04/01/2012 BBC Newsline

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

Traynor. The headlines this Wednesday evening...

I a warning thousands could be made homeless by cuts in housing benefit.

People are struggling to make ends meet on Jobseekers' Allowance.

There is no money to pay for rent out of that.

The search for a missing man that extends to the Antrim coast as his

bicycle was found in Glenarm. The police investigation into a GAA

club are some attack. Is a Dublin minister about to come

to Belfast for the first time to commemorate the Somme? I'll have

the latest. We hear from Michael O'Neill, the

new Northern Ireland football manager who was officially

introduced today. And it's another nasty night - wet

and windy with a risk of minor flooding. Prospects for tomorrow

though are looking drier. First to that warning about the effect of

this week's cut in housing benefit. Critics of the policy say the

reduction is likely to make thousands of people homeless and

will affect people aged 25 to 34 who live alone. Typically, they

will lose �40 a week which may mean they can no longer afford the roof

over their heads. Julian O'Neill has been finding out more.

The change to housing benefit is UK-wide, as part of the

Government's welfare reforms. This street in south Belfast includes

houses for private rent. Then one of them is a 33-year-old unemployed

graduate. She asked not to be identified. Her rent is �300 per

month, and the change in how Mont - - how much help she will get could

have a drastic impact. They will cut by housing benefit by

around 50 %, which will mean obviously I cannot afford to pay my

rent anymore. I can't afford to make up that kind of shortfall from

Jobseekers' Allowance. There is no way, there isn't enough extra money.

I am struggling to make ends meet as it is. There is no extra money

to pay rent out of that, as well. It is a cost-cutting move by

Westminster. People on benefits aged between 24 and 45 will no

longer get a higher category of housing allowance for the in the

Rhone. Instead, they will get a lower rate based on of the Shearer

Room and a house. Advice centres say the consequences are

potentially dire because of the big numbers in rented accommodation.

End Northern Ireland we anticipate between 70121000 people will face

homelessness. That is a considerable number.

They in Northern Ireland as a whole it there are about 42,000 people in

private rented accommodation who are on benefits. Overall, as this

tightens and the benefits reduced, there will be more than those

7,000-12,000. Other reforms in the next two years

will fat -- affect a far greater number of people, with experts

predicting the impact in Northern Ireland will be as great, if not

greater, than anywhere else. The search for the missing Kells

man Samuel Campbell has moved to the Glenarm area, where his bicycle

was found near the shoreline. The 49-year-old father of three

disappeared on Sunday. The coastguard, police, lifeboat crews

and mountain rescue teams all took part in today's operation, which

they say is still very much a search for a missing person.

Natasha Sayee reports. On a wet and windy day, lifeboat

crews searched the signs for any -- search for any sign of Mr Campbell.

His bicycle was found about one mile load of Glenarm at spotted by

a member of the public last night. It was propped up against this

section of wall. The police have recovered it and Mr Campbell's

family identified it as his. Yesterday police searched fields

and hedges along his favourite cycling route. Mr Campbell's

friends were amongst those searching, they did not want to

appear on camera, but told us they were worried about the waves and

strong currents in the area. The police say this investigation is

still for a missing person, but want to repeat yesterday's appeal

for information. He was last seen around 2:15pm on

Sunday afternoon and was seen shortly after by his wife on the

path. He left the house wearing a red cycled top, black leggings and

riding a road bike. He has not been seen since. We are following lines

of inquiry, but at the moment it is about any information people can

give us about where he was last seen by them.

This CCTV image shows Mr Campbell on Sunday. The police hope someone

in the Glenarm area may remember seeing him and will contact them.

The police investigation into a fire at a GAA clubhouse in

Londonderry has been referred to the Police Ombudsman. Officers were

criticised for saying the blaze wasn't suspicious when CCTV

pictures showed two people outside the building just before it started.

With more, here is our North-West reporter, Keiron Tourish. the fire

at the Sean Dolan's GAA club caused considerable anger in the community.

It is now estimated the repair bill will run into hundreds of thousands

of pounds. Sinn Fein sake elements within the Republic Action Group

Against drugs are suspect. There are reports a number of people were

asked to leave after a fracas on the premises.

There are people sometimes you feel they are above reproach. The plug -

- the club acted in a proper manner, they asked these people to leave

and if these people raised this cloud -- club to the ground because

of that you get some understanding of the table people who would be

that. Police initially believed the fire

was not suspicious. The PSNI eventually changed their minds

after footage showed people outside the club post shortly before the

fire started. While that investigation continues, the club

confirmed it is committed to rebuilding the complex.

