19/04/2016 BBC Newsline

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

and critically injured in Londonderry was due in court

A man gets six months in jail for shining a laser

On the front-line with council workers

The Northern Ireland soccer fans who have their own cost cutting way

Celebrating the bard - we catch up on rehearsals

for the Belfast version of one of Shakespeare's best known plays.

Can Crusaders retain their league title tonight for at north

And gardeners beware, it's a cold night coming up

in places but pretty fine for tomorrow.

First to that shooting in the Creggan area

The victim, a 25 year old man was critically injured and is now

said to be in a stable condition in hospital.

It has emerged that he was due to appear in court

His barrister told the court that since the attack he had not

Here's our north-west reporter, Keiron Tourish.

Forensic morning and a follow-up operation

after the shooting last night. The trailer that was still evident on

the street in the aftermath of the attack. It took place around 9pm in

a relatively new development in the Creggan estate, nine and targeted

was 25-year-old, Harry Boyle, shot twice in the right leg, he was

transferred to the Royal Victoria. One pensioner said the incident

caused a great deal of upset. I did not know if it was down the

street up the street but I had an idea, when I looked out the

driveway, the police came, it is traumatic, I am quite annoyed about

it. Very upsetting. Irish police said there was no

justification for the attack, Barrick in its nature. -- the parish

priest said. Every body has dignity and this

person's dignity was violated, and they violate their own dignity by

doing it, also. A terrible shock. No necessity for

it in this day and age. We were trying to move forward. It worries

me for the grandchildren that they had to grow up in this atmosphere.

The district release commander said that whilst detectives were still

investigating the motive the focus was on dissident republicans.

It is utterly reprehensible in this day and age that society would

tolerate this on an individual for some perceived misdemeanour or

other. They have no legitimacy and no right to carry out attacks of

this nature on members of our community.

It emerged that a case involving the victim was due for a mention today

at the Magistrates' Court involving a number of alleged drugs offences.

His barrister told the court that since the shooting he had not

regained consciousness. Detectives investigating the attack have

appealed for information. They want to hear from anybody noticed any

suspicious activity in or this area. -- in or around.

Last night's shooting was the second in the past few days -

in the main they are blamed on paramilitaries.

Our reporter Will Leitch has been looking at a problem

which the police describe as "barbaric and brutal".

Two families now know only too well from recent days that punishment

shootings can kill and cause critical injuries. Police figures

show there were 33 paramilitary style shootings in the 12 months to

Fabry 2015. Between March last year and favouring this year the figure

was 22, fewer than the previous 12 month period. It adds up to 55

shootings over the previous two years. Over the decades there have

been many victims and many surgeons who have tried to deal with the

effect of punishment shootings. They will tell you, if you shoot anyone,

anywhere in the leg, you stand a chance of killing them. One surgeon

who has dealt with many such cases throughout his career says the term

punishment is far too benign. Gunshot wounds to a limb,

particularly, end up damaging bone, the joint, irreparably, sometimes.

Nerves, and arteries. Over the years that we have seen injuries like this

it is commonly resulted in the loss of the limb through amputation. In

addition, it can result in death. It gives the lie to the idea of a

safe punishment. We have heard various types of

bullet injuries over the year, sometimes high velocity, sometimes

low velocity, and people dying from apparently low velocity handgun

injuries to the limb. So it is a complete lottery.

Tonight the police have said they will do everything within their

power to prevent such attacks. A man has been jailed for six

months for shining a laser A judge told Alan Armstrong,

from Greenisland, that his actions could have caused

the aircraft to crash. The helicopter was sent into the

night sky last September to provide aerial assistance to a police

operation involving a stolen car. At around 10pm a green laser was shone

directly at the helicopter, flying at 2500 feet. Here is a separate

example of a laser during street disturbances in the past. Last

September it happened at least five times and on one occasion was

continuously aimed at the helicopter for about 30 seconds. The court

heard that it caused the cockpit of the helicopter to be eliminated and

the pilot could not see the aircraft's instruments. --

illuminated. The helicopter contacted police on the ground and

the area from which the laser was being shone was identified as here.

