11/11/2011 BBC Newsline

Good evening. This is BBC Newsline. The headlines this Friday evening.

Sean Quinn, one of Alan's rich as men, declares herself bankrupt. I

am live at the court. Water wallows in Ballymoney are set to continue

over the weekend. Alan's new head of state promises a presidency of

inclusion and ideas. The special day to remember soldiers killed in

war as past and present full step the record-breaking pictures which

are making waves all over the world. And very wet and windy day, we will

have a pretty decent weekend. Good evening. The Fermanagh businessman

Sean Quinn was once Ireland's's riches man and is now bankrupt. He

made his declaration today at the High Court in Belfast. He is said

to have debts of more than two and have billion pounds, much of it

owed to the Anglo-Irish Bank. He could be back in business in one

year. Our business correspondent joins us now. Sean Quinn spent

years building up a huge business empire which straddle both sides of

the border and beyond. A long way, he amassed a huge personal fortune

once said to be worth more than �4 billion. Within minutes today, he

was declared bankrupt, unable to pay his increasing debts. 63 euros

Sean Quinn is one Ireland's best- known self-made millionaires whose

fortunes have merited the Irish economy going from Plymouth to bust.

His problems can be traced back to the crash of the Dublin-based

Anglo-Irish Bank whose headquarters lie and finish. He bet on the

bike's share price and lost hundreds of millions of Euros as a

result. This led to the demise of the Quinn empire, he lost control

of Quinn insurance and there is manufacturing companies in April.

Today, at the High Court in Belfast he voluntarily applied for and was

made bankrupt over an alleged debt of 2.8 billion euros at the Anglo-

Irish Bank. He denies owing the full amount, but except he owes the

bank for property loans. The bass majority of his debt arises out of

the purchase for shares that commenced in 2007. He does admit

and it is disclosed in his statement of affairs that there are

debts which he is unable to repay and which are due to Anglo-Irish

Bank in the sum of about �200 million and he has no ability to

repay those debts. The company he now controls the Bank questions

whether he qualifies for bankruptcy By declaring himself bankrupt in

Northern Ireland, Sean Quinn only has to weigh one year before going

back into business. If he had done the same in the Republic, it would

take 12 years. Weld Sean Quinn that developed what became one of the

biggest businesses in Irish history and much of it was centred on the

border counties of Fermanagh and Cavan. At one stage, his grin

employed thousands and as our journalists reports, on his rise

and fall. Sean Quinn that transformed this part of the

Fermanagh border, from rural wilderness to a global business

empire. From a quarry on the family farm, two interests spanning class,

construction, plastics and insulation. Four decades on, the

Quinn Group portfolio includes insurance, health care and hotels.

He borrowed �100 to start his business in 1973 and he was to

borrow millions to borrow -- to buy shares in Anglo-Irish Bank and he

lost it all when the shares became worthless. The bank removed Sean

Quinn from his businesses in April, sparking protests from his

employees who remained fiercely loyal. He is a man with a

reputation for avoiding the media glare, but he did face the cameras

to apologise to those workers. could apologise to anyone, it would

be our staff. Maybe the reputation was tarnished. From that point of

view, as regards having impropriety, absolutely not. Among the people

who have come to rely on the thousands of job Sean Quinn created

in this area, there is a great deal of shock and sadness at his

dramatic reversal in fortune. Some suspect we have not seen the last

of Sean Quinn. It is it and nail in his business coffin, but we do not

know the ins and outs and maybe there is a recovery from this and

we would hope that the Quinn rain will continue and be strong again.

While the green when lorries are still a familiar sight, parts of

the mighty Quinn empire are being dismantled. The massive queue which

once adorned the in -- insurance building in Fermanagh was removed

last weekend as it prepares for new owners. The landscape in this part

of Fermanagh will not be the same again. Northern Ireland Water says

thousands of families and Ballymoney will have to keep

boiling the water until early next week. Restrictions were put in

place when the system became contaminated during pipe

replacement work. 3000 properties on the edge of town have been

affected since Tuesday. It is dinner-time at his primary school

in the Ballymoney and the children settling down for a roast meal or

given bottled water instead of the usual tap water. The school is in

the area affected by contaminated water and they have been doing this

since Tuesday. It was first brought to our attention when one of our

teachers heard it on the radio. The teachers began to prepare the

children not to top up the water bottles at the sink and so on.

