18/12/2013 BBC Newsline

let-up. Thank you. That is all from the BBC News at Six. Goodbye. Now

Good evening. The headlines on BBC Newsline: A man is in court for a

murder in Aghalee 15 years ago. The next big storm of winter is

beginning to have it. Already we have had gusts of 50 mph on the

North coast and they will only get stronger.

Dead horses are found on a remote County Tyrone hillside.

Will the hours at two of our A be cut further?

Solution or stalemate? The latest from the Richard Haass talks.

Also on the programme: # Away in a manger, no crib for a bed.

We catch up with the young singers who have a starring role in the

carol concert at St Anne's Cathedral.

A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of a Lurgan man 15

years ago. 30-year-old Kevin Conway was taken from his home and his body

was found hooded and bound in a field in nearby Aghalee.

Bound and shot in the back of the head, Kevin Conway's body was found

in a derelict building near Aghalee in 1998. Just why he was abducted

and murdered has never been entirely clear but it has been the subject of

much speculation. Whatever the motive, the IRA was widely blamed.

Mr Marshall was arrested and questioned at the time but then

released without charge. A review of the case by the serious crime branch

has uncovered new forensic evidence including foil samples and fabric

samples. As a result of this, Garry Marshall was rearrested on Monday

morning at the hotel in Birmingham. His brother Sam was killed in Lurgan

in 1992. It was an attack that left prominent republican Colin Duffy

seriously injured. Today Brendan McKenna was among a large group of

supporters in the public gallery. A solicitor for Gary Marshall said

that his client and the entire family had moved on, leaving the

Troubles behind them. They said it was significant that the police had

not tried to connect their client with any dissident group. Should he

be found guilty, it would fall under the remit of the Good Friday

Agreement and the maximum sentence he could receive would be two years,

which significantly reduces the risk of him absconding. Bail was granted

and Gary Marshall will appear in court again next month.

A 33-year-old man has been charged with the murders of a couple found

in a flat in South East Belfast last Friday. The bodies of 42-year-old

Finbar McGrillen and Caron Smyth, who was 40, were discovered at

Ravenhill Court. The man will appear in court in Belfast in the morning.

There are reports of flooding on a number of roads this evening and the

weather is set to get worse. There are forecasts of 80 mph gusts and

Northern Ireland Electricity is warning of the possibility of damage

to its network. Let's go to the very windy North Coast.

Yes, we are at Portrush, where already we have been battered by

gusts of 50 mph. This evening, the winds will really picked up. Much of

Northern Ireland is under a yellow warning, which means there could be

some disruption because of the winds. Through tonight that will be

upgraded to amber for the North Coast area, which means prepare for

some disruption. There will be very strong winds, possibly up to 80 mph,

which could cause some disruption. Elsewhere and in the Republic, the

highest warning level has been issued for the North West, across

Donegal, Galway and parts of Clare, where we are expecting some

disruption. Already, strong winds have been battering parts of the

Republic and we have reports that a woman has been killed because a tree

has fallen on her car. Elsewhere, further South in County Cork, part

of the roof of one of the train stations came down because of the

winds, causing some damage to nearby vehicles and minor injuries. The

winds will really picked up this evening and they could cause

disruption. We will keep an eye on things and keep you updated through

the course of the night. Jeff will be here later with a full weather

forecast. Thank you very much.

A man has been taken to hospital after becoming impaled on railings

in South Belfast. It happened outside a pharmacy on Botanic Avenue

at five o'clock. Fire and ambulance crews attended the scene. There are

no details on how seriously the man was injured.

Health trust officials have warned that they may have to cut opening

hours at the Accident Emergency departments of Down Hospital and

Lagan Valley. Staff shortages have been blamed and it could result in

units closing at weekends. Two hospitals with the same dilemma. How

to make sure that Accident Emergency units are properly

staffed. So much so that the health trusts that run them say that

opening hours may have to be cut. At Down Hospital, A is open from

eight in the morning until ten at night and outside those hours,

urgent care is provided by GPs but even that is unsustainable with a

critical shortage of medical staff both here and at Lagan Valley.

