02/02/2012 BBC Newsline

Good evening. This is BBC Newsline with Donna Traynor and Sarah

Travers. The headlines this Thursday evening: Europe provides

�18 million for a conflict resolution centre at the Maze. A

dog found with horrific injuries is believed to have been used in

badger baiting. At the Carroll murder trial a man's named as the

alleged leader of the Continuity IRA in Craigavon. The family of a

soldier shot dead 41 years ago thank local people who tried to

save him. A landmark for football as a player is banned because of

comments he made on Twitter. it's going to be another cold and

frosty night, but change is on the way. I'll have more shortly. BBC

Newsline has learned that �18 million of European funding has

been approved for a new conflict transformation centre at the former

Maze prison. The peace-building project is set to be given the go-

ahead within weeks. Critics have in the past condemned such a centre

describing it as a terrorist shrine. But supporters argue that

developing the Maze's 350 acre site could create thousands of jobs. As

our Political Editor Mark Devenport reports, the European money is just

part of a �300 million plan for the re-development of the Maze near

Lisburn. First it was long kerb and then it became known as the Maze,

but during the Troubles it was a by word for conflict. This was the

scene of the dirty protests and where ten Republicans starved

themselves to death and 38 IRA prisoners escaped in the largest

ever mass break out. Since the last prisoners left 12 years ago, there

has been constant debate about how to re-develop the Maze, a sports

stadium was proposed. And in September visitor get a chance to

stroll around the buildings. This is where a famous escape took place.

That was a one off. But the plan is to bailed new conflict resolution

centre. Here is what it might look like. It will sit alongside a

preserved H block and other buildings, including the prison

chapel. The new centre will provide a place for visitors from around

the world to exchange views on conflict transform wakes. A focus

for education and research about the troubles, together with

exhibition space and an archive. It is thought there will be input from

exprisoner, prison offers and - officers and victims. A Byrd for

European money -- bid for European money was placed last year. This

was approved in December. A firm offer came last week. Unionists

critics argue a con flibgts - Okon flict transformation centre will be

a shrine to the IRA. But others believe it will develop an area

twice the size of the Titanic quarter and that could create up to

5,000 jobs. No official announcement on the centre is

expected until progress can be conI flirmed -- confirmed on the wider

economic reskrenration. That will include move by the royal

agricultural society from Balmoral in South Belfast to a new Maze

centre of rural excellence. It is thought the first agricultural show

could take place as early as next year. The police in County Down

have vowed to crackdown on animal cruelty after the seizure of an

injured dog, which they believe was being used for badger baiting. Nine

dogs have been rescued in the area. You may find pictures in the report

upsetting. It is from Gordon Adair. This is the terrier seized by the

police. Its injuries are clear to see. That is a soft tissue damage.

This vet is an expert in badger- related injurys. He has no doubt

about what happened to this dog. The skwhrirys -- injuries with

another dog or fox are less of the tearing and less soft tissue damage

and we can happy that sort of, with the type of injuries we have got

that these will have been caused by a badger. And he says this dog was

used in this way not just once, but many times. The dog was found in a

van stopped by the police at the area in Banbridge. We were brought

to the scene and as a result of that, when we cam minuted the dogs,

the PSNI visited other premise and other item have been found. Today

we visited a premises outside Lawrencetown and more animal were

removed. The van driver I understand has a previous

conviction for illegally transporting a live badger. An

animal was found in his lorry in Durham in the late 1990s. At that

time the RSPCA said they believed the badger had been dug out of a

sett in northern England. The man was give an four month jail

sentence. The The police have carried out five searches in this

area in the past two weeks. In all nine dogs have been seized. A man

was named in court today as the leader of the Continuity IRA in

Craigavon. It happened during the trial of two men accused of

murdering Constable Stephen Carroll. A detective said a decision was

taken not to arrest the alleged dissident leader in order to

protect a key prosecution witness and he denied claims that the man

was an informer. From Belfast Crown Court, Natasha Sayee reports. A man

known only as witness M is one of the prosecution's key witnesses.

