21/08/2012 BBC Newsline

Good evening. This is BBC Newsline with Donna Traynor. The headlines

this Tuesday evening: Three members of the Jordanian paralympic team

are arrested over allegations of sexual assault. Could Northern

Ireland end up with the toughest anti-prostitution laws in the UK. A

former world champion says boxing fans guilty of sectarian abuse

should be banned from the ringside. It is the people who are following

the fighters. They must be earmarked, pointed out and kicked

out of the boxing rings in the country. They are the ones bringing

the game into disrepute. How many local students could get free

university places in Scotland? Trust me, I'm a robot. The new

doctor doing the ward rounds in Newry. And it's been an exciting

day of weather. Thunderstorms, heavy downpours, lightning and

hailstones. I'll be back with the Three members of the Paralympic

squad from Jordan having been arrested over allegations of sexual

assault. The squad were part of a pre-games training camp at the

Antrim Forum. Our reporter Conor Macauley is there. What do we know?

Three men were arrested on Monday after three local women made

allegations including one of sexual assault. It was something that

happened here at the Antrim Forum. The squad and their support staff

have been here for a couple of weeks. The three men arrested are

aged 36, 35 and 23. They are still in police custody. There was some

delay in beginning the process of questioning the men today because

the police have to wait for interpreters to join them before

they can begin the process. What sort of official reaction has there

been to this? The Sports Minister, champion of the Olympic teams who

came to use our facilities, we asked if they had anything to say.

They said because there is alive investigation on going at the

moment they could not comment. The Jordanian team had been due to

leave Northern Ireland to travel to London for the Paralympic Games

quick start next Wednesday, the question now remains is how many of

that delegation will make it onto the flight tomorrow? Paying for sex

with prostitutes could be outlawed if Stormont passes a new bill, the

details of which were published today. The proposals, which are

being brought forward by the DUP's Lord Morrow, would give Northern

Ireland tougher laws than in Britain. As Mervyn Jess reports,

the main aim of the proposed law is to tackle people trafficking. It

has been referred to as the oldest profession in the world but that

nevertheless does not make it any more palatable end they eyes of the

public. Today, Lord Morro launched his private member's bill which she

says goes further than the current legislation making its way through

Stormont. -- Lord Morrow. person who purchases intercourse

will be the one who ends up in court. If you buy you are then be

offender. Last year alone it was estimated men in Northern Ireland

were spending up to half a million pounds on prostitutes every week.

Police have been raiding brothels. They dealt with the 33 potential

victims of trafficking. 18 of those were females who had been brought

here specifically for its sexual exploitation. Two people have been

convicted of trafficking with a further two due in court on similar

charges. This is the only way to end this crime. It is growing year-

on-year across the so-called civilised world. It is there, it is

evident, it is very hard to nail the people behind it, the gangs.

All of us need to wake up. The then you are using these services need

to wake up and see what they are doing. It is not about personal

pleasure, it is about engaging in the slave trade. The use can be

made known until the middle of the month, October sees anti-slavery

day and that is no coincidence. Earlier I spoke asked our Political

Editor Mark Devenport and asked him what the chances were of these

proposals becoming law? It is uncertain. You have got to remember

this is a private member's bill, a lot of these do not become law

because they do not have sufficient time to be debated in chamber. It

needs all parties to get on side with this proposal to give their

backing and get it through with bolts and cost will there be the

time to be debated. -- votes. The question will be whether the

consensus on the need for human trafficking can be extended among

the other parties for the consensus that all prostitution be banned.

seems that a change in the lock in regards to prostitution to be

connected with something had that happened last week Down South?

