24/04/2012 BBC Newsline

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

Traynor. They all headlines this Tuesday

evening... The grandparents of a severely

disabled girl go on trial accused of killing her.

And a former intelligence officer claims Martin McGuinness was

involved in the murder of two senior police officers. The

financial crisis looming at Trans link. The Attorney General says he

will prosecute Peter Hain for criticising a judge.

We have all the goals from last night's football action.

And we catch up with this local high flier slam-dunking his way to

And we had a mixed bag of weather today. Tomorrow, it is going to be

much more unsettled. I will tell you why shortly.

First, to the start of the trial of a couple accused of abusing and

killing their severely disabled granddaughter. The jury were warned

today about the nature of the evidence they will hear.

14-year-old Rebecca McKeown died in hospital five days after she stayed

with her grandparents at their home in Glengormley 11 years ago. David

and Sarah Johnston, from Carwood Drive, deny charges of manslaughter

and child cruelty. Some of the evidence we are not going to

broadcast now, because of the time of day. Natasha Sayee was in the

court for BBC Newsline. At the outset, the leading prosecutor

warned the juror that during this case, there would be some

unpalatable and very distressing evidence. During the opening of the

trial here today, the court heard some harrowing details of horrific

injuries sustained by the Fourteen- year-old, injuries which the

prosecution claimed when inflicted upon her by her grandfather during

the sexual assault. 88-year-old David Johnston at his wife Sarah

looked physically frail in the dock as details of their granddaughter's

death where unveiled in court. The prosecution said the massive shock

of the sexual assault brought on pneumonia and exacerbated it and

brought on deaf. They both denied the manslaughter of their

granddaughter, but the prosecution lawyer says whoever caused these

injuries must have done it in the presence of the other. They said

the evidence will show that both of them were responsible for the death

of the child. The trial continues tomorrow.

A former Army intelligence officer has told the Smithwick Tribunal

that Martin McGuinness was involved in the murders of two senior RUC

men in 1989. The tribunal in Dublin is investigating allegations of

Garda collusion in the IRA killings of Chief Superintendent Harry Breen

and Superintendent Bob Buchanan in a border ambush in 1989. The

tribunal was told that the Deputy First Minister was involved in

authorising the attack. He has denied the allegation. Our Dublin

reporter Julie Kirby joins us. Who was giving evidence?

witness was Iain Hurst, who was also known as Martin Ingram, a

former British intelligence officer who spent Aislaby near as in

Northern Ireland. He gave his evidence in private session last

week, so what we are today was the slightly edited version of that.

What exactly did he allege about Mr McGuinness. In his evidence, he

claims the murder of the two officers in South Armagh in 1989

was authorised by Martin McGuinness, in his role as the officer in

command. He said it would have needed to be sanctioned at that

level court because it would have needed political cover. He said

between 30 and 60 people would have been involved in that and it would

be reasonably suspected that for a five of them would be senior

figures. And what did he have to say about

Garda collusion in this? He said he had come across a number of

intelligence documents, which allege that two senior officers

were passing information to the Irish Republican Army. He also said

he had been told that one of them had the handler, who was the highly

valued British agent within the Irish Republican Army. Thank you

very much indeed. Our political editor Mark Devenport

joins us now. What has the reaction been at

Stormont? As the news came through from Dublin by the claims made by

the former intelligence officer, there was not such a sense of

concern around the corridor or by the Unionists. First, he is Jim

McAllister tried to raise this in the chamber. A as the First

Minister had an opportunity yet today to reflect on the use from

the Smithwick Tribunal, that is deputy the it has been accused of

being involved in the murder of two senior police officers? Order,

order. We believe that Mr done at the Guinness needs to answer this

allegation and answer it today. -- Martin McGuinness. Martin

McGuinness did offer a written statement. He refuted the

allegations. He said that the judge had previously doubted the evidence

been given to him by the British state. Martin McGuinness said that

the intelligence officer had been involved in previous newspaper

stories about him and claimed he had a highly dubious track record.

