18/04/2013 BBC Newsline

Newsline: the DUP warns Sinn Fein over any proposals to glorify

terrorism. A former DUP election candidate involved in a pipe bomb

attack is jailed for three years. Welcome back. The dollar llama takes

a walk on the peace Bridge. -- Dally Lama. We'll have the latest on a

legal challenge to the multi-million pound redevelopment of Windsor Park.

And there may be some rain around this evening but a better day is on

the way tomorrow. I'll have the details shortly. Food tests by

Queen's University for BBC Newsline have revealed that while beef

samples were found to be free from horse meat, there is an issue with

some fish products being sold locally. Items sold and priced as

being cod were actually not that species at all. That has prompted an

expert to say it is another example of the integrity of the food chain

being shown to be sub-standard. Our business correspondent has been

looking at all this. Should we be worried? Let's say straightaway the

tests we asked Queen's to carry out did not raise any food safety issue

whatsoever. We want to be absolutely clear about that. No safety food

issue. What we ran here was a simple snapshot consumer test, prompted by

the headlines and fall-out from the horse meat scandal. We thought we'd

try to gauge the bone fides of what was on some of our shelves. The

sample size in our survey was relatively small, but the results

did pose some big questions. This is one of the food labs at Queens

University. It is where we had scientists running a series of

tests. First, we wanted to know about beef. We bought ten different

products, like mints and burgers, at random from different supermarkets

and smaller shops, and asked Queens to check for any traces of coarse

meet. We found absolutely no trace of contamination. In consultation

with experts, we also decided to examine processed lamb for any cross

contamination with pork. Again, it was all clear. But when we tested

the card, the results were more eye-catching. -- tested cod. Again,

we had purchased ten different items at random. Each packet was clearly

labeled as a cod. But tests found that two of our ten samples

contained no cod. The first ting people ask for, does it have an

impact on safety? It does not. -- the first things. You are getting a

little value fish. The whole industry has to take this area

seriously, because it is another example of the integrity of the food

supply chain being shown to be substandard. We shared our results

with the representative of many of the larger shops, who have upped

their testing regimes in the wake of the horse meat scandal. Anything

that is a food labeling issue concerns me. Can people be assured

that tests have been done on fish products just like I have been done

on beef products? Are you only reacting after evidence

materializes? We have a series of testing, otherwise he would not be

able to tell the consumer what species of fish they are buying. If

you are telling me there are problems that have been identified,

that is where we will stand up to the plate. We'll try and restore

that consumer confidence. What we find is supported by more

comprehensive research studies worldwide. It is being referred to

as fish fraud, and it is a global issue which has landed on our

shores. With me is Gerry McCurdy from the Foods Standards Agency. How

alarmed are you about these tests? would not use the word alarmed. I am

surprised that the suppliers have not been able to demonstrate the

authenticity of the products that they have put on the market and

consumers are being misled once again. Do you call it fish fraud?

Anything that misleads the consumer can be called a fraudulent activity.

It is unacceptable. How often do you test fish products? Let's be clear

about to does the testing and who does the enforcing on this. District

councils have a sampling programme, and around 2500 samples of food are

sampled each year. Not all of them are fish, but a proportion of them

are. On occasions, we do get evidence of substitution, and the

District Council and environmental health departments follow up on

that. Do you think the checking out is rigorous enough? The Foods

Standards Agency will monitor the system along with police, but it is

the responsibility of the business operators to ensure that the

products they put on the market are safe, packaged and labeled

properly, said that consumers are not misled. -- so that consumers are

not misled. Thank you for joining us this evening. A controversial peace

and conflict resolution centre at the former Maze Prison site has been

given the go ahead by planners. There have been years of political

disagreement about the Maze and the wrangling may not be over yet, with

the DUP saying they will have a veto on what will be seen at the centre.