Alun Armstrong, a father of three, was arrested, and a laser pointer

found in his home. A defence barrister told the court that

Armstrong shone the laser at the police helicopter because it was

annoying him as it flew over his house. Handing down a six-month

sentence the judge said that any actions which could have resulted in

the pilot crashing in a heavily populated area were serious and

warranted a prison sentence. Still to come: The Alliance Party

manifesto - we'll look at what's in it and on their economic

aspirations. The Attorney General has asked

the Public Prosecution Service to review its decision not

to prosecute any police officers Colum Marks was killed

in Downpatrick in 1991. Dan Stanton has more on the latest

development. RUC Officers were waiting when the

IRA were to carry out a mortar attack in Downpatrick in April 1990

one, one of the IRA men was Colum attack in Downpatrick in April 1990

Marks, it is claimed he was alarmed when the RUC open fire -- he was

unarmed. We leave this was a shoot to kill

operation by the state. We believe there was no chance of taken to

arrest him, which could have happened. They had the intelligence,

knew the location, knew he would be there.

The Attorney General has written to the director of the PPS asking for a

review of a previous decision not to prosecute any police officers

following the death of Colum Marks. The leader of the Alliance party

predicts they will gain at least three extra seats

in the Assembly election. David Ford was speaking

at the launch of the party's Here's our political

correspondent Gareth Gordon. Alliance say that much has changed

in Northern Ireland, but not enough. The assembly has delivered much and

we have been at the forefront of that change, however it is fair to

say that for many the perception of the assembly is something that is

much poorer than we would like to see. It is typified by deadlock,

delay, and division. So what do they propose to do about

it? The party list five commitments. An option for every child to attend

an integrated school, reinvesting the cost of managing division into

health and education, reforming the assembly to remove sectarian

designations, and investing an extra ?85 million in skills each year,

with action to tackle paramilitaries and promote the rule of law. The

party also backs the and promote the rule of law. The

water charges, claiming that to avoid them in Wilmington deeper

cuts. The party took eight seats last time and believes they will

take more this time. We are targeting a number of other

seats and have every chance of gaining the three or four seats that

the guarantee is one ministry, whether it is justice or something

else. That is quite a boast. If you don't

make it, people will say you have failed.

They may well say that but the reality, from the doorsteps, I am

confident that we will make against that will put us in a different

position. This is probably David Forde's last

election as party leader and he has set himself an ambitious targets to

go out on. As with all of the other main

parties we are taking a closer look at some of their economic

promises and aspirations. Our Economics and Business Editor

John Campbell has cast his eye over Alliance have a lot to say

about raising more money to pay for public services -

how do they propose to do that? As was said in that piece in the

main idea is to introduce some form of water charge. A long-standing

Alliance position. The context is that we know that over the lifetime

of the next executive, the amount of money they will get from the block

grant will fall in real terms. So allies are saying it does not make

sense just to balance the budget through cut but you must think about

raising revenue. Aside from water charges there would be a moderate

increase in the regional rate, they would also remove the cap on

domestic rates, meaning people who live in the biggest, poshest houses,

would pay more, and they would reintroduce prescription charges.

But there are so many exemptions that would not affect that many

people raise that much money. But they wouldn't

increase student fees? One of the big issue is the

executive will next have to face is how they funded universities. The

idea is corporation tax will bring high-value jobs and we will need

graduates to fill them. It goes universities are under pressure they

are cutting places, a so the only way to turn that around is to get

more money or raise fees, allies say, do not raise fees, find more

money in the executive agent. -- Alliance say. Their flagship project

is ?85 million per year on skills and lots of it going into higher

education. And they want more expert

advice for the executive - They propose setting up two panels,

one with experts appointed by British and Irish governments to

give strategic comic advice, and secondly, a regional infrastructure

panel, experts who tell the executive what the big royalty

should be for public investment -- to give strategic economic advice.

Cancer treatment can be exhausting physically and emotionally.

Having had their own run-ins with cancer, a couple

from County Antrim set about giving respite centre for cancer sufferers

and their families while they go through treatment and recovery.

Ita Dungan has been to meet some for whom it has been a sanctuary.

Cancer treatment can be a long and arduous road. Rest and recuperation

may be encouraged but for many, depleted finances mean the budget

just does not stretch far enough. How about a break here? This retreat

on the promenade provides something even money cannot buy. We have both

got the diagnosis. It helped strengthen me, it gives you an inner

strength, not an acceptance, but an inner strength to deal with it. To

have this place, it is a hideaway. For us to be together.

Together, or alone, a holiday or simply a base for treatment, born

McConnell knew exactly what was needed when she set up the charity.

