08/12/2011 BBC Newsline

Good evening. This is BBC Newsline. The headlines:. -- Robert Black is

told he must serve at least 25 years for the murder of Jennifer

Cardy. I wish he would have asked for forgiveness, because we

probably would have said yes. public sector workers prepare for a

pension cuts, should MLAs be doing the same?

The shake-up for schools that fail to come up to standard.

High winds caused disruption across Northern Ireland but the real

problems are in Scotland. No surprises that the ferries are

affected. The gales will moderate but it is

turning colder with wintry showers and eyes in the forecast.

-- ice in the forecast. Robert Black will be 90 before he

can be considered for release from jail. He was given a minimum

sentence of 25 years for abducting and murdering Jennifer Cardy in

Ballinderry 30 years ago. Speaking to BBC Newsline, her brother and

sister said they would have forgiven Black if he had asked for

forgiveness. You subjected a vulnerable child to

on pardonable terror, to go way her life and endure for ever a family

that treasured her, the words of the judge as he handed down the

minimum term that will keep Robert Black in jail until he is at least

90. I am satisfied knowing Robert Black will never again walk the

streets of Great Britain, never again be able to torture little

girls. That is what he did. He tortured little girls. There's a

lot of satisfaction today. judge referred to victim impact

statements, which Jenifer's parents and siblings road. Her brother was

just six when she died. I remember being six years old and I remember

what happened the day that Jenifer went missing. I can remember how I

felt and how everyone in the family reacted. That week, what unfolded

and the distress that it cost, and the impact it had, especially on my

parents. Jennifer Cardy's sister with just a baby when she died. She

knows how hard for parents work to go for a normal upbringing. If you

are a parent when that happened, it would be easy to be suffocating the

other children. My parents always give us the freedom but I was

always aware that someone could snatch you or if I was out some

work, I have always been aware that I had to be saved. Robert Black was

never destroyers. I guess we pity him as a family. I do not hate him.

I do not know why. Sometimes I try to master of hatred but I do not

have it. I wish he had asked for forgiveness. If he had, well would

have forgiven him. -- we would have. It would have been hard but that is

how we feel. If he had asked for forgiveness we would have forgiven

him. The brother and sister of Jennifer

Cardy. Stormont Assembly members have told

BBC Newsline may think their pension should be cut in line with

the public sector. MLAs enjoyed higher final salary pensions than

workers who went on strike last week. It is thought that is in part

because their jobs can be short lived. Their pay and pensions are

being considered by an independent panel. Our political correspondent

reports. Public sector workers on the picket

line at Stormont, upset that the government wants them to pay more

and get less for their pensions. Now, politicians have come under

pressure over their own pensions, dub the Rolls Royce of pensions by

a leading trade unionist, demanding their share the pain. MLAs crossing

a picket line last week seemed to agree. You will not accept a

pension rise in that spirit? I will have to look at that when it

happens but I think it should be similar to every boy working for

the public. At present an MLA with 12 years' service and a basic pay

of around �43,000 could receive an annual pension of around �12,900. A

public sector worker would get 8,600. Sinn Fein says there should

be no difference in the pension. The message going out from us is

that we have no problem in being in line with other public sector

workers, as public sector workers ourselves. The finance minister

says the cuts should affect politicians as well. As a result of

the cost of pensions to the public purse increasing, we need to make

amendments across the board. MLAs and ministers should share in a

pain? Absolutely. His words brought no comfort for one nurse facing

cuts. I do not think he is sharing any pain. He needs to come out and

see how the workers work and what they have to do and then maybe he

will be some pain. What does the man leading a review of MLAs' pay

and pensions fight about MLAs telling the BBC issued share the

pension pain? I am delighted to hear it. If they would like to come

and tell me that we could take into account exactly as they mean it.

The panel has been privately surveying MLAs for weeks but say

they have yet to hear the pension message directly.

BBC Newsline has learnt about changes to a government programme

which helps schools that are not up to standard. At the moment they are

given up to two years to improve, but some have failed to do that.

