16/08/2013 BBC Newsline

Welcome to BBC Newsline. Their headlines this Friday evening...

ADP at polity is expected after one of their councillors turned

whistle-blower. Northern Ireland footballer David

Healy is accused of assaulting attack is cleared of assaulting a

man in Belfast. When people falsely accused you of something you didn't

do, it is difficult. A judge criticises a Belfast Housing

Association, accusing it of nepotism.

The UK city of culture looks fought to the climax of the All-Ireland

Fleadh. We have some exciting news for a

bike fans ahead of tomorrow's Ulster We have some exciting news for a

Grand Prix at Dundrod. And there is so much going on this

weekend, will the Wetherby on our side? I will have the forecast.

The First Minister Peter Robinson is understood to have met one of his

party's Liz Burn councillors who was at the centre of a BBC Spotlight

investigation into events at the Housing investigation attack the

Housing Executive. Jenny Palmer said she had been pressured the Housing

Minister's special adviser to change your vote at a Housing Executive

board meeting. It is understood an apology to Mrs Palmer would be

released at a later date. Our political correspondent Martina

Purdy reports. Jenny Palmer is ADP councillor in

Lisburn and a Housing Executive board member who turned

whistle-blower. She featured in a board member who turned

BBC Spotlight special focusing on alleged political interference in

the running of the Housing Executive. Among the allegations, a

claim by the council that she felt pressurised over a Housing Executive

decision. It hurts me deeply that they were prepared to use the

smallest cog in government to manipulate a certain scenario. The

counsellor said the Housing Minister's special adviser

telephoned her ahead of a board meeting and that Stephen Brimstone

asked her to vote against a decision to reject in request from Housing

Minister Nelson McCausland to extent a contract for a maintenance company

Red Sky. She said she didn't feel she could go to the party leader

about the issue. You didn't think you could trust them? I didn't think

I could speak to anyone who was at Stormont. In a statement to

Spotlight, Stephen Brimstone said he did not accept the account of

events. The party leader subsequently offered to meet the

counsellor and adviser. I put this out quite openly to both Jenny and

to Stephen, if either of them want to come and see me and speak about

the issues, I would be happy to receive them and talk about the

issue, but I cannot reach any receive them and talk about the

conclusion without speaking to them both. The counsellor has not

conclusion without speaking to them commented to the BBC that the

meeting has now taken place. A source told the BBC that Councillor

Pam had met the DUP leader and the special adviser Stephen Brimstone.

The source said a statement involving an apology had been

drafted but it was a matter for the DUP press office when it was issued.

The DUP reds refusing to comment. The Northern Ireland international

footballer David Healy has been cleared of assault after the man he

was accused of attacking admitted lying in a bid to damage his name.

That Healy said he was delighted to be acquitted and will now get on

with his life. Healy! Yes!

David Healy is Northern Ireland's record international goal-scorer but

has found himself facing a different challenge, clearing his name after

an assault allegation. The case challenge, clearing his name after

centred around an instant at Arthur Street in May last year. It was

claimed he head-butted Conor Crossan in an unprovoked attack after a

night out but the defence argued it was self-defence because Mr Crossan

had verbally abused the footballer was self-defence because Mr Crossan

and had been aggressive. Mr Crossan was self-defence because Mr Crossan

admitted lying about what had happened in an e-mail he sent to the

Irish football it is huge in a feud days later. They hoped they would

remove Mr Healey from a squad due to take on the Netherlands. He also

added that the drinking of 24 pints of beer, seven bottles and three

cocktails, and those were reasons the defence said his credibility

should be questioned. The judge agreed and acquitted David Healy. It

has been hard. When people falsely accuse you of something you didn't

do, it is difficult, as long as I live, people will try and tarnishing

with that time I supposedly head-butted someone in a Belfast

bar, but I have been acquitted. The judge said that when he took into

account the amount of drink taken, the e-mail Mr Crossan had sent to

the IFA, and an interview he had given to a newspaper, it shows the

start of a campaign against Mr Healey. He said the key issue was

the credibility of one person. Barra Best, BBC Newsline.