The committee meeting of the other night was all passionate about the

rebuild, and at the end of the day it is about the kids and the

opportunity to develop their culture through GAA and Sean

Dolan's. The club was due to celebrate its

70th anniversary this summer. This club will move forward, move

Biggar, be stronger. Hopefully we'll keep the crowds and more

people take up the game. It is competing against soccer in the

city, but this will make it stronger, and the general consensus

in the community is we will become bigger and better because of it.

The club says it is determined to maintain its place at the heart of

the community. Police have confirmed that the

death of man whose body was found in his van in north Belfast

yesterday is not being treated as suspicious. This follows a post

mortem examination. The man, who's been named locally as Gary Patton,

was from the east of the city. His body was discovered in his works

van which was parked up on the kerb at the Greys Lane junction with the

Shore Road. He had been there since Friday night and it's understood he

had not been reported missing to the police.

You are watching BBC Newsline. Still to come...

Could history be made by a Dublin minister taking part in Somme

commemorations at Belfast City Hall. And tis the season to recycle - so

The Ulster Unionist leader Tom Elliott has defended his party's

decision not to join with the Conservatives. The Tory chairman

Lord Feldman claimed the UUP were wrong to reject his party's offer

to merge. The Conservatives also say they will rebrand their local

party in the coming months. Here is our political reporter, Stephen

Walker. At a Stormont Reception for a local

soldier, there was little sign today that these once brothers in

arms may soon be political forces. The Conservatives had to --

political enemies. The Conservatives proposed merging the

Northern Ireland Tories will the calls the group -- Ulster Unionist

Party. Not surprisingly, the UUP did not find the deal attractive.

Their proposal was to disband the Ulster Unionist Party, and I would

not recommend that to my party Executive and council. If I got a

proposal did may have been -- that would have been workable, and would

have put it to our membership, but as it wasn't there is no way I

would disband the Ulster Unionist Party.

Writing in today's Belfast Telegraph, the conservative German,

Lord Feldman, said his offer was bold and generous and he said the

Ulster Unionists had made a mistake by rejecting the deal. His position

is shared by local Conservatives. I think they should have joined

with us. They chose not to and I think that was a mistake. It is as

simple as that? Yes. They have thrown away all of

the schools, the expertise. You could have gone from the council

chamber right through to a seat in the Cabinet. We will still offer

that two people, but they could have been part of it.

The UUP and the local Tories now go their separate ways. A new local

Conservative Party supported by Central Office in London is

expected to emerge in the coming months. With no MPs or MLAs, how

hard will it be to make a political breakthrough?

They have been here plenty two years, so all the people who have

wanted -- may have wanted to vote Conservative have not done so and

22 years, and I don't know why they would suddenly because they

reinvent themselves in some new vehicle. Would people vote for

something that is not quite at the Conservative Party, he led to vote

for it? I don't see that happening. The Conservatives know it will take

more than rebranding to change habits here, but if they stand in

future elections they may be surrounded by some familiar faces.

Who will be their rivals, rather than their allies.

With the centenary anniversary approaching, it is time a Dublin

minister was invited to Belfast to mark the Battle of the Somme at

City Hall in Belfast. That is the view of the SDLP councillor, Pat

McCarthy. Councillors are meeting about the

invitation this evening, but not everyone agrees it is a good idea.

Our political correspondent, Martina Purdy, is there for us this

evening. History could be made tonight if

the SDLP can convince the other parties it is time to end this

division and extend an invitation to a representative of the Irish

Government to come to Belfast to the Cenotaph for Somme

commemorations and Remembrance Sunday. The councillor behind this,

Pat McCarthy of the SDLP, didn't want to talk about it, but I have

been talking to Sinn Fein and the DUP about it.

No one spoke, but the message was clear of - it is time to move on.

The Queen's visit to the National War Memorial last May alongside the

Irish president marked a dramatic shift in historic relations. One

that has this SDLP councillor thinking it's time Belfast City

Council changes the way it honoured the world debt -- war dead, by

including a Dublin minister in ceremonies to mark the Somme and

Remembrance Sunday. Sinn Fein is unconvinced.

All the parties sit on the historic Centenary working group which has

been doing good work to plan. It is a little premature, we would like

to see these matters being discussed in that group and how we

proceed. Sinn Fein is yet to join other

parties at the Cenotaph, preferring to have it Meyer's lay a wreath in

a separate remembrance ceremony. The SDLP is open -- the DUP is open

to the idea, provided there is consultation with the British

Legion and protocols are observed. We do know the impact of the

Queen's visit had to Dublin, we do not that was a building of the

relationship between the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain, and

between Northern Ireland. Their discussions in the Dail have

revolved around British regiments, Irish soldiers who fought for

freedom and the need to observe that contribution.

