26/08/2011 BBC Newsline

Good evening. The headlines: The funerals take place of the two

friends are murdered in Turkey. A magistrate criticises the police

for arresting her in connection with a kidnapping.

The ordeal of a woman repeatedly raped in one night in Lurgan.

Iris Robinson and Castlereagh council are cleared of were the

cafe contract awarded to her lover. Lots of hot air in my row over the

weekend, find a while later. Croke Park is lit setting for

Donegal against Dublin just as it was during the 1992 All Ireland

final. I have spoken to a couple of players who had very important

roles to play that day. The weekend is here but what has

the weather lined up for us? I will have the details later.

Two families were united in grief today at the funerals of Marion

Graham and Kathy Dinsmore. Hundreds gathered in Newry and Warrenpoint

to mourn the friends who were murdered on holiday in Turkey last

week. During the Requiem Mass, the priests reflected the sense of

disbelief at their deaths and said there were many questions but few

answers. Just over a week ago, 15-year-old

Shannon Graham was in one of her favourite places, on holiday in

Turkey with her mother. Today, she walked behind her mother's coffin.

Marion Graham was stabbed to death, allegedly by Shannon's boyfriend.

She was 53. Shannon and the victim's of their children joined

around 200 children -- people at requiem mass. Sinn Fein MLAs were

among the mourners. Inside the chapel, the priest said the murder

had cause numbness and confusion. He paid this tribute. We remember

it Marion as a unique individual who influenced many people's glides

as -- lives in many ways. She was a loving mother, a great friend. She

lived her life to the full and enjoyed the company of friends and

neighbours. During the service, Shannon placed a family photograph

on the otter. Marion Graham's relatives carried her coffin to the

graveyard, where she was laid to rest. Less than three hours later,

members of the Graham family went to Warrenpoint for Kathy Dinsmore's

funeral. She was the same age as Marion Graham and a close friend.

Dozens attended her Requiem Mass, including the SDLP leader, Margaret

Ritchie. Kathy Dinsmore's brothers led the mourners. Priests described

her as a gentle and kind of woman. We are paralysed. We are suspended

in disbelief. He there is a huge emptiness in our hearts beat Cas

Kathy Dinsmore has been taken from us in this way. -- because Kathy

Dinsmore has been taken. It is so unfair and so cruel and it is no

wonder that we are devastated at this time. I after the service,

Kathy Dinsmore was laid to rest in St Peter's cemetery. In Turkey,

police are expected to charge the suspect with the murders. In

Northern Ireland it has been a day of two funerals to remember to

friends and to families left behind. So -- to Afriends and CHEERING AND

APPLAUSE. Families.

A if a lay magistrate has been instructed by the Lord Chief

Justice not to undertake duties. Delia van der Lenden was detained

with her husband and her son and a suspicion of kidnap.

Delia van der Lenden says her standing in the community has been

damaged and her work as a magistrate has suffered. She says

she still does not know why she was arrested. When you are in there

without your shoes in a jail cell, being photographed and having your

fingerprints taken, you do not ask questions. I have no idea what

intelligence they have. There is no clock, you have no idea of telling

the passage of time. You have no idea what is happening and he's

very frightening. Mrs van der Lenden's son was arrested during a

dissident republican protest outside the Alliance Party's

headquarters in Belfast. He was sentenced in 2004 for gathering

information likely to be of use to terrorists. Using that had a

bearing on the arrests on this occasion? He paid his price for

what happened in the past. I do not share his political opinion. At

this moment in time, in a democratic society, he has the

right to pursue his political objectives by peaceful and lawful

means. Mrs van der Lenden is to ask the Police Ombudsman for an

explanation for her arrest and for the time being, she will not be

working as a lay magistrate. A man has appeared in court charged

with repeatedly raping a woman in Lurgan last month. The woman, from

if they win yet, is also accused of attempting to murder a 23 Altman on

the same day. -- the man, from Lithuania.