There was a consultation last week by the Southern Irish Government

and there was a consultation in Scotland to make paying for

intercourse illegal. That did not get through as wanted. It was

proposed by Harry it Hammond in 2007 and it did not make it into

law but they did push through with the lot to say it is illegal to pay

for intercourse with someone who has been trafficked. -- Harriet

Harman. I think there was some opposition to it from those who

thought the State was over-reaching itself by telling adults what they

could or could not do. It was felt this might drive the oldest

profession underground and make the situation more vulnerable for the

women involved. It might come down to whether the politicians believe

that the situation in Sweden has helped curb the problems associated

with human trafficking. The Irish boxing authorities have rejected

claims that they've failed to deal with sectarian abuse aimed at a

boxing club from Sandy Row in Belfast. The club say they've

suffered a decade of abuse without any action being taken. Julian

O'Neill reports. Best man watches from outside the ring. He once

boxed at best club but quit the sport after receiving sectarian

abuse at a competition hosted in and nationalist area. I hate it. I

felt so scared in some places. Up on the Falls Road you were not made

to feel comfortable at all. Witness the symbolism of these champions

during the Olympic torch relay but some say sectarianism is hidden

away. The club's bus has been stoned and bottles thrown at those

attending amateur bouts. Officials from several other boxing clubs in

nationalist area is said today they did not perceive any sectarian

problem in the sport or at least not one as bad as is pointed out in

this 27 page report which includes details of letters of complaints to

the sporting body. The Irish Amateur Boxing Association is

investigating and rejects the claims that this issue is a low

priority. We met with the association in February 2011,

nothing has happened in the last 18 months. We saw yesterday in the

Irish Times it was stated that there is an investigation but I

think it must be bottom of the pile of things to do. Before turning pro

this man was on the amateur circuit like many of the Olympic medal

winners. It taints the whole thing. I would love to see the Amateur

Boxing Association clamp down on this big style. The Department of

Culture, Ards and leisure is aware of the complaints and say officials

are addressing the issue. -- Arts and Leisure. Earlier this year we

highlighted a loophole which would allow students with an Irish

passport to get free tuition in a Scottish university. It was a

tempting option for students in an east Belfast school where most have

British passports. The saving could be tens of thousands of pounds. Our

education correspondent, Maggie Taggart has returned to speak to

some of the students to find out if free tuition is now a reality for

them. We first met these students in the spring. Since then they have

been studying, doing exams and getting results in the hope of

getting three university tuition in Scotland. -- free. This girl now

has an offer of free tuition at Edinburgh University. It has been a

long process, I am so happy about it. I will save �9,000. She now has

a letter assuring her she will not have to pay. Her status is EU so

her feet will be �1,820 and we have a letter from Scotland seeing it

will be paid on her behalf. -- say. She has nothing to pay this here be

wise, we are delighted. This boy has been accepted at Glasgow

university but he has not yet had a formal letter. He has had another

form to fill in. The form we would have to complete to answer all the

questions with regard to our fees that is is very lengthy, about four

pages long with 16 pages of accompanying notes which are a

minefield to wade through. I am still hopeful that we will be

successful. They have saved money for the university course but they

-- bet they do not get free fees they will be in disarray. I am

fairly confident, I have got on OK at several stages but is there is

still that little niggle of uncertainty because we do not have

a formal written paper saying that I am in for free. The Scottish

Government says it cannot yet tell how many Northern Irish students

will get free education but they are looking at ways to block the

loophole in the future. You're watching BBC Newsline and still to

come on the programme: We're live backstage at Tennents' Vital,

hearing from the up and coming Moira band who kicked the whole

A family of five laughing at Glenarm in County Antrim say they

may have to move after an arson attack on their home. A door was

damaged at the property when a tyre filled with flammable liquid was

put against it and set on fire. In neighbour raised the alarm after

seeing flames. Villagers say they are shocked at the attack. I think

it is ridiculous. It is a poor reflection of Glenarm. The family

should not be moving from the village, it is the people who

perpetrated this crime. A 55-year- old man has been arrested in south

Belfast in connection with the a murder on the outskirts of the city

36 years ago. William Palmer was 55 and died after he was shot in his

home. The man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and membership

of the IRA. As we reported yesterday, the

police have made a fulsome apology to the mayor of Derry after

mistakenly raided his house during an anti-terrorist operation last

month. But the Sinn Fein councillor says that words do not go far

enough. Kevin Campbell is in our foil.

