25/09/2013 BBC Newsline

Good evening, the headlines on BBC Newsline. A mother and her two young

children are victims of a racist attack at their home. Crisis, what

crisis? The DUP reject Sinn Fein claims that power sharing is in big

trouble. Everybody should call their jets and

try to get on with the business of resolving problems rather than

creating them. Should some of our bus and train services be

privatised? One of our best known attractions is facing closure but

tonight campaigners are hoping for a last-minute reprieve. And in the

weather. A cloudy dull day today. Any chance of it changing? Join me

later for the full forecast. A mother has spoken of her

children's terror after their house was targeted in a racist attack in

South Belfast. A hatchet was thrown through the window of the family's

South Belfast. A hatchet was thrown home in the Sandy Row area this

morning. The police say they're treating it as a hate crime.

Our reporter Louise Cullen has been speaking to mother-of-two Adenike

Yisa,. I must warn you, her report speaking to mother-of-two Adenike

contains some strong racist language.

Broken glass was hanging from the window of the home on Sandy Row this

morning. Adenike Yisa fell asleep watching TV when the sound of the

hatchet coming through the window I woke up. She did not want to appear

on camera. I thought it was a gunshot. I realised a cracking and

smashing, the sound of the glass falling off. I realised it was my

window being smashed. I quickly got up and I was screaming. Her children

were asleep upstairs, Hassan will be five next month, her daughter is two

and a half. I was terrified. I put my daughter back to sleep but myself

was scared and would not go back to bed. I put on the lights. They have

lived here for more than a year but they have had trouble. A racist

insult which she describes was spray-painted on the window when

they moved in. I saw something written on my window

with a black ink saying no Nigg is allowed in South Balfour asked. This

Nigg is here to stay. I did not call the police. Four months ago, some

group of guys were walking down and I heard a noise on the window.

We rushed out of the door and saw ten young guys with a football. They

We rushed out of the door and saw kicked the football against the

window. She says Belfast has been welcoming more than a decade ago

when she arrived. Most people are good and nice and

lovely people. If you get the bad ones, you feel like running out. We

have more good people and bad people. The hatchet has been removed

for frenzy examination and the police are appealing for

information. There may be big problems - but

there is no crisis. The words of First Minister Peter Robinson

tonight amid speculation over the state of the power sharing Executive

at Stormont. It follows a warning from Sinn Fein that relations

between the two biggest parties are in difficulties. Our political

editor Mark Devenport has been following the political

roller-coaster. In New York they observed a

temporary truce but how relations now between Stormont's top two?

When Martin McGuinness stood shoulder to shoulder with Peter

Robinson went distance killed PSN I and later British soldiers, he was

doing the legally thing, assertive and robust. Why hasn't Peter

Robinson stood shoulder to shoulder with Martin McGuinness and done the

same? In his assessment, Gerry Adams

mentioned the violence over the summer and the DUP decision to pull

the plug on the plans Mason Centre. Despite tension, even today the

the plug on the plans Mason Centre. first and Deputy First Minister is

where carrying on with their day jobs greeting the new US ambassador

to London. There was a crisis, it is seen on

the streets and months of sectarian violence. We have had the First

Minister missing. I have been involved in a number of

crises over the years and I have to say the present circumstances do not

have that feel about them at all. There are big problems and we have

to address the issues and it's important we do. Can we fix it? Yes,

they need to come back to the Good Friday Agreement, back to a

partnership. Everybody should call their jets and try to get on with

the business of resolving problems -- cool their jets. This latest spat

is part of the continued dispute over Peter Robinson's decision to

put the maze peace Centre on hold. In determining whether this is a

crisis, it's important to pay more attention not to the war of words

but what ever is the parties take in the coming months.

Now to a proposal which could see the privatisation of part of

Northern Ireland's public transport network. It's contained in the final

draft of a report prepared by a Stormont Committee and seen by the

BBC. The report's also critical of how the Government monitors

Translink. Last year the company received more than £140 million for

things like new trains, buses and free transport for the elderly.

Here's our business correspondent Julian O'Neill.

The it bus or train, Translink is public transport in Ireland. The BBC

The it bus or train, Translink is has seen a report calling for a

major shake-up at privatisation of parts of the network. The report has

been ripped -- compiled following a report by the development

committee. It argues Translink is getting an easy ride from

government. The report says scrutiny of Translink is not sufficient given

in the multi-million pound subsidies the public transport provider

receives. It argues for budgets to be reviewed. Perhaps the most

eye-catching proposal of all is that parts of the public transport

network should be opened up to private operators. Specifically, the

report will name a new project as being ripe for a new player. Belfast

rapid transit is a £100 million plan agreed last year by the executive.

