31/05/2016 BBC Newsline

New evidence at the Kingsmills massacre inquest -

the police re-open their investigation.

Secret security files are handed over to the inquiry into abuse

The refugee children have gone missing sense are arriving in

Northern Ireland. The first Irishman to die in World War I were sailors.

Today all the sailors who were killed were remembered in a special

all Ireland commemoration. Join me later for more.

In his first television interview since crashing at the NW200,

Ryan Farquhar tells BBC Newsline he's lucky to be alive.

And tomorrow officially starts the summer season -

as it happens, we've got some summery weather

In an unexpected development, the police are to re-open

the criminal investigation into the Kingsmills massacre

Ten Protestant men were shot dead by the IRA as they were returning

home in their work van to Bessbrook in County Armagh.

The inquest is only a week old, but now it has been told that

a palm print on a getaway vehicle has been identified.

The families have reacted with a mixture of

It was a truly dramatic development which took the families by surprise

after 40 years of anger and heartbreak.

A group of family members arrived here at the inquest this morning

expecting to hear more witness statements about the day their loved

ones were murdered. Instead they were taken to a private room and

told the shock news that the palm print they had known about for 40

years had been matched and identified.

Now the criminal investigation has been reopened and a senior

investigating officer has been appointed to restart

The reaction of the families was described in court as emotional,

stunned silence, but delight at the development.

There was no explanation about why it had taken so long to find

First of all, it would have to be welcomed, but it is never too late.

We are going through a mixture of emotions, and I have to be honest,

the first one is anger. After 40 years we are now told there has been

in development. It is hard to take in.

It heard that the print had been identified last Tuesday.

Lawyers were informed on Friday and the news was broken

A barrister said they had come to the inquest was normal but justice

but with hope that the truth might come out. The know say they are

delighted at the news the enquiry is to be reopened. The Brent had been

taken from the suspected getaway vehicle 40 years ago, so the sudden

confirmation of who it belongs to has cost some suspicion among the

families. Alan Black is the only survivor of the attack. It went

through a review in the 1980s, and another one in the 1990s. It is the

timing of it. Why now? When they have had it all this time, we are

just into the inquest, starting to get going, they throw this into the

mix. The truth may come, and I think what is wrong now, there are shades

of the truth coming out and everybody is beginning to tell the

truth and go into think, whereas before they just brushed it under

the carpet. -- what is going on now. The inquest continued

in the afternoon with witness statements, and will

resume on Thursday. A coroner has found

that the shooting dead of Harry Thornton in 1971

when his van backfired outside a police station in West Belfast

was neither necessary The father of six was

shot twice by a member of the Parachute Regiment

near to the Springfield The coroner, Brian Sherrard,

also found that evidence He said there was no weapon

in the van and no forensic evidence on the victim to show

a gun had been fired. An inquiry has begun into claims

of state-sponsored child prostitution at a former

boys' home in Belfast. Public hearings opened this

morning into the abuse of boys at Kincora,

and allegations that it was covered up by

the intelligence services. Abused as a young boy at Kincora,

this man came to the enquiry today looking for answers. Kincora was a

home for older teenage boys, and operated in east Belfast from 1958

until it closed amid scandal in 1980. Three men were jailed in 1981

for abusing boys there. At least 29 boys were known to be abused at the

home. Over the years there have been persistent allegations of a cover-up

by intelligence services will stop at the enquiry today, MI5 and MI6

were legally represented, and cooperated with the enquiry. The

enquiry has been provided with Phil and voluntary cooperation by all Her

Majesty 's Government department and agencies. The scale of the

allegations due to be heard at the enquiry over the next week was

outlined in stark terms. You will also hear me refer

to and you will read claims of state-sponsored child prostitution,

paedophile rings, blackmail and cover-ups, which you

will have to examine. The allegations against the

intelligence services have been circulating for four decades. It was

said today that if they are true, they must be laid bare. But if they

are false, they must be dispelled and laid to rest. Details from some

of the intelligence files which have been handed over to the enquiry will

be made public. However, some other files will only be seen by the

enquiry team. They will then be preserved in secret.

