16/09/2011 BBC Newsline

Good evening. This is BBC Newsline, with Noel Thompson. The headlines

this Friday evening. Martin McGuinness is to run for the

Irish presidency. Two police officers are injured in

a bomb attack in a toy shop. And a rush hour rampage on shops in

West Belfast. And the SDLP leadership race gets

under way. And, can Ulster set the ball rolling with a win?

And, don't be getting your hopes up for the weekend weather. It's

Good evening. Sinn Fein has confirmed that the Deputy First

Minister Martin McGuiness will stand as the party's candidate for

the Irish presidency. He'll temporarily step aside from his job

as First Minister for the campaign. The Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams

says he believes Mr McGuinness can be the people's president,

personifying the genius and integrity of all the people of the

island, Catholic, Protestant and dissenter. Our political editor,

Mark Devenport, is with me. How much of a surprise? It is a

bold move in a sense Martin McGuinness was the highest profile

person Sinn Fein could throw into this, they believe he can take

votes. We are expecting him to stand down temporarily as Deputy

First Minister in the same way Peter Robinson stood down when he

had those difficulties and was replaced. Mr McGuinness will be

replaced by one of the Sinn Fein Executive ministers. And, it is

looking likely that John O'Dowd is likely. Does Martin McGuinness have

a good chance? A idea this is why Sinn Fein has decided to be bold,

because they have seen other parties not putting up a candidate,

or low key candidates. They see an opportunity to raise their profile.

It will be a turn up if you got this. According to the Irish

constitution, he would not have to give up the Deputy First Minister

position to stand as a candidate, but he would have to if he emerged

as winner. I suspect this temporary arrangement is the most likely they

will put into place during the campaign and run-up into late

October. He will of course say that this shows a Sinn Fein is

concentrating not necessarily on the transitional arrangements at

Stormont but on their golf of a united Ireland in the long run.

This is the back story of Martin McGuinness.

The Bogside of the 1950s, an unlikely starting point for the man

who would lead the IRA, become Sinn Fein's leader at Stormont, and now

the party's candidate for the Irish presidency. Many Unionists will

always see Martin McGuinness as one of the figures behind the bloody

conflict by the IRA. He first came to attention in the 1970s. Martin

McGuinness was second in command of the IRA at the time of Bloody

Sunday. Months later he was part of an IRA delegation in secret talks

in London. In 1974, with the bombing campaign at its height, he

was jailed in the Republic for IRA membership, something he regularly

denied. He stood for election to the Assembly in 1982 but still

articulated a hardline strategy. do not believe winning any amount

of votes will win freedom for Northern Ireland. It will be the

cutting edge of the IRA. He played a key role in talks which led to

the IRA ceasefire. His support was enough to convince many Republicans

to sign up to the peace process. His first ministerial portfolio did

not go down well with Unionists. When the Assembly returned after

suspension, he was Deputy First Minister. The warmth of the

relationship with Ian Paisley developing into an unlikely double

act. It has been more businesslike with Peter Robinson. I see it as

one of the true grit leaders of modern times. Martin McGuinness has

continued to attract substantial votes for both Assembly and

Westminster elections. Now he has put his name forward, he is bidding

to leave one iconic building for another. If let us go to Dublin.

Sinn Fein is still viewed with suspicion in political Dublin, what

has been the reaction? For there is a great deal of

surprise this evening among the political classes and commentators.

As to the other presidential campaign teams, they are saying

this won't make any difference. Sinn Fein are a growing political

force in the Republic, they would still be regarded with some

suspicion perhaps in the middle- class suburbs. If we look back to

some add 2010, kenny said he wouldn't share power with Sinn Fein.

So a big Martin McGuinness can expect tough questioning about his

republican past. I asked Sinn Fein's deputy leader how she

thought he would cope? We all have our personal narrative in history.

In many respects it is a fascinating story. It parallels the

political developments in Ireland. So come up and think Martin will be

more than comfortable to answer any questions. I know him well. More

importantly, I think he has the capacity to offer the kind of

leadership people need, because we made debate the past but we are

reliant on carving out a decent and shared future.

It is the public which matters and it will be interesting to gauge

their reaction in the coming days. In recent opinion polls, people

have said they are not going to vote for any of the existing

candidates, so maybe Martin McGuinness will take all of the

right boxes for them. Stay with us for the day's second

political story: the SDLP leadership contest. The party has

revealed that four men will battle it out to replace Margaret Ritchie.

