30/03/2016 BBC Newsline

The headlines this Wednesday evening:

A woman jumps from a first-floor window to escape a fire

The police defend their actions against a loyalist band

and apologise if children were affected by CS spray.

Good news for business. Northern Ireland water's verdict on a price

freeze for the majority of its paying customers.

Renting rather than buying is becoming more common.

We are not seeing just a specific type, it is young people, older

people and families and young couples. It is a very mixed bag of

tenants we are getting now. Martin O'Neill's Republic of Ireland

draw against Slovakia, but lose one of their goalkeepers

for the Euros. It's been a contrasting day

of sunshine and showers today. And after a chilly night,

there's more of the same to come First to that house fire in Armagh

and a woman escaped by jumping out Neighbours helped her as the blaze

spread through her home David Maxwell reports

from the scene of the fire. The charred remains of furniture

show how serious this blaze was. Inside, one woman in her 50s

The blaze started some time after 8pm - it spread so quickly

the woman couldn't escape Forcing her to call

for help from upstairs. I have spoken to a man who lives in

the adjoining house and he described hearing the smoke alarm and seeing

smoke coming from the home. He came out here to find a woman calling for

help from an upstairs window. They coaxed out of the window and as the

ground floor was engulfed in flames, eventually she jumped and they

caught. She suffered only minor injuries and today she didn't want

to appear on camera but she says she feels lucky to be alive.

The fire service arrived after the woman had escaped

Around 20 firefighters dealt with the blaze.

They did this without an hour. There was a busy scene whenever the crews

arrived. They nature of that everyone was safe. It is quite an

expensive fire, the first floor of the property. Thankfully the smoke

alarm was activated and that alerted the lady and the neighbours. It is

thought the fire started accidentally.

The Fire Service say it shows the importance of having

Without one, it says, the outcome here could have

A 54-year-old man has been arrested by detectives investigating

the murders of two police officers at a bar in Belfast nearly

Detective Constables Michael Malone and Ernest Carson were shot

in an IRA gun attack at the Liverpool Bar

The man is being questioned at a police station in Belfast.

The police have defended the use of a CS spray at a junior Orange

parade in South Belfast yesterday evening, but they've apologised

to the families of any children who were affected.

Minor scuffles broke out on the Ormeau Road just after 5pm

as bandsmen returned after a parade in Carrickfergus.

The police say two officers were slightly injured.

This is the band at the centre of the CS spray controversy,

which happened during the return leg of yesterday's junior Orange parade

The South Belfast Young Conquerors was one of several bands

who'd earlier taken part in the junior Orange Easter Tuesday

The PSNI say some bandsmen started weaving in and out of parked

or passing vehicles along the Ormeau Road.

A police officer tried to stop them, brushing up against the vehicles

by nudging them over to one side of the road.

This CS spray incident happened as the bandsmen were pushed.

This CS spray incident happened as the parade was passing along this

section of the Ormeau road. Just a few hundred yards away from an

orange ball where it was coming to an end. -- Orange Hall.

It was then that scuffles broke out between some bandsmen and the two

So, did the police overreact in the circumstances?

I think if you are in a position where there are youngsters on their

own and a virtual individuals are threatening violence, I think you

would be concerned for your safety. Officers warned them, and drew a

batter and to try to create space and eventually used CS spray.

Officers did not set up to those at the start of a shift but it had to

be used in the circumstances. A statement on the band's website said

they never set out to damage property but in this occasion... You

see young children, advised by a police officer and the decision and

the events that flowed from that decision, it was quite shocking. I

think the police officer needed to make a decision in the context that

this was a children's parade, would there be a situation where a child

would be put in danger and that is what I think happened.

A mother who claimed her 12-year-old son, who was in the band

was directly affected by the CS spray, has been urged by unionist

politicians to contact the Police Ombudsman.

The police came in and he got hit directly in the face and he was

screaming and was in pain. He is 12 years old and he wasn't near a car,

why spray my child? In terms of what might officers are telling me, there

will be investigations into it, I think we need to give those the time

and space to report, there were no children attacking police and CS

spray is an offensive weapon, there were no children involved in

attacking police, there is always a possibility of particles getting

into eyes and we are deeply regretful, we did not intend that.

