11/10/2013 BBC Newsline

This is BBC Newsline. The headlines... The harrowing death of

a baby boy in Ballymena - the coroner refers the case to the

Public Prosecution Service. A judge says the ban on gay men donating

blood is irrational and that Edwin Poots has broken the ministerial

code. The family of murder victim Ari

McCrory are comforted by friends and relatives as a protest against his

killing text placed. -- Barry McCrory. Also, not, we will be live

to assess today's investment conference.

Northern Ireland's footballers are in World Cup action, but is it all

smiles in Azerbaijan? We will have the latest. It may not

be the warmest or sunniest but it is We will have the latest. It may not

looking fairly decent. I will have the weekend weather.

First, the harrowing details of the death of a toddler in Alamein. The

inquest was told Liam Bennett received blows to his head he was --

which were so severe he was blind before he died. The coroner has now

referred the case to the Public Prosecution Service. She ruled it

was not an accident. 19-month-old Liam Gonzalez Bennett

died in February 2009. He had received multiple blows to the head

so severe that he had been blinded shortly before his death. This

morning, his mother, Samantha Bennett, was asked if she could

offer any explanation as to how he had received his injuries. Weeping,

she replied with a single, almost inaudible word, no. She was asked by

her own barrister if she had inflicted those injuries and again

she answered, no. Afterwards, her solicitor read a statement on her

behalf. Samantha Bennett is still experiencing horrendous pain with no

final resolution to the case. She is a caring, loving mother who only

three days ago was able to finally lay her son to rest, but even that

has not been finalised. Ms Bennett said she wanted to see the person

who brought about the death face prosecution. The only other person

with access to Liam Bennett on the night of his death was Ms Bennett's

partner, Noel McKeown. Speaking from Australia, where he now works, he

denied any knowledge of how the injuries could have been inflicted.

He said he had gone into Liam's room after hearing him cry and had

discovered him with his back arched in the are struggling to breathe. He

said a short time before this he had arrived home and that Ms Bennett had

told him that Liam was already in bed. He said it was an hour earlier

than usual and she was going shopping. This he said was a break

from the norm. She said he was not to disturb Liam. 15 minutes later he

heard the boy cry and went into the room and he says that was the first

he had seen of him that evening. No one has ever been charged in

connection with Liam's death, displayed the police having opened a

murder investigation at the time. Yesterday, a retired text of told

the inquest that there was not enough evidence to establish who had

cost Liam's injuries. -- a retired detective. The coroner said she was

worried that no one had been made responsible and that she would

forward the file to the Public Prosecution Service for

reconsideration. The Health Minister's decision to

impose a lifetime ban on gay men giving blood was a rational,

according to the High Court. The judge also ruled that Edwin Poots

breached the ministerial code by failing to take the issue before the

Stormont Executive. Today's Frederick follows a challenge

brought by a gay man over the Minister's decision to maintain the

ban lifted elsewhere in the UK. The identity of the man who brought the

challenge is not known but his views are.

Among them, concerned that the Health Minister's membership of the

DUP may have prejudiced his consideration of the issue and

prevented him from considering the matter fairly. The man sought to

quash the ban on the grounds that it was unreasonable and contrary to

Wales, England, Scotland and the rest of the EU. He also thought it

was biased. The court heard that two years ago, the advisory committee

recommended that the Minister should recommend the ban but the minister

decided to maintain it. Mr Justice recommend the ban but the minister

Treacy said... The MSM community is members of the

gay community. Gay support groups have welcomed the ruling. It shows

the Minister has once again wasted public money trying to defend the

indefensible. We know that the decision lies with the Secretary of

State for health, Jeremy Hunt. He has decided to introduce this in

England and we have seen it in Scotland and Wales. There is no

reason to think that it will not be Scotland and Wales. There is no

introduced in Northern Ireland. Mr Justice Treacy said the minister had

no authority to act without bringing it to the attention of the Executive

at Stormont. He said the minister was in breach of the ministerial

code and had no legal authority to take the decision.

