13/09/2016 BBC Newsline

Thursday to Thursday night. Cooler for all by the end of the week.

This is BBC Newsline and these are the headlines

A widow's anger as a Sinn Fein delegation visits her husband's

I heard my husband's brain was slashed open by a bullet. I saw the

reactions of the perpetrators. And it was sickening.

Ryanair takes off - can City of Derry Airport survive

Rising from the ashes - the biggest school campus

We count up the cost of healthy eating.

Lost and found - the special poem penned by a famous author.

As he prepares to make his home debut,

recent Ulster signing Rodney Ah You also tackles the local dialect.

And after a day of dry and sometimes sunny weather,

The widow of the murdered police officer Stephen Carroll has

expressed her anger at a jail visit by Sinn Fein politicians

Three members of the Assembly's Justice Committee went to Maghaberry

last week and met Brendan McConville and another republican prisoner.

Sinn Fein says doubts have been raised over the reliability

convicted of killing Constable Carroll.

Our political correspondent Enda McClafferty reports.

Constable Stephen Carroll was the first PSNI officer to be murdered by

dissident republicans. He was shot dead when his patrol was ambushed

when responding to a 999 call in 2009. Three years later, these two

men, Brendan McConville and John Paul Wootton, were convicted of his

murder. Two years ago, they failed in a legal bid to have their

convictions quashed. At the time, the Lord Chief Justice said he and

his fellow appeal judges were satisfied the guilty verdicts were

correct. But McConville has convicted to protest his innocence

and last week a Sinn Fein delegation met the men in Maghaberry Prison. It

was led by Declan Kearney on the Justice committee. This is how he

revealed details of the visit, putting a video on his Twitter

account. We discussed the very serious concerns that relate to the

conviction of both of those prisoners. Today's visit represents

an opportunity for our party to become increasingly informed as to

the overall present in -- prison environment. But the visit has

angered Stephen Carroll's widow. I would ask anyone of them who was sat

on the court for 13 weeks that I sat in each and every day for 13 weeks,

at the original trial, I heard how my husband's brain was slashed open

by a bullet. I saw the actual gun that killed him. I saw the reactions

of the perpetrators, and was sickening. Today Pat Sheehan, a

former prisoner and he was part of the delegation, defended the

decision to meet Brendan McConville. I can understand that Kate Carroll

is hurt and that the suffering she has had to deal with has been made

worse by this. However, to go back to the point, everyone is entitled

to the highest standards of justice. No matter who they are or where they

are. The DUP have dismissed the visit as a stunt, which they say

will only cause more hurt for the Carroll family. These individuals

were murderers. They were convicted murderers, they have gone through

the Court of Appeal and the appeal was thrown out. In fact, one of

their sentences was increased. So I think we have to be mindful that

these individuals are convicted murderers. Whatever the political

fallout from the visit, Brendan McConville and John Paul Wootton are

still fighting to have their convictions quashed. They have taken

their challenge to the criminal cases review commission in the hope

that it will refer their case back to the Court of Appeal.

Ryanair is stopping its flights from the City of Derry Airport

to London Stansted from the end of next March.

The local council which runs the airport says it will also

lose its summer flight to Faro in Portugal.

As Keiron Tourish reports, this latest cut to services

is being described as a devastating blow for the North West region.

Since 1999, Ryanair has carried 4 million passengers through the City

of Derry Airport, the most popular route to London Stansted with

120,000 passengers annually. But it is ending that service next March.

Liverpool flights will also be reduced, although Glasgow will

continue operating at current levels. The council admits the loss

of the London book is a major blow. It is devastating losing a

connection to London. Obviously Ryanair have been at this pair

fought for some time and I'm pleased to say they will remain a major

player, operating next summer to Glasgow and Liverpool. But in terms

of the London connection, that is by no means lost. The plans that are in

place are to replace the London Stansted route with a much more

frequent, double if not triple daily service to one of the London

airports. At the airport -- at the airport got a future? Is this the

end of the airport? Certainly not. We are going to be involved in the

process of securing an alternative carrier for the London route through

a public service obligation mechanism with the Department for

Transport in London. We are working on that at the moment. The council

says the airport is of critical importance to this region.

Generating as it does ?16 million each year is to stop the council is

currently in talks with the Stormont Executive and hopes to secure

funding of more than ?2 million for an airport development plan.

And on the topic of transport, the Executive has again ruled out

spending up to ?100 million on a train link between

Belfast and the International Airport at Aldergrove.

Our business correspondent Julian O'Neill is at

Jillian, why is this train link still seen as not justified? A

rather noisy Central Station! Essentially, there are two reasons.