I should say that the Democratic Unionist Party has also issued a

statement, asking for Martin McGuinness to come clean.

The publicly-owned firm which runs our bus and train networks is

expected to lose more than �22 million in the next few years. The

BBC has obtained an assessment of Translink by the Stormont

department which oversees it. What it says has raised fears that

Translink will have to significantly increase fares or cut

services. Our business correspondent Kevin Magee has this

exclusive report. Judge last week, Translink announced that bus and

rail fares were to rise by an average of three %. Some services

will see higher increases. Now there are fears that there are

further rises coming down the track. The report has shown the extent of

Translink's financial problems. If current figures continue, they will

lose over �20 million in the next two years. This warns of the

potential further fare increases. They say they have become the wants

to maintain a balanced position, they will need significant rises

above the and of inflation. This will be an addition to the

increases announced last week. are trying to get people to use the

park and ride services and if prices keep going up, we have no

chance of doing that. It is just not necessary. We are just getting

used to everything going up and up in price. A we have a limited

amount of public service money, so the for Translink must maybe have

to look at may be cutting services which are not and making the entire

business more efficient. Fuel costs will rise by �3 million alone next

year and income from school transport is falling because of a

drop in pupil numbers and concessionary fare costs are not

being fully reimbursed. Translink opted not to be interviewed, but

blamed the losses on the �24 million cut in government funding.

This monopoly needs to perform. It has a duty to return a break-even

financial situation at the end of each ear. Translink will brief the

regional economic development committee on the future next month.

A court battle which pits the Executive's chief legal adviser

against a former Secretary of State will go to a full hearing in June.

Today, the High Court heard that the Attorney General John Larkin

wants to prosecute Peter Hain over remarks he made about a Belfast

judge. The move has been criticised by many Stormont and Westminster

politicians. But Mr Larkin said criticism which undermined

confidence in the administration of justice should not be permitted.

Our political correspondent Gareth Gordon was in the court. The man

with their briefcases John Larkin, the Attorney General, whose

decision to prosecute Peter Hain has brought ridicule from ministers.

The there are occasions when judges make critical remarks about

politicians and vice versa. This is part of life in a modern democracy

and we should try and keep these things out of the Court Room.

Hain used his memoirs to attack a six year-old decision. The

Executive, which made John Larkin their chief Executive two years ago

and today he said why this decision had been taken. He said that the

remarks by Peter Hain constituted contempt of court. He said they

sought to protect public confidence in the administration of justice.

But the defence team representing Peter Hain and his publishers doubt

they should be in court whatsoever. They questioned whether the actual

charge, that of scandalising the court, still existed under common

law or whether they could apply to the European Court of Human Rights.

In his defence, they said they would present a number of

affidavits from people in public life. Today, all I swear on name

seven mmac, who has become the pivotal figure in this. -- John

Larkin. He has come under fire from many senior politicians, including

the Prime Minister David Cameron. A full hearing will take place on

June 19th. Still to come on the programme...

How this County Down factory has become the base for an American TV

blockbuster. And the crowd go wild as local

The curse of illegal drugs is around all of us, but because of

the stigma, families of so many users suffer in silence, with

little or no support. We have been speaking to a mother

who was turned by drugs into an unrecognisably secretive and moody

14-year old. She says he and others like him are easy targets for

dealers. This mother, who is from East Antrim, has been talking to

our district journalist Ciara Riddell and we have agreed to

disguise her identity and change Before drugs her son was a normal

bright kield child. She said she never imagined he would get mixed

up in substance abuse. She says children are easy targets. If you

lack on their Facebooks, they will be saying things like, could you

get me a bag of grass for �20? They are saying I will give you �40

worth and you can give it to me. I know it is paramilitaries.

problem is substances like cannabis and cocaine. In the past year the

police have made 110 separate drug seizures in the area. But the

problem is much more widespread and finding those responsible is

difficult. Let's be clear about this, it would be stupid to think

that certain individual within paramilitary organisations are not

dealing drugs. They. It is up to the community to hold them to

account. But that is easier said than done and Julia says the stigma

leaves parents too ashamed to ask for help. I was embarrassed to go

to other parents, everyone talking about your child. They get labelled

as a scum bag. You do blame yourself, what have I done wrong?