Southeastern Trust officials say covering the weekends is most

difficult. They say the situation is critical and deteriorating but local

politicians oppose services being reduced. Downpatrick is 25 miles

away from Belfast and other major hospitals. For our ambulance

service, the skilled paramedics at work tirelessly in our area, they

will have to provide the service up to Belfast, taking them off the road

for up to two hours every time they have to deliver patient. That means

additional pressure on the ambulance provision within Down district,

which could ultimately cost lives. Feelings were mixed. A lot of people

use casualty, but unfortunately they use them when they should not. They

should go to their GP. A disaster for those of us that live far away.

Too far to go to Craigavon. There is the people side and the casting

side. From a casting point of view, maybe it makes sense but it ignores

the people. -- costing side. Negotiations are ongoing but the

decision is expected by the end of the week.

Coming up: We hear from a father to be who is leaving behind a life of

crime. A damning report has concluded that

criminality is widespread in the waste industry here. The independent

review was commissioned by the department of the environment after

a huge illegal dump was found near Londonderry last year. The report

says almost 35mm out in landfill tax was invaded at that dump alone. --

35mm million pounds. This was illegal activity on a large and

lucrative scale. Millions of tonnes of waste. That did not happen

overnight. One of the disturbing things in the report says that a

department of the Environment inspector was on the site in 2007

and he was especially something illegal was happening. He went back

in 2008, said his concerns up the line, and nothing much happened for

four years. Is the slowness to act part of the problem? This report

shows an industry where criminality is endemic and people regulating and

enforcing it are constantly getting the runaround. They do not know the

full extent of their powers, they are not sharing information, and

there is a slowness to act in some cases. When we look at what is going

on here, it is not just about the staff. There are clearly big

systemic problems. The regulation seems to be broken. The law is not

tough enough. The whole system seems to be full of holes and it makes it

far too easy for the criminals. So what happens now? Environment

minister has this report on his desk. He says it is highly sobering

and is calling for a full review into how waste is managed in

Northern Ireland. Thank you. The Prime Minister says

everyone should look at the process being chaired by Richard Haass with

some give and take to bring communities here together. The

comments came as the former US diplomat spent the day drafting a

new set of proposals aimed at finding a way forward on flags,

parades and the past. Our political reporter is at Stormont. Bring us up

to date. What has been happening today? Richard Haass and Meghan

O'Sullivan have spent the best part of the day in a Belfast hotel

rewriting their report on flags and parades. Their first report was so

controversial that it was raised today on the floor of the House of

Commons by the DP MP Gregory Campbell. -- DUP does he understand

that agreement is desirable? If proposals are seen as die looting

our very essence of Britishness, as Northern Ireland seeks to strengthen

its position in the United Kingdom, not weakening it? -- seen as die

diluting. I have met with Richard Haass and he is an incredibly

impressive individual and we should let him do his work and we should

judge the work on the results he produces. I hope everyone will try

to look at this process with some give and take to bring communities

together. Has there been any other reaction from political parties

today? By and large, the political parties have kept a low profile.

Sinn Fein and the DUP wanted to stay out of the media. The Alliance party

and the SDLP gave their assessment of what they want to see in the next

24 hours. It is up to Sinn Fein, the DUP and the Ulster Unionist Party.

They one is in a position to check that responsibility and the public

will judge as harshly if we do. I have always said it is the best

opportunity for 15 years. Victims and survivors have been so strong

and resilient in recent days and months in telling their story. If

that is the first measure of peace talks, and if any party or

Government feels in measuring up to what they seek, I think there will

be a withering indictment of those who have failed and failed so

graphically. A number of parties have met each other today in

Stormont. Richard Haass remains on course to deliver his report either

tonight or tomorrow morning. Thank you. A number of dead horses

have been discovered on a remote hillside between County Tyrone and

County Monaghan. Some of them are lying in a stream along the border.

