04/10/2011 BBC Newsline

Good evening. Karen Walsh was is convicted of killing her girdle the

neighbour. Her doctors said she suffered a

horrific death. How much we have got the debt and will Mac last

month, the Executive and residue of cutting the number of councils here.

The minister responsible tells us that agreement was news to him.

Less than six hours to the start of first strike by health and

education workers, we look at how it will affect hospitals and

schools. The ground-breaking project has

bested books children in foster care.

We have autumnal weather coming our way. Much colder.

Into one year old Maire Rankin opened her door in the early hours

of Christmas Day in 2000 and date to let in a woman she knew as a

neighbour but that women's Karen Walsh it turned out to be her

killer. The pensioner was found battered to

death. It took the jury less than two hours to convict Karen Walsh.

The judge told her she had carried out a brutal attack on a

defenceless women. In a moment, we'll hear from her

family but first, from Belfast Crown Court.

Karen Walsh's story all along was that she had been a good neighbour.

This afternoon, that issue of lies was torn apart. After they had

considered their findings, the jury came back with a unanimous verdict.

That verdict that Karen Walsh had beaten the women to death in a

drunken rage then lied and staged a sexual assault to cover her tracks.

The murder weapon was his crucifix. The Christ figure was broken off.

There was silence in the gallery as the Rankin Family looked on. For

more than two weeks, they had listened. The defendant looked

ashen-faced as they'd verdict was read out. She said, I am totally

innocent. Morale Brankin was found dead on Christmas Day to 2008.

Karen Walsh was the last person to see her alive. Walsh claimed Mrs

Rankin had been ill and she tried to help her before leaving her

alive in the early hours. The weight of the any, and

inconsistencies in her story went against her. In these speedy --

interviews, when she was still a witness. When I went in, she was

catching her breath. When you heard what had happened, how did that

make you feel? Terrible. thoughts are with the family. They

have been different -- deprived of her company because of the drunken

actions of someone she trusted. trial never got a sense of the

motive of the murder. The true sense, the family will never know

why. It has been three years since the

murder. As they tried to deal with her loss, the family has had to

deal with the pressures of the legal process. We look back at how

they have tried to deal with her loss. I feel to a sense...

rankings had been to court more than 30 times before it came to

trial. They kept a journal of each occasion. It became a chronicle of

the journey through the criminal justice system. More hanging around

courtrooms all day. The court room was warm. Maire Rankin was at the

heart of her family. A widowed mother of eight, she lived alone.

Our house was always fool. She had a fantastic sense of humour.

year-old had health problems but coped well with the support of her

family. That Keller was Karen Walsh. She had trained as a pharmacist in

the UK. She had every advantage in life, and good education, managed

to a prominent accountant and a successful business. Only Karen

Walsh knows what happened here that night. The Crown claims that when

she turned up here, Maire Rankin had criticised her. She had drunk a

litre of vodka a. She grabbed her and pulled her hair out. She beat

her with a crucifix. It was so severe that the crown of thorns

left the Distington bruise on her chin. That night was not the first

time she had turned up at her door carrying alcohol. She had done it

before making her elderly neighbour or worry about her. It is not that

she was afraid of her. She began to make a nuisance of herself. She

once came up very late. The present she brought was a bottle of whisky.

She was very surprised that she had brought a bottle of whisky. Maire

Rankin was a woman committed to her family. Here she is seen playing

with her own grandson. She may have not thought much of the wall she's

lifestyle. This hotel was no place for a child's. It was alcohol and

her curtains concern for her son that led to a violent assault.

arrived and the scene of disarray and Naeem, it was clear to me that

it was not natural causes. Her face was bruised. She was partially

covered. There was here all over the room. The arrest followed and

the legal process was flawed. Karen Walsh kept changing her legal teams.

It has had a devastating effect on our lives. We all work and have had

to take periods of time off work. The trial has been abandoned four

times. There was much that did not come out at the trial. Karen Walsh

had confided in a friend's. The rankings had to listen on the stand

as Karen Walsh lied about the events of that night. For months,

my mother's name was never mentioned in court. She was a

victim. During the trial, her humanity started to come across.

Our family had the opportunity to, -- communicate to the jury. She

started to be a person again. We have to try to focus on the years

of happy memories. The lovely home be dropping. I have no doubt she is

in every one of us or how would we have the strength to get through

the trial. The mill. We will go on because she would want us to.

years of delay and uncertainty, the Deputy First Minister will press

ahead with reducing the number of councils from 26-11. The

environment minister responsible says he has not been consulted

about the decision which was agreed between their DUP and Sinn Fein.

What is happening? After last month, he and Peter Robinson outlined

measures, one was this deal. Their parties do not control the

environment. The Environment Minister was answering questions

here at Stormont and he said he had not seen any understanding between

the First Minister and acting deputy minister. He told me that he

had been told nothing about this announcement and asked if he had

been surprised. The character of this government is Deraa two

parties who decide what is best for everyone else. It is not a healthy

way to goal. I look forward to seeing the level of understanding.