Later that day, there was water delivery to the school and bottles

of water arrived. Teachers are reminding children not used to what

are in the sink and come to them for our a top up. 3000 properties

on the edge of town have been affected. They have been told to

boil their water as a precautionary measure. The system became

contaminated with soil entered it during work to replace what are

pipes. Thousands of litres have had to be flushed out. It is hard to

say exactly how long it will take to sort out. We have to talk to the

public and continued to flush the system and drawing make the system

and get to the point where everyone is satisfied that the water quality

is back to its normal high standard. Northern Ireland Water says it

needs two days of clear samples before the restrictions can be

lifted and that means more inconvenience for the people of

Ballymoney, which could last well into the early part of next week.

Guests arriving at Dublin Castle for a reception to celebrate

Michael D Higgins becoming the ninth President of Ireland. At his

inauguration this afternoon, he was described as a noble man of quiet

virtue. It is a moment Michael D Higgins had dreamed of, walking

through St Patrick's Hall alongside that can assure, on his way to

becoming the ninth President of Ireland. Assembled for this

occasion, former president -- presidents, the tea shop and 700

invited guests. Political leaders from Northern Ireland and church

leaders and diplomats and his four children, family and many friends.

The ceremony was marked by music, inter-faith prayers and a human his

blessing, before Alan's first Chief Justice brought the declaration of

office. Trumpet sounded and the presidential standard flu and a 21

gun salute sealed his inauguration full Enda Kenny paid tribute.

indeed and noble man, of quiet virtue. He will bring that nobility

of heart and mind and spirit to the office of the President. Then the

president addressed his people, acknowledging the difficult times

and pledging a presidency of transformation. We are Irish arced

a creative resourceful talented and warm people, with a sense of warmth

-- common decency and justice. Let us address the next seven years

with hope and courage as we worked together to build a future for our

country. Were those words of encouragement, a passionate

President Higgins set forth on his seven-year term of office. Still to

come on the programme. In our series marking ten years of the

PSNI we hear from a senior officer about how it is tackling

international crime gangs. We talk to the Portrush man who helped

capture on camera the biggest wave ever surfed. The main a wreath-

laying ceremony in Belfast to mark Armistice Day had one of his

largest gatherings in years. Remembrance of soldiers killed and

those still in conflict can take many forms. They came to remember

as they do every year on this day at Belfast Cenotaph. Bobby bricks

from East Belfast lost his poppy on the way to today's ceremony. He is

in the RAF during the Second World War, droppings applies to the

Chindits fighting the Japanese in the jungles of Burma. We were in

our teens. I was in it for excitement. I thought it was

wonderful! I and we never leave because I was afraid of missing

something. The experiences of soldiers Ireland, north and south,

fighting in Afghanistan, are the focus of the new exhibition in the

Imperial War Museum. It began as a few hastily scribbled notes in the

dusty fields of helm and promised - - problems in Afghanistan and ended

up here at the Imperial War Museum in Manchester. What is exceptional

about this exhibition is that we have a pen and paper record of

people's thoughts and feelings and the frontline in quite recent times.

You might think in a very technological aids that this could

be done by a text or iPad or by some other means, but the only way

to get the thoughts and feelings right from the frontline is by a

giving these guys and girls pen and paper. It was a brilliant idea.

is a war artist who featured in our special report from Afghanistan at

the start of the year, where he was gathering the soldiers thoughts on

postcards from frontline bases. I was working with the Royal Irish

Rangers and I realised that if I got them to write their accounts on

postcards quickly, there would be an immediacy that she would not get

in a more reflective account. the Belfast Garden of Remembrance,

people's thoughts were expressed in a more traditional manner. Crime

levels may be at their lowest level for many years, but international

criminal gangs are increasingly targeting Northern Ireland. Four

our last report marking the 10th anniversary of the PSNI, the

officer in charge of crime investigation spoke to our

correspondent. Police officers forced their way into a brothel in

Belfast, inside they found three women got to Northern Ireland and

forced to work as prostitutes by a Chinese mafia gang. It is the kind

of crime which did not exist in Northern Ireland until recent years.

The officer in charge of criminal investigations says the activities

of gangs based outside Northern Ireland is an increasing problem.