Our district reporter has been to the senior Clogher and we should

warn you that this report contains pictures of the dead horses which

some viewers may find upsetting. A bleak, barren hillside. There have

been concerns about the welfare of the horses that roamed this area and

it seems a number of them have died. The location I was given for these

carcasses is incredibly remote. It has taken almost half an hour of

walking through bogs to get here from the nearest road. Near the body

of the first horse lies the skeleton of at least one and possibly two

more. In all, I found at least five dead horses. It is not known how

they died or how long the bodies have lain here, or indeed who owns

them. Last month, a number of horses in the Clogher area were seized by

welfare officers working for the councils, following complaints made

about their welfare. The council told us that an investigation was

being carried out. There is plenty to confirm including young singers

getting ready for the Carol concert at Saint Hans Cathedral.

It sounds like the stuff of fantasy but the police and prolific

criminals are working together in a scheme aimed at reducing crime. The

PSNI and other criminal justice agencies say there's clear evidence

that the approach has resulted in falling levels of like burglary. Our

reporter has spoken to one former offender.

Adrian and his partner are looking forward to the birth of their first

child early next year. It is something he didn't think possible a

short time ago. He embarked on a life of crime aged 13 and developed

a drug programme -- problem and became addicted to heroin. It cost

him ?25 a day, money he raised from stealing. Twice a day sometimes.

What kind of things were you taking? Mobile phones, coats, cloaks, stuff

like that. All sorts of things. I was put in prison. After being

jailed, he agreed to join a programme that work with the police

and prisons working to reduce the prospect of them reoffending. The

police say around 80% of crimes like burglaries and thefts are committed

by a small number of prolific offenders and that it makes sense to

concentrate on changing their behaviour rather than repeatedly

sending them to jail. If offenders take part in the programme, they

receive help with education and trading -- training and tackling

addictions like drugs and alcohol. If they don't, they face increased

scrutiny from the police and going back to prison. Adrian has been

removed from the programme because police say he is no longer involved

in crime or drugs. I feel a lot better and have more confidence in

myself. I am just a different person completely. Every time I see people,

they are saying I am looking well. On heroin, I was looking bad all the

time. You can change. It is up to yourself. It is up to yourself if

you want to do it. Hit his partner says he has turned his life around.

Since he has been on probation, I have realised he has come a long way

and he will stay like that for the sake of me and our baby. There are

370 offenders currently across Northern Ireland taking part in the

scheme. The agencies involved say there's clear evidence that it works

and that crime levels are falling a result.

Boys from three North Belfast primary schools have been trading --

training for the last 12 weeks to be part of a choir at Saint Anne's

Cathedral in Belfast. 1000 people are expected to attend the Carol

service this Sunday. We have been along to the final rehearsal. You

all look great. It night -- it might not be the X factor but this

performance is bringing the same nerves, fun and excitement. Getting

picked for the choir was an achievement in itself. We had to

have a sing off. We had to sing and the teachers had to judge. Was it

like X factor? Yes, but bigger. We had done the auditions and I got

through. They have changed for the last 12 months in their own schools.

All under the guidance of the music department here and all for this

Sunday's Carol service. My nerves are wrecked. Why are you nervous?

Because there is going to be a whole lot of people around. My money will

be very proud of me because she always his missing. The three

schools are closed to the Cathedral and it is about bringing different

religions together but also opening the doors to St Andrews. It can be

seen as a place where you only come into it and it can be seen as

elitist. We certainly don't want that to be the case. None of the

three schools has a formal choir but it is hoped the boys will take their

new-found talent back to the classrooms.

My nerves are wrecked for them! Island's cricketers are celebrating

a unique trouble and two of the successful team join me tonight with

Thomas Niblock restarting the sport with some big big news.