I will interrogate that proposal. I will judge what is the right way to

go for word. This is a once-in-a- lifetime opportunity to reorganise

local councils. This business of cutting down councils has always

been a numbers game. That would put him on a collision course with

acting Deputy First Minister. We will have to see how this matter is

resolved. Thousands of education workers are

preparing for a 24 hour strike starting at midnight. The members

of the union Unison say it is in protest at budget cuts.

The Health Minister believes they will hurt the aisle and vulnerable.

From midnight, most of unison's 20,000 members will be on strike.

In hospitals, porters and nurses are among those walking out. The

ambulance service will provide emergency cover but some transport

It is not good enough that 1000 operations are being disrupted. It

is not good enough that vulnerable children will not be able to go to

school tomorrow. They can still draw back from the brink.

strike will be held here at this hospital from midnight and

throughout the day there will be pickets across Northern Ireland.

The question is whether they have the support of the public. They

work for the public. Nobody else will do the jobs that they do.

are already short staffed. We have been in a few times and they are

rushed off their feed. They could not really cut them. I do support

the strikers. It is a hard thing to do, to strike when you are run a

hospital, but something has to be done. So there are those behind the

striking staff. Schools will also be affected, with catering staff,

caretakers and teaching assistants walking out. Teachers will be in as

usual and special needs schools will be covered. It may be that

some schools will close. The union says that the action is necessary.

We are looking at the biggest cuts in the history of the service. �300

million off the education budget, including schools. Our people

cannot take the strain any longer. They believe passionately in the

services that they provide. It is 30 years since health and education

workers have taken industrial action together and it could happen

again next month. Many unions will be balloting members on a walk out

over pensions. A defence barrister in the

supergrass trial has suggested that the former UVF member Robert

Stewart was advised by a police officer on how to deal with

difficult questions in court. The defence produced a video where

Robert Stewart said he was worried about his memory. They claim it

also shows a police officer telling him to stick to his story and

everything will be all right. 14 men are in the dock accused of

offences including murder. This is BBC Newsline. Still to

come: Could weeds be a suitable subject for debate at the Assembly?

Some people think so. Get them out onto the path ways. The Los Angeles

is the new home of Robbie Keane. We have been speaking to the

Republic of Ireland striker and David Beckham to find out how

Robbie Keane is settling into in California.

Jordan living with foster carers are much less likely than their

classmates to pass exams and go on to further education. -- children.

But �6 million has worked a small miracle. It has been spent on

things ranging from private tutors to driving lessons.

This is part of the University of Ulster and 19 year-old Christina is

the proud first-year student. As a teenager in foster care, she nearly

did not make it, and failed all of her GCSEs. Through the fostering

scheme, they provided me with help to complete the GCSEs and they

helped with my exams and gave me to Russia. It came in very handy. I

was sitting there with nothing. Without their help I would not be

where I am today. I was able to go on and do my Media Production

qualification and then go to university. For many children in

foster care, their lives have been so disrupted that school work is

the last thing on their minds. This scheme put money into their

education to give them enthusiasm and confidence about learning.

actually changed the way that people look at children in care. In

the past, there was often an expectation that these children

would not do well. There was no point in pushing them. Foster

children have a poor exam record. The standard target is five GCSEs

from A to C, but only 16% reach that compared to 71% across all

pupils. Most foster children are getting extra help and more than

half achieved good GCSEs. Here, Mark is studying for A-levels, but

that is due to the private tutoring that she got for his maths, held

that he did not want at first. -- he got. Help that he did not want

at first. I did not carry on with school work because they did not

think I would get very far. I gave up before I even tried but now my

attitude has changed, big time. I never thought I would do A-levels

but thanks to the network, I got the tutor and I got going again. I

had to go to university. It is a tribute to the help given to both

Mark and Christina but after years in the care system, both of them

now want to be social workers. The DUP insists it is a serious

issue but the Alliance MLA says there is more to discuss and some

MLAs have refused to join in the debate in the Assembly. We are

talking about weeds. You have to look quite hard to find weeds in

Stormont's manicured grounds. But be on this estate, the DUP insist

this is a serious issue. -- beyond this estate. They lead a debate

claiming that the road teams had failed to tackle the problem on

footpath and other public places. This caused some MLAs to walk out,

saying it was not a good use of Assembly time. There are far more

important issues. We have the strike coming up in the next 24

hours. We have serious issues facing families in Northern Ireland.

I am not billeting the issue of weeds, it is annoying and

irritating, but not top of the agenda. The DUP defended the debate,

insisting the weeds are not just unsightly but they cause damage and

pose a costly safety risk. I want these issues dealt with because it

is something that the Department should be dealing with. This is the

only place that I can actually call the minister and called -- call the

Department to account. I am not apologising. This lady bought her

own weedkiller to tackle the problem. Our in everybody's garden.

