14/10/2013 BBC Newsline

Good evening, the headlines on BBC Newsline.The father - the family of

Barry McGrory who was murdered last week Speaker of their devastation.

Health Minister had to say after a Health Minister had to say after a

High Court judge described his policy on gay men giving blood as a

rational. We have details of the first day of the court case in

Dublin when Rory McIlroy takes his management to court. Thousands of

motorists are caught up in chaos on the M one. And Ulster rugby players

kick off in style. And it looks as if we will get another day of the

nice weather before the change arrives later in the week. The

Health Minister Edwin Poots says he can't change the current ban on gay

men giving blood because the decision's been taken out of his

hands. A judge has ruled that the decision's been taken out of his

minister's decision to impose the ban was "irrational" and "breached

ministerial guidelines". Mr Poots says it's now up to the Health

Secretary in Westminster to decide what happens next. Our health

correspondent Marie Louise Connolly has been following the story. Blood

and fluid it is donated by has now joined a long list of contentious

issues in Northern Ireland. Last year England, Scotland and Wales

lifted the ban on prohibiting sexually active gay men from

donating. But here the Health Minister insisted it remain in

place. Raised last Friday in the High Court, the judge ruled that

decision was irrational. He said: Speaking for the first time about

the ruling, the minister gave this response. The judge believes it is

the decision for Jeremy Hunt. But Jeremy Hunt did not believe it was

a decision for him. That is a matter for the Department of Health.

What happens next is not clear. The ball appears to be in the Court of

the Department of Health in England. It says it is considering the

potential implications of the judgment. Those members of the

public we spoke to did not seem to be concerned about the prospect of

receiving blood from a gay man. The issue is high on the political

radar. But the minister accused politicians in the Assembly today

and the media of misreading the rolling of the judge. I did not go

far enough for the judge. If I had banned blood coming from GB the

judge would have found it rational! But Sinn Fein accused the minister

of passing the buck. I have no doubt there will be an issue on

legal advice, but we also have a moral and ethical duty to the wider

community and this situation in relation to maintaining a ban is

completely at odds to the scientific advice we were given. A

very small percentage, just 6% of those eligible, actually donate

blood in Northern Ireland so that means that blood donated by the gay

community would be almost minuscule. But according to those who have

spoken out, that is not the point. They believe their rights are being

denied and there are calling on the minister to reverse the decision.

In response to accusations of imposing his own religious views on

others, Edwin Poots said he was not produced and listed countries

including the United States and France where a similar ban is in

place. But the Mr may find it difficult to convince his opponents.

- the minister. The mother of a man murdered last week has told BBC

Newsline her son did not deserve his brutal death. Ballymagorry was

shot last Thursday in a brutal execution. Police have appealed for

a man wanted in connection with the killing to give himself up. Barry

McCrory Cup was the victim of what police called a terrific execution.

- horrific. His mother recalled the moment she was told that her son

had been shot. Once I got back that Gordon was in place and I knew that

was an area where Barry was. I approached a policewoman and asked

if she knew who it was. She said another officer will speak to you.

I asked if it was my son and they said it was. Ballymagorry had an

expensive criminal record and his mother today acknowledged he was no

angel but said nothing could justify his killing and that she

still cannot come to terms with what happened. I'm trying hard not

to sink under the whole circumstances. If I was to let my

mind wander, I could not cope. I cannot make sense of it. Police

want to speak to this man, 58 year- old Ciaran McLaughlan about the

murder. Today the officer in charge of the investigation appealed to

him to get in touch. We are not judging you and I would like to

speak directly to you now. Please make contact with us. It is of

concern to us that there is a far arm on the streets of Derry to

light. Please come forward and give us your account of what happened

that night. Of 45 in old man has been arrested in connection with

the murder of Kevin Kenny. The body of the 46-year-old father of four

was found in a lake in Alexandra Park, off the Antrim Road, on

Wednesday. Kevin Kearney from Dunmore Road had been reported

missing the previous day. Police are investigating the sports of

masked man claiming responsibility for the murder. - reports. For the

third time in a week a bomb alert forced the closure of part of the

M1. The motorway was closed in both directions for ten hours which had

a knock on effect on traffic stretching from Lurgan into Belfast.

Motorists and other commuters were left in three hour traffic jams,

many of them late for work, schools and hospital appointments. BBC

Newsline's Mervyn Jess reports. This is starting to become a

familiar feature of the morning rush-hour commute on the M1 near

Belfast. For the third time in a week, one of the busiest routes in

Northern Ireland was closed to traffic due to a bomb scare. While

this stretch of motorway between Lisburn and Belfast was deserted,

the side roads were choc-a-block with motorists seeking a way round

the security alert. I have travelled from Lisburn. It is going

to take me another 30 minutes to get to work. At the moment it could

take me about two hours to get to work. It is hectic. It is pretty

miserable. The previous alert disrupted the busiest shopping day

of the week. With traffic along the M1 once again disrupted by a hoax

bomb scare, this time under the motorway at the Stockmans Lane

roundabout. The latest security operation began at midnight and

lasted ten hours. A vehicle was abandoned close to the where the M1

meets Blacks Road on the outskirts of Belfast. It had been reported

stolen earlier in Lisburn. Army technical officers examined the

suspect vehicle, but nothing was found and the area was reopened.