-- Dawn McConnell. They can have a nice relaxing time

and a break. It is beautiful downhill. The train takes them to

the City Hospital and they can just get the train back again. They would

stay another night, usually three nights, and it takes much of the

stress off them. This race has made life just a

little bit more bearable for Siobhan's brother shoe, before he

died. -- mother, Hugh. Staying in hope house gave him a new

perspective on his illness. It gave him time away to think, just to do

what he liked to do, which was to read books, go for walks and things.

Whether you spend your time watching trains of seals, this white-haired

haven has given us that is a lot more than just a change of scenery.

Last week we had a report on a house in south Belfast where 18 rats

After a mild winter it seems there are lots of the rodents

Belfast City Council is the only local authority that has a free

It says it has been inundated with requests at the moment.

That means ratepayers with rats may have wait over a week.

Our reporter David Maxwell has spent the day with the council's rat team.

It is a problem no one wants. The first City Council captured this

footage of rat in a loft. These rodents are clever and adaptable --

will first City -- tell we do not want them. We want them back them in

the sewers where they tend to live. We tried to keep the population

down. And this is the front line of that battle council pest control

officers used smoke bombs to test for damage to sewers that could

allow rats to escape. They also put poison down where they found

evidence of rat in the area. I am told that this is one of the tell

tale signs right here. You can see this store has been chewed. That is

the rats trying to get into this property.

This past year our rat complaints have gone up about 200 from the

previous year. It is just mother nature, we had a mild winter, that

would not have helped in controlling the rodent population.

The council says that increased collards are down to changes in

boundaries. In urban areas rat populations are of course largely

controlled by humans. And environmental factors. But without

the controls it would be possible for a single pair of rats today to

increase to a population of 100 in about four months, 1008 months, and

in a year you could have a population of 2000. In short they

are survivors. They show an ability to learn very quickly. For example

they are very wary about taking bait, only a portion of the rat

population will take poison bait. One thing they will not avoid is the

plentiful wasteful discarded on the streets. The council says residents

also have a role to play in reducing numbers.

A group of Northern Ireland soccer fans have come-up with a plan to cut

the cost of supporting their team at the Euros this summer.

They've clubbed together and bought a second hand caravan which they've

Can I tell you they will be hard to miss when they arrive

Meet the soccer caravans. I am going to France to support Northern

Ireland. I am heading with him. And they are

going to the European finals in France in the summer and this very

own dream machine. There are seven Northern Ireland football fans in

this particular green and white army and they have been busy putting the

finishing touches to their mobile home from home.

It will be quite crowded but I think you're sorted out quite well. Some

of us will be in the caravan, some of us will be in a tent.

I have of us will be in a tent.

it. I hope it it is not waterproof at the moment.

Even with the coat of green paint? I don't know. I have done it for

less. They originally priced a trip at

just under ?2000. Following the purchase of the caravan and their

camping fees the supporters are doing a 16 day trip for ?200 each.

In the caravan it was a cooker set her with a fridge, it has given us

extra room, extra seating, and it takes up the weight as well. Saves

on fuel. We have got two heads that the boys will live on. All you can

move out the middle and have three sleeping in there together. And

obviously there is a bed at the back, that will be my room.

And since it is France the accommodation is ensuite.

When this was first suggested what was the reaction?

I did not think this would come out of it to be fair. But I was up for

it. I thought it was a great idea, keeping down the money and getting

us to see a good part of France. It is my first major from all --

football tournament. They are counting the days until

they say goodbye to friends and family and savour one of the biggest

football championships in the world. It will be very cosy.

To mark four hundred years since the death

of his best known plays, is being staged in Belfast.

This is no ordinary production of the Tempest.

It's on a large-scale and as our arts correspondent

The work of the Bard, Belfast style. It is created by people here in the

city. 12 months of work, we have made sure it is in Belfast voices,

Belfast actors, people from the city, and also new immigrant

communities as well. It is being staged in a vast warehouse in the

Titanic Quarter from tomorrow until Saturday. The setting is big and so

is the cast with 250 people involved. Today the Leeds were in

final rehearsal. I am the son of Queen Alonso, who kind of usurped

her father, I don't know this, we are on a ship, we get shipwrecked,

and he just sees Miranda, and falls in love.