The Department of social and is Best, BBC Newsline.

studying a High Court judgement which could sized practices and East

Belfast housing association. The allocation of houses by St Matthew's

Housing Association was described as an fair. The judge also accused of

former Sinn Fein councillor who sits an fair. The judge also accused of

on the board of failing to declare a conflict of interest.

Mount Pottinger Lee Station in Belfast Short Strand was recently

knocked down and replaced with brand-new housing. This modern

development was in demand but the allocation of some of the houses

wasn't done properly Ulster a judge found yesterday that the local

housing association, rather than use the waiting list, had prioritised

transfer applicants, people needing a different home. Mr Justice Horner

said... Legal action was taken by a homeless

man, who applied for one of the houses without success. One of the

people allocated a house was a houses without success. One of the

member of the housing association's board. Another was a niece of a

board member, the former Sinn Fein councillor Joe O'Donnell. The judge

said, that... In summary, the judge said the

allocation of these houses had been well-intentioned but flawed. No one

from St Matthew's Housing Association was available for

interview, but in a statement they said they were committed to the fair

allocation of housing. They also said they were committed to the fair

said they were studying yesterday 's court judgement and its

imprecations. What is not yet clear is whether the homeless man who

tried but failed to get one of the new houses will now be allocated

one. Still to come, why schools have been

asked to encourage more young people to follow a green fingered career

path. You probably know by now that the

All-Ireland Fleadh is taking place in Londonderry. Tens of thousands of

people are either in the city now or making their way there for the

closing weekend. It has been a week of colour and spectacle and the

weekend promises to be the biggest in Derry's history.

It's the biggest festival of Irish traditional music, language and

dance, and this week the streets of Derry have jigged and reeled in a

relaxed atmosphere. The weather was changeable but the mood was upbeat.

It is absolutely brilliant, the bars, the tours, the history. It's

our first time in Derry. We were anxious about coming but we will be

telling everyone at home to come and visit.

Some have travelled several thousand miles to be here. John Pierre left

the union Island of Mauritius on an 11 hour flight to Paris. He then got

a plane to Dublin and finally a coach to the flower. I love it,

because you hear music, you play music, and it is something you must

feel. The city has been buzzing with musicians playing all sorts of

instruments. At this page, it is estimated that

when it finally ends on Sunday, around 300,000 people will have

visited the banks of the Foyle. As well at the huge economic impact the

flower brings, it is alleged the city to showcase itself to the wider

world is a place of entertainment city to showcase itself to the wider

and enjoyment people can celebrate all cultures. With that a huge them

of people, you have to make sure it you have enough spuds peeled and

delivered. For chefs, the pressure is on. Normally, you would be in

there with maybe 300 spuds or 400 but that now there are about a

thousand. We do about 500 covers normally, so now we are moving into

three or 4000. There are checks and balances from a hygiene point of

view. Getting a place for everyone to

sleep has proved a little tickle Getting a place for everyone to

challenge, but it seems it is all sweet music at the moment.

The Dean of Derry says the cathedral has played host to a number of

successful events, including a recital earlier this week.

Last night, the oldest marching band in Ireland, which was formed in

1835, played a set in the centre of the city. The majority of people

appreciate that there are at least two cultures within Ireland, and we

felt our culture was tolerated last week with the parading in town and

it is great to come along and partake in the flower. Above all, it

is about the performance and for the hundreds of youngsters being taught

at special courses, it is been a hugely important week. The police

say that so far there have been no major problems. There have been a

small number of arrests for disorderly behaviour and assault,

but they stressed there will be unprecedented numbers of people here

this weekend and they want everyone to be mindful of that.

It's been a huge success so far. It has indeed. The crowds here already

are staggering. We think it will work -- it will be one of the

biggest. What's the best thing people can see? We have street

sessions, a lot of children are starting to arrive in the streets.