The Department of Health in London said it will consider the potential

implications of the judgement on UK blood policy. Today's grilling does

not mean that gay men in Northern Ireland can donate blood immediately

but campaigners believe it paves the way for Rus to fall into line for

the rest -- for rules to fall into line with the rest of the UK. The

Health Minister Edwin Poots has met the woman who had to travel to

England for an abortion when the baby she was carrying had a serious

abnormality. It and eight on of fatal abnormality

is -- eight termination on grounds of the total abnormality is illegal

here. -- foetal+ abnormality. Please have warned that a man they are

looking for in connection with the murder of Barry McCrory could be

armed and should not be approached under any circumstances.

Detectives have appealed directly for Kieran McLaughlin to come

forward. Here is our Northwest reporter.

The family of Barry McCrory were comforted by relatives of the -- and

friends as they took to the steps of the Guildhall to protest against his

murder. They heard speakers condemn those responsible. We have learned

through 35 years of conflict that violence solves nothing and we are

making an appeal for people to move away from violence. Flyers marked

the scene of the shooting. Police say a man entered the flat and

forced the man's girlfriend into another room for the murder.

Overnight, police issued a photograph of a man they want to

speak to, 58-year-old Kieran McLaughlin. He is described as five

foot seven, of medium build with blue eyes and grey hair. The public

has been asked not to approach him but to contact detectives

immediately. As the police investigation continues, those

attending the rally said their message was clear. It is time to

move on. It is time that piece should come to our children and our

grandchildren. We do not want all that coming back to Derry again. I

grandchildren. We do not want all live this place -- I love this

place, I want peace. It is frightening to think that I have

brought my children up to a generation or they know not of this

and this is to revisit our time. It is not happening. Meanwhile, police

confirmed they find a viable pipe bomb device near Strand Road police

station. 1000 people were removed from their homes. It was upsetting

for this man's family, as his uncle's quake was taking place in

the police cordon -- inside the police cordon. my cousin arrived

the police cordon -- inside the late last night from Germany and was

not permitted to get into the house, basically. Obviously it is very

distressing. The MP for the area condemned the disruption and said it

was clear the vast majority of people wanted a peaceful future.

They do not care for the will of the people. People have to take an

opportunity to say, no matter what you do, we will still be here and we

will move forward. The strength of feeling was evident at the rally.

Delegates at the investment conference in Belfast today were

told they should put their money into Northern Ireland. The call came

from the Prime Minister David Cameron, who also announced 250 new

jobs at Bombardier. The conference was held at Titanic Belfast, from

where our economics editor joins us. Last night, the focus was on

Hillsborough Castle. Today it switched to East Belfast, for the

Prime Minister came to make his pitch on behalf of Northern Ireland.

David Cameron among Bombardier workers. The investment conference

is all about delivering more jobs at the Canadian company, whose newest

factory he'd heard today, pledged to create 250 new posts are in the

coming year. This on top of 230 others announced yesterday and a

vote of confidence in Northern Ireland. I am here to say why

Northern Ireland is such a great place to invest. There is nothing

more than proving it with 520 million of investment right here in

more than proving it with 520 our wing factory. This was payback

for hosting the G8 and Mr Cameron said that had showcased a new

Northern Ireland, where investment could strengthen the foundations of

peace. Some people say it is undignified for a Prime Minister to

peace. Some people say it is make a sales pitch, I say nonsense.

Put your money in Northern Ireland make a sales pitch, I say nonsense.

and be part of this incredible success story. The American TV

company HBO, which makes Game Of Thrones locally, was happy to

endorse Northern Ireland to potential investors. There are

people asking us what they can do, can they come in and film. The

people asking us what they can do, legacy of what Game Of Thrones will

do is make Northern Ireland one of the top spots to do productions in

the future. The local economy faces many challenges and a key part of

the growth strategy is scarring the globe for new industries. Mr Cameron

today gave a big push, but whether dealers were actually done will only

become clear over time. -- whether dealers were done.

What is your assessment of the impact of this conference?

One way to think of today's event is as an economic punctuation mark. It

is to end the bad news we have had the last few years. It is bringing a

feel-good factor and we are expecting economic dad to show that

the economy is growing her. David Cameron says we still have big

problems, the main one being that the private sector is too small in

regards to the public sector. During his new conference today -- news

conference today, David Cameron describe the recent murders as

shocking and despicable but insisted describe the recent murders as

Northern Ireland remains a safe and secure place to do business.

