22/06/2016 BBC Newsline

On BBC One, we now join the BBC's news teams where you are.

The headlines this Wednesday evening...

After last night's heroics, Northern Ireland play the waiting

game to see who they play next in the Euros.

It's a cup tie. We will be the minnow. We will be the giant killer

in that situation. I think that will suit us. We have to believe that

whoever we play, France or Wales, we can progress. Case arrives a row,

whatever will be will be... Is It's all or nothing for the Republic

as they face a Is fight The countdown is almost over

with the polls opening in the EU The new multi-million pound tourist

attraction that's closed Showers are in the forecast,

but will the sun also make a return? The Northern Ireland football team

may not know who they face in the knockout stages

of the European Championships until after the Republic's final

group game this evening. As for the Republic,

they must beat Italy Last night the Northern Ireland

squad returned to their base north of Lille. Stephen Watson is with

them. Good evening. Northern Ireland must wait and see whether they will

play Wales or France in the knockout stages of the Stoneman.

If it's Wales, they'll play in Paris on Saturday night.

If it's France, they will meet on Sunday afternoon in Lyon.

In a moment we'll hear from the manager Michael O'Neill,

Northern Ireland may have been defeated by Germany,

but the narrow 1-0 loss was good enough to qualify

For half an hour after the game they Northern Ireland fans continued to

sing. They simply would not go home. The green and white army's

performance was as impressive as that of the Northern Ireland

goalkeeper. Chance for Germany, out comes McGovern, brilliant save.

Michael McGovern made save after save to deny the Germans. His career

defining display ensured that the scoreline remained just 1-0 to the

world champions which was crucial in securing the team's passage to the

backstage. I wouldn't say they were all world-class, the one block and

then the header, I got fingertips toured so it was great. When we went

behind, I knew we had to keep in the game because goal difference could

come into it so thankfully we kept the score down. What did your

opposite number is 80? He said well done and swapped shirts it was nice

to get his shirt after the game. Germany's comfortable victory was

well-deserved. Eventually the brave resistance is broken. The reason

they didn't score more was simply due to the brilliance of Northern

Ireland's number one. Unbelievable, just performance. Pulling off says

that he has no right to pull off. Kept us in it. , kept us believing.

Kept us going. And the opposition was impressed with Northern Ireland

on and off the pitch. You can hear the fans and supporters right now.

They are really happy about the performance. The goalkeeper had some

good saves but I respect Northern Ireland. They play like a team. Very

compact. And they are a team with a very safe pair of hands in goal.

Yes, a memorable performance from the County Fermanagh man Michael

McGovern. A short time ago I spoke

to the manager Michael O'Neill, who told me he was thrilled his team

is making international headlines. Delighted. I think sometimes when

you are a small team you don't get recognition. When we qualified,

people said it was because those more teams in the tournament. They

overlooked the fact we had won our group to be here. Then from a number

of our players, they tend maybe not to get the recognition of some of

the other players in the tournament even on a weekly basis domestically

for the club. For our players in particular, a number of them are

playing outside the Premier League where they are pretty much

recognised based on their local area that they play in. To be brought to

the attention of a worldwide audience to get the plaudits they

have has been great. It is an experience they will obviously

enjoy. Can you extend this remarkable journey? Can you stay in

France even longer? I think we can. The knockout competition such the

smaller nations to be honest. You are always looking over your

shoulder a little bit in the group and looking at what is happening in

other games. All we are concerned about now is ourselves and the next

game and it is a cup tie. We will be the minnow. We will be the giant

killer in that situation. I think that will suit us. We have to go and

believe that whoever we play, whether it be France or Wales, that

we can progress. We have played against top teams. In the last four

years. We have one. We have played against big nations. The experience

of doing that will hopefully give them belief that they can stay in

the competition and I have no doubt the players believe that and believe

that on any given day, if it is France, they are under no illusions

it will be extremely tough, but I think they believe they can

progress. The Northern Ireland fans have been creating quite an

atmosphere here in France and they are showing no signs of weariness

after over two weeks on the road. Helen Jones caught up in some of the

supporters and the father of Northern Ireland's newest hero. Bean

and white army! The moment Northern Ireland fans found out they were

staying in France. Qualification for the last 16 assured. Have got

passion, we have got that. We are the only nation in this competition

that has got it. We are the green and white army of the way. The

undisputed Man of the Match was Michael McGovern be goalkeeper. Is

proud father watched from the stands. You will be relieved and

pleased that they have reached this level. The faculty will. They will

be delighted for the team. He is very much a team player, Michael. He

will see it may be more of a great team effort. Not only are Northern

Ireland transmitting the news at home but also in France. High praise

for the number one sports paper here. It says you would have been

better watching the terraces than the pitch. It is almost 24 hours

since Northern Ireland qualified for the final 16. Will fancy a new wave

of fans arriving and what about those who have been here all along?