It would use modern trams or light rail vehicles, initially it would

connect East Belfast, West Belfast and the Titanic Quarter to the city

centre. The report is making its way to the Minister who is known to be

an opponent of privatisation fearing it could mean fare increases and

less popular routes falling by the wayside. When the report is

published it will be debated on the floor of the assembly chamber but

already it seems the battle lines are being drawn.

From one high profile organisation to another and there's more upheaval

at the top of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. A search will

begin soon for its third chief executive in as many years after the

current post holder announced he was taking retirement. And shortly

before we came on air Julian O'Neill gave me this update.

John McPeak has been at the Housing Executive for 30 years and in the

top position. He wants to retire and the board has accepted his. He has

the length of service to be in titles to retire but he is retiring

at a time when Housing Executive is under intense scrutiny over how the

organisation came to overpay a number of repair contractors. Mr

organisation came to overpay a McPeak would have faced questioning

why politicians on the social development committee and he still

will because he is Joubert tomorrow alongside the social development

Minister, Nelson McCausland. He will brief politicians, give them an

update on the investigations in the Housing Executive and reveal there

is an underspend of 35mm is. This is significant and comes because of the

investigations many new contracts cannot be awarded and this

potentially could be a problem for tenants if not sorted out soon.

Still to come on the programme: Combating child sex exploitation -

we hear the details of a new inquiry.

Campaigners are hoping for a last minute reprieve for the Exploris

Centre in Portaferry. The crunch decision is being taken

Centre in Portaferry. at a council meeting tonight in

Newtownards and our reporter Mark Simpson is there.

The meeting is due to begin at 7pm. Already a large group, more than 100

campaigners and protesters have gathered. If we take a closer look

campaigners and protesters have at the crowd, we can see they come

from all aspects of life, trade unionists trying to save the 18 jobs

which are explored -- at Exploris Centre. Families, young people and

older people trying to save the aquarium. I have spent the day in

Portaferry. It seems the end is in sight for

Portaferry. Exploris Centre. Arts Council say

the aquarium is simply costing too much money. But the campaign to stop

its closure is being stepped up. If the aquarium closes it will rip

the heart out of the town. Joe runs a local fish and chip shop and is

also on the council and is fighting to save the aquarium. It looks like

a losing battle. Portaferry without the Exploris Centre would become a

ghost town. We are talking about 70, 90,000 people coming to Portaferry

and spending money when they come here.

That is the only economy we have. We should be enhancing it. But not

everyone agrees. The Strangford MLA has been quoted as saying:

The council says it costs £600,000 a year to keep it going.

Is that a good use of ratepayers money? We asked people in the

largest town in the area, Newtownards. There is no need to

spend that much money, it should be bringing in to keep itself open. It

should be kept. I took my children that and I am taking my

grandchildren. I did think they that and I am taking my

should close it. I am terrified of fish and sea life but it is

preserving the wildlife and keeping things we would not see on an

everyday basis. The centre isn't the most popular attraction in Northern

Ireland and it isn't easy to get to that campaigners say it is one of

the most family friendly. Especially on a rainy day. The bad news is I do

not think they can change the mind of the Council and the best they can

hope for is making sure that the council delays decision and we will

hope for is making sure that the find out very soon. Thank you. Now

to the crisis surrounding the sexual exploitation of children. In the

current police investigation, one of the biggest of its kind, over 30

people have been arrested in connection with the abuse of 22

children who went missing while in care. Tonight at the Health Minister

has confirmed years launching an independent enquiry which will look

has confirmed years launching an into the scale of the problem and

recommend measures. When I spoke to Edwin Poots, I asked whether the

public could be confident that any recommendations would be

implemented. The nature of the problem has been around for years

and that was recognised in the report which we commissioned and was

produced in 2011. We have carried out actions flowing from that, but

we still identify problems and we want to see if we are doing things

well and if we are not doing them well, and we want to get someone

with independence to look at that so it is not regarded as some cover-up

or a sham. Since that you have known this, why only act now? We have not

only just acted now. We have five recommendations from those reports.