First, one of our most successful road races has decided to come out

of retirement. Ryan Farquhar had decided to quit the sport after the

death of his uncle who was competing at the Manx Grand Prix. But now he

has had a change of mind and will contest the most dangerous sporting

race in the sport with a surprise new team-mate. Ryan Farquhar retired

from racing in 2012 with this ceremonial ride following his uncle

Trevor's death days earlier. The lure of road racing has proved too

strong. There is no doubt there will be people out there who will slag me

off and say I am doing the wrong thing or whatever. At the end of the

day, it is what I want to do. My wife is 100% behind me. Motorbike

racing is all I know there has -- it has been more than good to me. Also

returning is team-mate instead of rival, Keith Amor. I was in shock.

It wasn't something I saw coming. He is one of my old adversarial is. Why

not? For now, it is just the TT next summer but Ryan Farquhar isn't

ruling out the 200. When he hears I am making a return, we will see how

it goes. For the moment, it is just the TT. I will do the race on a bike

which is what I have always enjoyed most. 2013 has been a year to

remember for Ireland. The World Cricket League Championship, the

world Twenty20 qualify champion and the Intercontinental cup. Andrew

White and Gary Wilson are with us. Congratulations. You are holding

those trophies like three babies. Andrew, what a gear. It has to be.

-- Andrew, what a year. In terms of trophies and success leading to the

world cups, it has been incredible. Gary, those scenes winning the

Intercontinental special. It was a trophy that was close to the heart.

To beat Afghanistan, very pleasing. You have been with each other for

such a long time. We have been together for seven years and that is

going to be even more special. Andrew, we have to cut to the chase.

Is test playing achievable? As players, we want to set our heights

high. I know you are good friends. It is a great honour to play for 14

years. I will go for another year and reassess at the end of 2014.

Every game is a special time in the green shirts. You are going to enjoy

Christmas but what does the future hold? We go to the Caribbean in

January. It is tough. Demi after Bangladesh which is slightly more

tough. -- then we are off to Bangladesh. The PS I have received a

report that a window of a bus was damaged following last night's Irish

League Cup semifinal between Ards and Cliftonville. They are aware of

a number of allegations of sectarian chanting children the game and

enquiries are continuing. -- during the game. Clifton one 2-0. Crusaders

were -- for back to edge out Ballymena United after extra time in

a thrilling league cup semifinal. This first time hat-trick set the

visitors on their way to the final. This second goal of the night made

it 3-2. A penalty ensured the game would enter extra time. Comeback

victory was complete when this header came in.

Finally with a warning of flash photography, Bethany Firth will

compete in future for Team GB. Her application was formally approved by

the International Paralympic Committee today. She won gold in the

100 metres backstroke in London last year competing for Team Ireland.

That is the sport. We heard earlier in the programme

about flooding on our roads. The stormy weather has certainly already

arrived. It is set to get even worse. Here we have the forecast.

It is a wet and wintry night through this evening and that is why the Met

Office has issued an amber warning for strong winds. There is a general

warning wherever you are in Northern Ireland because it is going to be a

windy night tonight. We will have some showers and they would be quite

wintry as we go through this evening and tonight. Expect some sleet and

snow as the temperatures dip away close to freezing tonight. It is the

wind that is the real issue. What is driving that is this low weather

system. There is a squeeze on those isobars driving those strong winds.

After midnight tonight and into the rush hour, it could be a blustery

start to the day. It is driving in these wintry showers. Do take some

extra care on your way. The temperatures don't really get going

at all. Top temperatures, three Celsius. We have a wintry day ahead

of us on Thursday and there is no letup in it. I don't want to sounds

like your mother but if you are driving to work, take some extra

care because it could be challenging on the roads. Stay tuned for the

latest traffic and travel information. Do take some extra care

because those wintry showers continue right the way through the

day and into the evening on Thursday and into Friday night -- Friday

morning. Temperatures down to freezing so a chilly start Friday.

We get a little bit of respite and Friday when the next low-pressure

system comes in. That brings a warm air mass of the temperatures are up

a bit. It will still be windy and wet again on Friday. I can't pretend

it is an exciting picture. We have some very unsettled conditions

heading our way and if you are driving to work tomorrow, do take

some extra care. We would have the latest on any

weather-related problems tonight at 10:25pm. You can keep on -- in

contact on Facebook and Twitter. From everybody here, good night.