Just as many Executive last look this issue in 2014, it feels that a

real went to Aldergrove airport is not economically viable until the

airport carries about 10 million as India's annually. Currently it is

doing about half that and it could be 13 more years before it has that

kind of target. Secondly, the Infrastructure Minister said that

road links have improved and will continue to improve and in his view

there is a decent bus service between Belfast and Aldergrove

operating about 50 times a day, carrying about 500,000 passengers

annually. For that reason he does not think it is wise to reopen a 20

mile stretch of track between Lisburn and Antrim, which would also

include a train halt at Aldergrove. It has been estimated that anywhere

up to ?100 million. For passenger numbers to reach that, the real

benefits to passengers of introducing a real link are likely

to be limited. It is unlikely that they'll could provide a more regular

cost-effective link than what has been already provided by bus. The

Minister speaking during a debate at today at Stormont, what was behind

that? Really, it is the continued growth of Dublin airport, one MLA

said that Dublin was sucking the life out of Aldergrove and many MLAs

questioned whether Aldergrove has adequate infrastructure in order to

help. Contrast that, they said, with Dublin airport, not the -- not only

getting a second runway but there are plans for a real link of the

male Belfast Dublin mine. Many MLAs pointed out that this is not just

about getting passengers to the airport, but a lot of communities

would benefit from the reopening of the line, which was closed 13 years

ago, but for the foreseeable future, the only mode of public transport

they will have is the boss. -- the bass.

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

The poetic treasure uncovered in a Coalisland classroom.

The East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson has claimed that PSNI officers have

been asked to stop bail checks on a man accused of murdering

the prison officer Adrian Ismay in March.

Mr Robinson was speaking during a Commons debate

Here's our political correspondent, Stephen Walker.

During the troubles, Libyan Semtex was a key I wear a weapon. Libya has

compensated US victims of terrorism but UK victims were left out of the

deal. Today MPs call for that to change. Darren Robinson used the

debate to highlight the car bomb attack on prison officer Adrian

Ismay, in which Semtex was believed to have been used. The MP claimed

the PSNI were stopping Bale checks on the man accused of the attack. I

received information that PSNI chiefs sent an e-mail to the

officers not to conduct bail checks because there were far too many

complaints from the solicitor. Offending the sensitivities of a man

who is alleged to be the murder of my constituent. Tonight the BSI

responded, saying... -- the PSNI. In today's debate, Tom Elliott calls

on Martin McGuinness to help. Indeed, I believe the Deputy First

Minister could give support and help and assistance, but he is not

prepared to do that, it appears. If we are to deal with the past and

deal with these aspects of Libya, Martin McGuinness and his colleagues

need to come out and be absolutely clear where they stood. In response,

Sinn Fein said victims have a right to the truth and described Tom

Elliott' Marks as a stunt. Ian Paisley said those seeking

compensation were frustrated by delays. They are sick and tired of

the dilly-dallying and delays. Many of them are coming to, let's face

it, the latter years of their lives. The Southdown MP Margaret Ritchie

said victims' rights must take priority. What happened by Colonel

Gaddafi and the within... In supplying those weapons to the IRA

was both immoral, unacceptable and wrong. The Foreign Office minister

Tobias Ellwood said he wants to see compensation paid and years to raise

the matter when he meets Libyan ministers shortly. -- he is to

raise. The huge shared school campus

planned for Omagh won't be complete until 2020,

but today the first of the six The old Lisanelly army barracks

will eventually Our education correspondent

Robbie Meredith was in Omagh today Parade ground is turning into

playgrounds. As a vision slowly becomes reality. By the time it is

complete, six schools will share the site. The first school, with 140

pupils with special needs, has just moved into its new building. The

principal teacher could not be happier. It is lovely to have a

purpose-built, right from the ground up words, from the design and

discussions and painting, that went into it, really about how children

learn. It has been literally a rise from the ashes. The school's

previous building was almost completely destroyed in a fire. It

has been a journey. It is about being together, now we have got the

building for those people. The school will eventually be joined by

five other schools. Christian Brothers Grammar school, Loretta

Grammar School... Behind me is absolutely vast site,

and when this is completed, it will not be integrated education. That is

for pupils with different backgrounds who is put together in

the same school. Instead, it will be a shared education campus. Pupils

will mix but they will still go to their own separate schools. The

Education Minister visiting the site today said there would be a chance

for pupils to share sports and classroom facilities. The

authorities have come together to develop public understanding and a

spot about there will be working out details of shared areas the campus.

