22/11/2012 BBC Newsline

Good evening. The headlines on BBC Newsline:

Plans for big cuts to legal aid in divorce and child contact cases.

Discrimination damages for this man who didn't get a top job.

Defence cuts lead to lost jobs in Belfast and Crossgar.

And not quite as wild tonight, but there'll still be some showers, and

The Justice Minister has already faced down lawyers over their legal

aid fees in criminal cases. Today David Ford fired the opening salvo

to try to cut the amount of public money paid to barristers and

solicitors in civil cases. His department outlined plans to save

millions of pounds in a range of cases, like child custody battles

and divorces. Vincent Kearney Barristers and solicitors went on

strike in protest at David Fall's decision to reduce legal aid

payments for criminal cases. They eventually accepted reduced fees

and other changes the Department of Justice says will save �20 million

a year. Now the minister is turning his attention to payments for civil

cases. Again, the sums involved are huge. Figures due to be released

will reveal that last year at least one barrister was paid around

�900,000 for work on civil legal aid cases. In the last financial

year, the civil legal aid bill was over �53 million. 12 years ago, it

was just under �11.5 million. That is an increase of 368 %. Northern

Ireland has the most expensive legal aid system in the world. The

cost for civil cases works out at over �29 for every man, woman and

child who lives here. In England and Wales, it is over �17, and in

Scotland it works out even cheaper, at just over �11. David Ford today

reveals details of the first stage of plans to drastically reduce the

bill, by reducing the number of barristers involved. As it stands,

virtually everyone involved in a civil case, like a divorce or a

child custody dispute, has access to a barrister. The Justice

Minister says that is not always needed, and in future solicitors

will have to seek authorisation before employing a barrister on

behalf of their client. Barristers reject the claim that they often

employed unnecessarily, and say they are essential in many cases.

In many of these cases we are dealing with the most vulnerable in

society, and they are facing the might of the state. For example,

the state might decide to take a child into care. It is important

their rights are fully represented. Round two of David Ford's battle

with the legal profession seems likely to be as fractious as round

one. In addition to reducing the number of barristers involved in

civil legal aid cases, he also plans to introduce new, lower fees,

and other measures to cut the cost. The aim is to save around �20

million a year. A Protestant man who was the victim

of religious discrimination by Sinn Fein's Conor Murphy has accepted a

settlement of �150,000 damages. Alan Lennon won a tribunal case in

June taken against the department Mr Murphy was running at the time,

Regional Development. Julian O'Neill has been following this

story. Put this settlement figure in context? This is the biggest

ever payout in a case involving the Equality Commission, who supported

Alan Lennon's tribunal claim. He was overlooked for the job of

chairman of Northern Ireland water by Conor Murphy, purely on the

basis that he was a Protestant. This settlement probably reflects

that the salary associated with the post was �45,000 a year and it

would have been a job of three years in the first instance, so you

can see how the figure was arrived at. Mr Lennon said the settlement

came today without the Department, or Conor Murphy, saying sorry.

have never received an apology. I think the 20 months has been very

difficult. It has not been made any easier by the length of time by

which it has been dragged out. I would have been ready to discuss

the settlement last June, when the tribunal found in my favour. And I

regret that it has taken this length of time to complete it.

public purse will pay for this, but it is not ending with the damages.