Our political editor has been talking to David, and -- David

Cameron. talking to David, and -- David

I caught up with the Prime Minister in a corner of the Bombardier

Assembly plant. Impressive, so I asked him how impressed he had

been. I am impressed. We have seen 5000 new jobs here in Northern

Ireland this year will stop also, some well and high skilled jobs --

well-paid and high skilled jobs created. The message was positive.

The companies here are investing more on new companies are thinking

of coming for the first time. And more on new companies are thinking

yet your visit comes against a backdrop of two murders in a week, a

viable more to device -- mortar device in Derry near a police

station, how hard is it to be positive against that backdrop? all

murders are despicable. You have to find those responsible and bring

them to justice and I am sure that will happen. We have to focus on the

big picture in Northern Ireland. You should take that from one of the big

investors, HBO, who are saying to the conference I was that, this is

one of the safest and best places to invest anywhere in the world. We

should keep these things in perspective. After Bombardier at the

Prime Minister went to Stormont, what happened there? First of all he

went to Stormont Castle and talk to what happened there? First of all he

Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness.

They joked about the difficulties of working in coalition. Then Peter

Robinson very firmly predicted to reporters outside that there would

be concrete results out of this investment conference.

Hello Mike I have no doubt, I am absolutely certain that as a result

of the investment conference there will be thousands of jobs coming to

Northern Ireland. Positive messages from the people that were there.

Obviously the politicians have had to deal with the negative backdrop

of the recent violence. Martin McGuinness had a message for those

behind it. We can give no quarter to these people. We have to stand solid

together, sending a clear message that our community wants no war of

this activity. The great comfort I take from the positive investment

conference we have been part of over take from the positive investment

the last two days is that potential investors are not put off by this.

Within the last hour, the representatives of 120 international

copies left the last event behind me at Parliament buildings. The hope is

copies left the last event behind me that some of them will return and

bring jobs in the months to come. A travel agent who defrauded

customers, airlines and cruise companies out of thousands of pounds

has walked free from court after she was given a suspended sentence.

Along with her co-accused, Kathy Ward from Newcastle, she had pleaded

guilty to 80 charges including 61 of fraud. Many victims were in court to

hear the sentencing, including this man who had been looking forward to

a holiday. At one stage, they told me that the flights were cancelled

a holiday. At one stage, they told because of the tides. That made me

rather suspicious because tides are predictable. A two-year suspended

sentence for Cathy Ward. This victim is not a bit happy with that. Very

disappointed. What does this send out to our community? You go in and

you steal and get away with that! I am really angry. We never got any of

our money back. Alongside her, her partner and a cult accused who dated

our money back. Alongside her, her guilty to five counts of fraud and

two of theft. A solicitor speaks on their behalf. Cathy Ward and Mark

McConkey would like to sincerely apologise unreservedly to the

customers who were affected by their actions. They deeply regret the

emotional and financial stress at work forced upon them. Not quite the

holidays that this customer was bargaining on. An open ticket to

Cambodia, or so he thought. I had bargaining on. An open ticket to

about $50 to get on with, which was impossible. I was begging from other

backpackers and tourists. They could not afford to keep me and feed me.

Two weeks of sleeping rough before his family could raise the funds to

get him home. The judge said Cathy Ward 's motivation was to keep and

yelling business afloat. He said she had expressed remorse. In sentencing

her, the judge said he had taken into account and illness which had

impaired her judgement at the time the offences were committed. £29,000

impaired her judgement at the time has been lodged in court by her by

way of compensating the victims. A lawyer for one of two men jailed

for murdering Constable Stephen Carroll has said police went out of

their way to sabotage the appeal by nobbling a witness. Brendan

McConville, who is 42 from Craigavon, and 22-year-old John Paul

Wood and from Colindale in Lurgan, are appealing against their

convictions. Constable Carroll was shot dead by dissident republicans

in March Still to come: Well in Northern Ireland manager and the

captain still be smiling after Northern Ireland 's World Cup game

with Azerbaijan? We will find out shortly.