We have taken actions on all of them. We have social services in

bedded with police, we are giving additional funding to ensure safe

choices are available to young people. We have provided therapeutic

choices are available to young services to children with alcohol

and drug problems. There are a whole series of actions. Should the re-met

the extended to finding out why so little has been done? I do not

accept that. What I do accept is that children are still being

exploited. There are still perpetrators out there and we need

exploited. There are still to do everything we can to ensure

this is not the case. We will look at the actions we have carried out,

it's some of them have failed, or if there is best practice elsewhere

that we are not initiating, let us ensure that is the case. I am not

saying that we will come out of this report with a perfect analysis, but

nonetheless I am prepared to go out there and have that independent look

nonetheless I am prepared to go out at what we do. Loyalist supergrass

who got a heavily reduced prison sentence for agreeing to give

evidence against eight men accused of murdering Martin O'Hagan will not

have the deal overturned. He was accused of telling lies in court.

The Public Prosecution Service said the evidence provided by Neil Hyde

was not enough to secure convictions. Our Home Affairs

correspondent reports. Martin O'Hagan was a journalist with the

Sunday world. He was shot dead in Lurgan in 2001 as he walked home

with his wife. The Loyalist Volunteer Force members Neil Hyde

admitted his role in the killing and offered to become an assisting

offender and give evidence against eight others he said were involved.

In return for agreeing to tell the truth, he received a reduced

sentence. Neil Hyde admitted 48 offences and was sentenced to three

years in prison. The judge said that if he had not agreed to identify the

alleged killers of Martin O'Hagan he would have been sent to jail for 18

years. In January, the director of Public Prosecution Service announced

that the evidence he gave was not enough to secure convictions. In

June, it was announced that he had been sent back to court for his

sentence to be reviewed. After his sentencing hearing, material was

made available which has led us to the belief that he was not telling

made available which has led us to us the full truth. The PPS withdrew

the challenge. It said there was not sufficient evidence that Neil Hyde

had breached the terms of his agreement. This is the second major

setback for the so-called supergrass system. In January last year, a

judge said he could not allow the evidence of self-confessed UVF

members Robert and Ian Stewart. He accused them of lying and nine men

accused of murder walked free. The PPS later said it found seven

different occasions on which the brothers lied, but that the lies

were not serious enough for the reduced sentences to be reviewed.

This latest decision will fuel criticism of the system, it is based

on a carrot and stick approach, the carrot is a reduced -- when an offer

of a reduced sentence in return of giving evidence. The stick is the

threat that that reduced sentence will be rescinded if the assisting

offender is found to have lied. This is the second case where the

integrity of the evidence given has been seriously questioned, but with

no repercussions for those who gave it. Still to come on the programme.

The dairy dig which is still going it. Still to come on the programme.

down, down, deeper and down -- Derry. In some of the other news.