The walls came down at the Maze at some time ago. Now, the 350 acres of

land are set to become a key part of Northern Ireland's future, not just

its past. This is how it used to look. But soon, the former prison

site will look like this, with an H block retained, to World War II

aircraft hangers on display, both within walking distance of a new

conflict resolution centre. The multi million pounds building will

have conference facilities and meeting rooms. Planning permission

was granted today. It is a significant milestone, but it is not

the end of the political wrangling. Questions remain. Exactly how will

the H block be presented? What about tourists who will be involved? What

story will be told? Me and my six comrades are prepared. Raymond

McCartney was a prisoner who went on strike for 53 days. He is now a Sinn

Fein MLA, with a strong view on the MLA maize product. -- project.

have always said that those who are making history with us, those people

can make informed judgments. But the message from the DUP is blunt.

are clear that what ever happens, it will not be about Laura fighting

terrorism. If you are not happy with the final -- it will not be about

glorifying terrorism? If you are not happy with the final... What about

the economics? Is there a market for the new Mesa site? We asked tourists

in Belfast city centre. -- the new Maze Prison site. We have not been

to hell fast before but we probably would. It would be great to see

something about the presence beside just the complex themselves. I think

it would be a good thing. We are French and we just know a little.

would be a good thing. Anything that can result conflict is a good thing.

There seems to be little doubt that people want to come to the Maze.

What we do not know is exactly what they will see. As the political

wrangling enough to scupper the whole project? In theory, it yes. We

remember what happened to the Mesa Stadium project. The pieces system

-- centre is more advanced but there is still more to work out. The DUP

and Sinn Fein have been arguing on the airwaves all day. Tonight, a

statement trying to calm everyone down from the First Minister saying

that it would be all right on the night. My sense is that it probably

will be but there will be some bumps on the way. Segei you think tensions

will not poison the relationships -- so do you think tensions will not

poison the relationships? It is almost political deja vu. Here we

are, ten years after the prison closed, and we are still talking

about this. A former DUP election candidate who admitted being

involved in a racist pipe-bomb attack has been sent to jail. John

Smyth Jr from Rockfield Heights near Ballymena will spend three years in

custody. Our north-east reporter was at the court in Antrim. Sent to jail

for his part in what the judge called a cowardly and despicable

act, and this was eight, a pipe bomb attack in October 2011. Mr Smyth

said he did not plant the device but admitted that he made it. It will

just make me more determined to succeed. These attacks are not

welcomed in our community. But it turned out that Mr Smyth was the one

making the bomb. When first question, he denied involvement, but

he later pleaded guilty when confronted with overwhelming

forensic evidence. It was a detail revisited during his sentencing

today at Antrim County court. The -- Antrim Crown Court. The court heard

that there was proved beyond doubt that the materials used in the bomb

were the same found in the home of Ted two. The judge said there were

mitigating factors in the case. -- of Mr Smyth. The judges said that

there were mitigating factors in the case. He said that while Mr Smyth

did not plant the bomb, he had knowledge about the people who did.

The judge said that in giving his sentence it must reflect the fact

that this device could have caused death or serious injury. For that

reason, he was told he will serve the full three years in custody

before he is released on license. The 69-year-old man who was killed

in a three car collision near Claudy last night was David Richie who was

from the Londonderry area. Another man and a woman who were hurt in the

crash. It's thought their injuries are not life-threatening. Two men in

their 20s have been arrested in connection with the incident which

was close to Burntollet Bridge. Still to come this evening: Welcome

back. The head of a local charity gets a surprise. It has emerged that

all 108 Stormont MLA's are insured at taxpayers expense against being

sued for libel. That is when they say something that damages someone's

reputation. The details came out after an assembly member agreed to

pay substantial libel damages to a former member. Our political

correspondent is with me now. Should we be surprised at this policy?

wasn't surprised that taxpayers were picking up the tab, -- I was

surprised that taxpayers were picking up the tab. We checked to

see if this was an unusual policy, if other elected bodies in the UK

had them, and we heard today that the Welsh government and its

ministers for libel. There is... MPs are not covered for things they say

on their blogs or on tweets or personal websites or when it comes

to promoting their parties. What reaction have you been able to get

today? I spoke to a former MLA from Alliance, and he said that he was

concerned that this kind of policy could make MLA's careless about what

they said when they appeared on television or the radio. I also

spoke to a lawyer who likened this to a driver having insurance.

Because we all have car insurance, we do not go around trying to have

car accidents. I do not think this will make any individual feel they

have carte blanche to say what they do and wish. Nobody wants to have to

go through a very public court proceedings. What has the assembly

said? The assembly said it was required by law to have insurance

and that this label came at no -- this label cover came at no extra

expense. I said how much money -- I ask how much money had been paid out

in the previous year and they said there had been no previous claims.