But it would be different if all your kids were doing that. When

there is just the one, it makes you think, no this isn't my fault.

There is no help, there is no support for the parents. Julia says

the drug problem has been ignored by the Government for too long and

she lives in hope that one day she will get her son back. For details

of organisations which offer support with drug abuse, you can

phone the baeb's action line. -- BBC's. The justice minister has

defended plans to close Magilligan prison, describing it as a relic of

the 1970s. The jail will be replaced with a new medium security

facility near Belfast. That has raised fear about the economic

impact on the north-west. Linda has been in business for more than 30

years and says many traders are under pressure in today's economic

climate. The closure of Magilligan will have a huge impacts. It would

be a disaster for the area, we are struggling as it is with high

unemployment and we have lost all our major industry. This is now a

final nail in the coffin. Ryan employs eight people in a family-

run business and says the area cannot afford the loss of more jobs.

All businesses depend on passing trade, so it won't have a benefit

on us. We hope something can keep the jobs in the area. Magilligan

first opened 40 years ago on the site of a former army base. It

holds more than 500 low to medium risk male prisoners and employs

around 400 staff. A Prison Service document says the prison has

outlived its useful life. But that view is not shared by everyone in

the area. The figures that we have suggest that this is going to take

around �10 million out of local economy. That can only have a

devastating effect on businesses. That view is shared by shoppers.

would be a loss and everything goes up to Belfast. Nothing gets down

here. All the factory would close and we need the jobs. The

businesses are all closing down. It's like a ghost town. The north-

west is being more isolated, everything is going to Belfast.

local MP said it does not add up. It doesn't stack up. The

maintenance of one big large prison in the Greater Belfast area and

another smaller prison in the north-west make more sense

economically and every way. In town in the area there is anger at the

possible loss of hundred of jobs, many say they will join the

campaign to try and save that employment. Finding new uses for

old buildings is a good form of architectural recycling. Take for

example the old linen factory in Banbridge which is enjoying a

rather interesting revival. We've had unique access to the factory as

it hosts its second series of a hit American TV show. Our arts

correspondent, Maggie Taggart reports. This woman will lead...

HBO has confirmed it will make a third series of Game of Thrones in

Northern Ireland. It is based on medieval fantasy books. The first

two series used local landscapes, studio and actors and it is hoped

the third will be just as profitable. Construction and

preparation for Game of Thrones is restarting here, it was the Ulster

wavers bleach works. -- weavers. The linen in this country was

finished, all that type of work. It was coming in much cheaper and we

couldn't put it out. And it's good to see the film crew here. If not

this factory would be deserted. When in full production the rooms

are the make up and costume departments the company uses 75,000

square feet of the former factory and has used ten achers of

countryside. When the circus comes to town, it comes to down. -- town.