We have a spectacular closing ceremony planned. There really is a

number of highlights. It's all about people coming to Londonderry and

enjoying the atmosphere. As we saw, the Protestant community also

getting involved. That's right. This is a city of many cultures. All

those different communities have made their contribution to it.

Yesterday's A-level results brought made their contribution to it.

joy for many young people with great results, but one of the top-scoring

subjects, German, is in danger of dying out in Northern Ireland. There

was a 20% fall in the number of pupils sitting the A-level exam, and

teachers are worried about its future as a school subject.

German was the second-highest scoring subject in Northern Ireland,

with more than half of pupils getting an a or above, but only 99

pupils entered for the exam. This classroom is one of a dying breed as

the German language becomes less popular. Even here, where a modern

language is compulsory at GCSE, only to students at -- sat the A-level

this year. Germany is our biggest trading partner and it is important

we have a supply of graduates who can speak German or can trade with

Germany. From an educational point of view, it would be a shame to lose

German is a subject. Germany is taught at 40 schools, but with small

A-level classes, many teachers are predicting it will be dropped

completely within ten years. There has been a reduction in interest for

a number of reasons. Pupils have a much larger selection of subjects. A

quirky plus the German is that boys take to it because they found they

pronunciation comic. Black Forest got to -- gateaux.

You're watching BBC Newsline. Coming up before seven: Can you recognise

the iconic commentator as we head down memory lane ahead of tomorrow's

Ulster Grand Prix? We often report on a skills shortage

but it seems in one career, there's We often report on a skills shortage

something of a windfall when it comes to jobs. According to

research, there are more posts in horticulture than there are people

to fill them. The Royal Horticultural Society is calling on

schools to consider encouraging more young people to follow a

green-fingered career path. This colourful college campus is it

elects. It's here that students learn or there is to know about

plants but while it looks beautiful, this is an industry suffering an

image problem. According to a recent report, 70% of young people view

horticulture as a career for those who failed academically and that's

leading to a skills shortage in the industry. The industry employs 8000

people locally and is worth £150 million but the lack of qualified

students means some businesses are million but the lack of qualified

having to recruit from abroad. It underestimated very much and very

misunderstood. You need business skills, computer skills, technical

skills. Knowing what horticulture means is a problem for some young

people but for those who take it up, the prospects of getting work

are good. Horticulture is a wonderful thing. The Royal

horticultural Society has asked the Government to do more to promote the

sector, especially at a time when many are having to retrain because

of redundancy. We have a lot of career changers, people who didn't

realise that horticulture could be studied as a career. They have had

another career and an opportunity, through redundancy or they want to

change. Green minds can't guarantee a fruitful career but the job

prospects are good nationally and a fruitful career but the job

few industries can say that. Cecilia will be here with the

weather forecast shortly, and Stephen, that's something bike fans

will be watching very closely ahead of tomorrow's Ulster Grand Prix.

Yesterday's Dundrod 150 road races, part of the Ulster Grand Prix bike

week, were abandoned because of heavy rain. Organisers are hoping

the same doesn't happen tomorrow and heavy rain. Organisers are hoping

told me today they are confident of getting racing underway. Some big

bike news on the eve of the event. Guy Martin, one of the biggest names

in the sport, has re-signed with the Northern Ireland Tyco Suzuki team

for next season. Martin has won eight times at the UGP and is one of

the favourites for tomorrow. He says his love of Northern Ireland racing

is why he is staying with a local team. That's what got me into

racing, the whole Northern Ireland thing. The people. And genuinely

into the racing. Nice fork. I enjoy going and racing my bike. What about

celebrating this new contract? It would be nice if the weather stays

nice. You can never be too confident.