A barman was allegedly held against her will and gang rape. It happened

in July. It is claimed three men took part. One of those accused

took -- was in court today. 10 charges were put to him through an

interpreter. Some of their charges against Darius Porcikas

cartographic to be broadcast when it can be reported that he has been

accused of raping the woman five times during her 12 are ordeal. He

has also been accused of attempting to murder 823 year-old man and has

been charged with holding both him and the woman against their will. -

- a 23-year-old man. This is not the first person to be

charged in connection with his alleged rape and police said their

inquiries are continuing. Last month, a 33 rd Lithuanian woman was

charged with lying to the police and helping her boyfriend avoid

arrest. He is described as a key suspect. Today, Darius Sportacus

did not apply for bail and he has been remanded in custody. -- Darius

Porcikas. Still to come...

Fancy a night at the Theatre? Get your Wellington boots on and join

me here at Belvoir Forest. They are getting it ready for the

first ever hot air balloon festival, but could do windy weather

threatened the whole thing? -- could be windy weather threatened

that whole thing? A man accused of trafficking

Eastern European women to Northern Ireland to work in sex trafficking

has been appearing in court. The man was arrested in Belfast by

police officers investigating a vice ring. Record was told the

victims believed they were coming here to be models. Lyle Lamont from

Squire's Hill Crescent and a woman from Cavendish Street have been

accused of controlling prostitution and brothel-keeper in.

A report has found Iris Robinson did not breach the code of conduct

for local government by awarding a contract to her lover to run a cafe.

She failed to declare interests to Castlereagh Borough Council. The

report found that everyone complied with the rules.

This is the cafe at the centre of the story. The lock keepers in on

the banks of the River Lagan has been the subject of an

investigation since January last year. The programme alleged that

Iris Robinson helped her teenage lover, Kirk McCambley, to open at a

cafe with 50,000 pints with two -- from two developers. It also

alleged by she had failed to declare her interest when the

council awarded the Leas. In 20th January 10, consultants, Deloitte,

were appointed to investigate if any loss had been broken at at --

and if there had been financial loss to the council. Much of the

report focuses on a meeting at Castlereagh Borough Council in 2008.

When the terms of the Leas for the cafe were agreed. It says that Mrs

Robinson was not present when it was agreed. The report concluded

that she did not break a local government code of conduct. It also

states that councillors complied but legislation, a conclusion

welcomed by the DUP. There are some who attempted to advance their own

political agenda behind a smokescreen of mud-slinging and

rumour-mongering. Those people have absolutely no basis for their

vindictive campaign and their motives are now exposed. The report

exonerates everyone of wrong doing. The Alliance Party said they were

given insufficient time to eat debate the 35 page report. -- time

to debate. It would have been sensible to give us time to read

the report before accepting it and before accepting the

recommendations in full. The report states that the guidance on

conflict of interest lacked clarity. It recommends councillors are given

training on conflicts of interest. A spokeswoman for the BBC said it

stands by its journalism and believes the investigation was a

significant public interest. This will be welcome news for arrears

Robinson. In May, she made her first public appearance for over a

year when she attended a Reception in Dublin. Earlier this year, she

was informed by the Public Prosecution Service that she would

not face charges. The former MLA is still the subject of an

investigation by the Assembly Ombudsman. The BBC understands that

Iris Robinson's solicitor will make a statement in the coming weeks.

If you want to get in touch with as, there are a number of ways to do

Next, to the River Bann. Can everyone who wants to use it do so

without damaging the environment? Cruisers will be available for hire

in Coleraine. This will boost the letter end history. But the Rivers

Agency also uses the water way to drain excess water from Lough Neagh.

It could all proved too much for the crumbling banks.

It is a height of the summer, and the banks of the River Bann are dry

and crumbling. But is the erosion being made worse by the Rivers

Agency? Or those who want to use the river for pleasure? This is one

of the three games that are open to allow water to come off Lough Neagh

into the river and down into the sea. But some argue it is the way

his system is operated that is causing havoc to those who want to

make better use of the river. can have a day like today when the

water levels are low. And then tomorrow, if Lough Neagh has

started to trot out, the river could rise to six feet. We cannot

go into the water because there are trees, and logs and debris, just

general debris washing off the banks. A friend of mine the other

day, the river was flooded, he was skiing along, and the boat hit a

lock, �500 worth of damage. Some believe a combination of extreme

sports and the way water levels are managed has taken its toll of the

river. We got heavy rain. When the water is released, it will were

away at the lower, at the river level. It is the only river I am

aware off in Europe that allows water-skiing. We are in a unique

position here. You would need to our riverbanks of the river.