It is one of the biggest projects I have been involved with but I think

there's something really interesting about being in a warehouse and that

the audience is introduced to a theatrical experience, we're telling

people to bring blankets, picnics. This is how we are taking

Shakespeare and making him our own. But how did he portray us? Did the

state of Ireland... And it was Ireland back in his day, the did

have a feature on his stage? That is what Tim McGarry has been looking at

for the Arts Show. Shakespeare wrote hundreds of poems,

dozens of those, and he wrote did we squat about Ireland. One character

had four lines in Henry V and they are not even very nice lines. --

Diddley squat. But to be fair to Shakespeare, he is damn good, isn't

he? Much ado about nothing. And you will

be able to see Tim on Shakespeare on BBC Two next Wednesday.

Crusaders football club could clinch the Danske Bank Premiership title

this evening if they win away to their North Belfast

Mark Sidebottom is there at Solitude.

Not only am I here but the sun is out. Something we seldomly see. As

you say, they could create their own piece of sporting history this

evening. A man with a fruit in both camps joined me, Liam Beckett. --

foot. What a night. Absolutely, they are on the verge of

creating history. In 1973 that was history, but they keep raising the

bar, and what can you say about Stephen Baxter? The work he has

done, going down to the championship and then working their way back up,

through financial difficulty also, and getting them here, possibly

incredible. incredible.

We all remember the scenes this time last year, Stephen Baxter up on the

fence. You have hinted about what he has done, has been a revolution

under him? Without a doubt. There are many

times that lesser managers could have considered walking away such

were the difficulties he encountered, but not at all, he is

made of stern stuff will stop you had a goal, they have realised it,

and now they have raised the bar again. Back-to-back league titles, I

have been fortunate to be here when he was stuck on the wire like

Spiderman, and I was here when we stuck away the penalty to win the

title, so it is imagine the ground, and will be a packed house tonight,

history could be made again. All the games across the league are

live on BBC radio Ulster this evening.

Snooker and at the World championship in Sheffield Mark Allen

faces debutant Mitchell Man after the opening session

The Antrim man is full of confidence after winning the Players

There is something different about Mark Allen, who has the confidence

and talent to try the most of shots, but when they don't work out there

is always a smile and knowledge that when he is mixed at the table he

will port the ball. And that is what he did this afternoon with the game

tied at 2-2. His opponent is making his World Championship debut and

made it ethical during the opening session. But Mark Allen looked the

better of both players, sinking this in the final frame of the session.

But anything can happen in sport. Anything can happen in snooker. His

opponent just need to connect but miscued and put Mark Allen once

again in the driving seat. Yet he responded with one of his worst

shots of the tournament so far and leaving another opportunity to have

the frame stolen, which is opponent did. The second session resumes

tomorrow with Mark Allen leading 6-3.

A fine session and fine start and as Thomas says he is back in action

tomorrow morning. For now it is all very sedate in the sunshine but it

will get raucous in an hour for kick-off. We will reflect on it and

newsline at 10:30 p.m.. It looks as though it will stay

quite springlike, but far must beware, night time will be chilly

but daytime temperatures will be nearer average than colder towards

the weekend. A splendid day to day, not sunny for all others, cloud was

stubborn in the north and west, it was East and Central parts that

enjoy the longest hours of sunshine. Some fair weather cloud over the

moors, some blue sky getting through and good visibility. The cloud will

continue to erode this evening. Some brightness to end the day,

particularly in central and eastern areas. But where we do have cloud

will move away from the course of the night. We will be left with

clear skies and, as I mentioned, quite cold. Rural areas could

actually go a couple of degrees below. We expect some frost tomorrow

morning, maybe the odd patch of mist and fog. It is another fine day

coming up, a dry day, with sunny spells, where we had cloud today we

are likely to have more sunshine tomorrow so generally speaking,

sunnier all-round. A fine start with lots of crisp, springtime sunshine.

There will be some cloud through the course of the day. Around the coast,

a gentle breeze making it feel fresh. When you come inland, with

any sunshine the temperatures reach 14, 15 degrees. That certainly will

feel very much like spring indeed. Tomorrow night, again, clearing

skies, frost returning, subzero countryside temperatures, mist and

fog into Thursday, which will be another fine and dry day.

High-pressure, it is in charge to the rest of the week. Toward the end

High-pressure, it is in charge to of the week we bring in a

High-pressure, it is in charge to North, cold air, ringing down

temperatures, maybe some and showers, but until then, mainly

fine.