No, there will be hefty legal bills as well. No figure yet, but already

Jim Allister has said that he will be asking under an Assembly

question. Danny Murphy, the current minister, said he bore the cost of

the public purse in mind when he was agreeing a settlement. There

had been discussions at the tribunal offices lately at which a

figure perhaps as much as �300,000 was talked about, so it could have

been worse. The legacy will not just be financial. It should be

better run public appointment processes on the right side of the

law. You're watching BBC Newsline. Still

ahead: It's a sure sign Christmas is on

the way, but is this market fair to local food producers? I'm live at

at Belfast City Hall. 50 people are to lose their jobs at

the defence engineering firm Thales. The cuts will fall on the company's

operations in east Belfast and Crossgar in County Down. And staff

at the Ballymena-based construction firm Patton are bracing themselves

for further possible lay-offs. The Thales company in East Belfast

makes these - missiles. This surface-to-air missile has been in

service with British forces for 15 years. The company also exports

around the world and recently won a multi-million pound order from the

Thai army. But that is not enough to stave off lay-offs at operations

in Northern Ireland. 10% of the workforce, 50 workers, are to lose

their jobs over the next year, but here in east Belfast and at another

facility near Crossgar in County Down. No one from the company was

available for interview but in a statement confirming the lay-offs,

it said the current business environment is unlike any it has

experienced in recent years, leading to a significant reduction

in demand for defence-related products. The jobs will be shed

over the next 12 months. One MLAs as these are premium posts we

cannot afford to lose. They are high end jobs, highly paid, highly

skilled jobs. Precisely the sort of jobs we need to retain and attract.

Formerly, the operation was bought over by Thales in 2000. It says it

has briefed staff on the planned lay-offs. Meanwhile, there are

fears among remaining staff at the Patton construction group in

Ballymena that there could be a further round of the duck and --

redundancies. Two weeks ago, the company paid off 190 workers after

administrators were called in. The company is up for sale and there

are concerns among the remaining 130 workers that more jobs could be

lost, with a possible announcement be made tomorrow.

The mother of the murdered toddler Millie Martin broke down in the

witness box as she accused her former lover of wrecking her life.

She said she had been robbed of seeing her daughter grow up or

hearing her call "Mummy" ever again. Rachael Martin described Barry

McCarney as a monster and said the only guilt she felt was in letting

him into her home. He denies murdering the Fermanagh child.

Rachael Martin denies allowing her death. Julian Fowler reports.

Rachael Martin spent a 4th day in the witness box, under cross-

examination, prosecution barrister, Kieron Murphy QC. She denied she

had missed all of the signs that her daughter was being abused.

Rachael Martin sobbed as she said, I have to live with this for the

rest of my life, without seeing my daughter growing up and never

hearing the word "mummy" from her. She said Barry McCarney had

portrayed himself as a loving father who appeared to love and

care for Millie. She was asked, do you feel guilty? She replied, for

letting him into my house. I have to live for the rest of my life

without my baby. She was asked if she had wilfully neglected her

daughter. She replied, I did not know I had a monster in my house.

She said she did not know Millie was being abused, but the

prosecutors suggested all the signs were staring her in the face.

Rachael Martin also said that Millie had begun to cry whenever

she said good night. Mr Murphy asked, do you accept now that she

was obviously afraid of what was going to happen to her and you did

not pick that up? I wish I did, she replied, hindsight is a great thing.

I just wish I knew what was going The trial will continue on Monday.

Now some of the day's other news: A 21-year-old man has died

following a crash near Toome in County Antrim. A car and a lorry

were involved in the collision on Moneynick Road at the junction with

the M22 last night. The family of Michaela McAreavey,

who was murdered on honeymoon in Mauritius, has begun a civil case

against a newspaper which published pictures of her body. The family is

suing the Mauritius Sunday Times and its editor for damages believed

to be in the region of �300,000. Relatives of Gerard Lawlor, a

Catholic teenager shot dead by loyalists in Belfast ten years ago,

are calling for a new police investigation. No-one has been

convicted of the murder. A new inquiry, commissioned by his family,

claims the police did not do enough The Christmas market at Belfast

City Hall is now a firm fixture in the festive calendar. But it's

being criticised for not showcasing enough local food. Chris Page is

there tonight. Yes, this Christmas market is

almost as big a part of the festivities as Santa and stockings.

