitate your

biased political slant. Mr Wilson has been criticised by the Alliance

Party, the SDLP and the Ulster Unionists. Mike Nesbitt said he

found the exchange between a man and Samuelson stomach churning. In a

statement this morning, the DUP said that...

Samuelson said he agreed with the man's comments on the European Union

and not what he said about ethnic minorities. I agreed with his

comments about leaving the EU, not the comments he made about the

ethnic communities. I don't have anything to withdraw, because I

didn't agree with him. Tonight's Spotlight is on BBC One at 10:45pm.

You're watching BBC Newsline, still to come on the programme:

A new mother who was sectioned under the Mental Health Act says more

needs to be done to help women who suffer from depression

There have been fresh calls for an independent inquiry

into the sale of Nama's Northern Ireland loan portfolio

following revelations in a BBC Spotlight programme.

The property loans were sold for more than one billion

Last night's programme focused on claims made by the businessman

Frank Cushnahan who acted as an advisor to Nama.

Here's our Economics and Business Editor John Campbell.

The sale of Nama's Northern Ireland portfolio was the biggest property

deal evident on this soil. This man, Frank Cushnahan, was deeply

involved. He had been appointed to Nama's Northern Ireland advisory

committee. But unknown to Nama, you had been talking to a US investment

fund which wanted to buy the portfolio. He was in line to receive

a ?5 million fee if the bid was successful. But Nama found out about

his role and it was so concerned the fee could undermine the integrity of

the sale, that they were effectively excluded. Another company then abort

the portfolio. Then assurances were given that no one connected with

Nama, which would have included a Frank Cushnahan was to benefit from

that deal. But Spotlight has recorded Frank Cushnahan saying he

did work on the deal and expected to be paid and his role was

deliberately hidden from Nama. Nama said no. Then what happened? The

next was to get the next one on the pitch.

Stormont's finance committee has been examining the Nama deal and is

to publish the findings in the next few weeks. The committee will

discuss the implications of the Spotlight programme. But the problem

for us is that we are running out of time and the Assembly finishes in

three weeks and the focus is now the incoming finance committee and we

need to pick up where we leaving. The company have repeated their

never sought advice from all paid Frank Cushnahan. Nama say they have

dealt with these issues extensively and have nothing fresh to add. But

questions about this deal are not going away. Sinn Fein, the SDLP and

Alliance have all called for some form of cross-border inquiry.

Members of Arlene Arkinson's family have told the inquest into her death

of the pain caused by her disappearance.

The 15-year-old was reported missing after a night out in August 1994.

The man suspected of killing her, Robert Howard, died

He'd been convicted of murdering a teenager in London.

A family living with years of pain caused by the loss of the little

sister. Her eldest brother Martin said they had suffered a badly.

Arlene had been living with him, his wife and baby when she went missing.

He described how smart, a bit of a handful, but with no harm in her. He

was sure he said that rumours she was pregnant were wrong. He told the

court... Later, his brother Adrian took the

court. -- stand. They later heard how he had confronted Robert Howard

on two separate occasions about it is to's disappearance. Howard had

replied, I never touched her and denied murdering her. Arlene's

sister Paula explained about nine and 99 calls she made to the police

about the case in 2008, at a time she was suffering from depression

and extreme stress. But she went on to say...

It has been a difficult day of evidence for the Arc in the summer

family, remembering the loss of Arlene and also having way to more

than 21 years to be able to tell their story in courts. There will be

more evidence from family members in coming days.

Some of the other stories in the news this evening.

Nine people have been arrested in an operation

against the accessing of indecent images of children online.

Searches and arrests were carried out across Northern Ireland

by the PSNI and the National Crime Agency.

They say steps have also been taken to protect a number of children

There was uproar in Belfast Magistrates' Court when two men

charged with last week's murder of Stephen Carson in south Belfast

appeared in the dock while relatives of the victim

37-year-old Michael Smith from Ardmonagh Gardens in Belfast

and David Smith, aged 32, from Monagh Drive, also in the city,

were remanded in custody to appear via video link later this month.

The police have begun an investigation after footage

emerged of a Catholic priest caught on video snorting what appeared

The Sun on Sunday reported Father Stephen Crossan took the drug

during a night of drinking last year in Banbridge.