The biggest problem is that lots of senior citizens live round here and

we are afraid to walk out, especially at night. And she has

this message for the MLAs. I would give them a big boot and get them

spraying the past. The minister apologised for problems and

promised improvement, adding that with the best will in the world, he

would never get rid of them all. We have been speaking to the men

that will be leading out Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland

this weekend. In a moment, an exclusive interview

with Robbie Keane and also David Beckham, just for you! But first

the Northern Ireland camp. Aaron Hughes is definitely out of the

remaining two 2012 qualifiers. The captain position is then vacant.

Steven Davis has been deputising in that role at Rangers and now

fancies the armband for his country. Steven Davis! That was a great

finish for the man from Rangers. For both club and country, Steven

Davis has been a leading the way. Stand-in captain for Rangers and

now emerging as the prime candidate to take on the role at

international level. I have enjoyed doing it here. I have enjoyed

taking on the extra responsibility at the club. If I have got the

opportunity, I would love to do it for Northern Ireland. Anybody would

be proud to do it for their country. He will be proud to earn his 50th

international cap against Estonia on Friday. He admits the chances of

Northern Ireland qualifying for the Euro 2012 finals are remote.

think realistically we are probably out of contention for qualification.

It was a bitter blow, the last two games that we have. There was real

optimism about them, and some of my individual errors cost the games.

Unfortunately at that level you get punished for your mistakes and that

was the case. We will try to do well in the remaining two games.

has thrived in the captain's draw at Ibrox and now he is ready to do

the same for his country. -- role. Robbie Keane will lead the Republic

of Ireland in their qualifiers at Andorra on Friday and against

Armenia next today. He is playing alongside David Beckham with LA

Galaxy in Major League Soccer in the United States. He has made a

smooth transition to live across the Atlantic.

Robbie Keane's decision to leave the Premiership was not easy. He

has been an instant hit with the fans since making the move to

southern California. I did not come here for the lifestyle. I came to

play football and I still have lots of years left within me. And not

here for the holidays but to play football. The live there is great,

as you can see, but what comes first is the football. -- the

lifestyle is great. What are your objectives? Key player in, keep fit,

keep scoring goals and help the team progress. -- keep playing.

is Robbie Keane settling in? Great. He is a great guy and any great guy

can settle in. There is a lovely group of guys that can help him. He

has scored goals, which he was always going to do and he has

settled in on pitch and off pitch. Who would not want Robbie Keane and

his ability in your team and in the league? He has been great for this

team and great for the game in this country. LA Galaxy are currently

the top two in Major League Soccer in America. They have already

qualified for this year's play-offs. Qualification is also the name of

the game at international level for Robbie Keane, as Republic of

Ireland bid to make it through to their first major championships

since the World Cup of 20,002. -- 2002. I have not had a chance to

play in the euro championships yet. The World Cup was great. It would

be great to get to a major competition. There are two games

left. The next couple of weeks we could be going to Europe. I am a

proud Irish man and I love playing for my country and that has not

changed. I will continue to play for Ireland as long as they want me

and as long as I am fit. I hope to get to Euro 2012 and that will spur

me on. Like a Hollywood thriller, there has been plenty of drama and

a number of twists and turns in a qualification campaigns so far.

Robbie Keane hopes there will also be a happy ending.

Will the Irish rugby team be smiling this weekend? The countdown

is on to the quarter-final against Wales this weekend. The Ireland

players have arrived in Wellington for the game in the impressive

Regional Stadium. Ulster's Rory Best will miss the game because of

injury but the rest of the squad is raring to go. They are very

familiar with Wales, the players. We know the guy as well. -- the

guys well. Last year left a bitter taste and we are looking forward to

putting that right. We expect them to play an expansive and exciting

game of rugby. We hope that the rain will stay off because we want

to play some rugby as well. There will be a ding-dong battle. And in

boxing, Belfast flyweight Michael Conlon is through to the quarter-

finals at the World Amateur Championships, which also means he

has qualified for the London 2012 Olympics. And use Justine, Martin

Rogan will fight Matt Skelton at the King's Hall in November. --

news just in. That will be a cracking match.

It is always raining in the rugby in New Zealand. But in California

it is always sunny! What is coming Some boisterous weather. It is dry

at the moment and this is the calm before the storm. Things will get

fresh air over the next 24 hours. Cloud has been coming in from the

Atlantic. It is still dry in most places at the moment but that cloud

will thicken up. The rain will break out this evening and it will

become heavy in the North West. The winds will strengthen, and they

will likely be gale-force across the North West. Temperatures

everywhere staying in double figures. Wet and windy weather

affecting all of us at some point tomorrow. Especially wet during the

rush-hour. It is coming in from the North West. It will be steady and

heavy across Tyrone, Londonderry, and along the North coast. Gusts of

50 mph and we are not expecting damage but it will be noticeable.

The winds less strong and the rain more patchy in the South East.

Temperatures about 15 degrees. It is not cold because of the tropical

and. That is interfering with our weather systems. As the rain move

away, it turns drier. Some ghastly winds. It will start to feel colder.