30/08/2011 BBC Newsline

Good evening. This is BBC Newsline with Noel Thompson and Donna

Traynor. The headlines this Tuesday evening: the sister of a

motorcyclist killed at the weekend said her brother died doing what he

liked best. It is a tragedy that his life was taken from him but he

did what he loved and he would have liked to have gone up that way.

pharmaceutical project goes south of the border. The beyond the grave

claim of bombing a links between the IRA and the ANC. Could this be

the location for Northern Ireland's first national park? It seems we

just cannot make up our minds. Join me live to find out more. Ireland's

rugby players leave for New Zealand with their World Cup hopes a bit in

the air. And after a pretty gloomy day today, will the clouds be

closing in on us again tomorrow? Two riders at opposite ends of

their careers, Adrian McFarland was 41 and a seasoned campaigner and 20

year-old Wayne Hamilton was just setting out on his career and was

widely tipped for stardom. It is a chilling reminder of just how

dangerous road racing remains. Wayne Hamilton was from County

Armagh and this afternoon, our district journalist Gordon Adair

met up with his sister Laura, who at just 13, must come to terms with

the loss of the young man she calls her "beautiful big brother". And

just 13, she hero worshipped her older brother. He had been making

the headlines recently because of his racing but today, they were

dominated by his hopes never coming. He died yesterday while racing on

the Isle of Man. The second competitor to die here in just two

three days. What he did, he understood the risks and he was

willing to take them. He is My beautiful brother and will never be

forgotten. His death came as he seemed to be bound for stardom.

Here, he battles on the circuit. have seen in the newspapers today,

several people, big names in the business saying that he was a

superstar of tomorrow. It is a tragedy that his life was taken

from him but he did what he loved and I think he would like to have

gone up that way. I bet he was sorry for what happened but it just

happened. He is Caraher was just beginning but even experienced

competitors can come to grief. -- he was at the beginning of his

career. They loved doing it and it is in their blood. They will not be

put off and the tracks are as safe as they can possibly be. The

slightest error can cost somebody their life. Two very different

riders and races but the same An organisation which says it is

planning a major pharmaceutical research centre has rejected

Londonderry and decided to set up in County Kerry. The Global

Pharmaceutical Centre of Excellence says that means at least 300 jobs

will now be created south of the border. Now, it has been claimed

that the company was never seriously interested in Derry and

just used it to lever a better deal in the Republic. Our Business and

Economics Editor Jim Fitzpatrick is with me. What do we understand

about this company? They are a group promoting concept. They are

not a pharmaceutical company in the their own right. They walk a

cluster of pharmaceutical companies coming to the country and employing

up to 5000 people. They have got 4.5 billion worth of investment.

Today, they are concentrating on Tayside in County Kerry. But they

obviously became impatient. A site. -- at site. Are they tried to get a

better deal out of the Republic? They looked at Derry. They

specifically look at these army barracks as a potential location.

They did engage with them to see if they could make this work but the

numbers eventually did not add up. Be a local Sinn Fein is blaming

high taxation. One of the reasons given was that we were not

competing on a level playing field. We had got one hand tied behind our

back. The 12.5 % in the south was a very attractive option.

Particularly when you are dealing with a number of companies coming

together and try to collaborate. have been talking about 300 jobs

but actually this outfit does not have a single job to offer.

Somebody has to gain if somebody loses. This is the first part of

what could be a 5,000 job project over 10 years. I had spoken to the

association in the Republic looking after inward investment. They say

they are not dealing with this because it is an Irish investment.

It involves a drug distribution company in County Cork. The company

says nothing has been signed yet. It is a big vision but might yet

just be a pipe dream. A former South African government minister

says the IRA provided help for attacks on the old apartheid regime.

Kader Asmal died in June this year. But in a book just released, he

writes about contacts with the Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams back in the

1970s, which led to the support for Jim, 1980. Smoke rising above a oil

refinery. The attack provided the inspiration for a Hollywood movie.