He's taken leave from the priesthood.

We're used to hearing about the dreadful conditions

at the refugee camps in Europe, but tonight we hear from the family

from Portadown who spent a week there trying to help.

The bulldozers moved in yesterday to the same camp and Tara Mills has

been speaking to the family about their experience

A child's bookie, abandoned. Unable to continue its journey because of

the mud. The rubbish piled high with nowhere to watch, store food or live

anything close to a normal life. And it was a normal life this family

left a fortnight ago to go and help, including the youngest child,

Nicole, who is nine years old. It was scary seeing everybody in the

tents and all the snow. It was a very nice to see all the things on

the ground and it was very muddy. I felt very sad for them. It felt good

to help them. I gave them that he and coffee and there was a pulpit

there and we got to play with them with a little boy. What was his

name? Sam. Her mum, Paula, defended the decision to take. People said

children shouldn't be there, but they can do a lot as we noticed when

we took hours out with those. Her dad had been up before Christmas and

he knew it was safe for us all to go out, so I was quite happy. Plus I

always had her by my side and did not let her go for a minute. The

family travelled in their camper van and said it became a makeshift soup

kitchen and somewhere for people to sit and talk. Living conditions that

you wouldn't keep animals in. You would do time if you kept animals in

that condition. Sadly, it was the camp they visited that was partially

dismantled yesterday, something the family finds deeply upsetting

considering what little the refugees had has now been taken away. They

also worry about what will happen to the children who have no parents to

look after them. Some of the kids Nicole was playing with, it was

scary, because they had had no fear, they had learned how to say axel in

English, because they wanted to climb on one and get into the UK.

One thing is certain, everybody in the family says they will go back

and Nicole says she cannot stop thinking about the friends she made.

I'm thinking about the way they have to sleep and how I've got a bed. It

is clear the plight of the refugees has affected his family and they say

they are not has affected his family and they say

and do nothing. Next we're focusing once again

on the severe depression suffered by women before and

after they give birth. One of them has told us it's now

critical that Northern Ireland has a specialist mother and baby unit

to treat such cases. Maria Derbyshire contacted us

after our report last week After having her baby

she was sectioned, that is, placed in hospital under

the Mental Health Act. Today she joined health

professionals to lobby politicians. Our Health Correspondent

Marie-Louise Connolly has At the moment, life is good for

Maria Darbyshire. But it has not always been the case, as she has

suffered from chronic postnatal mental illness. After my first DD,

life was very good. -- after my first baby. Then life fell apart, I

had all these delusions and hallucinations, things I went

through at the time, that was my reality. I ended up being sectioned.

Around 70 women a year in Northern Ireland require hospital

Around 70 women a year in Northern But a jarring treatment, as there is

no mother and baby unit, the mother is separated from her baby. In

England and Scotland, there are 17 specialist units. I felt there was

no bond with my child. You just feel no love for your baby. To

no bond with my child. You just feel -- help women like Maria, in

February, -- help women like Maria, in

perinatal health care -- help women like Maria, in

Such an announcement means the other regions including here should

benefit. This afternoon, Maria travelled to Stormont to join health

professionals lobbying for the money to be made available. We would

really like to see that investment to ring fenced for services for

women here in Northern Ireland and the development of a very good,

specialist services, both in the community and the mother and baby

unit. Listening worthy MLAs who sit on the all-party group on mental

health care. Some trusts are better than others, that is apparent. We

need a regional approach, because 20% of women will suffer some sort

of mental health issue during pregnancy or within a year of giving

birth. That needs to be tackled and needs to be tackled as part of an

overall strategy. Maria said she will continue to lobby for

specialist services. The next stop is the health minister. -- her next

stop. These old rifles have been uncovered

more than a hundred years after they were smuggled into Larne

to arm the Ulster Volunteer Force. The discovery was made

in an Orange Hall in Belfast as a disused room

was being cleared out. Our Investigations Reporter Kevin

Magee has been for a look. The gunners were discovered

side Clifton Street Orange Hall in a purpose built part of the building.