This district has already had a positive relationship with police.

They come to ask the institution to sort the problem out and I hope that

positive relationships continue in the future.

The incident is now the subject of an investigation by the Police

There's plenty to come before 7pm, including...

More of us are renting our homes, but could new rules put up the cost?

After all the weekend's ceremony about the centenary of the Easter

1916 Rising, today it's back to politics as normal in Dublin,

or as normal as can be considering no party is close

to getting majority backing following the inconclusive election

Both of the biggest parties, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail,

have today been holding talks with Independents and the Greens.

Our Dublin correspondent Shane Harrison has keeping an eye

Shane, are we any nearer a government?

No, not really. They have been meeting because this day next week

the Dail will again attempt to elect a tea shop. Fine Gael were meeting

17 TDs today and they were discussing issues such as justice

and equality and shut I'm a change and disability. The Green Party left

discussions saying that even if they agreed they would still would not

have the numbers to elect a key shock. It is about time that Fianna

Fail and Fine Gael had contact. If there is not going to be an election

they will have to come to some kind of arrangement. Or much less likely,

some form of grand coalition. What have Fianna Fail be saying? They

have been trying to make sure that Micheal Martin is elected next week.

They have been having meetings with independence and discussing oil

reform and maybe giving smaller parties and independent TDs a much

-- oil reform. There have been divisions and Fianna Fail and Fine

Gael about water charges. There could be some form of contact

between the two parties by this weekend but more likely the real

business will not happen until after the weekend vote and it will be much

clearer who is in the driving seat and it looks like it will be Enda

Kenny. Labour lost a lot of seats in the election. What role, if any, are

they playing? In the election they did support Enda Kenny as they

pledged. We are not sure what they will do next week. They have been

meeting today outgoing TDs and the current TDs and it looks as if the

leadership will be an issue in the coming months or so. They must have

an election in the next six months and the most likely candidates to

replace is the minister for public expenditure. Thank you.

A majority of the local businesses who pay for their water will face no

increase in price tariffs over the coming 12 months.

Northern Ireland Water says the move has been made possible

Here's our business correspondent Julian O'Neill.

About 80,000 non-domestic customers pay for water and a freeze

years and it says businesses are feeling the benefit.

We have continued to focus on efficiency of profound waters so we

have taken the cost base down and improve the services. We are able to

reflect savings back into the tariffs for the coming year. It is

worth remembering this is a freeze on tyrants which did increase last

year because of a big hike -- tariffs. It does consult on the

charging tariffs and this price freeze has been described as an

appropriate move. We look closely making sure that customers are

getting value for money and that they are getting services that they

pay for. A price reduction would be even better but on balance the price

freeze looks about right. But there are circumstances

in which some bills will rise. Trade effluent charges

will jump by nearly 3%. This will cover 500 customers -

for example, manufacturing Customers who don't have meters get

bills based on rates, and because there was a revaluation

recently changes will About 10,000 customers

are billed this way. Northern Ireland Water says it

will continue to drive Further reductions are built

into its business plan in the next four years and this may continue

to be reflected in prices. Boxer Carl Frampton as you've

never seen him before - All young people, aged 16 to 18,

are being encouraged to get a vaccination that can help protect

against meningococcal From this Friday, GPs will invite

patients to go into their surgeries Joanne Wilson from the charity

Meningitis Now is with me. This is an extension of the

vaccination programme that we heard about last August. Who is most at

risk? Obviously meningitis is a relatively rare disease but

unfortunately when it does strike it strikes in an instant and it can be

truly devastating. The main people who are at risk are infants and

babies under the age of five but also teenagers and first-year

students at University and colleges which is why we are encouraging

teenagers and university students to facilitate it with this free

vaccine. You talk about devastating effects. How dangerous can it be

getting one of these medical conditions? It is a relatively rare

disease but the impact lasts a lifetime and it is devastating. It

can kill within hours as well which I think again as they feared that

meningitis strikes into a lot of parents and people. -- has the fear.