-- France. She was just be fun to go from there so I have crossed that

barrier first. A couple of us were talking about staying. We was posted

on Saturday or cells. It looks like the much could be on Saturday or

Sunday. Another day or two, might just squeeze it there. We are booked

for the week from Saturday to Saturday. The idea was always to

hang on. I don't know if anyone made the assumption of qualification. We

were confident but these things normally ride their own course.

Myself and a friend of mine will be hanging on for the next couple of

days. We don't want to go home because there are a lot of credit

card bills to go home to but you can't buy memories like this. It is

unbelievable. Going home, but, don't know, might get a date to get out.

It has been a long road travelled up until now until the fans, for those

daring to dream, the journey is not yet over.

Everyone agrees the fans have been a real credit to Northern Ireland. We

now wait to see whether it be either Wales or France depending on the

outcome of tonight 's match. Including the big one, Republic of

Ireland against Italy. Stephen, you will be with them every step of the

way. Thank you. Among the spectators

at last night's match The Deputy First Minister

deliberately arrived BBC Newsline's Mark Simpson has

been talking to him. It was his first Northern Ireland

match and he enjoyed it but he missed the kick off. He took his

seat eight minutes into the first half, why, in order to avoid the

national anthems? Is spoke to Martin McGuinness early. I asked him to

explain why. To be absolutely clear, I recognised that for many people

that would present a difficulty. They took what I thought was the

correct decision in terms of not creating any controversy. Either on

the republican side or the unionist side. To be quite honest, in terms

of how I dealt with that, the reaction to it hasn't been an issue

at all. I think it was the right decision. Some might say might have

been petty walking a threatened with a poor match for political reasons?

The important thing was that I went to the much. I could easily have

avoided but I didn't. I went to support Michael, support the team

and show solidarity with the fans. That interview took place here in

Lille, but the Republic of Iran played tonight against Italy. Martin

McGuinness is here to watch that much bat Republic of Ireland. He

will see if another team can make it through to the next stage.

Well, that vital match tonight for the Republic kicks off

Our reporter Ita Dungan is in Lille with the fans.

Yes, this is the Lille's ground with the famous architecture and it is in

this city that the Republic band's fete will be decided. Thousands and

thousands of fans have been streaming into the city since Monday

and last night was a night to remember is locals and supporters

partied well into the wee small hours. Last night was France's

equivalent of culture night and Lille through one big St party. The

Irish visitors needed little encouragement to join in. , new boys

in green. But Ulster football they had really come see. -- but it was

the football. Little sustenance is always needed, so what has been on

the menu? Baguettes, just begets! We had a stake this morning. It wasn't

too bad. A few omelettes. We had a few snails the other night to try

and be a bit cultured. How were they? They were good. Crunchy and

kind of soft but they did the job. So no horse meat or beef? No, we are

pretty plain eaters. Tried a couple of the French dishes. Lovely food.

You can't beat it. I have lived for two weeks on bread and ham! Football

obsessed, two of this extended family travelled from the States to

join the party. They are still getting used to the sleeping

arrangements. Double bed in every room we have been to so far. We have

been bouncing off of each other every night. That's why I stay out

later than all of them. So they are all asleep when you get on? I don't

want to get home. His wife doesn't want him home either! With fringe

with French food, all taken care of, it was time to concentrate on the

football. I think we will win 1-0. We operate. We will not be deadly

but we're here for the fund. -- beat Italy. What makes you so optimistic?

It is a feeling. It is all I have. And we need it. We have got to win.

Will you stay on, sir, if it is a win? Extent the holidays. Yes, I

will. # Whatever will be will be... There

is a definite sense of optimism from those fans that Martin O'Neill's men

can do the business and secure a win this evening. With all the latest,

here is Thomas Kane. Uefa have decided to close the stadium roof

for tonight's game which means it will be very hot and humid inside

the ground. But manager Martin O'Neill wants his players to keep

cool heads as they attempt to overcome the Italians, only a

victory will do for the republican band. Martin, how important is that

the player to be patient and show composure? You know you need a win

but not in the first minute that is absolutely right. It is a fairly

lengthy evening. We have to be in front at the end. It is a case of

being strong to begin with. I think we have to be fresh. I think we have

to play the game with a lot of energy and just be mindful of how

decent the Italians are. But just the also mindful ourselves of what

we can do, what we achieved against Sweden without eventually getting

the three points and take that sort of performance into consideration

when you're thinking about the game. Shame is, the game against Bosnia,

Germany -- Seamus, is that when you see the best of the manager? He lets

you know when you do things right and when you things wrong he gets

the lads to do their utmost for him and we will be doing it for all the

staff ourselves and all the fans and we hope we can give the manager a

big night. It would be great. I would be very pleased. The Republic

of Ireland have of course defeated Italy at a major tournament before.