The veteran BBC reporter John Simpson first said that in Belfast

in 1970 when the troubled Mac just beginning. He is back this week

making a film about how things have changed. I spoke to him last night

and asked him if Northern Ireland is held up as an example of successful

peace process in the war zones he reports from. Perhaps, if I am

really honest about it, perhaps a little more than Northern Ireland

quite deserves. When you drive around and see all the piece was

everywhere, that is really quite depressing, because the outside

world 's image, and my own, is a bit like South Africa. All sorted, you

don't need to worry about that any more. You see Sinn Fein and the DUP

together and you think, that is a pretty fantastic thing, as indeed it

is. It is just that the two communities to still seem to be

separated, but that is the bad side. The good thing is that the outside

world had not realised that and they do think it is sorted. If that is

world had not realised that and they the perception, that is what

matters. He were in Ardoyne this week, but did you make of that

scenario? It just seemed as though I had been whisked back and I was 25

years old again and just hearing different people saying the same

things. Not everybody on the other side is dreadful, just some of them.

People complaining about how the police treated them, only this time,

it is the other side of the coin that it is Protestant containing

about the police instead of Catholics. -- Protestants

complaining. It is a strange kind of mirror image of what existed before

and as I listen to people with genuine grievances, I am not

knocking them, but I was thinking, how many times have I heard this,

only from the mouths of different people before?

Northern Ireland and the Republic are in World Cup action tonight.

Here is a Stephen. There was embarrassment last month

Northern Ireland when they suffered their worst ever defeat, beaten by

Luxembourg, and it is all going horribly wrong again. Their World

Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan is almost over. Northern Ireland are

losing 1-0. Jamie Ward went close early on. At

the other end, Roy Carroll was called upon. Indeed, the real wonder

of the opening 45 minutes was that neither side managed to score. The

second half, the home side punished Northern Ireland for those mist

chances. So, another dark chapter in the current campaign,

from a possible 12 on the road, began to unfold.

There is just a minute of that game left. The Republic of Ireland face a

tough tie away to Germany. The interim manager Noel King takes

charge for the first time tonight. The Republic 's hopes of qualifying

are all but over but Germany 's when will see them go through to Brazil.

In recent weeks, the rugby talk has been the uncertain future of the

Heineken cup but tonight, the 19th instalment of European rugby 's

showpiece tournament gets underway. After host Leicester Tigers and

their recent redevelopment means that Ulster welcome the biggest

crowd to Ravenhill since they won the tournament in the 1998/98

season. It might not be finished yet but

Ravenhill is still one of world rugby 's most feared venues and it

has not been a happy ground for the Leicester Tigers. We have been there

twice in the last decade and come away with our tails between our

legs. I was there two years ago when we got thumped. The crowd are very

vocal. The city is built around its rugby and they pride themselves on

it. They have a huge following and lots of renditions of stand up for

the Ulsterman. When we play at home, the noise the crowd makes lists us.

It grows the lads a few inches and they become more powerful. It is

going to be one physical encounter this week. Have to match them up

front and if we can do that, we have to ask them some questions but it

front and if we can do that, we have will be done upfront first and

foremost. Some familiar faces will line up for the two-time European

champions. Leicester had six Lions members in their squad. They fancy

their chances but I would back our team against any team in Europe.

When they are on 100%, not many teams could beat us. Leicester will

come at us with 100% and we need to match that. With a 93% when record

at Ravenhill in Europe, expectation is high.

I can update you on the Northern Ireland match, unfortunately, these

two men will not be smiling because Jonny Evans has just been sent off

two men will not be smiling because for Northern Ireland, the third red

card of this World Cup qualifying campaign and Azerbaijan have scored

again and it has finished 2-0 to the host team so Northern Ireland with a

very disappointing defeat in Azerbaijan. I am off to Ravenhill

where I hope Ulster will do better! The weather forecast is next.

The weekend is not looking too bad. We had the first proper frost of the

season. We had the cold air and clear skies last night and then of

course, but changed into sunshine today from any of us but that wind

across northern England, there is more cloud and we have an easterly

breeze so that'll come towards us in the next 24 hours. At least it is

dry, good news if you're heading out to Ravenhill. Get the layers on, it

certainly will not be too warm. Not quite as cold as last night, there

will be more cloud around. Temperatures around five degrees.

For the weekend, the emphasis is on a lot of dry weather. More cloud

than today and there still is that chill in the air. Some brightness

than today and there still is that around tomorrow, particularly in the

North in the morning but as we head into the afternoon, we will find the

cloud moving into County Down and edging North. Temperatures of 12 or

13 degrees. Sunday, mostly cloudy. Our late news is at 10:25. You can

13 degrees. Sunday, mostly cloudy. keep in contact via Facebook and

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