We we are very much in the radar of these organised crime groups. We

are an affluent society and we are seen as a place where money can be

made. Individuals are trafficking - - traffic into Northern Ireland to

be forced into prostitution and to be forced into the labour market

and not paid and put in terrible positions. A, a bomb attack at in

Newry courthouse last year. A stark reminder of violence that police

hope had gone away. When the PSNI was four and, it was viewed as a

new police service for a New Era. Dissident republicans continue to

pose a threat. We hope for better times and thought that terrorism

was behind us. We knew these groups would be with us for a while, but

some of them have moved on into organised crime at and I think it

is unexpected that we were at this level of threat of some 11 years

later. We are working very hard, together with our colleagues down

south in combating that threat. We have had success in terms of

charging people and we are now seen as cases come through the courts.

This year already, we have charge 46 people with terrace type

offences, almost double the amount charged last year. The man

responsible for leading criminal investigations and handling

intelligence disagrees. We worked with it for ten years, we knew we

were losing these officers, so we put in place training programmes,

we put in place processes and we put in place skills, learned from

those who were leaving, but also developing new skills from other

organisations and law enforcement has moved on in the last ten years,

we had moved into more digital age, more information we can see in

terms of forensic in St basins and all those are new skills. We have

built on the investigated skills and detective skills that were

there and we have dealt more and more into the 21st century. Much

has changed since the PSNI was formed. Crime levels are at their

lowest for many years and the police are enjoying record levels

of public support. Those who The police ten years on. It's been

a decade since the Republic last won a place in a major football

tournament. A good result tonight would be a big step towards ending

that run of bad luck. Stephen Watson is here. Absolutely. One

hour until kick-off. The Republic's first leg of the Euro 2012 play-off

matches against Estonia. The second is next Tuesday. Will this man look

like that? Giovanni Trappatoni has left it late to finalise the

starting 11. Austin O'Callaghan is live in Tallinn. Confirmation as

short time ago that Jonathan Walters will partner Robbie Keane

up front for the Republic and it is one decade since their last

qualified for the finals of the major tournament and while the

players are taking nothing for granted against Estonia, that

supporters to beat the journey to this city for the big game already

seen to be in celebration mode. Come on, you boys in green.

since dystonia's singing Revolution, which paved the way for their

independence, has there been music like this in the city. At least

3000 Irish fans have been scrambling for the allocation of

1400 tickets. They are 100 euros each. 16 euros is the face value.

would you buy one? Come on, the boys! What would you be prepared --

be prepared to do? I would were a horrible said, I would get changed

into something ridiculous. Whilst the republic's history is poor,

their track record in Estonia is more encouraging. 2 - 010 years ago

was the key stepping stone towards their qualification for the 2002

World Cup. The question is, can the current team repeat that? Are you

nervous? Not really. Shay Given is too nervous -- professional. He is

too long in the tooth to actually feel any nerves. He is very keen to

get on with us. Should Giovanni Trappatoni's side lose, that's a

different story. He has to qualify for up stop it's that simple. --.

Blunt and to the point from one supporter. It was this day 24 years

ago that the Republic qualified for their first and only European

Championship finals. Germany 1988. His men tonight hope they can take

a bigger step towards bridging that gap. Thank you very much indeed.

Ulster's rugby players begin their European Campaign tomorrow at

Ravenhill in what promises to be a very busy weekend of sport. Gavin

Andrews looks ahead. Ulster found their fight against Connacht in the

Pro12 last Saturday. As significant when. But French opposition in the

Heineken Cup is another matter. will not get as many opportunities

like that. And you have to finish those opportunities. It is

important to create like we did at the weekend. But to finish them.

Glentoran took their chance this weekend, beating Enfield and

they're back in the Irish League title race. Next up, Carrick

Rangers. It is ourselves, Cliftonville at Portadown up there.

Which is great to see. If people think it is good for the Irish

League, that's great. But we will turn our attentions to Saturday.

Crossmaglen face Ballinderry on Sunday, hoping for some of that

magic they produced against St Gall's. With St Gall's and the

rivalry, we expect this to be tough. But with Ballinderry, it will not

be the same. He can follow all games on BBC Radio Ulster this

weekend. A Brendan Dolan from Belcoo enters the Grand Slam of

Darts in Wolverhampton this weekend. And the man from County Fermanagh

is in top form. Last month, at the World Grand Prix, he shot a nine-

dart finish, the fastest possible way to win in the sport. Denise

Watson went to meet him. Brendan Bullseye! In October, Brendan Dolan

had the first-ever nine dart finish with the double starred rule on

television, an achievement he will not forget. What a moment! Yes, it

seems to be all over Youtube. It is great. And obviously for me, it is

great that people are looking at you and watching it and they will

remember me for something when I am long dead. Brendan received a warm

welcome back on to his local bar. But success has not come easy.

