20/12/2013 BBC Newsline

Good evening, the headlines on BBC Newsline: Christmas is coming, but a

deal's not in the bag. Richard Haass stays in town to continue his search

for compromise on flags, parades and the past.

The police begin an investigation into the alleged theft of half a

million pounds from the Ulster Bank. A charge against DUP councillor Ruth

Patterson over a comment she posted on the internet is withdrawn. To

date is the beginning of the rest of my wife and I look forward to it. As

the year ends, so do the celebrations and Londonderry, I will

be reviewing the UK City of Culture year.

The redevelopment of Windsor Park has moved a step closer as the

government approves ?31 million worth of funding.

Wet and windy tonight with 50 mph gusts around the coast. It's getting

colder as we head toward Christmas. First tonight, as we go on air

there's a security alert in Belfast city centre. Several streets have

been closed to traffic. These are some mobile phone pictures we've

just got in. The area between the Albert Clock and Castle Place is

cordoned off and premises around there have been evacuated. Police

are at the scene and say a suspicious object was discovered in

a building at the junction of Bridge Street and High Street.

First to the Haass talks, and the chairman Richard Haass says he will

leave no stone unturned in an effort to reach an agreement between the

five Executive political parties before Christmas. After a day of

intensive discussions, Dr Haass confirmed that negotiations will

continue over the weekend and into next week. He said real progress had

been made on parades and the past, but admitted there could be

disappointment over the flags issue. First our political reporter Stephen

Walker looks at what happened today. Some halt today would herald a new

dawn. As politicians gathered at a Belfast hotel, it became clear that

agreement was once again proving elusive. Tonight the talks vice

chair, Mike O'Sullivan, told journalists what would happen next.

We have agreed to stay and push on until Christmas and we expect an

intense period of meetings over the next 36 hours in a variety of

formats. We expect on Sunday to produce a new draft and we hope that

the draft will be close to the final draft. We will share this draft with

the parties on Sunday afternoon and reconvene on Monday and our goal is

to include this process and concluded on Monday.

Earlier the difficulties of agreement were all too obvious.

Realistically I do not see any agreement being reached today. There

is considerable work required across all areas.

Others suggested me was the time to the a deal on flags, parades and the

past. Any deal that can be done by New Year and Christmas can be done

right now. The issues are on the table and all of the people

concerned are here. We must deliver now. The issue of clients is the

most of it -- devices. The suggestion that Richard Haass has

developed a solution to the flag problem has angered people.

Particularly the Unionists. There is an opportunity to deal with the past

and if we can get that over the line, that will give us the

confidence to return to flight next year. Others insist agreement on all

of these issues is still possible. We are glad that Meghan O'Sullivan

and Richard Haass are in agreement with ourselves and we all want to

get this deal done before Christmas. Whatever the processes and

commentary that may be a mating from certain parts of this process, let

these talks endure. We must apply our minds in these hours and days.

Just yards from the talks venue, and another part of the hotel, a Spanish

tenor was performing. His song appropriate, Messham, translates as

no one shall sleep. As the end of year deadline approaches, there is

still much work to do. Our political editor Mark Devenport

is at the talks venue in East Belfast. So, Mark, take us through

what happens now. Well, as the court share, Megan was

Sullivan, was seeing, the is an attempt to use this weekend to

rewrite the document. This will be the third draft of the document

which will be presented to all parties on Sunday. There will be

some communication by phone and e-mail and then they will call all

parties around the table for a Vince Cable session on Monday at which

they hope to achieve agreement. Whilst Ms O'Sullivan was setting at

the timetable and Richard Haass said a deal was doable, it became evident

at the news conference that the real stumbling block remains flags and

this is what Richard Haass said when I asked them if they could move

ahead in relation to the other areas such as the past and parades?

Without going into the details, it is true and many of you already know

what, there has been a greater degree of overlap and agreement on

parades and the past than there has been on flags. A well-known American

baseball player once said it is not over until it is over and saw we

will see what we can agree. It is not over until it is over, but

what is the deadline? Christmas Eve? Not necessarily. Although they want

to bring this to a conclusion on Monday, Mike O'Sullivan, when

challenged about other that was the end of it, she said they would make

a judgement call on Monday. -- Megan O'Sullivan. Between Christmas and

New Year they will continue to look at this so this could roll on. But

you do get the sense that ideally they would like to close this

process on Monday. And is Christmas the final

deadline?million pounds missing from its vault. The police have now

started an investigation. It was revealed at an employment tribunal

that the money was being taken and for two years the bank did nothing

to stop it. An employee who warned his bosses about what was going on

was then victimised. We now understand the Finance Minister is

said to be very concerned by the developments and is seeking further

information. Our reporter, Nicola Weir, has more.

It's the mystery of half ?1 million vanished from what should be the

most secure place in a bank, its bolt, and it is a mystery that

police are trying to get to the bottom. This afternoon, the PSNI

said that being approached by the Ulster Bank and its parent company

the Royal Bank of Scotland, it would look into criminal activity. During

a employment tribunal, a whistle-blower warned bosses in 2009

that money was being taken by another employee called Mr Key

during the hearing to find his extravagant gambolling like stealth.