At the time of the attack, Kader Asmal was a law lecturer in Dublin

and a leader of the Irish anti- apartheid movement. He died this

summer but in his autobiography, he said the IRA helped the African

National Congress to attack. Kader Asmal, seen with Paul Murphy, the

former Secretary of State said his contacts with Gerry Adams and the

Communist Party, led to activists receiving intensive training from

the IRA. But a decade ago, he rubbished his involvement in

African National Congress and I are a links. -- IRA links. They could

lose support because that time is a very dangerous time to be

identified as supporting this. During the peace process, the links

between the organisations became clear. African National Congress

activists at visited republicans here and Nelson Mandela backed

peace talks involving Unionists and nationalists in South Africa. But

an academic here was taken aback by the latest revelations. For the

African National Congress to take the risk of forging links of any

kind would these people is amazing. Astonishing. Gerry Adams is on

leave and was not available for comment but a Sinn Fein source said

the backing for the anti-apartheid struggle was a matter of historic

record and it contrasted with what she described as loyalist links to

Next, a debate we have highlighted many times in the past decade.

Should we have a national park in Northern Ireland? Previous attempts

to use the Mourne Mountains bet substantial opposition but this

time the Net is getting wider. Here is our correspondent. We have got

hundreds of square kilometres of pristine countryside, seldom

explored. Imagine if this was a national park and how easy it would

be To advertise and sell abroad. It could be like the glens. We have

been banging about this for the past 10 years but achieved nothing

but we might be getting better. What would it mean if we had a

national park here? John, you are a chairman of the tourism board here.

What would it mean to have a National Park here tomorrow?

would be an opportunity to have an experiment. We have looked at

archaeological sites. We have got a beautiful landscape. We have got a

beautiful valleys. It is an opportunity to develop and sell. We

can put in place structures where we could have proper access to the

countryside, leading to good quality health and well-being for

people and for visitors. We would also look at improved educational

opportunities and biodiversity. will the population accept this?

Will it be easy to sell? Some people will have some difficulties,

I am sure. But the farmers have been involved from the outset. This

is something that could be sold. The important thing is engaging

with the farmers from the very beginning. We must make sure issues

are addressed. We have been working with a variety of people over the

years. We have been discussing very important matters. In a nutshell,

he welcomed this? Yes, we welcome this. We welcome the opportunity to

look at an experiment in the park. This will be running because we are

at the very beginning of a very You are watching BBC Newsline and

still to come on the programme... Find out why this student is being

forced to wait another year for university. The striker who has

overcome formidable odds to get Now, the rising cost of cleaning up

litter. We are spending millions of pounds of cleaning up litter every

year. The waste spreads from streets to Parks.

Lunchtime in Belfast and despite the daily morning clean, bit by bit,

rubbish is returning to St. The cost is rising. The city council

has now is spending �11 million each year cleaning the streets.

That employees 222 people to do the job. Last year, over 2,000 people

were fined �50 each for throwing rubbish away. But it is not solving

the problem. Of some people do the right thing, others don't. That can

be seen in countless office doorways. Cigarette butts are a big

part of the problem. At this building, there are two cigarette

Bens, but there are still many cigarette butts on the four. Away

from the street, there is a problem in public parks. Some dogs are run

leads, others run free. When the foal, some owners don't bother

cleaning-up. If everybody would carry one of these and clean-up and

move on. Whether it is in the Parks on the streets, it might be some

time yet before the litter problem is kicked into touch.

We're all familiar with road rage, but what about towpath tantrum?

With more and more people using the Lagan Valley towpath,

confrontations between walkers and cyclists have prompted a campaign

to make people a bit more considerate.

Lagan Valley regional park is an amenity that attracts hundreds of

thousands of people every year. Some Oram bicycles, others on for

it. Therein lies the problem. The towpath's success has created

friction between users, with tempers flaring over a range of

issues. Cyclists going too fast is a problem. Dog-walkers flat let

their lead cut across the path is a problem. Sometimes pedestrians are

not aware of why people ringing the bell. Some people get offended, but

it is just a warning that your present. Others refused to move

across. There is a range of issues in terms of complaints. Today's

Other start of a leaflet in campaign by the park managers,

backed up by the police, advising people on a code of conduct. It is

not a problem to me, but if these bloated up like on other pass, I

think most people would stick to that. Cyclists don't bother me at

all. Everyone is entitled to use the park. I find it all right.