Barristers acting for a Belfast couple who've been told they were

wrongly sent to prison in connection with the murder of an alleged IRA

informer today asked the Court of Appeal to reveal the contents of a

secret dossier of material that led to the public prosecution service

changing its mind. The PPS has said the convictions should be quashed,

but the reasons kept secret. Lawyers for the couple say that would be a

cover up. They claim the case involves the activities of another,

more high ranking IRA informer. An alleged IRA informer was shot dead

in West Belfast in February, 1989. A Belfast couple were convicted of

falsely imprisoning him before he was killed. James Martin was also

convicted of terrorist activities, and spent six years imprisonment,

his wife spent three years. Last year the public properties in

service said they would have never been charged. A lawyer for the PPS

to the Court of Appeal that they accepted that the convictions should

be quashed, and the couple did not have a fair trial, but the PPS does

not want the couple to be told why its position has been changed. It

wants the court to give a closed judgement, meaning the material will

remain secret. A barrister for James Martin said he, and the wider

public, has a right to know what the material is. Sean Devine told the

three judges that there is an individual at the centre this case.

He said if the speculation is correct, a case of one agent of the

state executing another agent of the state, to enhance a position in a

paramilitary organisation to provide higher grade inflammation, that

needs to be stated. He said if the Court of Appeal fails to reveal the

details of what went wrong, it would effectively be endorsing that

behaviour. He added, if the court refuses to one cover this kind of

behaviour, it will remain uncovered, and they will have been a cover-up.

The prosecution argued that reading the secret material could cause

long-term damage. The judges reserve the decision.

The Royal British Legion has confirmed they are opposed to aid EU

P proposal to fly the union type every day at the Senate half next to

the City Hall. The council does I did the union flag would only fly

over the City Hall on designated days. In a statement, the Legion

says, the garden of remembrance is sacrosanct, and they don't want to

become politicised. The Dalai Lama has returned to

Londonderry as a guest of the charity, Children in Crossfire. The

Tibetan spiritual leader is patron of the Derry-based charity which

works overseas with poor and impoverished communities. One of the

highlights of his visit was a symbolic walk across the Peace

Bridge with hundreds of Protestant and Catholic children. I don't think

that any charity could ask for anything more than someone who is an

icon of peace, forgive men's -- forgiveness, it is a fantastic thing

for the work we do. Still to come, why the planned �25

million upgrade of Windsor Park could be jeopardised.

Commercial fishing is, officially, the most dangerous job we can do in

these islands. A fisherman has a one in 20 chance of being killed at

work. When tragedy strikes, the community invariably turns to the

Fishermen's Mission just like the one in Kilkeel in County Down. Our

reporter in the southeast Gordon Adair has been speaking to a group

of women at the harbour who have recorded a CD to raise funds. You've

heard of the military wives - these are the fish-wives.

DC has given much, indeed possibly everything to this town, that it has

taken as well. At the lifeboat station, the flag is at half-mast

for respect of people lost at sea, this one has hit the family hard.

Tragedies like that, which struck the Green family, have a massive

impact on the community. I have three sons who are fish and men, and

every time they go out, you worry about them, and you never know which

way the sea is going to be, it can be very calm, and it can get very

rough. This is Jane Dalby, she is from Hastings in Essex, and three

years ago, she lost her husband, Colin, at sea. Now she plans to help

everyone in a similar position, and the ladies here, they intend to help

her. Later this month, they will join women from fishing families

across the UK to record a CD in aid of fishermen. We love music, we are

involved in the choir, for the purpose of it all, it was something

great, they'll have their own to tell, it is something to raise the

awareness of the mission. Especially here, where the majority of people

are fish and men, not farmers. You have a sisterhood, commission tries

to support their wives, even when there is not a disaster, but we are

a community which looks at each other, and we have a strong bond

between the mission and efficient immunity. So, what song will they

sing? That it seems is a closely guarded secret. Perhaps something

from Seal. It is top secret? won't tell today.

Authorities in Dublin are investigating the theft of four

rhinoceros heads. Three men tied up a security guard, and loaded them

into a van. The street values of the horns are up to 0.5 million euros.

They are used for traditional medicines in the Far East.

An upgrade of Windsor Park football stadium costing 25 million pounds

could be jeopardised by a legal challenge to the funding plan.

Austin O'Callaghan is here with news of that.