The gates open at 5 in the morning and we have 550 people here. People

must be wandering around in strange costumes. We were in a meet and one

of the girls screamed and Charles Dance had went past on a white

horse in full battle gear. silence of the area makes it

attract civ to film makers: don't have aircraft, there is no

motorway and we're on the North/South corridor. So we went to

big TV companies in America. neighbours had to be convinced it

was a good reason with late-night filming, complete with water

cannons. So watch out for a man on a big white horse. This year's All

Ireland soccer competition will be between two local teams. Here's

Stephen Watson. One from the Irish League. One from the League of

Ireland. Crusaders have won the League Cup this season and are

already through to the Irish Cup final. Now they can look forward to

a third cup decider this season. The North Belfast club will play

Derry City in the Setanta Cup final next month at Windsor Park, after a

dramatic extra-time win against Sligo Rovers. Austin O'Callaghan

reports. There is something about knock out competition which seems

to bring out the best in Crusaders. Coates' extra time penalty kick

didn't prevent Sligo Rovers from winning, but it was the goal that

gave the Irish league club victory on aggregate, 3-2. I'm proud of the

efforts and of the team and proud for our fans. They came in big

numbers tonight. And we now look forward to an Irish Cup Final and

an all Ireland final. For their opponents, Shamrock Rovers' manager

had to keep reminding himself which dug out was his, the former Derry

City boss tried to repair the damage of a 3-0 first leg

defeatment and they set up a nervy finish. But DrY held on to progress

3-2. We want to win it now. The first time Derry have got there. It

will be more historic if we win it. Another team hoping to create

history are Coleraine. Their draw with Linfield in the Carling

Premiership means a win in their final watch with Crusaders will

assure them of a place in next season's Europa League. The draw

for the London 2012 Olympic football competition was made today.

Great Britain's women drew New Zealand, Cameroon and Brazil in the

group stage. And the GB Men's team, which could include Northern

Irelands Chris Brunt, were drawn in a group with Senegal, the United

Arab Emirates and one country they probably were looking to avoid -

Uruguay. Manager Stuart Pearce is yet to reveal his final squad of 18,

but stressed today he won't be pressurised to pick players from

all four home nations just for the sake of it. I think from my point

of view, I'm picking it on form and merit alone. Nothing else. That is

the fairest way of doing it. Every time I'm put in front of a camera,

if I pick a squad that doesn't reflect every home nation, or every

celebrity, but the first players in my mind that are best at this

moment that I think have got the best opportunity to deliver a Great

British gold. In American sport one of the most popular events of the

year is the annual All Star basketball weekend. It showcases

the biggest and the best players in the world. The concept was tried

here with our top basketballers for the first time last weekend.

Surprisingly it wasn't the tallest player on show at the University of

Ulster who entertained the fans the most. As Thomas Kane found out. The

slam dunk contest provided plenty of inventiveness. But it was the

youngest and the smallest player taking part who stole the show. At

Faye foot eleven, 17-year-old David Durkan was head and shoulders above

the rest. It is something I had planned for a while. On the day I

was nervous, but I went for it. did you manage to persuade two of

your friends to stands under the basket. They were more than willing

to help. We're close team mates. This was the first year of the

event, as the Belfast all-star team took on the rest of the Northern

Ireland. Each player was selected via an online vote. Among those

vent e represented were some east earn European players playing here.

We watch TV and I feel it. That is great. You can find more friends.

It's good. You got a lot of guys from Lithuania and other places

from Europe and I think it is adding to the game and the crowd

enjoyed it, I enjoyed it. I'm looking forward too next year.

it is hoped the game will now become an annual event. Rangers

have confirmed striker Kyle Lafferty has been suspended for two

weeks amid reports of a dispute with manager Ally McCoist. Suppose

it could have been worse, he could have been slam dunked! Now the

have been slam dunked! Now the weather with Barra Best. We had a

mixed bag today. Many enjoyed sunshine, but the cloud did bubble

up and with that we had some showers, some hefty showers as well.

Some thunder and some hail. Just like this one. Some showers still

lingering, but most are dying away. Chilly especially in the south-west.

Maybe a touch of frost for a while. Its all change tomorrow w low

pressure edging in and with that tomorrow will be wetter and windier

with some gale force gusts. We may have some dry spells, but it won't

take long before the cloud rolls in and the strong north-easterly winds

settle in, bringing showers and the showers will merge from time to

time and give some spells of rain right through the afternoon. It

won't be completely wet. But very little brightness. Temperatures

maybe nine or ten degrees on the map. But with the strong winds and

the wet weather, it will feel colder. More rain in the south-east

in the evening. Drier in the west. And into Thursday it will, won't be

as cold, because of the low pressure. Tomorrow night five to

seven degrees. But it will be very windy. Thursday the low pressure

stays with us and it is going to stay unsettled more rain and the

strong winds staying with us. Again ten or 11 degrees. Feeling colder.