They are the South Belfast MP Alastair McDonnell,. The Mid Ulster

MLA Patsy McGlone,. The Environment Minister Alex Attwood. And the

South Belfast MLA Conall McDevitt. We knew death and laid-back Patsy

McGlone would be there. McDonnell has been making no secret. Conall

McDevitt was in the background picking up nominations. In the end,

all four have got the necessary five nominations to go ahead. We

will see whether they made in the contest. We heard that the SDLP

have maybe got too used to losing votes in the past and they were

determined to change that. I have no intention of presiding over the

further decline and disappearance of the SDLP. I am seeking that

leadership because I firmly believe that I am the only candidate who

can stop the decline and make the SDLP truly electable again. Can we

put them in any kind of order? Patsy McGlone, the first out of the

blocks, got the most nominations, the man to catch. The question is

whether of Conall McDevitt and Alex Attwood will try to unite their

position and one of them stand, because they come from a similar

camp within the party. McDonnell, he still insists he will go on. We

will see at least three of them. Two police officers are recovering

after a bomb was thrown at them as they answered a call to a toy shop

in County Antrim last night.T wo civilians suffered shock as they

were caught up in the attack which happened at Mill Road in

Newtownabbey. Dissident republicans are being blamed.

In Londonderry, the Army have dealt with a pipe bomb left at a car wash.

It was found at the Racecourse Road last night. Three masked men,

travelling in a silver car, were seen in the area at the time.

A shopkeeper has told BBC Newsline how he fought off an armed gang who

rampaged across South and West Belfast this morning. The gang

carried out a series of robberies in just over ten minutes. Sharon

Bradford reports. The terrifying moment when three

men burst into a shop. One of the men holding a knife to his son's

throat, the shop owner could only look on as the other two help

themselves to cash and cigarettes. The end of this shop has been left

so shaken he did not want to appear on camera or be named. He said he

has added business here for 36 years and has never experienced

anything like it. The newsagent's near by was also targeted. Three

men walked end, threatened a customer and tried to steal his

wallet. He was stabbed in the hand. A few minutes later, down the road,

two men went into another of newsagents brandishing a knife and

crowbar. The owner had just arrived. That filly for him, help was at

hand. The Fellow in the bakery, he grabbed the site outside and throw

it at the fellow with the crowbar. We went after them. He attacked the

one with the knife could try to cut him and managed to cut his back

with the knife. Police believe all three incidences are committed and

are appealing for anyone with information to contact them. Still

to come on the programme: what does Martin Rogan say about the boxing

bosses who've called off his world It would take a brave developer to

build apartments in Belfast in the current property market. And a

brave person to buy one too. But next week sees the launch of a new

style of city centre apartment. Our business and economics editor Jim

Fitzpatrick has seen the prototype. Belfast its skyline doesn't boast

too many cranes these days, the construction boom is over and we

are left with a glut of unwanted and overvalued property. Much in

apartments. Basic economics tells us price is a function of supply

and demand. Where demand outstrips supply, as in 2007, the average

price of an apartment topped �213,000. Recently we demand at a

low, that has slumped to �126,000. Could demand return if prices

dropped further. One developer has come up with an idea he is hoping

will do that trick. It is a compact apartment with everything ready to

go, a luxury bathroom. Storage space. You have your sleeping area

with a sound system and television already installed. And right beside

it, your compact kitchen with appliances already in place. It is

smaller than anything we have seen but it comes with a smaller price.

Could this be the kind of thing to kick-start the property market?

Let's talk to the man who has to sell these? It is different in

terms of design, use of space, and above all price come up under

�80,000. It gives people an opportunity to get in. Departments

are not yet built but this replica is ready to view. The purpose of

building this, this is the first time this has existed other than

show houses in conventional schemes. This gives people an opportunity

absolutely what they're getting for their money, the size, so there is

no ambiguity, No Extras, this is what you get. Is it a good idea to

encourage people to live in tiny boxes? As long as you know what

you're paying for, it seems. Physically, it gets down to a point

where it is too small. There can be judgments taken by people, if

they're going in with their eyes open. You have to be aware of this.