That was back in the World Cup in 1994 when Ray Helton scored a famous

call. On the best that they've the Italians was the current manager

Antonio Kante. Martin O'Neill will be hoping the next Chelsea boss does

not get his revenge tonight. And I will be live here for the BBC

Newsline late bulletin at 10:40pm. Thomas Kane will also be here from

all the action from the big game. Hopefully it will be good news.

Both camps in the EU referendum campaign are making a final push

Polling stations open tomorrow morning and the result should be

Here is our political correspondent Stephen Walker.

It has been a long campaign involving TV debates, visit and

radio phone-ins. Tomorrow it is finally over. Opinion is divided.

The business community is split with some backing Leave and others like

Kevin McNamee who want the UK to stay. It is about certainty and

uncertainty. Business despises uncertainty and what we want is a

concrete situation or concrete position that we can operate from

where we don't have this complexity and uncertainty because what it will

mean is a hesitation in making decisions not just by us but by our

trading partners. Those in the Leave camp insists that an EU exit would

benefit everyone. We are a very strong economy. We are a strong

nation of entrepreneurs, small businesses and salespeople. We can

make our own way in the world doing deals around the world without being

restricted to what the tariffs that the EU imposes. The likes of the

developing world. Tomorrow the polling stations will open at 7am

and close at 10pm. Voters will need to bring along a deed, and in the

polling booths will be after this question. Should the United Kingdom

remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?

Voters are asked to put an X in the box of their choice. Just over 1.2

million people in Northern Ireland are entitled to vote. There will be

around 600 polling places such as schools and community halls and

around 1400 ballot boxes will be used. Counting is taking place

overnight and we should have the final result by breakfast time on

Friday. An appeal is continuing in Belfast

into a ruling which found Northern Ireland's abortion laws

breached human rights. Today judges were told that

Sarah Ewart, whose personal experience of abortion

placed the issue back The Human Rights Commission told

the court that Mrs Ewart could find Our health correspondent

Marie-Louise Connolly reports. Day three of the appeal and the

return of the Human Rights Commission continued to call for the

choice and access of termination of pregnancy and without being

criminalised by doing so. Sarah Yearwood has been in court

throughout this hearing and listened intently as Council of the Human

Rights Commission described her as being a victim. Referring to her

personal testimonies of having had an abortion, the council said that

those testimonies had been unchallenged and because Mrs Ewart

had been denied to write to an abortion in Northern Ireland,

articles three, eight and 14 of the human rights Convention had all been

breached. Counsel then added, is repeated so often by the European

Court, Convention rights are there to be practical and real, not

theoretical and elusive. Also in court were representatives from

precious life and the Society for the protection of the unborn child.

Earlier counsel for the Department of Justice challenged the

commission's inability to produce a 13-year-old girl in court as a

victim of sexual crime. Responding, counsel for the Human Rights

Commission said, the chances of a 13-year-old girl standing up in

court, testifying against a family member despite all the assurances of

anonymity was minimal. In fact, she said, it was inconceivable. The

appeal continues with the judgment expected at the end of the year.

A County Antrim tourist attraction has been forced to close

The Gobbins - a dramatic cliff face walk in Islandmagee -

reopened last August following a ?7.5 million revamp,

but it shut again on Monday because of a rock fall.

Our North East reporter Sara Girvin has the details.

Just weeks ago, The Gobbins was welcoming its first

It closed last December following landslides caused

The repairs, including the removal of tonnes of rubbles, took

On Monday it closed again, this time because of rock falls.

The Gobbins had been shut for more than 50 years before a relaunch

costing ?7.5 million, and with hefty repair bills mounting

We have had almost 14,000 visitors. Over 55% of those are outside

Northern Ireland. The tourist implications for that are massive.