You have got an apology, what more do you want? And all but the case

is going to the ombudsman and I am prepared to wait for the outcome. -

- I am told that the case. Do you not accept that mistakes can

happen? Yes, they can. In this instance, the reality is that when

the police came to my home, it was at 10:30pm and the officers

recognise who I was and were not prepared to enter the home. What

happened was that it was a to-ing and fro-ing between Derry and

Belfast. Someone at 4:30am decided to go ahead and searched the

property. There was no one in the house. This indicates everything I

said at the time. Earlier, you said that he wanted the officer who made

the author -- who made the order to be sacked. Is that they're? -- is

that fair. I am prepared to sit down with them. I know it has been

put to the ombudsman's office. Let's wait and see the outcome of

this process. At the end of the day, this was wrong and it should never

have happened. When I was made the mayor of this city, I said I would

work for all the people of the city. This left a cloud hanging over me,

within the Unionist and Protestant community. The police have admitted

it was a mistake and they have made a fulsome apology. Gregory Campbell

the DUP said that it is time now to focus on the weapons that were

seized by police earlier in that operation. NEWLINE deflecting away

from the battle against dissident republicans. -- You are deflecting.

The police are dealing with that issue. The issue would mean, do was

a wrong done and the police have admitted. -- the issue with me,

there was a wrong done. I'm prepared to see the outcome before

I take anything further. There is a new addition to the medical team at

Daisy Hill Hospital. He does not wear the usual attire, he does not

take temperatures or give injections, but he is still

regarded as an important part of the team.

It is not a Ballack, it is a doctor. Doctor Who? The man on the screen

is Charles McAllister, one of 18 of intensive care specialists based

not in Newry but 20 miles away in Craigavon. Can you hear me OK?

is Charlie. Do you mind talking to me through the robot? What is the

story. Unlike Craigavon Hospital, Daisy Hill does not have an

intensive care unit. But now intensive care staff at Craigavon

can monitor patients in Newry remotely, thanks to the robot.

you comfortable? It has been great so far. The number of patients we

have been transferring has reduced and we are able to take patients --

keep patients up-to-date with out there doing. We have a better

understanding of the natures of the problems when they do arrive.

staff were initially suspicious of a robot on the ward. Having seen it

in action, it is a real benefit to the care that patients receive.

Sometimes we require the assistance of experts, and to have won at the

bedside is a bonus. The trust says that so far the robot has gone down

well with patients. It is brilliant. He is easy to get on with and talk

to. He is over in Craigavon, and we're here and he can talk to us.

These investments will greatly assist us in providing the best

possible care. And doing it in an efficient manner as well. It may be

the height of technical sophistication, but the result was

a downside. Like a Telek, the robot cannot go upstairs. -- Ballack.

the left! Joanna Mills has yet to decide if she will switch

allegiance from Ireland to Great Britain. After a long process of

appeals, she controversially missed out on a place in the Irish 4x4 or

-- for by 400 metre relay for the Olympics. She ran faster times than

Catriona Cuddihy, who was included in the squad.

I was struggling watching the Olympics because I thought that the

opportunity would have been unbelievable, but I still enjoyed

watching it. It was difficult because it was a home Olympics and

it was more in our face. But I learned so much. The highs and lows,

but I experienced. Are you still considering competing for Ireland?

Are will have to think about it. I will have to sit down and chat

about next year, and how everything will fall. I do not want to make

any decisions just yet. The way the situation was handled has

highlighted a lot of things to me. Ireland have been very good to me.