Except for her when he takes me for a walk! Have a million people every

year users will pass. The tranquillity of the area is one of

its major attractions. With so many Bebo on the towpath, it can get

busy enough. This is all about consideration and sharing the path

safely. -- with so many people on the towpath.

If you'd like to tell us what you think about our use of the Lagan

towpath and other walkways, here's how to get in contact. We're at

facebook.com/bbcnewsline. We're on Twitter. And our e-mail address is

[email protected]. Thousands of young people have

their A-level results in their pocket with decisions to make about

their future, just like Natasha Brannan whom we have been following

on her education journey. Eight years ago, we met the ten-year-old

girl who said she wanted to be a doctor. Can she achieve her dream?

Our Education Correspondent has the latest instalment.

We watched Natasha Brannan as she swatted forehead 11 plus in 2003. A

young girl full of ambition to be a doctor. Sometimes, my dad gives me

problems that I have to work out. In maths and science. Then the

worried for her as she sat her examine in her Lisburn primary

school. In English -- the English test was tricky. Also maths.

following year, we were there for the opening of the envelope. I have

a bigger chance of going to be a doctor now. She went off to grammar

school. A few years later, at her brother took the honours. I got an

A! Now, eight years after we met her and her family, she has done

her A-levels and is working part- time in a pharmacy. She wasn't

excepted by Queen's University and now must put off her ambition for

another year, in the hopes that work experience will win her a

place next year's. Just because me it -- just because my GCSEs were

and good, I got three days, so I can still make the grade if I worry

-- if I work hard. It is still a disappointment. All my friends are

in the medical class, including my best friend. Although I wish I got

in, I will make new friends next year. I will still be a doctor, it

would just take longer if. There was extra pressure on universities

this year, so Natasha and others might have more of a chance to

follow their dream career next year. Now a mystery we are confident the

vast army of Newsline viewers will be able to solve. We want to find

the owner of an old leather case that was found lying in a car park

in Castlereagh in Belfast. The contents are quite special.

It is like something out of an Indiana Jones movies. A sentimental

treasure-trove from the First World War. No one knows of it was lost or

dumped. Inside, this memento from the First World War. It was a

present from the amount of the current Queen to trips. This brass

box was given to troops by a member of the Royal Family. Inside, there

is a card which reads, with best wishes for a victorious New Year

from the Princess Mary. There is also a pawn against Hitler. As well

as a love-letter. Bury is that letter with lipstick on at -- there

is a letter with lipstick on it. military historian says it is not

worth a lot, but could be a huge sentimental value. The contents

make reference to both the first and Second World War. This could be

from a relative. Or we still have Second World War veterans are alive.

There is a letter addressed to a Henry Campbell who lived and East

Belfast. When I tried the relevant house number, no one was at home.

If you think you might know him or his relatives, we would love to

hear from you. We would like to reunite the suitcase with its

rightful owner. Elementary, my dear Watson!

In a few minutes, the Irish rugby team as they prepare to do battle

against the best in the world. Before that, a very different kind

of struggle. If you are an animal lover, you may find these next

pictures distressing. This is Johnny the Donkey and look at his

Johnny the Donkey and look at his hooves. It is thought they haven't

been trimmed for at least two years, leaving him with split and curled

hooves, twisted legs and in pain. He was rescued from the Mournes

about a week ago and is now with an animal sanctuary. Attempts are

being made to trace his owner. His hooves have now been trimmed and he

hooves have now been trimmed and he is making a good recovery.

Now to Ireland's rugby players who are in the air this evening. Here

is Austin O'Callaghan. Four years ago, they flew to France

full of expectation for the Rugby World Cup. And we know what

happened to Ireland there. So maybe today's departure for New Zealand

on the back of four defeats and bruised morale may produce a more

memorable World Cup story... He says optimistically. Gordon D'Arcy

was forced to miss the flight because of injury, but he will

follow the team out in a couple of days. This report comes from Dublin.