Crusaders football club are asking for a judicial review of the the

plans to upgrade the ground. north Belfast club say the

arrangements breach European Union competition laws. Crusaders claim

that the way the Windsor Park project is being funded would be a

form of state aid to Linfield, who are one of Crusaders main rivals and

the current stadium owners. This is what it is hoped the new

redeveloped Windsor Park will look like, the South Belfast age is set

to benefit from �25 million of aid from the Department of culture, arts

and leisure, which was passed in seminary. Worth was -- work was

opposed to start in September, but their rival club has said it is

state funding. They feel the upgrade paid for by the government will

create unfair revenue for Linfield, with them also receiving substantial

ground rent. Alongside those other benefits, they estimate it is up to

�0.5 million a season, which gives them a significant advantage.

Crusaders have also alleged a lack of transparency around the funding,

with their barrister seeking an outline of the business case. At the

High Court, the Irish football Association expressed concern in

regard to the possible implications of the protracted legal case, saying

it could jeopardise all of the funding for local football. The

redevelopment is part of a wider �110 million plan to upgrade

Ulster's rugby ground at Ravenhill. It is understood that the funding

will be unaffected by the legal challenge. The High Court hearing

has been put back four weeks to allow application on issues around

European that deflation, before deciding whether Seder is --

Crusaders challenge is merited. A spokesperson for the Department of

Culture, Arts and Leisure has told us tonight that: "As a legal process

is underway we are unable to comment. However, DCAL intends to

robustly defend each of the grounds which have been alleged by

Crusaders." The jockey Tony McCoy has been taken

to hospital after suffering a chest injury in a heavy fall at

Cheltenham. The champion jockey was partnering the Nicky

Henderson-trained Quantitativeeasing when the gelding stumbled, throwing

McCoy into the air. McCoy was conscious after the fall but was

stretchered off the track and given oxygen before being taken to

hospital. The Ulster coach Mark Anscombe today

named his starting fifteen for the Rabo Pro 12 game against Connacht

tomorrow night - a match you can see live on BBC TWO from 7.30.

There are five changes to the team that beat the Dragons last weekend.

Jared Payne has recovered from an ankle injury and starts at

full-back. Chris Henry, Andrew Trimble and Paddy Jackson also

return to the side - while Lewis Stevenson starts in the second-row.

And there are two positional changes with Ruan Pienaar moving from

out-half to scrum-half and Tommy Bowe starting on the left wing.

Finally Graeme McDowell is back in action the United States at the RBC

Heritage tournament in South Carolina. He is currently one under

par after three holes, five shots off the lead.

Now the weather forecast here's Now the weather forecast here's

Barra. We had some hefty April showers today, some of them quite

sharp. Aggressively it will turn much drier as we go through the

night, a little chilly in the countryside, we could see a touch of

Frost, the odd icy stretch. Most towns and cities will stay above

freezing. Tomorrow, a much better day, certainly more settled, to

begin with, tonnes of dry weather around. The sun will come out from

the beginning of the morning, a dry start, the big thing will be the

wind, much lighter than today. A handful of showers around, not many

in the forecast, so if you get one or two, you will very unlucky.

Temperatures up to 12 degrees. Where there is good sunshine, we could see

a high of 14 degrees. Not too bad. One or two macro showers continuing

into the second part of tomorrow, but not a bad end to the day, with

some brighter weather, and some sunshine tomorrow evening. Tomorrow

night, much like tonight, a chilly night, in the countryside

particularly, in towns and cities, between the 3-5 degrees. That will

give us a dry start to the weekend, certainly for most, especially in

the east, it will stay pretty decent for most of the day. Further west,

the cloud will gradually drifting, bringing stronger winds. A bit

milder, 13-14d. If you plan any outdoor events, did on Saturday, the

best day of the weekend. Sunday will be more unsettled, wet and windy,

unsettled going into Monday. Yesterday we brought you the story

about the sheep who survived being trapped under six feet of snow for

three weeks in the hills above Broughshane.

They've been nicknamed "The Rambo Rams," but on our BBC Newsline

Facebook page we asked if you could come up with an even better name.

We've had lots of responses: Ewe-dini, Baaa-Grylls;

Bro-Shane;Madras and Korma, Glenditch and Glenshuck; Bo and Peep

Glenditch and Glenshuck; Bo and Peep to name but a few. You can join in -