The Ulster Grand Prix is, of course, officially the fastest road race in

the world. Tomorrow, riders from 14 different countries will compete at

speeds of up to 200 miles per hour. The event has been running since

1922 and a trawl of our archives shows that the event has always

attracted some of the most famous shows that the event has always

riders and commentators. See if you recognise this voice from over 50

years ago. 27 starters, all ready to go,

perfect weather conditions. And off they go! Racing legends rubbed

shoulders on the roads and it was a venue for local riders to make their

names. The Grand Prix is the best race there is. We live beside each

other. He started racing a year before me and we went on from

there. Ray was the standout performer in the 70s, taking on the

rest of the world and often beating them. The world championship race

was a real race. What do you make of it now? Unbelievable! Those

motorcycles are doing so fast now. I for 50 miles an hour is quick

enough! And was the legacy that created the next generation of races

from this part of the world. In the 1960s, I remember watching racers

from this part of the world. In the and that was all I ever wanted to

do. To come in 1985 and win the world championship was beyond my

wildest dreams. For the record, the commentator in 1968 was the

legendary Murray Walker. It's the second week of the local

football season. Tomorrow's big game in the newly-named Northern Ireland

League sees the champions of the last two years go head-to-head,

Cliftonville against Linfield. Joining me is last season's

footballer of the year and top goal-scorer, Liam Boyce. No better

time than to test your credentials. There's been a lot of talk about new

players and staff. How much pressure There's been a lot of talk about new

are Cliftonville feeling as champions this year? Me, personally,

I'm going to try and get the 20 goals before Christmas if I can!

There is not that much pressure on Cliftonville this year because all

the talk has been about Linfield. We are going to try what we did last

year. You certainly got off to a fantastic start. Let's look at your

two goals from last week. The first one, I got a bit of space on the

back. The second one, I took the pass. May end up as one of the goals

of the season. The last time these two teams met, you scored twice as

well and won the league. It's a big day I will never forget. McMullen

scored a penalty on that day, too. He went in for an exploratory

investigation into what could be an injury. He was having a scan this

investigation into what could be an morning and get his results on

Tuesday. He really wanted to play, even with the injury. But the

physios were against it. You are one of the biggest names in the local

game. You have played away from home before. Can we see you move away

from local football before the transfer window closes? I don't know

about before the transfer window. But my targets will be to play

full-time football in the future. Tyrone Gaelic footballer Conor

Gormley will now be available to play in Sunday week's All-Ireland

semifinal against Mayo. His proposed one-match suspension, following this

altercation in their quarterfinal win over Monaghan, has been

overturned on appeal. Gormley's team-mate, Martin Penrose, who was

sent off during the match, remains suspended for the sem-final.

I was at the Ulster Grand Prix all morning and everybody stopped me and

told me to tell Cecilia to get the weather forecast fair for tomorrow.

A lot of people putting a lot of pressure on me! I'm sure a lot of

people are wishing we could have today's weather tomorrow. I'm afraid

the rain is back later tonight but I'm not expecting a repeat of the

Northwest 200. Low pressure sitting out in the Atlantic. It will start

to come towards us, bringing weather fronts. Could even be gales for a

time. An unusually deep area of low pressure, but fortunately, things

will improve tomorrow afternoon. For music lovers, the rain in Belfast

isn't set to arrive until midnight. The rain coming in from the west,

some of it quite heavy. The wind is picking up, too. Increasingly strong

from a southerly direction. Maybe a slight hint of Waterman the weather

forecast tomorrow morning. Fortunately, though, improving from

the west. To begin with, lots of Fortunately, though, improving from

surface water. That means it will be Fortunately, though, improving from

raining for a while tomorrow morning. But as the morning goes on,

things should gradually improve. Gradually, drier weather edges and

from the West. The strongest winds Gradually, drier weather edges and

will be during the morning as well. But during the afternoon, showers

around, but enough of a breeze to keep things going. It will give us

gaps and sunshine in between and temperatures up to 19 or 20 degrees.

And improving day tomorrow and dry tomorrow evening and night. On

Sunday, if you showers around. A lot of places will get away with a dry

day. On Monday, things are looking pretty dry, too. The rain is likely

to be back on Tuesday. ADB apology is expected fraught one

of their councillors who turned whistle-blower after she claimed she

was pressured into changing her vote. The Northern Ireland

footballer David Healy is cleared of assaulting a man in Belfast city

centre.