It is going to be a major tourist attraction, so, yes, I think it is

worth it. Those who manage the coastal path

say they're at the mercy of Mother Nature when it

comes to further damage. But they say the safety of staff

and visitors will always come first. The Gobbins' cafe and visitor centre

is open, but the path itself is likely to remain shut

for the next two to three weeks while maintenance to the cliff

face is carried out. It's hoped that work will help

limit future rock falls, The Catholic and Church

of Ireland Archbishops of Armagh were in Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin

today at the start of a pilgrimage that will see them at the Battle

of the Somme site to They are being joined by other

bishops from both churches, The Archbishops say they hope

the Somme shows the need for peace Here's our Dublin

correspondent Shane Harrison. The Battle of the Somme saw around

half a million casualties, and all to move the front

line around four miles Fighting for the British Ulstermen

opposed to Home Rule and former Irish Volunteers fighting

for Home Rule, and all in the shadow of the Easter 1916 Rising that

would lead to Irish independence. It is a hugely important cemetery.

Not just in terms of the people buried here but also what it stands

for as well. For both Archbishops of Armagh,

their Pilgrimage of Peace from Glasnevin Cemetery,

where so many of those who fought in Easter 1916 are buried,

to the Somme is personal. Dr Eamon Martin hopes to find

the grave of a granduncle who is buried in Flanders Fields,

while Dr Richard Clarke's late wife It really cemented within me the

sense of the futility of war, particularly war on this kind of

grand scale where hundreds of thousands of young people had their

lives uprooted and destroyed. For me, as a religious leader, that

reaffirms my commitment to peace and reconciliation and healing. Overall

we look back, nearly 20,000 dead after one day of the Battle of the

Somme and you just think no, it could not have been worth it. That

is why I hope that the arch bishop says that peace has got to be the

first priority for all of us. Young people from North and South

on the pilgrimage say they find it hard to fathom the scale

of the casualties. Family members would have maybe

fought. Maybe not close relations but cousins further out would have

fought in it. People my age would have been there. It interests me a

lot. The pilgrimage commemorating both

the Rising and the Somme For more about the events

surrounding the centenary of the Battle of the Somme

and its impact you can check out our dedicated BBC webpage -

the address is Ireland Rory McIlroy has become the highest

profile sportsman to withdraw from this summer's Olympic Games

because of concerns over the Zika virus which has been

linked to birth defects. The International Golf Federation

says it's disappointed with the decision but,

as Mark Sidebottom reports, the four-time major winner says it's

a risk he's unwilling to take. Yesterday as he cheered on Northern

Ireland in Paris it seemed Rory McIlroy hadn't a care in the world.

But by then his mind had probably been made up about Brazil. This

morning he is the following statement...

In response the Olympic Council of Ireland said...

Amid much media interest, McIlroy had pledged his allegiance to

Ireland having also been eligible to represent Great Britain and Northern

Ireland at the Brazil game. The decision to pull out with the game

just six weeks away has divided opinion but will allow the world

number four to focus on the open which returns to Troon next month.

The jockey Tony McCoy became a Sir today.

He collected his knighthood for services to horse racing

from Princess Anne during a service this morning at Buckingham Palace.

The 20-time champion jockey, from Moneyglass in County Antrim,

retired in 2015 after he became the most successful jump

He rode more than 4000 winners in his long career.

Let's get the weather. Barra Best is here. It was 20 Celsius today and we

are likely to head that again tomorrow.

There are some heavy showers. One or two. It will turn drive through the

night. Temperatures dipping to around ten or 11 Celsius for many

others. With clear skies may be single figures. Tomorrow we get a

promising start but showers will make a return later on. To start

with there will be plenty of dry and sunny weather especially in eastern

counties before the rules on and that will bring a scattering of

showers. Most of them will be light but we are likely to see the old

heavy burst and may the odd rumble of thunder and lightning as well. A

few of those heavy showers will affect some areas of Ireland as

well. Some scattered showers and sunshine for parts of Scotland.

Plenty of sun for Northern England and Wales. Wet conditions across the

south-east of England and hear some heavy and thundery downpours during

the day. For as we can keep an eye out for some of those hefty

downpours but also some decent amount of sunshine. Where we get the

best of the sunshine temperatures will reach 17 or 18 Celsius

typically but maybe the odd 19 or 20 as well. Tomorrow evening we hold

onto a few heavy, thundery showers. But when will turn largely dry and

temperatures will settle around 12 Celsius but a little bit cooler

where we have some clearer skies, especially inland. Not bad at all

for the time of year. As we go into Friday it is another day of sunshine

and showers, but like tomorrow a few of those will be heavy and possibly

with thunder and lightning and some hail mixed in. The winter digging to

change on Friday from the north-west. Towards the north coast,

temperatures at best reaching 14 or 15. Inland 16 or 17.

Looking ahead to the weekend there will always be a scattering of

showers in the forecast but it is not a complete wash-out. There will

be dry gaps and there will be some sunshine as well. We will keep you

up to date. Staging. Follow us on Twitter. Thank you. Join us later at

the slightly