Because he claims to have seen one of the accused, Brendan McConville

at the scene of the shooting before it happened. He claip that in the

day after the killing, he was threatened in his home by two men

who told him to keep his mouth shut. And today in court it was claimed

that one of the men who made the threats is the leader of Craigavon

Continuity IRA. A defence barrister named him as Eddie Breen. The

witness said he was 90% sure he had seen Breen with Brendan McConville

before the attack, but later changed that to being around 50%

sure. It emerged that Breen was arrested eleven month after the

killing and later released. But he was not rearrested when witness M

told the police that Breen had threaten him. When asked why a

detective said, for it to have been a meaningful arrest we would have

to have explored witness M's we have had that this man and that

would put witness M's family in danger. The detective was adamant

that witness M's family safety was the reason Breen was not rearrested

and denied claims that the police were protect Eddie Breen, because

he was a so-called intelligence asset. Both accused, Brendan

McConville and John Paul Wootton deny involvement in the killing.

The family of an English soldier shot dead in west Belfast at the

start of the Troubles have publicly thanked the local people who tried

to save his life. When Private Paul Carter was shot by the IRA in 1971,

his relatives were told no-one tried to help him and that attempts

were even made to steal his rifle. But a report by the police

Historical Inquiries Team has now revealed that wasn't true. Mark

Simpson reports. In the early 1970s, 200 soldiers were killed. Most of

them in Belfast. One of the youngest ta die was 21-year-old

Paul Carter from Brighton, shot dead outside the royal Victoria

hospital in 1971. It was reported as he lay dying, no one helped him

and locals tried to steal his gun. But the murder was recently

reexamined by the Historical Inquiries Team. They discovered

that rather than trying to rob the young English soldier, people had

tried to save him. For the soldier's family that has brout

some sons laigs. - brought some consolation. Sorry. 40 years late

tr truth has been revealed. We was always told they tried to take his

gun off him and that never happened. And the way it was given us to, he

was on his own and that wasn't the case. And two passers by came and

took him into the A&E and that is where he was looked after and we

never knew that. So he knew that he was being given help. He wasn't

left to die. And to me that made a huge difference. To find that

somebody wanted to help him and a lot of people did help him.

Historical Inquiries Team is reexamining more than 3,000

killings, dating back to 1968. It is looking at all deaths, police

officersers soldier, civilians and paramilitaries. This is where many

of the old murder files are kept, in a warehouse near Belfast. The

team are not just reexamining the evidence, they're working with the

relatives of the victims, trying to answer their questions. We met one

family and it was a mum and she wondered whether her son had had

his dinner before he had been killed. And that was the thing that

had worried her for many years. There notice an answer to every

question, but for some relatives like the sister of Paul Carter,

even the smallest piece of new information can provide some

comfort. You're watching BBC Newsline and still to come on the

programme: Could a pardon for Irish Army deserters be close? Back on

dry land but still rowing - what next for our Atlantic oarswoman?

The Strangford MLA David McNarry is to face disciplinary action by the

Ulster Unionist Party. Mr McNarry resigned from the party's Assembly

group last week, after being removed as vice-chairman of the

Stormont Education Committee by party leader Tom Elliott. This

latest development follows an interview on BBC Radio Ulster when

Mr McNarry said Tom Elliott didn't know what he was doing as leader.

The Chief Constable has given his first public reaction to BBC

Newline's revelations about the recruitment of former RUC Officers.

Matt Baggott defended the PSNI's practice, but acknowledged that it

may not have been fully open and transparent. It was also revealed

today that the police have paid more than �40 million to a

recruitment agency during the past three years. Our Home Affairs

Correspondent, Vincent Kearney, reports. This Belfast based

employment agency has been paid �41 million by the PSNI during the past

three years. It is the sole provider of temporary staff for the

police. The money it was paid included the cost of salaries for

those staff, as well as agency fees. Most of the staff members it

supplied are retired police officers. The rehiring of retired

officers dominated today's meeting of the policing board. I don't see

anything here that has been done without the right motivation and

the right integrity to manage half the resours, twice the demand,

reducing number, 7,900 people have left the organisation in the last

ten years. Sometimes unique times call for unique measures. But he

said the propro Cesc may not have been open and transparent. Can I

stand over every case in the last ten years with a very devolved

delegated regime where financial budgets were given out to a range

of people to manage themselves, you know, probably not. But I think

those cases will be limited and may be justified and lawful, but can I

stand over that, no I can't PSNI said it plans to reduce the

reliance on temporary staff by the end of the year. When the contract

with Graft on comes to an end. The audit office is considering a

request to investigate the recruitment policy. Senior officers

today expressed concern that the debate could damage public

confidence in policing. But it is a debate that looks likely to

The treatment in the Republic of soldiers who drove it -- deserted

the Irish Army to fight for the Allies during the Second World War

became a political issue in 1945 and remains emotive today.