The result is a great opportunity to concentrate effectively of Omagh

Omagh on the one site. The ?120 million campus is due to be finished

in 2020. Some pupils at this school will not the be the only ones

building over the next few years. New research suggests that

an average family on a low income needs to spend about 40%

of their weekly cash The survey on the Cost of a Healthy

Food Basket was carried out by the Food Standards Agency

and the Consumer Council. Our reporter Martin Cassidy

has been counting the cost Would it not be lovely if we could

put fresh fruit and vegetables on our table like this all of the time?

But the reality for many households in Northern Ireland is that they

cannot simply afford to put healthy food on the kitchen table every day.

Joanne Casey from the Food Standards Agency, you have done some research

which shows the extent of the problem? The research shows that

low-income households in Northern Ireland which need to spend a third

of their weekly take-home budget. On an acceptable food budget,

nutritionally as well as socially and culturally. That is difficult on

a low-income? Absolutely and we have looked at income scenarios for

pensioners as well as a family of four and a single-parent household.

In the evidence is that some people have to cut back on healthy food,

perhaps more expensive food, simply to make the budget meets? We have

found that food tends to be the flexible component of the household

budget. It is the food budget that is cut in order to make the other

household expenses. That can be cut in terms of the amount of money

spent and the nutritional value of the food. The reality is that food

poverty can happen to anybody. So because of maybe the loss of a job

or illness, anybody can find themselves in food poverty. I would

have raised this issue today at a conference with policy makers and

policy influences to really raise this to the height of the top of the

agenda. Thank you, Joanne. With that, back to the studio.

The death of a farmer in County Tyrone at the weekend

is yet another reminder of the dangers of working

To warn and advise the next generation of farm workers,

a new safety initiative has been introduced for first year students

at the Greenmount College of Agriculture, Food

Believe it or not, a farmer is six times more likely to die at his

workplace than a construction worker. Here at College, first used

dunes are learning all about the dangers of working down on the farm.

-- here at College. Stephanie, if I can interrupt you for a second. We

can see a twisted body, which obviously is mimicking an accident

here with some fake blood, this is the sort of thing that can happen on

a farm, isn't it? It is one of the main accidents that do happen. What

we are trying to do is get the first year students to think about what

they would do if they walked into a situation and this was something

they saw. What do you think of all this? It is very interesting. I

would be able to tell the family what the risk is. Another

representation of an accident, this time a quad bike, in something used

on farms a lot more these days. With me now is Jim from the college. What

does this all mean from your perspective, teaching young

up-and-coming farmers? It is a great perspective, teaching young

opportunity to instil a message of health and safety of students from

the start of the courses and to instil that ethos and culture of

health and safety, particularly against the backdrop of agriculture,

where the have historically been a high level of injuries and

fatalities. In the past year, 27 people have died on farms in Great

Britain with four fatalities here in Northern Ireland. The latest was at

the weekend when a young man was killed on a farm near Dungannon.

As England and Wales get to grips with their first ever

plastic ?5 note, Northern Ireland has been

remembering the plastic Northern Bank fiver

As Will Leitch reports, the National Australia Bank,

which then owned the Northern, wanted something

The new Bank of England ?5 note has caused a stir in Great Britain but

in this case, Northern Ireland can say, been there, done that. The

Northern Bank I pounds note was introduced in October 19 99. The

Australian owners of the bank were printing them in all their banks.

For some of the time, it was a bit much! -- some at the time. Monopoly

money! What do you think of the new Northern Bank ?5 note? It is made of

plastic. You are having us on! Well, this is a sample of the plastic

Northern Bank ?5 note. They have put up to 2 million of these into

circulation. I think in truth most of us really rather liked them, we

felt they made us look a little futuristic, you know the kind of

thing. Look, I'm trendy! We wanted to commemorate the year 2000. As we

borrowed by an Australian company and they had polymer notes, it felt

it would be good to get the first polymer notes on the basis without

others would follow. But for us it's still created the buzz. The notes

were taken out of circulation in 2008, but they are still legal

tender. They were the only ones not replace after the Northern Bank

robbery of 2004. But such are the memories that they still attract

lots of attention on internet auction sites. Time, perhaps, to

take another look under your mattress!

I may just do that. 100 years ago today, the great

writer Roald Dahl was born, and as many schools remember him

on this special day, one in County Tyrone has

a particular reason to celebrate. Primate Dixon Primary School

in Coalisland has a poem penned Sara Neill has been

finding out more. It is the poem that was lost for

almost 30 years. Tucked away in a dusty drawer, this previously

unpublished rhyme by Roald Dahl was written for primary five pupils in

County Tyrone in 1988. Now this letter from the man behind Matilda,

the BFG and the Witches is on display for all to see. No one had

any idea of the replies since that time and four years ago one of our

teachers were squaring at a desk when she came across the envelope

with the letter, we couldn't believe the find that it was. It was

tremendous. Roald Dahl as links around the world, from Norway Wales

to Tanzania and his works have also had a lasting impact on pupils at

this primary School in Coalisland. I used to wear hats extra thick and

stop what is your favourite Roald Dahl book? The Witches. Have you

seen the letter? Yes. What do you think of it? I think it is amazing.