Brian O'Driscoll checked in for his 4th World Cup this afternoon with

the rest of his Ireland team-mates, aiming to prove that they can dine

at the top table. The Ireland rugby team has left Dublin airport on

route to New Zealand for the 2011 World Cup. Despite an alarming dip

in form during pre-season, Brian O'Driscoll remains confident

Ireland can do the business down under. Personally, I have been

involved in three World Cups and I have one quarter final out of it.

That is nothing to shout about. I don't want to finish my personal

career having not achieved on the biggest stage. There is a lot of

motivation for me. Everyone has different motivation. I want to

finish my last World Cup on a high and do something no other Irish

side has done. However, it will take a drastic change in

performance and fortune of that is to happen. They have dropped from

4th to 8th in the rankings. The summer, the lost to Scotland,

England and France twice. When you lose, you learn more than when you

win. What we have gained out of the last couple of matches is what we

need to improve on. The content of the training sessions will be

influenced by what has happened over the last month. We can benefit

from that. Better to find this out in August and September. The

expectations of the nation are firmly on the Cat On's shoulders.

- the captain's shoulders. Next to the football club which has

a problem with pigeons. Crusaders have signed a bird of prey to help

keep the seats at its home ground Seaview free of bird droppings. But

for a while during last night's league game against Donegal Celtic,

it seemed their feathered friend was more of a hindrance than a help.

It was billed as top-flight football, but the Falcon was not

playing ball. The peregrine falcon strayed into a deed offside

position before eventually being tempted back to patrol the terraces.

Just in time to see this opening goal from Michael Halliday. More

should have followed, but Donegal Celtic goalkeeper was unflappable.

This was the equaliser. Then, the Shore Road chickens came home to

roost as Paul McVeigh pinched the winner.

Finally, congratulations to Ireland's men's hockey team who

beat Spain 3-2 at the European Championships at the weekend to

finish fifth overall. That equalled their best ever finish in the

competition. Doing battle in sport is one thing,

but when it comes to your health a win against the odds is never easy.

Three years ago, the Derry City striker Mark Farren was told he had

a brain tumour. But he refused to lie down and after successful

surgery he hopes he'll soon be back on the front line and scoring goals.

Our North West Reporter tells us about a remarkable comeback.

It has been a long, hard road back to full fitness for this League of

Ireland footballer. But the talented striker was determined to

make it after being diagnosed with a benign brain tumour in 2,000 and

late on Christmas Eve. Devastated to get news like that. You have to

try to deal with it anyway you can. You have to be positive all the

time. That brought me through in the end. My family and I were

devastated at the time. The 29 year-old has scored 107 goals for

Derry City since 2003. He paid tribute to everyone who supported

him, from medical staff to family friends and the wider food balling

community. I have received lots of letters from fans. From my current

team and previous teams. Unbelievable how much support they

have given me for stopped after a successful seven-hour operation to

remove the brain tumour, he was told he could play again.

perfect match was in 2009. It was hard, but life goes on. We tried to

put it to the back of our mind as much as possible. We tried to deal

with it and enjoy our wedding day. We had a fabulous day. He has a

great record with the club. He is very modest and has great humility.

He has coped with this tremendously well for. Mark Farren cannot wait

to get back to doing what he does to get back to doing what he does

best. It is starting to feel like the

summer is slipping away from us. The UK weather statistics for the

month of August have started to come in. No surprises to learn that

temperatures have been veering towards still owe side of normal.

Initial suggestions would indicate it has been the coolest UK summer

in nearly 20 years. No surprises there, I think. In parts of

Northern Ireland, there was less than normal amount of rainfall

during the month of August. Crucially, we haven't seen much

sunshine and have been deprived of sunshine today. It is a largely dry

and settled story so I know that the farmers have been very busy.

Plenty of pictures showing them working on their harvest. Here are

some traditional methods from County Antrim. The stories for

tonight is that the Clyde will generally hold temperatures in

double figures. It will stay dry for tonight. Tomorrow, very similar

story to what we had today. A good deal of cloud and you'll have to

hunt for the sunshine. Probably a touch brighter tomorrow. It will be

largely dry, though the odd shower cannot be ruled out. Most of those