Parties in the Assembly recently called on the Irish Government to

pardon the 5,000 soldiers involved. The Republic's Justice Minister

indicated an announcement will be made in the coming weeks. Should

deserters be pardoned? Our correspondent reports from but --

from Dublin. Inspecting the Cripps -- the troops,

from whose ranks the deserters had There wasn't all he will's welcome

on their return, ended up instead in what has been described as the

Republic's roll-call of shame. deserters were denied Government

employment for a period of seven years. I think under the

circumstances this is quite generous treatment. Obviously not

pleasant for those blacklisted, but the alternative was the rigours of

menace -- military justice. Among those secretly barred was

this man. The consequences for the families

remain. You got Penny Deborah's, as they call them, soup kitchens. We

would set out in the cold and rain, fed by the nuns. Some deserters did

not return. For deserted -- deserters soldiers who were killed

in action, their children were taken into care and marked to be

specially treated, harshly. Paddy senior Ford for five years in

the Burma campaign. -- thought of for five years.

He talked about the savagery of war. He had nightmares come and he had

regrets for the men who had died out there. A pardon for -- from the

Irish Government for the deserters is on the way.

It is of understandable concern to maintain the integrity of the Irish

defence forces. Desertion at any time is a serious issue, but I

think now we are so much further on we have an opportunity to look back

on those events, re-evaluate judgments made, and where it wrong

judgments were made, correct them. A move supported by all parties in

the Assembly. It is about repaying a debt, trying

to remove the stigma from family to were put in this difficult position.

Some were critical of such a gesture. By giving a pardon to

these people, you disrespect the people who did not leave. I would

think it would be much better to quietly forget about borehole thing.

A history will judge the Irish State for compiling the blacklist

A quick look ahead to tomorrow's programme, when we will be in

Belfast's Cathedral Quarter for a preview of our newest arts centre.

The MAC is behind St and's Cathedral, but its seven stories

pack and a lot of space and galleries. 400 people have been

working under construction, and we get a chance to see what it

promises for the city centre. have great back of house facilities,

we have a big car park, heating, all the things people expect and

deserve to have when they come to the theatre.

Join us tomorrow for a guided tour and news of the shows that will

open the MAC in April. Back to today, and the Irish

Football Association has tackled the social media today in what is a

first for Northern Ireland. And what is been seen as a landmark

day for local football, football's governing body, the IFA, has banned

a player for comments made on the social networking site, Twitter.

Leon Knight, who has just signed for Glentoran from Coleraine, will

serve a three-match suspension. The IFA will not confirm the precise

nature of the comets, but it is thought the punishment has been

handed out because of a combination of things said on Twitter. He is

intended -- entitled to appeal, it remains to be seen if he will.

Shame again -- Shane McCabe left his club to pursue a career with

his Gaelic football club, Fermanagh. It left running the call very angry.

He told he is happy to give up a He told he is happy to give up a

payroll and play for three. He is as comfortable with the ball

in his hand as he is with it at his feet before stop Shane McCabe's

skills have been making him a man in demand, and it is the poor love

Fermanagh that is strongest, for Fermanagh that is strongest, for

now. He feels I have a good part to play.

I feel it is my duty as a Fermanagh man and a Gaelic man through and

through that I can provide whatever expertise of talent he thinks I

have to the cause. Seoul, firm and a's game is

Portadown's loss. Reportedly, Ronnie McCall is not happy.

They are where I am not expecting any wages, once I had committed to

fair manner that is not the case. It is something we will have to

have a quick chat about, I respect Ronnie, our personalities are very

similar, we get on well. I know he is disappointed and I have let him

in a tricky situation, but then if it -- if there is anything

regarding breach of contract, we can sort that out.

He remains determined to Portadown after the summer's championship, if

he is still wanted. Last month it was revealed Portrush

would host this year's Irish Open golf tournament. Today it received

another boost at -- after being selected to host the British

Amateur Championship in 2014. The qualifying stages will be shared

with the nearby port Stuart club. It is hosting the amateurs for the

third time. He won an Olympic medal four years

ago, but Paddy Barnes's prospects for 2012 now hinge on his next

fight in Dublin tomorrow night. He will try to retain his Irish Senior

Amateur title, because now one of the qualification requirements is

that he takes it to reach the London Games this summer.