The 48 apartments will sit on Montgomerie Street. Construction

will begin only if sales happen. It won't be long to discover if there

Work is now complete on Northern Ireland's biggest piece of public

artwork. The Rise, at the Broadway roundabout in West Belfast, has

cost almost half a million pounds. Let's go live to our reporter Kevin

Sharkey. A get a first view from the

motorway, an impressive addition to the skyline of Belfast.

So beside it, you see just how big it is. It is 7.5 metres tall, 30

metres wide. Imposing from all angles, just under have won here in

the making from a nondescript roundabout to a new city roundabout.

It symbolises a new Belfast. This nouvelle first is vibrant, diverse

and confident. So buried underneath it, a time capsule from a two

community is revealing hopes for their tomorrows. I want to make a

sculpture like the Rise. Are I would like to be an artist because

it is something I have wanted to do for my whole life. But while this

is a Belfast projects, it is already paying dividends in other

areas. The steelwork was manufactured elsewhere and now

London is calling. These are the early stages. We are just trying to

be involved in the costings in a project in the east of London. It

is rather different to this one. oppressive it may be, but the risk

of anti-social behaviour lurks. A lot of people try to climate. From

afar it looks easier to climate but up close, these are right angles

which makes it incredibly difficult. The paint itself is very slippery.

So not that easy to climate. It does not stop some! And it has of

course immediately become so the Balls On The Falls!

There's a big weekend of rugby ahead - Ireland take on Australia

tomorrow at the World Cup - but it all kicks off at Ravenhill tonight.

And Mark Sidebottom is there with this evening's sport.

Yes, Ulster take on the Cardiff Blues this evening - more on that

in a moment. We'll talk about Ulster's task shortly, but first

let's turn our thoughts to Auckland. Ireland's World Cup record against

Australia is played four, lost four - so can the boys in green upset

the odds tomorrow? Thomas Niblock has been trawling the archives.

Australia in the docks -- in the dark shirts kick off against

Ireland. 1950 it was the thirstier Ireland defeated Australia. Since

then, the Aussies have dominated. They are ranked second in the world.

But confidence of our first ever as World Cup victory over the Giants

is high. We have had a lot of support a, not just from the Irish,

but also for whatever reason the New Zealanders. That is great. It

is pretty close to a packed house here, so that is what you want to

play. You want to be in the big games and there is no bigger stage

than the Rugby World Cup. As his cause, we are very much looking

forward to Rick's. Australia are seen as New Zealand's biggest

rivals to winning the Cup, but she David Coulthard may be injured for

tomorrow's clash, and that would help Ireland. hopefully he is all

right. He will make that call, the doctors and medical staff will make

that call. If he does not feel he can get out there and play, he

obviously won't. We understand this is a huge game far as, a massive

game in this tournament. Ireland's captain Brian O'Driscoll, who

collects his 150th cap tomorrow, knows how to test the Australians.

For supporters will be hoping he can do it at least one more time.

Just as another number 13 did over 50 years ago. that was of course

the former Ireland captain way back in 1958.

Now to a man with divided loyalties, Australian international Ryan

Constable - now very much an adopted Ulsterman. Do you give

Ireland any chance tomorrow? Look, they are underdogs. They will have

to find a new level of intensity and smuggle that very -- smother

that very talented pair in the middle. Discipline will be key.

They are underdogs for a reason that they have the individuals.

this evening's game. The Cardiff crews are in town. It has been

pointed out Ulster played very well last season. But there are 3, 4,

five of them who should be out at the World Cup. There is quality in

both teams. There is a reason Cardiff have 10 points. He have an

open style of robbery and experience throughout the team. It

is experienced that really counts. Ulster need to control the game.

I'm looking forward to seeing the Auckland make his debut? If you can

take that sort of form into an Ulster Jersey, he is a very

exciting prospect. So I think that is possibly bolstered to win. Now,

on to boxing. Martin Rogan's world title fight,

scheduled for next month in Belfast, is off. Two weeks ago, the former

Commonwealth champion announced he would fight Luis Pineda for the

vacant WBU world heavyweight title. But the British Boxing Board of

Control has refused to sanction the bout. Rogan told me that he can't

understand the decision. The faster they turned me down without giving

me any reason just leaves me puzzled in any way. -- the fact

they turned me down. There have been former champions switch we

know so it is acknowledged. So it is hard because I have worked hard

to get where I am. In a brief statement today, the British Boxing

Board of Control said it did not recognise the WBU belt - the WBU

has countered saying it will now stage the bout in America.