I cannot forget about that. Have you spoken to the girls? I have not

heard from that. I heard a lot on Twitter before the race and then

after the race there was support for them, which was good to see. I

have not seen any of them since. You mention your family, and your

fellow athletes. How much support did you receive from people outside

of that group? Will loads. I cannot get over it. -- loads. 500

different people following me, at telling me that I was hard done by.

I could not get over it. I was surprised that people knew about it.

Every comment was red and appreciated. There was a lot of

support from down south, which was surprising, because I think a lot

of people thought it was political and they do not think it was. At

the same time, it meant a lot to me to get support from such a variety

of different people. You spoke about making a decision. When do

you expect to make that decision and what will you weigh up? I have

my last competition this weekend. After that I will sit down and talk

about my plans. We will look at how the season is looking. Obviously,

international opportunities, or are they fall, there are different

regulations that come into it. I do not want to accept and rush into

anything because Ireland have been good to me. At the same time, I

need to think about where I go from here.

Thousands of rock fans are gathering in south Belfast for one

of this year's biggest music events, the tennis vital Festival. --

Tennants Vital Festival. We're backstage at Tennants Vital. This

is where the bands come to chill out. No sign of the Foo Fighters,

they are away on the other side of this backstage area. And there is a

special cordoned off tent. Of course, this is their first gig in

Northern Ireland. Some of you might remember at the early Nineties Mac

when Dave Grohl was here in Belfast with Nirvana. He has not been back

since but in two hours he will take to the stage with the Foo Fighters.

Earlier today, it was a local band based in Craigavon who opened the

entire event. They are Trucker Tom from Trucker tableau is with me.

How did you get involved? entered a competition about two

months ago. We were whittled down to the last 16. We went down and

play it, and we got the news about a month ago. It was unbelievable.

How did it feel? Unbelievable. Being on stage, supporting the Foo

Fighters, and remembering learning those songs years ago, it is a

dream come true. Fantastic. Stephen Rainey is with us. It is a great

news story for that band. What does it mean for other bands up and

coming in Northern Ireland? It is a rare opportunity to play in front

of a crowd like that. There are a lot of people out there. We have a

unique situation where local bands who are used to playing in pubs and

bars can get on a stage like that and bring their music to a huge

audience. If only a quarter of the people out there by 80 should, that

is an incredible success for a local band. -- buy a Taoiseach.

Opportunities like this are essential for them. It is great for

local bands but tonight is all about the Foo Fighters. I am a huge

fan, and I am really excited. I have come prepared. I have got my

wellies the and I am ready to rock. Maybe her guests have seen a

Maybe her guests have seen a different forecast.

We have had a bit of everything today, to be fair. Heavy rain,

thunder, sunshine, lightning. What else could we have thrown at us?

Very good for those chasing storms. Our Twitter feed was really busier

earlier. Thank you for you're pictures and tweets. Only a brief

respite from thunder and lightning before the next area of heavy

showers moved in. Storms in Belfast. Sharp showers kicking around at the

moment, but they are easing away. Many of us of these black clouds

looming. -- sort these black clouds. There was flooding briefly. That is

how the showers looked up a short time ago. They will be drying up

this evening. Most of the shares will become confined to the north

and west. They will be back tomorrow but not as ferocious as

they were. Because of the breeze, it will grow through swiftly. --

blow through. A few of them will get to eastern areas by lunchtime

but in the east, the best of the temperatures because of the

westerly breeze. We're looking at 18 or 19 when the sun is out.

Further west, the showers will probably be more frequent.

Temperatures will be around 17 or 18. It may feel fresher compared to

recent days because of that breeze. The showers continuing to the end

of the afternoon. There will be a dry spell for a while tomorrow

night. The weather pattern is very unsettled at the moment. The next

area of low pressure is moving in from the Atlantic to bring wet and

windy weather through Thursday and Friday. Prepare yourself so for

more rain for the end of the week. more rain for the end of the week.

-- yourselves. Well our late summary is at 10:25pm