Two men have been arrested by the National Crime Agency

in connection with the controversial Nama property deal.

The agency said it had also carried out searches at addresses

in County Down in connection with a fraud investigation.

Nama, the Republic's so-called bad bank, sold more than ?1 billion

The president of the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce says he wants

the Stormont Government to target the north-west for job creation.

His call comes in the wake of 70 job losses at Seagate,

which is one of the largest employers in Derry.

Around 1400 people are employed by Seagate at its Springtown plant.

Many work in specialised conditions where cleanliness is crucial

Seagate makes a tiny part for a hard drive.

It allows consumers to store a vast amount of information -

Due to the changing nature of the marketplace and consumer

demand, Seagate's now undergoing a global restructuring.

70 jobs are to go at Springtown - 5% of its workforce.

how we record our photographs, images, on mobile phones and PCs, it

is considered changing and evolving. I think the security that we do have

with Seagate in Springtown is that there are a novel lot of RND jobs,

working at the next generation of storage device and systems.

In a statement, Seagate said it was positioning the company

for growth whilst responding to new industry demands.

It said unfortunately this required some workforce reduction.

Seagate said it's not easy to make decisions that affect people's lives

but it believes this is the best way forward for the company.

The redundancies will be both voluntary and compulsory.

A special commemoration was held today in Belfast

for all of the Irish sailors who died in World War I.

The ceremony was on HMS Caroline, the only surviving ship

from the Battle of Jutland, and this marks the centenary

Donna Traynor was there for BBC Newsline.

An all 1500 Irish sailors died in the First World War. They were

Catholics and Protestants, unionists and nationalists from all parts of

Ireland, and some were as young as 14 years old. This was an

unprecedented all Ireland commemoration today, as Prince

Michael of Kent represented us in the royal navy, Irish Naval service,

and the German Admiral joined more than 200 descendants to remember the

sacrifice of Irish sailors. They also remember the 1000 men in the

Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleets who were killed.

He left young twins and a pregnant wife in balance in. His daughter,

named after the ship he was killed on. For a Victoria crosses were

awarded, including the commander. There was an attack against the

German cruiser. For those who lived with horror and mental anguish, we

remember you. For those with no family to remember them, we remember

you. And for those who were forgotten, we remember you. The

ceremony here earlier was particularly poignant for

descendants of those who were killed. Earlier I spoke to two women

whose relatives saw the horrors of the Battle of Jutland and survived.