Even the teenagers themselves, and they do feel unwell, are there any

particular symptoms that can direct them towards his conditions? I think

the problem is as well, a lot of signs and symptoms of meningitis can

affect food Lexus -- flu-like symptoms. Things like Fifa,

-- of one of the things is your site if you don't like bright lights. And

a sore head. People will wait until the associated rash of meningitis

but not all cases you will have the rash so we would encourage vigilance

and if you're feeling unwell, approach your GP. If young people

get this job and they are invited to do so by their GPs, is it a complete

protection? Unfortunately you can't completely protect and there are

some way different strains. It is a bit flu. The ACW White will protect

you against the four strains that the most common deadly. Thank you

for joining us. One in five homes in

Northern Ireland is rented The rules that govern the rental

market are changing - so much so that there are concerns

they could push up the price 150,000 homes in Northern Ireland

are now rented from a private Good afternoon. Nice to meet you.

Can I show you around this lovely property? Follow me. We will start

off in the living room. Good spacious room. They are expecting a

family? Yes, I think we are seeing a broad range of tenants. We're not

seeing a specific type, it is young people, old people and families and

couples, so it is a very mixed bag of tenants we are getting now. Have

prices gone up in recent years? Rental prices have gone up. On

average perhaps maybe five or 10% on eight yearly basis so it has gone up

considerably. It reflect the demand. The latest results from

the Rental Index show that the average price is ?550

a month, in Belfast that average goes up to ?595,

and 40% of tenants are in For some, the cost of renting a home

in the private sector is a concern. One of the big problems

is affordability. And that's not just about paying

a deposit and paying rent in advance, there's

also letting fees. And letting fees are in no way

regulated in Northern Ireland It is a substantial barrier. It is a

time that it is the only option for many people because of social

Housing just is not there. Whether through choice or necessity,

more people are renting But in two days' time landlords

will have to pay more in stamp duty. The Bank of England wants to limit

the amount of money buy-to-let And the department of Social

Development is considering changing If this triple-whammy of new rules

and costs puts some landlords off, The challenge of government is to

create a regulated framework so they are providing good quality

attractive homes coupled with a very professional and cost effective

management structure. Regulating landlords without scaring

them off will be a difficult The Republic of Ireland's football

manager, Martin O'Neill, is counting the cost to his squad

of last night's friendly The match was a draw,

but you could say a loss Yes, the risks of the international

friendly. Goalkeeper Rob Elliot will miss this

summer's European Championship after the Newcastle United player

suffered a serious knee injury as he tried to stop

Slovakia's first goal. The Republic drew

the game 2-2 in Dublin. Thomas Kane was there

for BBC Newsline. As if conceding a soft early goal

wasn't bad enough for the home side, the sight of goalkeeper Rob Elliot

with his head in his hands Martin O'Neill fearing the worst

as he was stretchered from the pitch His side recovered to take the lead

thanks to two penalties within two He picked himself up

to score the first. And when he was brought down again

almost immediately after, James McClean stepped up to give

the home side the lead. Were you aware of the extent of

when Slovakia equalised Were you aware of the extent of

Rob's injury? No. You're worried when UCD stretcher, on and you speak

to him and he says it is his knee. -- UCD stretcher. It is

disappointing personally but with the attitude in the squad, we are

gutted for him. We will wait to see the official confirmation.

Martin O'Neill's squad are back in action against the Netherlands

in late May, before taking on Belarus in their

Crusaders maintained their five-point lead at the top

of the Danske Bank Premiership after a dramatic late winner last

And David Healy's Linfield remain in touch after a significant

It looked like it was going to be one of those nights for Stephen

Baxter's Crusaders side but one of those nights for Stephen

minutes into stoppage time and with just seconds on the clock, the

captain scored the goal that maintains the champions' title push.