I was shocked when I saw it. It is really cool. I love it. Here, it is

just another way for the Sauber's magical words to come to life.

There are no plaques on the bomb when you can't do a sum, instead you

get strawberries and cream. With love from Roald Dahl.

Sport now, and Spain, Brazil and Belfast are all

on the to-do list for Mark Sidebottom this evening.

We'll begin in Belfast, but with a New Zealander.

Rodney Ah You is set to make his home debut

against the Scarlets later this week.

Weighing in a few pounds shy of 20 stone, as they'd say

On that note and by way of endearing himself to local fans,

the giant but jovial Kiwi's been brushing up on his " Ulsterisms".

BBC Newsline's Nial Foster has been to meet him.

He is big, bold and bubbly. Already -- already, Rodney Ah You is right

at home. Have you picked up any phrases? What about you, mate? One

more. Dead on! Clearly, Rodney is already picking up the lingo, but he

wants to do his talking on the pitch. I am really happy at the

moment. My wife and kids are settling in really well. My kids are

back at school. I'm finding life here happy. I first two games are

great to get on. Especially being away last week. But we didn't come

away with a bonus point we were hoping for. In his own words,

Rodney's start with Ulster has been dead on.

Collectively, the most revered and formidable strike force

That's the conundrum confronting Carnlough's Brendan Rodgers,

as he brings Celtic to Barcelona this evening for their opening

Suarez is on record as saying Rodgers was the best coach

he'd ever worked with - the respect is mutual.

I know working that Louis on his own used to occupy it back for defence

on his own. If you put name and messy-mac into that, it is a very

difficult task, big competition for Barcelona. -- Messi. They have won

it in the most recent past so I am sure they will want to win it again.

What I have seen in the team since I have worked with them is that they

have a real hunger and desire to do very well in every single training

session and every single game. Kick-off is at 7:40 five.

Tyrone man Phillip Eaglesham has been in action

He's attepmting to qualfy for the finals of the disabled shooting

A Royal Marine, six years ago while on duty in Afghanistan,

he contracted Q fever, the disease which is caused

leaving the 34-year-old father of three wheelchair bound.

We'll hear from him on tomorrow evening's BBC Newsline.

And finally, local football, Glentoran host Glenavon

this evening in the Danske Bank Premiership.

Kick-off at the Oval is at 7:45 and we will have action

on our late BBC Newsline bulletin at 10:30.

Barra Best is always telling me the weather has a mind of its own.

So that's why the rain decided not to visit us today as we had thought!

Yes, we had lots of it in the forecast, but thankfully it turned

out drier. It would have been a difficult -- it would have been

different had it been the other way round. The rain decided to stay out

across the Irish Sea and will continue to do so for much of the

evening. Some will return in the early hours of Wednesday. Article

five, 11 to 12 for most of us. Tomorrow it will stay mostly cloudy.

12 scattered showers, especially during the first part of the day.

They will be very spaced out and through the day, plenty of drier

weather will develop, especially towards the South and East. We get

sunny spell is developing pushing him from the Irish Sea, 19 or 20

degrees not out of the question. Even in the West, 18 or 19 degrees

by the middle of the afternoon. If you are travelling there will be

some heavy downpours in the Western areas, towards the South and East of

Britain very warm, 29 or 30 degrees. It will always be under that cloud

cover towards Scotland and Ireland and it will be noticeably cooler but

for us, 19 or 20 degrees at this time of year is not too bad. It will

stay mostly dry tomorrow evening, especially towards the East with

some sunshine before nightfall. Overnight tomorrow night, a milder

night, perhaps some fault developing as temperatures fall to 14 or 15.

Thursday, not bad in terms of temperatures but more unsettled.

There will be outbreaks of rain. Not a complete wash-out, we do expect

some sunny spells. Temperatures in the West 16 or 17. Further East, 18

or 19. Friday, just in time for the weekend, not too bad. There will be

a few showers but some sunny spells. Friday night, if you're heading to

any of the culture nights across Northern Ireland, we expect it to be

largely dry, perhaps a bit chilly. Wind is picking up on the weekend

and turning cooler by day. We will have the headlines at 8pm

and a late update