Very emotional. Very proud of my grandfather, and the fact also that

HMS Caroline is now a national treasure. And has been restored to

former glory. Its So for generations and generations are going to see and

hopefully get some insight into what it was like to be involved, live on

the ship, be involved in the war, and the horrors that were part of

it. Memories I have got from older people aware that he would stand in

his doorway, post-war, and he would look into the distance almost

vacantly. I'm sure he was recalling absolute atrocities. He would have

seen the Queen Mary going down, over 1200 on board, not to mention the

noise and how appalling that was. He would have also witnessed the

burials at sea of HMS Tiger. There were 28 buried, and I'm sure he must

have known them. So I'm sure all those memories must have been

recurring. Today is the centenary of the Battle of Jutland. Mervyn Jess

takes a look at the role of Ireland during that battle, from those who

served in the Royal navy and also those who gave safe haven to the

fleet at the outbreak of war. Mark Doherty on board the newly

refurbished HMS Caroline. The last surviving ship from the Battle of

Jutland century ago. But this is not just some passing interest in

100-year-old naval conflict. Great uncle, was a 22 old engine room

stalker. He was killed when his ship was hit by German fire during the

battle. It was a particularly significant ship, one of the first

to encounter the Germans. There were 99 men killed, 51 injured. The ship

itself was hit 14 times. This time that it was head was particularly

significant, so it was quite possible he was killed that time. It

was the only major naval engagement of the First World War. Jordan 50

ships crews by 100 -- many sailors... Among the Royal Navy dead

were around 350 Irish men, many of them teenagers. Some of whom had

signed up by just 15 years of age. On a day like today it is just as

calm and picturesque as sport as you're likely to find, but at 94

gene this was a very different scene as this became the home base of the

British fleet at the outbreak of the First World War. -- in 1914. It is

estimated as many as 10,000 sailors from Ireland served in the Navy

during the First World War. The arrival of the fleet at Lough Swilly

in Donegal was a big boost at that time. Both would have done very well

from selling fresh vegetables and brothers at the time, so I think

anyway to make a few pounds would have been very helpful. It must have

been some site. 40 vessels along this, as you can see today, very

tranquil and beautiful. People here eventually wed and serve at the

Battle of Jutland. Five years ago a permanent memorial was erected here.

They are proud of their history now. It may have been less talked about

in previous times, but we have about 500 people coming every year to

commemorate this event. I know package also from a surviving

letter. He was having a difficult time at sea away from his family,

very alien environment for a modest country boy, as he was, coming from

a little cottage. It is quite moving when you begin to get involved in

trying to get into Patrick Joseph's shoes, or anyone else who was

involved. It's good to see that such an effort has been made to

acknowledge his sacrifice and the sacrifice of many thousands of

others who died on Monday. -- on that day. Mark Doherty remembering

his relative, Patrick Doherty. There is a special commemoration programme

on the Battle of Jutland this evening, on BBC Two at seven

o'clock. Reflections across the UK and

Ireland today. A BBC Spotlight programme to be

broadcast tonight will reveal that eight children who came

to Northern Ireland without their parents

after fleeing their home countries have gone missing after being taken

into the care system. In 2011, this 16-year-old Somali

girl arrived in Northern Ireland, alone. She was placed in caring east

Belfast. Just 18 days later, she vanished. This girl went missing

back in 2005, when she was just 14. No BBC Spotlight has uncovered that

the children who should have been cared for by the authorities have

gone missing. If it was local kids, this would be a national scandal. It

would be a scandal across these islands. The UK Government has

recently agreed to bring more children into the country who have

left the country without their parents. Yvette Cooper thinks more

needs to be done to find the missing children. I think we need local

authorities to take responsibility, but also the police. We cannot see

these as immigration cases, it is a serious child protection issue. The

PSNI said all these were followed at the time, and the health and social

care boards the new procedures are in place and no children have gone

missing since 2014. Stormont has to bring in new provisions to appoint

guardians to the Qatar separated children. It is hoped this will

prevent children like these going missing again. -- to look after

separated children. And you can see Spotlight tonight

at a quarter to eleven Local motorcyclist Ryan Farquhar has

given his first television interview since the crash at the North West

200 which left him Mark Sidebottom has

this evening's sport. Almost three weeks after the high

speed accident, the Dungannon man remains in the Royal

Victoria hospital. Another rider lost his life at the

same spot in another race later that week.

Speaking to Stephen Watson from his bedside

this afternoon, the 40-year-old wouldn't be drawn

but did acknowledge he was lucky to be alive.

Very lucky, especially after all that happened to Malik A. Every race

I have done this year, it has stuck with me. And on the Thursday night,

I do pretty much remember everything that happened. I remember when I

came off, I just wanted to get my helmet off. The medical team stopped

with me, and knowing how close they came to not being here, it puts

things into perspective. There are a lot of people who have to be -- that

I have to be very thankful to. I just cannot thank them enough. After

what happened to you, has a change your outlook about the sport at all?

-- has it changed your Outlook? I've always loved road racing and always

will. At this minute in time, the last thing on my mind is... I am not

sitting here at the minute thinking, I wonder can I get myself fit for

the gold cup in September, or whatever. The first priority I want

to do is just get myself and my health sorted out. Your sport has

obviously received quite a lot of negative the weather did. What would

you say to those people who have been criticising road racing over

the past few weeks? Whenever there has been a vitality or serious

incident, that is when people point the finger and say, this shouldn't

be allowed to happen. -- a fatality. We all know what we are doing and

know the dangers, and this is the downside of it. I will love road

racing till the day I die, but at this minute in time, the last thing

I am thinking about at the minute is getting my leg bag over a bike.