Others have got worse. This is not read her high school

and it is informal intervention. -- and his high school is in formal

intervention. It got a very poor inspectors' report but since then,

the exam results have got worse and the Executive -- education is still

described as inadequate. Since September there has been a new

principle and the South Eastern Board say progress has been made

but nobody wanted to speak to us today. Six skills have been in a

formal intervention for more than a year and eight months, two of them

for two years. On a number of occasions that will run to a second

year. That is the maximum permitted. After two years, we have to

consider further measures. Those further measures could lead to

closure. A number of schools will not come out of it. In those

circumstances I believe there has to be options around closure,

amalgamation, new governors, new senior management, etc. This

College in Londonderry has had extra help. While the side has

improved, English results were worse. -- while science has

improved. There was a slight dip in the results last year. We are going

to revisit some of the action plans. Leadership and action managers at

the school are described as inadequate by changes have been

made, and the school says it has success stories in some subjects.

There is a deficit of almost �200,000 and has lost 100 pupils.

There is still faith in the school. What has not helped is the label of

being inadequate. We are working very hard to rectify that. This

Irish medium schools in Derry has been in a remedial class for two

years and has just had a follow-up inspection. The verbal response was

positive. It says teaching has been judged good or better and standards

have risen in literacy and numeracy so it is hoping that soon it will

be able to graduate out of formal intervention. From now on, any

school needing extra help will be checked if it is worth saving and

if it has enough pupils and is not overspending. The Department sees

flaws in his system and is about to order a tightening up of the

measures, which have been slow to make improvements in so many

schools. Still to come... A rates bill that

could put a dozen people out of work.

And find out why this snooker player's lips are sealed, literally.

While Scotland experiences some of the worst went on record, we have

not escaped the Atlantic storm. There has been some damage and

travel problems. Natasha Sayee is that the ferry terminal in Belfast.

Stena Line say their service to Cairnryan probably will not go

until at least 11 o'clock and P&O say there have service between

Larne and Kern Ryan probably will not go until 8 o'clock. -- cur rent.

That depends on the weather in Scotland. It has calm down but

earlier today, the wind was ferocious, causing disruption

across Northern Ireland. Fallen trees and power lines blocked roads

in Belfast. In North Down, Ballymena, Newcastle and Armagh as

well. As you can see, the north coast really took a ferocious

battering. It is the north-west that is really suffering.

Raging seas, hounding the coast line. With every gust of wind, the

waves are getting bigger and higher. You are venturing near its. Close

by, every gust is measured instantly. It has been fairly well

flagged for the last couple of days. On average we are heading gale-

force 10 this morning, Storm Force. Malin Head is the most northerly

part of Ireland. When we arrived here, there were gusts of over 80

mph and this morning, even stronger, around 94 mph. When the storms

reached land, some of the 4th goes, but not of -- the destruction.

There have been traffic to versions and delays. Major has left its mark

on the old and new. -- nature. This is the peace bridge across the

River Foyle. It opened during the summer and it has been a very

popular pedestrian crossing but today, not a pedestrian in sight.

The bridge is open again, but on the coast, little respite.

It does seem the worst of the Atlantic storm has passed but brace

yourselves for more disruption. Snow is coming and we will have the

details at the end of the programme. The recent cold weather and a rise

in energy costs has led to Stormont approving a one-off emergency would

have your payment for more than a quarter of a million people. -- the

winter fuel payment. Cancer sufferers and the unemployed are

among those who will benefit. It is seen as helping those in tough

times. Rather than just dealing with

outcomes, we look at a more holistic approach to dealing with

fuel poverty and the difficulties of high energy costs and whether

that is looking at issues such as insulation or double-glazing, all

of those kind of issues can be let that. We presently have ministers

who are looking at those matters. - - can be looked at. People are

finding it difficult mob just to heat their homes but to put food on

the table. This is a contribution which will hopefully make a

difference and which will be welcome. We are pledging that we

are going to continue to challenge ourselves to see what more can be

done by all of our department. There has been reaction on our

Facebook page. If you want to join The construction industry has been

hammered in recent times. As Jim Fitzpatrick reports, some companies

have a look to new markets and are thriving.