Brendan had the chance of winning eight years ago, going to England,

a professional was setting him up. And the chance to turn professional.

But when his mother got sick, he said, no. For that reason alone, he

has the best credibility in the world. My goal is the top 16, top

10, top-five and hopefully world No. 1. But I have to win major

television tournaments. That is my goal. This is the impressive trophy

which Brendan to come to Belcoo after coming runner up in the World

Grand Prix. Now, he steps up to the big leagues. The Grand Slam, where

prize money is in excess of �100,000. Great achievement. You

may remember we brought you amazing surfing footage about this time

last year. Here, Alastair Mennie from Portrush is riding a huge

Atlantic wave off the Irish coast. Now he's helped to capture on film

the biggest wave ever surfed. Here, Hawaiian Garrett McNamara rides a

monster wave off Portugal. It's being claimed as a world record 90

footer! Alastair was part of the team who made it happen. And he

joins me tonight. With his surfboard. How exciting was that?

Incredible. Something we have wanted to do it for all of our

lives, bigger and bigger, 60 ft, it is incredible. You are out in the

ocean when it happens. Clock us through exactly what it was like.

The normally work with three men, safety, jet ski and surfer. You can

see the man serving, carrot back tomorrow. He will face the wave and

if he falls, my job is to rescue him. - -- Garrett McNamara.

Amazingly, he gets out? Were you jealous that it was not you?

would have been great if it was me or Andrew. But he is the man for

the job. In terms of the biggest waves. It was his time. Fantastic

achievement. His nickname is big red, and he is a big weather fan.

All was watching the weather. But the best weather today, some

heavy downpours and strong wind making it feel blustery. The good

news is that is changing this evening and we can look forward to

a much drier night. Cooler because of clear skies but temperatures

will range between seven and nine degrees. Still above average.

Western areas will get off to a cloudy start tomorrow but that

cloud lifts and we will all look forward to some sunshine coming out.

From the get go, lasting through the afternoon. The wind will be

fairly light coming from the south- east, temperatures at 11 or 12

degrees. Feeling pretty good in the sunshine. Perfect for getting out.

And for hanging out the washing. No threat of any rain. The second part

of the after noon holds onto that sunshine. End to Saturday evening,

we can see that cloud creeping up, and that will continue overnight

into Sunday. Temperatures, 7 - 9 degrees, similar to tonight. Sunday,

it is a cloudy start but eventually that will drift and will allow the

bright spells to come through. Look at those temperatures - 15 degrees.

Six degrees above the seasonal average. And the new week starts

fairly dry and mild. And don't fit -- don't forget to go out and about

and take your pictures tomorrow. In August we had a look inside a

suitcase filled with memorabilia from the World Wars. It had turned

up in a Belfast backstreet. Now we have a better idea about how the

case ended up there. It's believed it fell into the hands of burglars

who didn't know what to do with it. Claire Savage can tell us more

about the case and its owner. The case was bursting with items from

both world wars. Love letters and anti-Hitler poems and a gift from

the ante of the current Queen Elizabeth to frontline troops.

Really sentimental items from World War One, like the box of Princess

Mary give to a soldier. We wanted to get that back. It belonged to

Henry Campbell, who was a teenager in the Second World War. He had a

half-sister, Agnes and they share the same mother, Jane, but had

different fathers. Jane remarried after her first husband died. Agnes

had two children, Dennis and Joan, which makes them Henries niece and

nephew and the closest relatives. Henry was in the RAF cadets before

becoming a tram driver and inspector. I knew he was in the Air

Training Corps but I did not know his circle of friends. There are

letters from Palestine and people who run training courses in England.

What amazes me is where has it been for 60 years? Henry grew up in

McMaster Street and his family moved away 40 years ago. One theory

is that the suitcase lay hidden somewhere in the house for years

only teed -- only to be discovered by burglars recently. They later

dumped it. This could have belonged to Henry's uncle, who died in the

First World War. And the love letters? One was a lady may be

trying to get him as a boyfriend! There are so many others. It would

be interesting to have a chance to look through them. I have very fond

memories of him. He was someone who did not make one enemy. The case