The Dungannon woman Michaela McCollum has pleaded guilty to drug

smuggling in her room. She was caught at Lima airport in August

with cocaine worth over £1 million. Her co-accused, Scottish woman

Melissa Reid also pleaded guilty. It means they are guaranteed a more

lenient sentence and the prospect of being able to serve some of it in a

UK prison. A 29-year-old man has been wounded in the legs in a

paramilitary style shooting in west Belfast. The victim was forced into

a car by three men last night and driven to dine fine walk in the Turf

Lodge area where he was shot twice in each leg. His injuries are not

life-threatening. The prosecution has now completed its case in the

trial of Liam Adams who was accused of raping and assaulting his

daughter more than 30 years ago. The 58-year-old from Bernagh Drive in

Belfast denies ten offences against his daughter Aine. The oldest

artefacts ever discovered in Londonderry have been unearthed

during a day in the city centre. The archaeologists carrying out the work

have been given a two-week extension and our reporter has been finding

out what lies beneath. Many artefacts have been unearthed at

this car park beside the historic walls of the city. These fragments

of an early Bronze Age urn are of particular interest. They are

evidence of the earliest settlement on what was once the island of

Derry, dating back 4000 years. It shows us there was occupation here

from the prehistoric period. It is not unsurprising, but it has never

been found. If you look at the island of Derry, it is a prominent

settlement, it has got the River island of Derry, it is a prominent

Foyle on one side and the bog on the other, they are important sites for

a settlement to protect it. 13 skeletons were found last week by

the team excavating the site. Those are thought to be from the time of

the siege of Derry. These latest artefacts are older, dating back to

the Bronze Age and it could be more to come. The date has been extended

by two weeks. The reason is because of the discoveries that have been

made, including this piece that I have here. It is believed that this

is from a Bronze Age urn, which is very exciting. It is the oldest

artefact which has been found in this area ever. They are just a

piece of flint and pottery, but they are giving a new generation an

insight into something very old. It is really interesting and amazing to

insight into something very old. It see stuff like this. I think

children should have the knowledge see stuff like this. I think

of what has happened in their city. They should know about this. This

date has captured the imagination of the public and as it continues, many

are wondering if anything else could lied the meat. -- lie beneath. Now

it is time for the sport. Motor cyclists in County Down are not

happy. This has to do with the Leadmines Park near Newtownards

which has been a popular home for trial by King for many years. It is

impressive stuff, but the brakes have been put on the sport following

a decision by the local council to enforce a ban on all motorcycling

events at the venue. The are not happy and Thomas Niblock has more.

Trial by King is the only form of motor cycling -- would cycling which

does not involve speed. It has been locked out of its County Down home,

which hosted the world championships back in the 1980s. Needless to say,

the bikers are not impressed. We are very concerned that we have lost

this location for practice and without the practice, our sport is

at a disadvantage. We need to have a location. Motor cycling has been

taking place at the Leadmines for eight years, but the council are now

in forcing their decision to ban all forms of motorcycling in the park.

While we recognise that there is a long history of this taking place

here, I would not say it is all of a sudden. Our policy has been in place

and this has not changed. What we are doing is we are enforcing our

policy, because we have had a lot of riders coming in, scrambler bikes

coming in, which is an area of scientific interest. That seems to

be the problem, the bikers feel there are sports is being mixed up

with recreational scramblers, but could be causing damage. The message

to the council from the biking community is simple. You have to let

us in for the good of our sport. It has to happen. Our sport will die.

The council confirmed they will begin at the decision, but for the

meantime, trial bikers will have to find a new home. The County Antrim

Shield champions Ballymena United are on course to retain the title

following a win at home to Donegal Celtic. There are some heavy hitters

waiting for them. 42 time winners of the County Antrim Shield Linfield

got off to the perfect start through Brian McCall against are to have

only won the competition on three occasions. The last time they were

captained by the current Linfield bossed 20 years ago. They doubled

their advantage, with this cross. In the second half, Linfield's

attacking flair rewarded them with a third goal. The shot took a

deflection of Matthew Tipton and third goal. The shot took a

past the goalkeeper. In injury time, Newtownards got their name on

the scoresheet twice. Firstly through Andy Mitchell and secondly

from Craig Mulholland. We go from very confident in the first half, a

slick performance, to being sloppy. There are parts of the game which

pleased me immensely, and there are other parts would certainly was

lessons to be learned. The same can be said in east Belfast as Glentoran

fell to powerful header from left and Bill on the stroke of half-time.

The league champions capitalised on slack defending to score a third

second. He headed in the third goal later. I thought we did very well in

the first half. We could have had more goals. Overall I am to light

it. -- delighted. It is everything I wanted. Joining Cliftonville in then

it. -- delighted. It is everything I last four are Crusaders. That is it

from me. It is time for the weather. Dull would sum up the weather for

Monday, Tuesday, and most of the week. We have got lots of cloud

around and a little bit of showery rain overnight. All of that cloud

does mean that temperatures tonight will stay mild, staying in two

double figures. It might be a bit cooler, but generally a very mild

night. As we go into tomorrow, it is a similar picture, a little bit more

rain as we go through the day. None of it are very heavy, just that

grisly stuff which will be present through the day. Temperatures are

cooler, mid to low teens through the through the day. Temperatures are

day, the chance of the odd break in the cloud, with a little bit of

showery rain. Over the next few days, no sign of any significant

change in that weather setup, it will be grey and cloudy, but on

change in that weather setup, it Friday, it offers us the best chance

of brightness, particularly through the afternoon and that will help

temperatures on the rise. It will not change by the weekend, more rain

around, a bit breezy on the north coast on Saturday, so what can we

say about this week? Lovely weather for mushrooms, terrible weather for

sunbathing. If you do spot a bright spell jury next few days, make the

absolute most of them because they will be in very short supply in

date. The only good news is it will will be in very short supply in

be feeling reasonably mild for the rest of the week. Thank you. Our

late summary is at 10:25pm and you can keep in contact by Facebook and

Twitter. For now, it is good night.