So far, the closest an Irish Government minister has got into

the Belfast Cenotaph was an impromptu tour last November, when

the Taoiseach paid a courtesy visit accompanied by the Sinn Fein lord

Mayor. What do you think? Do you think the

SDLP will win the day? It could happen. They need a

minimum of 26 councillors to back this motion. Alliance are on board.

It is down to the DUP. They did have a party meeting ahead of

tonight's debate. Sinn Fein wants the issue bounced back to the

working group, but we will know soon enough. We will keep you up-

It it is more than likely that this Christmas someone in your household

had their heads stuck in a smart phone, computer or the video

console playing a game. Love them or loathe them, gaining is the

fastest-growing sector in the entertainment world. The 70

billion-dollar global industry and won the Republic is trying to get a

bigger slice of. Tomorrow night, we will have a special report from

Dublin on how gaining in Ireland is bucking the gloomy economic trend.

People are playing Cashel gains on the phone for 10 or 15 minutes on

the bus on the way home and that is for the great growth explosion has

been. It is also with the opportunity for Ireland is. We're

going to say that a lot more women are playing games. I thought you

were too smart for those sorts of things!

Now, sport and the new Northern Ireland football manager was

officially introduced today. Stephen Watson can tell us more.

Michael O'Neill is the first Northern Ireland manager to

actually reside in Northern Ireland since Bertie Peacock in the 1960s.

Today, the new man in charge outlined his vision for the future.

His priorities? Changing results and changing the minds of some

players, those who have opted to switch to the Republic of Ireland

and others like former captain Aaron Hughes, who retired from the

international game prematurely. Michael O'Neill settled into the

Northern Ireland hot seat very comfortably today. His aim, he says,

is to bring back the glory days with everyone on board.

important thing is that I will bring an openness to the job. I

will focus on making the national team are fully inclusive for all

players that are eligible to play. The eligibility issue is of vital

importance to a meal. He wants players born in Northern Ireland to

represent Northern Ireland and is hoping to increase his talent pool

by luring players like James McLean back into his squad. All these lads

have played their youth football here and their representatives at

all at a younger age groups. It is important that we look after those

players and into those players and that they see the benefit of

playing for Northern Ireland and having long and distinguished

careers for Northern Ireland as to possibly been on the fringes of the

Republic of Ireland's international squad. It is no secret that we have

to grow our own players and make sure that the players we do grow,

maintain their allegiance to Northern Ireland and develop that.

We have to try and build a club at the scale within the international

set-up, not a Labour in the full squad, but also in the underrate

set up and develop a real smooth the path way for the younger

players to come through and play for Northern Ireland. Have the

ambition and desire to come through and play for Northern Ireland as

well. Now, Michael O'Neill has the scars, the shirt and the biggest

job in Northern Ireland football. All he needs now is some good

results. Absolutely. Michael O'Neill's first game in charge is a

friendly against Norway at Windsor Park at the end of next month

before the all-important first World Cup qualifier away to Russia

in September. A 42, a O'Neill is the youngest national manager in 35

years. Michael O'Neill began his playing career with Coleraine back

in 1984. It was not long before the fresh faced mid- fielder was

headhunted by Newcastle United. Even back then, he did not seem

fazed about moving on to bigger and better things. Not really. It is a

fantastic opportunity and something I have always wanted to do. I don't

have any reservations at all. will go on to become Newcastle's

top goalscorer in his first season at son James's Park. He also learnt

31 international caps for Northern Ireland, scoring four times for his

country. All the stages, all was in there. A little flick from a meal.

He has come from a field of three candidates that were notable

candidate so and passionate and fans will be looking forward to him

as someone who will bring passion to the team. He is someone who is

at the forefront of people's minds in terms of his achievements in

football and we will give him our full support. He is playing career

were taken to Scotland and the United States as well as back home

to Glentoran before he made the big step into management. First, in

Scotland for three years with Brechin city, before joining

Shamrock Rovers three years ago. That is where he achieved his

greatest success as a manager, guiding them to two League titles

and set and a cup glory. He also made history by being the first

manager of the League of Ireland team to reach the group stages of

the Europa League. Now, O'Neill faces a tough challenge of

transferring his success at club level to the international stage.