Belfast's Metropolitan College house is one of Northern Ireland's

swankiest new hair salons. It is a training facility. It was built by

Eileen Ian Ayre construction firm, Patton. Work has dried up, so they

are finding it elsewhere. It is based on our team who are prepared

to travel. The company has developed a specialism in museums

and heritage. This is the recent Liverpool Museum. Shopping further

afield is now crucial full success. Exotic locations such as Paris,

Milan and New York are possible. But what about a construction

offers from here with offices in Munich and London? This tour has

seen business locally reduced to practically nothing. Turnover

growth -- grew 50% in the past year. We could not continue doing the

same thing in the same market and expect to survive. We had an

opportunity in Britain, working with a major retail chain. We

successfully completed that project. That gave us up what --

opportunities. The first thing we help them do is to develop their

own capacity to compete. We take some to other markets and show them

opportunities, for example in the Middle East where they are cashed

reach -- cash rich nations. We have employed a full-time person on the

CrossRail project. Construction employees 30,000 people here. It is

not booming, but it is not best yet. Small businesses, especially in

retail, are being crippled by high rates bills. We have spoken to a

trader in County Down he says he has been forced to close because of

charges and because of arrears. His case highlights a possible weakness

in the monitoring and collection of bills.

Robert Martin serves another satisfied customer. The hardware

shop has been a successful landmark business since his father first

opened the doors in 1940. After 71 years, it is closing at the end of

January with the loss of 12 jobs. The reason is a huge rates bill.

need to go back to 2000 and day when I asked the rates people to

come round and survey my building because I thought he was being

double rated on a particular piece of property. Imagine the shock when

he got a backdated bill for �120,000. It was later reduced to

�74,000. He had filled three extensions between 1996 and 2007

and did not tell the rates authorities. If you did not tell

them yourself or make sure someone told the rates people, surely you

knew that one day this was going to come back to bite you as it has

done? I did contact the race people. I contacted them three years ago.

But not have the time of the exceptions? There. And looking back,

Devine you should have done? thought they should have come to me

rather than me go to them. Robert is not obliged to tell the raids

agency of any extensions. Some people do in order to avoid a

backdated bill. Whoever is responsible for not updating the

Bill, the net result is the same: The closure of the store and 12

people losing their jobs. You can understand. There is nothing much

out there for me, a joiner, at the moment. The backdated bill and the

updated rates are too much to keep the doors open. So they are due to

close for good at the end of next month.

With Christmas just around the corner, many people are turning to

quick loans and credit cards to pay for it. Getting into debt can be a

headache as well as a whole. For this week's Family Focus, we have

spoken to a mother who has a warning for others.

Shopping for Tories. It is as much a part of Christmas as mince pies

and selection boxes. While money is tight for most families, clearly

there are still plenty of presence been bought. How is it being paid

for? Is it worth getting into debt for one day? One single mother in

Carrick Fergus says not. Eating and heating is a struggle. It was

robbing Peter to pay Paul. There was no budget whatsoever. It got to

the point where I felt isolated and suicidal and no-one knew the extent

of it. I could not taught my family because I was ashamed. Sarah has

learnt her lesson the hard way. Christians Against Poverty is a

charity that helps families in debt. They say that one in four people

they see cannot afford to buy food because of debt. Many couples split

up because of money worries. urge many families not to get into

debt over Christmas. It is a time of cheer and fun and family, not a

time of giving gifts. There are lots of ways you can have a really

good Christmas but not get into debt. Sarah and her family are

spending this Christmas debt-free. I have really kicked down this year.

Last year, and it was over in five minutes. Sarah's advice is simple:

Stick to a budget say you're not paying for Christmas all year round.

Apart from debt, we are warned about being deceived by fraudsters

this Christmas. People here lose �100 million a year in retail fraud.

You can read about that on our website. A lot of people have have

been getting e-mails from forces who claim they have been rocked.

This week we have been looking at how we can protect private

information when using digital technology, such as computers and

smart phones. How often do we give away information without a second

thought, information that others can use quite legally?