There is the smell of burgers and the feeling of Christmas is very

much here. It is very busy. Some local food producers, though, are

concerned that the onus is too much on foreign food. Am joined by

Michelle and Alan, who is in charge of the company which runs the

market. Michelle, what are your concerns? A Northern Ireland has

moved on in the last nine years, since the market started. We think

the continental market is great and we love the atmosphere, but we are

saying that nowadays we have to tell our own story. We would love a

food market that tells our story, Northern Ireland's story, that is

interesting to tourists, and celebrates the fantastic success of

local producers. For example, for the last two years Northern Ireland

has been the supreme champion in the great taste Awards, with 190

gold stars are awarded to Northern Irish food companies. If you go to

places like Portsmouth, they have the dickens market. Maybe we could

have a CS Lewis market, or Belfast story, something to do with

Titanic? A bit more of a taste of Ulster? There is fantastic food

throughout Northern Ireland. This is a Christmas market, a

traditional, German-style Christmas market. That is what attracts the

people, the fact that it is diverse, with this cultural activity. It is

a great place to showcase things, but we already do. This market,

more than any other, has been positive in showcasing not just

food. It is important to showcase all local business. There are a lot

of success stories here that started on this market and now have

thriving businesses. Are you reassured by that? In a way. I

think we need to work together for some change. I would love to see

the council putting out tenders for local food markets. Last year we

were involved in over-thirties local food markets. I think the

remit needs to be broadened to. We have a lot to shout about, so let's

get on with it. Christmas is the time to celebrate them. Thank you

very much for that. From the Christmas market outside Belfast

The driver of as street cleaning glory is in hospital following an

incident in Belfast this afternoon. It is understood a telegraph pole

came down and a telephone box was destroyed when a lorry hit it. It

is not yet clear what happened but the police are on the scene. It's

difficult to understand what it must be like to urgently need a

transplant to save your life. At eight years of age, that was the

dilemma facing a Ballycastle girl. A rare condition meant her red

blood cells were attacking her liver. She is a talented 13-year-

old with a passion for swimming. Four years ago oh she depended on a

liver transplant. The whites of my eyes went yellow and my mother took

me to the GP. I was sent to Belfast and they sent me to Birmingham

children's hospital. Within one week I was on the waiting list for

a transplant. It was just the morning after I was on the list

that a liver became available for me. I had the first transplant.

Unfortunately it did not work and a year later she was back on the

waiting list. It was chronic rejection, delivered did not settle

in my body. It was a really difficult experience. I came back

home and had to wait for it. For three months I was not in school

and not going out that much. It was weird but I never really remember

being frightened as such. This time it has been a success and she has

gone on to when sporting medals at the transplant Games and earlier

this year carried the Olympic Torch. We would have lost her if she had

not had the organ donation. She is still here, with us, she is fit and

healthy. They it is really special that somebody would actually give

up an audience so that you could live. I am lucky, very, very lucky.

I had a second chance. A teenager looking to the future thanks to the

gift of life from a stranger. If you want more details about organ

donation have a look at our Facebook page. And on tomorrow's

programme we talk about an opt-out system. Should all of us be on the

organ donation register as a matter of course? Social media is a part

of life for many of us. But how would you feel if the messages you

receive online were totally anonymous? As Kelly Bonner reports,

that's exactly what happens on the latest breed of websites. All of

these sites have changed the way we communicate with each other. Social

networking sites are hugely popular with around 50% of the UK

population using sites like Facebook and Twitter. What are

becoming even more and -- even more poplar are sites like these. Cyber

bullying cases have trebled in the last five years with one in six

young people now experiencing some form of cyber bullying. This is the

latest breed of website where messages can be posted totally

anonymously. For the delays, that is the attraction. It did not take

long to find some disturbing comments. Billy's ask about other

people's ethnicity, sexuality and in some cases encourage suicide.

This group of girls use the website and have been affected by online

bullies. Instead of questions it was more like abuse. You were just

getting, you are ugly, you are fat, you should lose weight. In the

beginning I was thinking it does not matter but then I was thinking

about it because I did stop eating things and I have lost weight. At

the same time, I was happy with myself. When someone told me I was

not the right way then it did affect me. Schools say they have

seen an increase in cyber bullying. We have noticed a big difference in

girls being affected by this and having a long-term effect on how

they are getting on. It can affect attendance and were levels, they

might be struggling with work that beforehand they would be able to do.

We tried to get a comment from the website and after five attempts we

have not had any response but the debt report this message on Twitter

recently. With no source of advice for young users and no privacy

controls, something dead PSNI Sea is totally irresponsible. Some of

these websites do not care, they are totally irresponsible. -- say.