He will not find us for digging out into the out! Michael O'Neill be

hoping that the instant impact in his new job that namesake Martin

O'Neill is having at Sunderland. Last night, they beat Wigan four-

to-one for a fourth win in six games since O'Neill took over. The

win included a first goal for former Derry city striker James

McLean which we saw a little earlier. All four of the goals were

a bit special. The comprehensive victory has taken O'Neill's team

into the top half of the Premier League table. I am delighted with

the spirit of eating. Really delighted. If that was not one

person one day, it would be someone else the next day and the feed off

each other from that viewpoint. A magnificent performance. It is a

terrific run for us and it has given us just a wee bit of

breathing space. That is all it has done. Obviously, there is a long

way to go. This again the inter-county Gaelic

football season gets under way with the McKenna Cup. The competition is

viewed by many managers as a chance to experiment head of the National

League and Championship. For one former All Star from Derry, it is

an opportunity to go back on the field after a long injury lay-off.

For the past few months paddy Bradley has been a permanent

fixture in the chairman. He has pushed himself harder than ever to

bounce back from a knee injury that threatened his career. Today is my

hundred and 15 session. Have been going for a five times a week and

early in the mornings. I want to make sure that whenever I did be re

at that I did it properly. If anything did happen, will at least

I couldn't say I skipped corners. The 30 eight is one of the most

talented forwards in arrogant. After all this individual work, he

now needs gain time. Under pressure, you hear you get that feeling.

Playing against Cavan and Jordanstown and Donegal, I will see

where and in terms of fitness. I would use the McKenna Cup to get

much that this back. Some experienced players are or leave

out the McKenna Cup and extend the winter break. By one of our heavy

weights is back and is ready to go. And an awful lot of people will be

glad to see him back. Martin O'Neill has a magic touch but does

Michael O'Neill have it? Absolutely. I have none for a long time and Jim

Magilton. Both are very deep -- very talented manager. I am

delighted to see Michael get the job and his shrewd guy Amble Dear

Kerry the chop. A not too much pressure. This week many of us will

be making annual trip to the 10th to dispose of Christmas trees, as

well as wrapping paper cards, cardboard boxes and all the rest of

the festive debris. At present, people bring less material to be

some recycled at this time of year. The last morsel of Turkey is

probably history now, but many people will be thinking about what

to do with their Christmas decorations. Many people in this

part of Belfast, there Christmas- tree end up here at this recycling

plant of the or more road. There is obviously a lot more waste around

this time of year. In January, people are -- fewer people to

recycle. Has it been a busy few days? As you can see, there is a

constant flow through the side. People who do use the site's use

them very well. We would encourage as many people as possible to come

here. Recite cling rates shop around the New Year? It is really

easy to recycle. You can recycle cards, cans, and bottles. There is

no reason why people could not be recycling this. In the long term,

it isn't helping are recycling rates, but it is also in acting

upon your rates bill. Belfast has some tough recycling targets?

Absolutely. In 2012 and 2013, we have to divert a lot of waste from

landfill sites. This is like trees and paper. If we do not hit the

starters, we will be faced with quite large fines. We have about

14,000 tonnes extra the more we already have and that exercisable

effort from the people of Belfast to get the finger out and help us

meet these targets. Thank you. The traditional date when you should

take down your decorations is sixth January. That his two days away and

if all this miserable weather has made to feel a bit down, think

about this, but is 365 days to go Both the All unfortunately it is

still raining and a lot of place at the moment. In some places it has

been raining all day. Thank you for your tweeds update me on the rain

falls situation. Are warning is still in force and it will remain

in force until midnight tonight. Not only the rain today, but also

some strong when macro. There is a strong crosswind on the A1 between

Belfast and eerie. There have already been reports of flooding.

They have been reports of flooding in macro and Ballymena and line.

The heavier rain is now more less to the south of Belfast and is

starting to clear from the north and it will continue to do so

tonight. These pictures were taken at Ballycastle today. The wind is

still a feature of the weather a particularly along the North Coast,

it will continue to gust to have the night. GUS could reach up to 65

mph. The rain will move away, and it will become drier. It will not

be especially cold, with no frost or ice. It will be windy to start

tomorrow and will ease as the day goes on. Fortunately, especially in

the west, a much drier picture. Those winds will still be gusty,

especially in coastal areas around County Antrim and may disrupt some

of the ferries to Scotland. Gradually, it will ease and because

they are strong first thing, a means the showers will blow then

quite far south mainland. There could be showers just about

anywhere and as the day goes on, there will be more sunshine around

and it will be much drier, particularly for western areas. At

that of the chill in the wind, temperatures around eight or nine

degrees. Temperatures may drop low enough for a touch of frost in

places. There is matter whether on the way. Back into double figures

on Friday, a little bit of dampness around, but not too much rain this

This been a warning from housing experts have thousands of people to