The tattoo on his chest illustrates the importance of his Olympic dream.

If it came to world rankings, Paddy Barnes would be a qualifier for

London. A Beijing medallist four years ago, European and

Commonwealth champion since, but at Olympic qualification pays no heed

to rankings or medals won. Instead, for boxers, the path to London is

fraught with difficulty. It is nothing new Jimmy Comer there

are people who come through the ranks you don't know of, like

myself in 2007, no one knew who I was. I have been around long enough

to know who is coming through, and I am ready for them.

Victory in Dublin this weekend would insure him of a place at the

European Olympic qualifying event in Turkey next April. The last

qualification opportunity for London. In theory, team Ireland

brings only national champions to that event, but those closest to

them believe that if he boxes to his potential, Paddy Barnes should

be on the aeroplane to Turkey and London.

Class is permanent. You do not lose that over one bad day. If he does

not perform at LMFAO or three contests together in the space of a

few days, he will be sitting at home looking at the Games.

The firemen to qualify, I am meant to qualify. I would like to believe

the ball is in my court. Paddy Barnes will have additional

help in the Boxer's changing room this weekend - Tommy McCarthy, a

Belfast heavyweight, although contests and Irish final with

similar dreams to being on the aeroplane to that qualifying event

in Turkey. We will let you know how they get

on. A very confident Paddy Barnes will make it to the Olympics.

It would not be the same without him.

Kate Richardson were left County Armagh a novice at rower, but

returned a record-breaker. A team smashed two world records when they

rowed across the Atlantic in just 45 days. She became the first

Irishwoman to make that journey Frostrup we spoke to her through

the internet when he landed in the Caribbean. Now she is warm and

recounted how she battled 40 feet waves, crippling cramps and a lack

of sleep and food. He our reporter has been to meet her and her mother.

From Portadown to Port St Charles in the Caribbean and back again.

Kate Richardson has been on an epic journey. The 22-year-old and her

four female cremates road 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean,

smashing two world records. -- crewmates rowed.

You misleading pattern is still not back to normal yet, but it is

amazing. Arriving was a memory Kate has said

she will treasure for ever. A mother and her sister were there to

deter. Just absolute relief.

-- they were there to meet her. Having her back on land was the

main thing, and the excitement of knowing what they had achieved, two

world records. To know your daughter has achieved that makes

you feel very good. The team was competing in the

Atlantic Challenge, and what a challenge it was. They would two

hours on, two hours of through the day and night. It was the little

things that kept them going. Simple things, like enjoying a

chocolate chip deserved, finding peaches we thought had all been

beaten. Eating peanut butter, the simplest times, they made you so

elated and excited. The team has already raised tens of

thousands of pounds to raise awareness of human trafficking, and

she is already planning her next challenge. Swapping a sale board

for a bike she would swipe -- like to cycle worldwide routes used by

traffickers to highlight the issue, and perhaps break a world record of

two while she is there. She will do whatever she put her

mind to it. Well done to her. It is still quite chilly. It is

hard to believe January was the mildest since 2007. No such luck

today. Temperatures registered within the last hour in Londonderry

that minus two Celsius. Over wrecked that temperatures will

continue to fall, typically to around minus two Celsius or minus

three Celsius. In countryside it could be as low as-five Celsius. --

minus five Celsius. It will become much cloudier

tomorrow. Bright sunshine first thing for Eastern Counties, further

west it will turn much cloudier as the weather edges in, bringing with

it a damp weather. Snow on the hills and sleet for parts of

Fermanagh and Tyrone. We have damp weather continuing in

parts of the West. We may see some slushy deposits coming further down

towards the lower levels for a time. Temperatures typically around three

or four Celsius. Tomorrow night it will be much

milder, but it will be much Twitter, to come up more rain. Temperatures

two or three Celsius. We may see some wintry weather on the hills.

Wet weather will linger into Saturday, it will be a very wet day

with some heavy downpours. Temperatures are recovering, a trip

around seven or eight Celsius, but it will feel quite unpleasant,

especially with winds gaining strength over the weekend. It will

stay unsettled on Sunday, and we will keep an eye on things. Don't

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