Good to see him on the road to recovery. You can see an extended

interview with him on our website. Ryan proudly wearing his

Northern Ireland jersey, and will be rooting for Chris Baird

and his teamates in France. Now 34, with 77 caps under his belt,

Baird endured many lean years Then along came Michael O'Neill,

and the rest is history. Always had the support. You can

never fault that. They have always behind us, no matter what. Just know

it qualifying, it is fantastic for everybody in the whole country. We

went to so many bad times, and I thought, can I keep going? I have

enjoyed every minute of it, regardless of the past. Putting on

Northern Ireland jerseys is fantastic. But no to look forward to

this and finally say we have qualified for this European

Championships, I will always look back on it, when I do eventually

finished with the national team. Belarus, beaten 3-0

by Northern Ireland on Friday past, also provide the opposition

for the Republic this evening. Martin O'Neill will announce his

final squad for France They are starting this final fixture

as Martin O'Neill feels the need the. But he will also way up the

risk. Robbie Keane suffered a calf problem in training and needed an

injection. The other big calls are likely to be in midfield, with 45

players in contention for just two spots. This is unlike club level,

when you make a decision on Friday about certain players on Saturday,

but you will see them on a or Monday evening before the game and then

during the course of the week. Some of these buyers will be told here,

and it will be difficult. Having been released by Everton as a

teenager, is the number of midfielders battling it out for a

place in the final squad. It was not so long ago you were

playing in the Irish league. Are you prepared for the cusp of a major

trigger mental note? It was only five or six years ago that I was

buying for Coleraine, so going to major tournament is phenomenal. It

is something I will look back over my career when I retire. It has been

a long journey to get here, and hopefully successful at this point.

Is there a nervousness amongst the squad? I don't think so. I think

everyone trusts and the manager to make the best of visions for the

team, and I do not think anyone will be better if they don't get a seat.

Everyone has worked hard, but I think you have to go on what the

manager thinks is the best team and the best squad at this point in

time. This is effectively a final audition for a number of members of

the squad. Martin O'Neill wants to summit his panel just after 11

o'clock tonight. Before that you can watch the best of the action here in

court. Nice to see some sunshine in court.

The sun certainly shining here as well. Will it last?

At least a few more visible, and tomorrow is the start of the summer

season. Up north we had temperatures of 21.5, and County Down was

generally wireless. A bit of low cloud and Miss play parts of the

north coast, especially and the breeze coming from the sea meant

there is a contrast in temperature depending on where you are. In many

places in County Down enjoy 21 degrees. The ones continues in many

bases this evening. I'm sure the barbecue smell will be in the air.

It stays dry tonight, but missed and cloud developing widely in the north

and will sink feathers. Temperatures in part of the countryside could get

as low as for or 5 degrees. Despite that it will warm up quickly

tomorrow. If there is missed or a cloud around first thing, it will

burn off for most places. Don't panic too quickly. The sun will

break through. Increasing amounts of sunshine during the early morning.

Temperatures recovering into double figures in many places quite

quickly. It may be quite great as you head off to work or school first

thing, particularly in the north and west. You can see the sunnier skies

developing as the morning goes on, and another lovely afternoon. Not

particularly breezy, although the cool breeze towards the north course

will mean temperatures are lower here. In general many places will

have similar temperatures to today. Another lovely evening tomorrow, and

the summery weather continues into Thursday. Well we have this lovely

weather, our Weather Watchers have been out in force. If you will be in

the sun over the next few days, don't forget that UV levels are

strong, and even if the temperature is a little bit lower up towards the

course, the sun is just as strong, so keep that suncream reapplied.

Good advice, thank you. That is all for now.

Our late summary is at half past ten.

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