This is the actual cupboard and purpose built part of the building.

can see we prised it opened. And when we opened it, we said,

can see we prised it opened. And goodness. Though the words were a

bit stronger. We closed it goodness. Though the words were a

wondered what we had found. Many it was shock, horror. It contained ten

arrivals wrapped in linen. All were in excellent condition. -- rifles.

These represent a direct link with our past. Though part of an illegal

consignment of around 25,000 German rifles that were landed in Larne

Harbour at the height of the home rule crisis in 1914. The gunners

were all stamped properly of the Ulster Volunteer Force. They were

actually sent from Larne to the nine counties of Ulster. Over the years,

number of them turned up in the church floor boards for example and

in Orange halls. Most were shipped to England in the late 1930s to hop

on Britain's Home Guard. The police took them away, deactivate them

returning to the Orange Order. The guns will be housed within our

exhibition space in the hall. There is already a great interest and

people are keen to see them. Hopefully, it will be a resort for

everyone. The weapons are now classified as antiques and do not

require a firearms licence. Now sport, and potentially bad news

for Northern Ireland ahead of this Yes, unfortunately it looks like it

is. Northern Ireland International Chris

Brunt looks set to miss He was carried off during the first

half of West Bromich Albion's game against Crystal palace

at the weekend. It appears the injury may be

serious enough to see him As his international manager

Michael O'Neill faces an anxious wait, Brunt's club manager

Tony Pulis confirmed that the player Uefa's Second Chance portal

for Northern Ireland fans still looking for tickets

for Euro 2016 opens tomorrow Uefa will directly contact

fans who are eligible In local football, Ballymena United

have sacked Glenn Ferguson as their manager after five

straight league defeats. The former Linfield striker

twice guided the club to County Antrim Shield success

during his four-year reign United are ninth in the Premiership,

seven points clear of bottom spot. Meanwhile, Glentoran face

Cliftonville tonight, The Belfast Giants play a vital game

in tonight's away to the win and they move within three

points of Elite League leaders Cardiff, who they still have

to play three times. There are the top of the game, it is

not an easy game. And the good thing is we are hitting our stride in the

right time and we have to continue and take it day by day, enjoy the

moment. Winning is fine, and that's a good thing.

This year's Schools Cup Final in rugby will be between the holders

Royal Belfast Academic Institution and Campbell College.

Campbell beat Dalriada of Ballymoney 24 points to three

Barry-Glendenning with this barnstorming individual try.

in the decider, thanks to a 27-19 win over

The Final is live on BBC Two on St Patrick's Day.

Golf, Rory McIlroy will play the first round at the Championship this

weekend with the world number one, Jordan 's speed and world number

two. It should be good fun. Now for the weather,

with Cecilia Daly. And by the look of your globe,

Cecilia, we are in for an icy forecast? Yes, it is not unusual to

get snow in March. You can literally get all four seasons in one day in

March. People have been known to get sunburnt on Saint Patrick's Day. But

this is a typical early spring picture, newborn lambs nestling into

their mother. They will have a hard night tonight, because the swirl of

cloud you can see here is the latest storm. It is storm Jake. It will

come to the Republic of Ireland and parts of South West Britain tonight

and tomorrow, so we are not worried about particularly strong winds, but

the impact of the storm also down cold air is so snow and ice warnings

will come into effect later this evening. It is cold and dry at the

moment, sleet and snow will move into northern areas, but by the end

of the night, there could be a covering of snow just about

anywhere. Also a risk of ice as temperatures dropped close to

freezing. Give yourself extra time in the morning, because it could be

covered in snow anywhere. The most snow will be over the hills,

particularly across Londonderry and Antrim. So, your commute tomorrow

morning could be quite nasty with snow falling and online game places.

Even may need to brush it off your car or defrosted, it will feel

bitterly cold and quite a brisk wind and temperatures only a couple of

degrees above freezing. Icy conditions in places. As the morning

goes on, the worst of the snow showers will move away and sunshine

comes through and it will be a little less cold. The rain and sleet

as the day goes on, but still very cold and strong winds. More strong

winds to come tomorrow night, showers are moving away and

temperatures will drop close to freezing. Thursday will be more

springlike, at least bit of sunshine around, dry for a time before the

system brings rain and rain and maybe Summerhill snow once again. So

tomorrow morning, be careful in all that ice and snow. From us, goodbye.