You can access these sites to report something. Messages posted

on the website mentioned have had long lasting effect. It is just

that you have to look a certain way. If you would like some advice on

how to keep yourself safe online check out this story on our

Facebook page. Coming up before seven: Sarah Travers is on a

mission. The do not know about a special thing that is happening but

I am here to spring the surprise. A key match for the Irish rugby team

is coming up this weekend and a first international cap for one of

Ulster's flying wingers. Here's Austin O'Callaghan. Craig Gilroy

will play in his first full international for Ireland against

Argentina in Dublin on Saturday. I don't think there'll be too many

arguments about the decision to select the Ulster winger. He scored

three tries for the Ireland select IV against Fiji last weekend.

That's the main reason he's been picked ahead of fellow Ulsterman

Andrew Trimble. Argentina will be a different kettle of fish than Fiji.

I just want to go and do well, take my opportunity. Northern Ireland's

conveyor belt of golfing talent shows no signs of slowing down.

Lurgan's Gareth Shaw is the latest Ulsterman to try and qualify for

the professional European Tour. He'll compete in the final round of

qualifying this weekend. And as Thomas Niblock reports, he's hoping

the appliance of science will help him make the cut. He is using

bioscience to improve his game and he believes it is making a

difference. I have to do these things, chews every avenue I can to

improve. It is a great help. This is what it is all about. A thing

for a coach it is important to use the latest ideas available. With

his help, because I have known him for so long, he can come down and

feedback the data from the testing. That helps me make the best

decisions. Biomechanics in sport remains the exception rather than

the norm. It has not really been used as a lot. In any event where

there is highly technical requirements such as Rugby, it is

important to get the technique as correct as you can. We have a good

understanding of by a mechanic principles and it is a case of us

transferring it back to the players themselves. It is as strange

concept and its benefits are small, but even the smallest improvement

can make all the difference. We are pretty good at swimming as well.

This woman has just won a bronze medal for Ireland at the short

course championships in France. Congratulations to her. Sport

groups and community groups work day in day out trying to improve

people's lives. For its endeavours, a group in Londonderry has been

nominated for an award. If you are sensitive to flash photography

there is some in this next report. Sarah Travers went there earlier

armed with a surprise. The project here does great work in bettering

people's health. They do not know that they have actually won. Hello,

Tony? Yes? BBC Newsline, can I have a quick word? I believe you have

been nominated for the National Lottery awards this year. Do you

know why? Probably because we are good at what we are doing and our

endeavours are about promoting exercise as an way of life for

older people. It will have a considerable impact on the National

Lottery itself. We are very pleased to be nominated and I hope we have

won. I have been telling a white lie. I have been asked to come here

by the National Lottery awards and tell you that you have been dead

won. We have this award to present to you today. -- you have indeed

won. I am absolutely over the moon and delighted. I cannot take all

the credit. This man is a stalwart of the Health Forum. He has put

these men through hell in the last couple of years. He deserves as

much credit as anybody else. I am absolutely speechless. Stuck for

words for 1 -- once in his life! Over here we have Paul from the big

lottery fund. Clear winners? They have always delivered high-quality

projects. What an exciting day for you guys. You can see Tony and the

boys pick up their award in London live on the television on Saturday

8th December. Champagne corks popping I think. Now the weather

with Angie. Not as wet and windy as it was last night. Having said that,

there will be showers around and it will be a colder night as well.

Showers will be following the dry gap we have had today. You will see

the lime green which is heavy showers. These will edged eastwards

this evening, some heavy with the rest of thunder. The bees will pick

up which should help push those prolonged showers out of the way. -

- bees. With clear spells inland it will turn quite cold. -- breeze. We

are expecting some frost and giving the odd icy patch and shower.

Tomorrow there will be showers around again. The best sunshine for

some parts will be during the morning. Towards the west there

will be a few showers piling in from early in the morning, these

will gather as we go through the day, more frequent with cloud

throughout the afternoon. They could beat thundery showers edging

towards the east later in the afternoon. There will be some

brighter spells but still feeling cold. The showers will ease away on

Friday night. There will be the rest of a few icy patches. There is