Rivers Agency has established -- a statutory obligation to keep Lough

Neagh at a set level. If it rises, the gates are opened to drain the

excess water away. But could it be done in a more sympathetic way?

main interest is to ensure there is no adverse effect in terms will

flood risk. However, if people felt there was something we could do

that would produce the same effect, we would be interested to hear

anything they might have to save. Next year, six cruisers will be

available to hire from Coleraine harbour. This man is hoping a

compromise can be reached between levels and leisure. What they seem

to do is let the levels build up in Lough Neagh and then release it all

this sudden. I think with careful management, with sympathetic

management, if they were released a bit more slowly. If we are putting

boats on the river, this will have to be done and I think we need to

work in partnership with them on that. With thousands of pounds

being spent along the river, those responsible for looking after it

are hoping this argument will soon be water under the bridge.

As a rule, you do not need a worn jacket and sensible shoes to watch

a play. But if you were going to 'Under the Greenwood Tree' tonight,

forget the stilettoes. Maggie Taggart is deep in that part of

Belvoir Forest in Belfast. I am at the entrance to Lagan

Valley Regional Park, and it is the start of Belvoir Forest Park.

Shortly, about 40 members of the audience will be guided through the

forest to witness excess of Shakespeare's place. It is being

done by the green with players. They all play multiple roles,

including the music. Forget the grand entrances. This is

the theatre of the outdoors, and this is how the audience will make

their way to a stage surrounded by trees, where they will sit on loss

instead of comfortable chairs. They will watch scenes from Shakespeare

plays. A blue eye and sunken, appeared neglected, which you have

not. Some of the trees here are thought to be as old as the

Shakespeare plays, and have inspired the cast. We were

rehearsing in Sandy Row community centre before. Once we got into the

forest, it just set the atmosphere and I think it is fair to say that

the forest has actually proved to be an inspiration for all the

actors. Prospero and Taliban from the Tempest really suit the setting.

But even brings problems of access. We have to make sure that the props

and costumes, the likes for one scene, that they are all in

positions. So the audience will not see this, but behind the scenes

there is a team of people going around the forest with huge chunks

of costumes and props and things -- trunks. The show has been backed by

the Royal Shakespeare Company's open spaces project, and could end

up in Stratford. But not with the Lagan Valley trees as props!

This Is Dead Gorgeous forest walk, and I am wondering if Lagan Valley

Regional Park might be a bit worried about the condition of the

forest afterwards? No, they had been very professional from the

very start. We are very happy. what special arrangements have you

had to make on behalf of the park? We did a bit of support in terms of

the planning of the event, from the outset. We have also cut back some

of the chorus and the thorns and things, so that the actors can get

around the various sides and the audience will not get stung by the

nettles and things like that. We also has some of our staff and

volunteers out supporting them on the night. How you need is this?

it is the first time I have never known anything like this in Lagan

Valley Regional Park. It is a month -- an unusual and exciting event.

This show is on tonight, tomorrow and Sunday.

Now, to the tale of the first hours Soccer club to reach the group

stages of a European football competitions. Unfortunately, they

have no chance! That is hardly the spirit!