Who here as an example of how we can openly give away our own

privacy. Thousands of motorists have a sat-nav, which are useful

for finding your way about. When you update the matter, you can do

that online. You will be asked to agree to terms and conditions. Do

you ever read them? What happens next is legal, but involves you

handing over private information. This is the lot from a sat-nav. It

records every time you use it and shows where you started, where you

went to, the date, how are you took to get there and your speed. When

you are buying your map of the internet, you may be asked to agree

that this information can be kept by the manufacturer. But this only

happens if you tick the box that says you agree to the terms and

conditions. This information is not identified as being yours, and the

company makes this clear. The company says on their website that

they do this, and it is perfectly legal. But few of us bother to read

the small print. If you're downloading a map, you do not know

what is going on behind the scenes. The information commissioner says

this needs to be improved. If you are up loading or downloading

information, we would expect that in good practice it would be to

have a warning message that information is being passed to a

company at the same time. In some cases, the information is lumped

together and can be passed on to other people. That is legal because

you consented to it. In one country, not the UK, the information was

Assembly passed on to a police force be used it to set of their

speed cameras because the sat-nav locks showed where motorists had

been speeding. If you are going to download anything from any website,

take time to read the terms and conditions and the privacy policy,

and then it is at you. Rory McIlroy may have lost his golf

ball today, but he has given himself a great chance of winning

another tournament. Trying to finish top of the

European Order of Merit, McElwaine ensued win the Championship in

Dubai, his last chance to beat Luke Donald to the top spot. His opening

round leasing two shots of the lead. Rory McIlroy says that patience was

a key to his impressive opening round. A lost ball at the second

hole may have resulted in the double bid G7, but Mackle why was

simply untouchable. Every putt seemed to drop as he climbed up the

leaderboard. This was a highlight of an action-packed round. Another

followed and the next hole, before the perfect finish on the green.

Glentoran and Portadown football clubs have been meeting to help in

short there is no repeat of the trouble that marred the game

between the two earlier in this season. Fireworks were thrown in

October, injuring a member of staff. Recent Portadown and Glentoran

crashes -- classes have been remanded for the wrong reasons.

firework came between me and the goalkeeping coach. There was an

explosion. He was on the floor. His can tax -- contact lens was blown

out. Fortunately, small incidents like that get the club tarnished.

The messages for these people to stay away. They are not welcome.

Since that game, both clubs have been working tirelessly to ensure

there is no repeat of those scenes. We had a security meeting on Monday

evening with Glentoran. The police were there. One of the issues was

the turnstiles. If any troublemakers turn up at the game,

we will identify the man. Denied to the police and the police will take

steps to deal with that. The clubs and the police are working together

to make sure that the game is run before football and nothing else.

Finally, Antrim snooker player Mark Allen has come up with an

interesting way of making sure his public comments do not get him into

any more trouble. He entered a news conference at the UK Championships

with a piece of gaffer tape over his mouth in protest at what he

feels is unfair criticism of his previous comments aimed at the

World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn. He took it off after a few minutes.

There is coverage of his game against Marco Fu after this

programme on BBC Two. No prizes for guessing what the

weather headline was today. There were stormy wins. They reached 95

mph. There was quite a bit of disruption today, quite a lot of

trees fell down. Even though the worst has already passed, we still

have an ample warning that -- in place for the next couple of hours.

Especially on the north coast, there will be gale-force gusts of

wind. It will die down overnight, as will the temperatures. We have a

different hazard on the way. The Met Office has issued a warning of

ice it -- into tomorrow. Temperatures will fall to freezing,

bringing Frost and icy patches. We also get passing showers. It will

turned to sleet and snow at times. Tomorrow morning, it is likely to

be slippery on untreated roads and pavements. We could see up to two

centimetres of snow. Initially, it is across the North first thing.

Most of the snow will fall on the hilltops, settling above 200 metres.

It will come into low levels at times. It clears away in the

afternoon. There will be some wintry sunshine, but you will still

need to wrap up warm because it is bitterly cold. Tomorrow is an icy

night under clear skies. There will be some showers on the north coast,