Local football and the top two meet in the Carling premiership tomorrow,

as champions Linfield travel to Shamrock Park where second-placed

Portadown are aiming to preserve a 100 percent home record - here's

Thomas Kane. There is a late goal made it four

victories in four home games and Portadown and was further evidence

that the side could challenge Linfield's dominance this season.

think that they may well be a measuring stick to see how far they

have improved. They are realistic challengers this season and that is

something there fans will be wanting. He only Linfield have

scored more goals than quarter down this year and they have beaten

tomorrow's opponents in the last five meetings between the sides.

Linfield are the best team in the league. Their proven that. The last

time we played them at trammel Park, they humiliated us. It was 4- 0. We

felt a bit embarrassed after that result. We want to go out on

Saturday and put that result right and hopefully we can do it. There

is no reason why we can't. Portadown have a 100% home record.

Linford have a 100% away record. So at least one of those statistics

will be redundant in 24 hours' time. Something has to give tomorrow.

Goals and action live from five as usual. You will get the match live

after BBC News line. And there will be a minute's silence observed

before kick off the saving in memory of those four miners who

tragically lost their lives. Now, to North Belfast where a new

peace wall has opened. There are hopes a whole community can share

the space. 5, 4, 3, 2, who want. Yes!

It only took five seconds to overturn decades of separation.

These pupils were the first to go if you the new Peace Gate in

Alexandra Park. It is the only part in Western Europe with a three-

metre high fence running right through the middle of it. It has

two separate playgrounds, one used mainly by Protestants, the other

mainly by Catholics. Sectarian fighting forced the building of the

security fence, but community relations have now improved and

from today schoolchildren will be able to play in both parts. It is a

chance to make new friends and we can all stay together. You can play

with other friends, like from this side. You can call for them, and

take them to the park and show them all around the park. The adults

were excited as well. I think it is very significant. This is what we

have all been working towards, with communities working together and

dealing with their problems his partnership. For me, this is on a

par with the Berlin Wall. I am just so pleased to be cut of living

histories year in Northern Ireland. But the so-called Peace Gate will

not be open all of that time. It will be shut every afternoon at 3pm.

It will also be closed at weekends. The divisions in Northern Ireland

run deep. There are 59 peace walls. Removing these barriers will be a

long and difficult process. But today at least it began.

Now, a happy coincidence that Mark Sidebottom at Ravenhill said he was

as white as an altar's pocket, because it relates to our picture

of the day. Time now for our Naturewatch spot

and some rare pictures of one of the most notoriously shy residents

of our waterways. One of our viewers, John Armstrong, caught

this otter on Belfast Lough near Bangor as it tucked into a fish

supper, completely oblivious to his audience. The USPCA say otter

sightings are uncommon because the creatures are so good at keeping

out of our way - and that their presence is an encouraging sign of

the health of the water in Belfast Lough and the Lagan. Oops, this

fella then decided that a takeaway The now, a look at the weather. It

will be a white, breezy weekend. Certainly raincoats were needed for

today with that weather front living in earlier on, bringing a

band of heavy and quite persistent rain. Sunshine did come through in

the afternoon, but it has been quite unstable. One of two

thunderstorms as well. Still a few showers this evening, especially

towards the north and west. Still a few showers around the Belfast area

at the moment so raven which is not out of the woods. It could be

slippery weather risk of showers. Hopefully some drier spells as well.

Overnight, that westerly breeze starts to pick up, bringing more

showers in an almost anywhere could catch them. They will be more

frequent across the north and the west. There could be a rumble or

two of thunder. Overnight lows 10 degrees. For the weekend we are

looking at a pretty strong winds. There will be some showers at times,

particularly tomorrow. Having said that, for the Southern Counties

tomorrow morning I think they showers will be scattered and there

will be dry, bright gaps in between. They will be more frequent towards

the north coast though with some thunder. There is a chance into the

afternoon that they could become a more prolonged and drift across

parts of County Antrim. Inland, a mixture of bright spells and

showers. Chalice might ease towards the evening although it cannot be

guaranteed. All of us, a cool day. Highs of 14 Celsius. It could be a

while before they cleared to give a drier end to the night. Sunday,

still breezy and fairly cloudy but Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness is to

stand as the party candidate in the Irish presidential election. He is

in New York at the moment on an investment trip with the First