It was an amazing win against Partizan. They had been drawn

decides Bowers in the group stages of the Europa League. It was quite

a night for the team managed by Michael O'Neill. Rovers were one

goal down in Belgrade last night, and it looked like the dream was

fading. But then Pat Sullivan produce this. To aged two on

aggregate, the game went to extra time, and with just two -- 10

minutes to play Rovers worse rewarded at penalty. The draw was

made at lunchtime in Monaco today, Rovers will face Salonica of Greece

and Russian side Rubin Kazan, was well as buyers. Obviously it is at

a glamourous tie, and it is the one everyone picked out. Yesterday was

yesterday, but I cannot keep forgetting about the performance

yesterday. To come through that, and win in the end, confidently

enough and in extra time, it was massive. Donegal play Dublin in

this weekend's All-Ireland semi- final. Dublin are overwhelming

favourites just as they were in the 1992 final when the same sides

clashed. Thomas Niblock has been to meet two players with two different

Back in 1992, Donegal play to Dublin in the All-Ireland football

final here at Croke Park. 19 years later, the same two sides contest

the 2011 All-Ireland semi-finals. That gives the chance for some it's

the players to rekindle old memories. I knew we would win the

match when I look back at it. I just wanted to make sure I was

beside the referee when the final whistle went. I had the ball still

at home. It was really exciting. There is a fine line between

confidence and cockiness. We bordered on cockiness more than

confidence, and we needed the second half of the game to get back

into it. A I think it will either be close, or we will win

comfortably. I think we will win by five or six in the end. I hope it

is close, I hope Donegal can stay in. But I think Dublin will

probably come out on top. If you expected Donegal to be in the

Sunday's semi-final, there are perhaps some Dublin reporters --

supporters who are glad they will Islands take on England in rugby

tomorrow before flying out to the World Cup in New Zealand. There is

a lot at stake after recent poor performances by the roadsides and

the small matter of the Six Nations match earlier this year. The last

time England were in town, there was not much for their fans to

smile about. Martin Johnson's men were on course for a glance --

Grand Slam, but suffered a painful defeat. The English coach is

relishing the rematch. We went to Dublin and got outplayed. So it is

good to go back quickly, and not have to wait two Mackie has to wait

for that opportunity. I think it will be equally tough, they are in

a similarly desperate position in some ways. So they will be

desperate to win as well. I would not want a low-key match, you want

a tough encounter. We have deliberately played two weeks

before the first game, which has its risks. Our island produce their

best rugby of the year in the Six Nations against England. But either

side of that, there had been six defeats. Most recently, against

France last weekend. The results had been disappointing, but I think

that in training and at the meetings, the mood within the squad

is still good. Obviously it is a huge match this weekend, but we

have staff to work out. It is still positive and going forward.

Island's late surge against the French will have listed the peg --

lifted the players. But they know that this match demand that

performance and a result. The is a 2pm start tomorrow on

Radio Austria's medium wave. Jason Smyth will make history when

he runs Brian deny heat of the 100 metres in South Korea tomorrow. He

will become the first ever Paralympics track athlete to run in

the championships. I should say before we get annoyed

phone calls,, on new Rovers! --, on new Rovers!

It is planned to be a spectacular display in this guy, hot air

balloons taking part in Northern island's first international

Balloon Festival. But the weather has to be just right. Natasha Sayee

is in Moira, where conditions have been far from ideal.

Yes, as you can see they are getting ready for the International

Balloon Festival. There are a few balloons up at the moment. I'm told

that in the morning there will be about 30 people were hoping to get

up in one of the police to show you the view. Because if you go to --

you should be able to get up to about 10,000 ft. What but we can

only imagine what that you would be like. We did not get up because of

the weather. Are you concerned at all is that the weather could

scupper the festival? No. We are getting rid of the bad weather

early. We should be fine for the next three days. Fingers crossed.

What are the highlights of the festival? This is the first for

Northern island. We have international teams. There are 27

balloon is here. It is a family event, there is a funfair, there is

a marquee, there is lots to do. It is �10 for adults and free for

children. Thank you. That is really it from Moira. Everyone here has

their fingers crossed, hoping for their fingers crossed, hoping for

We do need a good forecast. Thank you, it is not perfect. It could be

worse but it could be better. I understand balloons do not like wet

weather or windy weather. Over the weekend, there will be showers and

it will turn a bit breezy. It is relative to go whether we have had

lately. The direction is coming from the West. It will feel a bit

cool at times but we're not expecting gales are anything at

that. This evening, there are still a few showers around. They will

continue overnight tonight. Temperatures holding between 8 and

10 degrees Celsius. First thing tomorrow morning, it should be

tried but it will not be long before we start to see the showers

coming in. There will be a fair amount of shares around tomorrow

morning. But most of them will be light in nature. And thanks to that

breeze it means that, if you do catch a shower, it should go away

fairly quickly. If you were going to Dublin tomorrow afternoon, there

is a chance of showers there as well. But it should brighten up in

between. For Northern island three tomorrow afternoon, there will be a

few showers scattered around, but equally, a bit of sunshine in

between. As with a temperatures, at best they will reach 18 degrees

Celsius. Further north though, temperatures will be capped at

around 15 degrees Celsius. So it will be a bit fresher along the

north coast. As the head three evening, the showers will tend to

fade away. So if you have plans for the outdoors tomorrow evening,

chances are that, fingers crossed, it should stay dry. On Sunday, if

you are planning to head to Croke Park for the All-Ireland semi-final,

again there is the chance of a shower. But over the cause of the