It's a fabulous school to get at the right time. Ten seconds away from

finishing. -- goal. To come away with three points is very important

at this stage of the season. How important it will be, time will

tell. Five games now. A 5-point lead into the split and we have Linfield

next. Linfield remain hot on their heels and with just one defeat in

their last 14 league games. Last night Warrenpoint town conceded six

to David Healy's side. I am concentrating now. Tonight was a cup

final and there is a cup final on Saturday against Lurgan.

final and there is a cup final on at this David Scullion goal was

enough to earn Glentoran at this David Scullion goal was

points against Coleraine. And Portadown's Troubles continue. Two

late goals from Dungannon Swifts striker... Andrew Mitchell volleyed

in the matchwinner in injury time. Ulster's Ireland internationals

are expected to return for this Friday night's Pro12 showdown

with leaders Connaght in Belfast. Ulster are fifth in the table

with four games remaining and realistically need to win

to reach the playoffs. And according to their most capped

player, Andrew Trimble, it's time for the team to deliver

in front of their home fans. We have put ourselves in the corner

and we have to come out fighting. I have every confidence that that will

bring the best out of us. It will bring us out at physical best, our

intensity levels will be up there where we have been on big European

nights and this is the best Connaght side there has been in a long time.

The best side in the league this year. They will be a handful. We

have had to do a lot of work them. All that homework goes out the

window. You go out on the pitch and try and give them a hard time and

that is what I hope we will do. We are still waiting to find

out when Carl Frampton will make his return

to action later this year. During his break from boxing,

the double world champion swapped the ring for the passenger's seat

and an opportunity to experience the thrills and spills

of a rally car. As an amateur, headgear was always

part of the uniform, but in more recent times slipping on a helmet

isn't as easy as it once was. In front of his wife this was something

a little different with his world boxing champion. Reaching speeds of

170 mph, Belfast's best fighter was petrified. It was scary going round.

A big open space but obviously they have a track laid out. It was nuts,

it was good fun, though, I enjoyed that. You're just waiting on them to

break. It is almost like you're pushing, when you're in the

passenger side you're pushing down on a pretend break, but they do it

just in time. Unbelievable. Something boxing fans would like to

believe in is the coral fountain, Santa Cruz fight and to have it in

Belfast. I think the fight can get made. He seems keen but he has seen

team -- seemed keen for an couple of years now. All our team are ready to

go, we're waiting on him to get it done. If it happens I would like to

get it home at Windsor. There is a possibility that might be the case.

We can't make too many... You can't dictate too much because he is a

champion. I am getting worried with the car right beside me. We like

Windsor but it might be the States, Vegas or even the used coast, who

knows? Is on as it is not in a car travelling at 170 mph, you get the

feeling, whenever the fight takes place, if the fight takes place.

I don't think Frampton is quite ready to become a co-driver

The event takes place next week, from the 7th to the 9th of April.

The weather is next with Geoff Maskell and it turned out

There were some great pictures. All most welcome. A bit of sunshine

makes all the difference. I had the roof down on the car on the way in.

Still a bit chilly. It got a bit chilly on Easter Monday. Really

shows off our weather nicely. Plenty of clear skies. That has been the

case to date. Steve Hanna was up early catching the dawn in Portrush.

A stunning picture. He got some clear skies and in the early part of

the day. Since then, some showers working their way in. Some of those

have been quite heavy. Plenty of reports of hail. Paul Houston was

caught in some I did just kept coming down as we went through the

day. Hale will be a risk tomorrow but not as much as the last couple

of days. Showers should gradually fizzle out. Temperatures down to

minus two in some places. It will be a bit of a chilly start to the day

on Thursday. Then another rather decent day. Once the sun starts to

get to work on it, the mist and fog should gradually start to burn back.

The odd shower will be set off as we go through the afternoon.

Comfortably see temperatures into double figures, ice of ten or 11

Celsius. A really pleasant end to the month of March. Why, should be

making most of it, April is going to begin with plenty of rain. Wet and

windy. All down to an area of low pressure that is approaching from

the Atlantic and the associated weather from that brings is going to

be sitting right over Northern Ireland pretty much all the way

through the day on Friday. Temperatures are around nine or 10

Celsius as we go through the day. Make the most of tomorrow because by

the time we get to the weekend things really started to go

downhill. Friday and Saturday I went. It improves a little bit by

Sunday and into the start of next week. Enjoy it while it lasts. Our

laid some pre-is that 10:30pm. Keep in contact on Facebook and also

Twitter. Goodbye, take care of.