However, it was too late for the early morning commute. By that

stage some people had been stuck in bumper to bumper traffic for

several hours, with delays reported as far away as Lurgan. Still to

come on the programme this evening. Rory McIlroy's court battle begins

against his former agent - we've the latest from Dublin.

Constable Stephen Carroll was shot dead by the continuity IRA in

Craigavon in 2009. Brendan McConnell was found guilty of the

murder. Along with 22 year-old John-Paul Porton from Lurgan. The

men are trying to have their convictions overturned. At the

original trial Amman testified that he had seen McConville near the

scene of the killing. Today his father gave evidence to the judges

hearing the appeal. He said the witness had been nicknamed as water

committee because of his lies. He said he liked to make up stories. -

- Walter Mitty. He said no one should be convicted on his word. He

said he believed police were trying to get him to say he made the

statement under duress. He told the court he had never been arrested

before and was not happy about being arrested this time. He also

said a bus had been set on fire outside his house. The court heard

details of surveyors recordings. The prosecution barrister said his

father had been head saying, if he gets off, I will be a hero. The

prosecution lawyer also asked the man if he made things up when it

suited him but he denied that this was the case. The father of the

witness will continue to give evidence tomorrow. Before it

governor of Magheraberry jail and the former prison ombudsman are

also expected to testify. Bereaved relatives and people injured in the

Claudy bombing say the police may have suspended their investigation

until there is new evidence, but they will continue their fight for

justice to find the perpetrators. The Deputy First Minister, Martin

McGuinness, a senior IRA leader in Derry at the time, has been urged

to do more to help the families and he has repeated he's willing to

meet them. Here's our North-West reporter, Keiron Tourish. Nine

people were killed when three bombs exploded in the village of Claudy

in 1972. No one has ever been charged in connection with the

attack. On Friday, a delegation including relatives of those who

died, met with the PSNI for an update on the investigation. They

were shocked at the disclosure that the inquiry has for the moment been

halted. In a statement the police said their investigation had been

suspended. It would not resume unless new evidence was received.

One woman who survived the attack - and who is a Ulster Unionist

councillor on Derry City council - has challenged the Deputy First

Minister to do more. He was a senior IRA leader at the time, but

has always maintained he knew nothing about the bombing. I always

feel Martin McGuinness you something. Why can he not let us

know, if he does not. He has never really approached us. It would be

hard to talk to him if he knows anything, but why does he not put

our minds at ease. Why are they all avoiding us? Anyone operating in

the Londonderry area in the early 1970s who were in the IRA, they

have the information. If they were not responsible themselves, they

know who was. That information needs to be forthcoming. For many

relatives, Claudy has remained the forgotten atrocity of the troubles.

But the TUV leader says it's vital to establish the truth of what

happened and identify those responsible. I expect we would have

sufficient disclosure to satisfy a reasonable observer that there has

been a thorough investigation both into the fence and the alleged

cover-up of that of France. - offence. The Deputy First Minister

has again stated that he's willing to meet the Claudy families to

discuss the bombing. Meanwhile the PSNI has urged anyone with

information to come forward. A question mark hangs over the future

of the Consumer Council. The Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster

says a review has concluded it may not be essential to consumers and

she's now consulting with the public on three options. She's

asking if the Consumer Council should continue as it is, be

abolished with it responsibilities transferred to other advice bodies,

or if a new independent body should be created. The report recognises

that the council has been affected as an organisation but it concludes

that the political and consumer landscape has changed since the

General Consumer Council was created. The council was last

reviewed in 1999. It is important that we periodically review public

sector organisations to make sure they continued to fulfil the lead

and take account of changed circumstances. No doubt we live in

an age when consumers can try to represent themselves but there is

clearly still in need for us. One family spent four years trying to

get redress the Met airline. It took four years. They needed our

help. So there still is a need for us. You're watching BBC Newsline

help. So there still is a need for and still ahead before seven. We

focus on the final game for Northern Ireland's footballers in

their ill-fated world qualifying campaign. Before the golf star,

Rory McIlroy, and the start of his court case against his former

management company. Proceedings in the High Court in Dublin heard

today that Horizon Sports Management, which is Dublin-based,

intends to counter-sue him. Our Dublin correspondent Shane Harrison

was in the court for us. Shane, what was said? Rory McIlroy's legal

team work attempting to get his case fast track to the Commercial

Court which is a division of the High Court that the Oaks after Big

many cases. And they succeeded in that. The detail of Rory McIlroy's

action was not read out but it is understood he believes that

excessive fees were charged. Said to be 7.5 million euros over an 18

month period that coincided with his 1 million dollar deal with

companies. We learned that the company are going to Cardoso. They

say they achieved exceptional results from Rory McIlroy, who was

not in court. The case will be heard in full and October of next

year. That is plenty of time then for both sides to reach an out-of-

court settlement. Ulster's rugby players got their European Cup

campaign off to a flying start with a victory against Leicester.- and

one of the winning team is in the studio with us. Stephen Watson will

do the introductions. Darren Cave starred in Ulster's win against the

Leicester Tigers. An excellent 22- 16 victory at Ravenhill. The game

was the first of what was three days of the best club rugby in

Europe. Great for us all to watch, what was it like to play in? It is

a fantastic competition to play in. I always watch it when I was

growing up. There is a special buzz about the place when the games are

on. The future of the game is in turmoil. How important is it that

the Heineken Cup situation is resolved? The game's, we look

forward to them the most and look forward to them. Not only in the

training ground for what the whole province. It is important that they

get something sorted for us. Next up is Montpellier cooled once at

the weekend. Are you confident of winning in France? We have not won

many games in France, to be honest. We won last year but the before we

were close. This is as good an Ulster team as we have been in a

professional era. There have been some new signings and it seems to

be a place where players want to be a part of it. I said I would never

forgive myself if I went to play anywhere else. I think a lot of

players feel we have a good opportunity in the next couple of

years. The Northern Ireland footballers have reached Israel in

the final leg of their ill-fated World Cup campaign. The manager

questioned whether he had made progress with the team. But he can

still call on one veteran eager to play the part. Pulling on the boobs

again after a spell in the wilderness, Chris Baird has found

himself a new club and is now hoping that Michael O'Neill sees

him as the answer to his defensive crisis tomorrow night. After

failing to start an international for almost one year, he is ready to

take his chance. It is just frustrating, it has been a long

summer it for me. I did a lot of training by myself. But coming here

is a bonus for me. It is also a bonus for the manager been able to

call on the experience of Chris Baird. Is he tempted to bring the

curtain down on his international career? I feel fine and as long as

I'm playing at club level, that is the main thing. I am still enjoying

it so that is the main thing. There is a lot of work to be done. But

despite the disappointment of wizened results the current manager

has fate in his squad. - recent results. Moving forward if I have

the opportunity to take this group for what I will look forward to

the Irish League. Both teams hoping to move into second place on their

own. But whatever the outcome, neither can overtake the leaders

Linfield. They were bottom a few weeks ago, but after a win against

Dungannon, are cruising at the top. Gavin Andrews reports. Linfield's

shaky start seems a distant memory. This doubled made it seven for the

season and drew praise from the manager. Alongside that hard work

and good attitude there is talent. When those are combined you do

produce the goods. Up until now he has done tremendously well.

Cliftonville relied on another proven goalscorer to overcome baton

a mallard. Or meat fried in the open-air -- Gormley fired in the

opener. Steven Cousins helped Coleraine into a lead over

Ballymena. And Crusaders fired for past guards at Seaview to take them

to third in the table. -- Ards. The Belfast giants are top of the elite

lead after winning away to Coventry last night. That followed an

exciting game against Sheffield. Clonoe are Tyrone Gaelic football

champions. They defeated Carrickmore in the final in Omagh

yesterday to win their second club championship in five years. But

with only one week until their Ulster championship campaign begins

- the manager is not happy. Thomas Niblock reports. The small village

of Clonoe are now the proud holders of the O'Neill Cup in the O'Neill

County! In front of 7,000 spectators, Carrickmore had Tyrone

players like Martin Penrose, Conor Gormley and Mark Donnelly. But

Clonoe had one of their own - Conor McAliskey. And he was a constant

threat against the 15 times Tyrone champions. Captain Sean McNulty

scored the winning point when Clonoe last won a championship. He

scored the final two points yesterday, so how does it compare?

It was great to get it the first time but the second time, to be

part of that team, I'm over the moon. Ballinderry players were in

Omagh, observing their next opponents. The Derry champions will

now play Clonoe in the Ulster club championship this Sunday and the

frustrations of Clonoe manager Damien Cassidy are clear! Two years

ago we had the same situation. We asked to go out and play against

Letterkenny. And here we are again. It is just not fair. Frustration

from the manager, but delight from the Clonoe supporters, for the time

being, as their team are once again the best in Tyrone. Darren Clarke

finished tied second at the Nanshan China Masters as a level-par final

round left him one shot behind winner Charl Schwartzel. Earlier

today I heard Angie talk about crystal clear skies. I like the

sound of that and I hope there are more tomorrow. Some inland areas

did have plenty of sunshine today was temperatures of 15 degrees. We

should get another day of dry weather before things start to

change. But from midweek things turn more unsettled. Technically it

will become a little milder it. Temperatures just creeping up a

little. But not feeling too great in the wind and the rain. But that

was not a concern today. There was a lot of sunshine especially

towards the West. We hold on to some clear spells tonight, so it

will be quite chilly. Some spots in the countryside could get close to

freezing. But tomorrow is essentially another fine day with

some bright or a sunny spells around. There could be some low

cloud around first thing. Especially across parts of Antrim.

Some of the crowd is drifting west but again tomorrow, West is best.

So we begin tomorrow night on a dry note but the change is on the way.

By the end of the night the breeze will be strengthening. Wednesday

morning sees some heavy spells of rain and strong wind. Things could

improve later in the day but there is more rain to come on Friday. Our

late summary is at 10:25pm.