This included trips to Las Vegas twice a year but his concerns were

never looked into. Fast forward to 2011 and the whistle-blower went to

his line managers repeating his concerns. This time they were acted

upon and an investigation has revealed that ?500,000 was missing

from a bank vault. Mr Key was accused of why has simply is of

taking significant amounts of cash and paying them into his personal

Ulster Bank account. Instead of thanking the whistle-blower, the

bank suspended him along with Mr Key and to others. The tribunal reviewed

that he had not done anything wrong but that he had been implicated in

correctly. He was awarded ?250,000 in compensation. During the last 24

hours, the BBC has repeatedly asked the Ulster Bank if the police were

notified at the time about the missing money. It continues to say

it does not comment on staff matters. This afternoon the PSNI

confirmed it had been asked to investigate criminal activity but it

is not clear when the bank ask them to do this.

Still coming up, before seven o'clock. We are live at the final

big event in the UK City of Culture here. -- year.

A charge against a DUP councillor over a comment posted on the

internet has been withdrawn. The former Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast,

Ruth Patterson, was accused of making a statement on Facebook that

was grossly offensive. Eunan McConville was at today's court

hearing. Ruth Patterson was responding to

reports made by another person over an imaginary attack at a republican

parade in which several people including members of Sinn Fein were

killed. She replied saying that this fictitious and at had taken place --

had it taken place would have been a terrible thing. She was subsequently

arrested and charged. Something her party heavily criticised. Ruth

Patterson was very relaxed as she made her way into the public gallery

for hockey is to be here. She sat amongst the UK colleagues and

supporters and at one point handed out sweets to them. She took our

place in the dock and a lawyer for the prosecution told her that the

charges against her were to be withdrawn because she had been given

an informal warning. That was met by cheers and clapping from her

supporters. The warning given to Mrs Patterson

will stay on her record for 12 months. Most of all, I thank my

loyalist people who stood by me shoulder to shoulder. We are not

going to be broken by this and 100% United and loyalty to our Queen and

our country. In a statement the prosecution service said the public

interest was better served by Mrs Patterson getting that informed

warning. 15 dead horses have now been found

near Clogher in County Tyrone. Earlier this week, a BBC Newsline

reporter found the remains of at least five dead horses in a remote

bog and stream on the Tyrone-Monaghan border. Since then,

live horses have been seized by animal welfare officers from

Dungannon and South Tyrone Council. It's not known how the animals died

or how long the bodies have been there.

Detectives investigating the attempted murder of police officers

on the outskirts of West Belfast in May have arrested two men. Shots

were fired as the officers - who were responding to bogus reports of

a burglary - got out of their car in the Foxes Glen area of Twinbrook.

The Deputy Chief Constable Judith Gillespie is to retire next March.

She is the most senior woman officer and has spent the past 32 years in

the PSNI and RUC. In 2011, she was eligible to retire under the Patten

programme with a pay-out of half million pounds but declined.

Organisers of the UK City of Culture year in Londonderry say that they

believe more than a million people will have visited the city over the

12 months. That's more than twice the usual figure. The last big event

of the year, the Relief of Derry musical extravaganza, takes place at

The Venue in Ebrington tonight. Our arts correspondent Maggie Taggart is

there right now. Maggie. Yes, and The Venue is a big marquee

but not strong of the winds. We understand a rip that occurred

during this bad weather has now been repaired. At eight o'clock tonight

2000 guests will be here to listen to the singers on the stage at the

venue. They will be performing the life of daily signatory. It has been

a great year of spectaculars but there have been some fans and

sceptics. Our North West reporter Keiron Tourish takes a look back.

The year began with a star-studded concert showcasing talent. For those

that took part it was a memorable experience.

2013 has been a United year for Derry. A lot of people have come

together to all of these events. One of the most popular events of

the summer was the one big weekend with 40,000 young people enjoying

national and national stars forming at Irvington. The range of the

cultural programme that impressed some sceptics with reservations.

They brought lots of great things to Derry and it has been a terrific

success. Anyone in Derry will look back on it with their own highlights

but will agree that this was an extravaganza of cultural production

and Derry. Not everything works, however.

The largest event was the All-Ireland fleadh in August.

Overall it is estimated 1 million people will have visited in 2013,

double the usual number. On a normal year the city generates up

approximately two -- 32 million from tourism, and we would think 50

million and above in 2013, and additional spend at least 18 million

into the local economy, which is fantastic.

The prestige of hosting things like the Turner prize is set to change

the impression of the city from the outside world. Hollywood's finest

actors and directors sensed a new mood when they came here. The big

question is, what will be the impact?

Some people did not attend any events whatsoever, where many

thousands of others were enriched by the cultural experience.

The general senses was that the year was positive for the city, a city on

which everyone can agree on one name - legendary. That was a very

impressive list only to be added to tonight by the Relief of Derry

symphony. There have been some -- sceptics

wondering whether it was worthwhile. The reception of the news was very

lukewarm in the beginning but even got very and using a stick. There

have been spats through the year, and a stick. There have been spats

through the year, an industrial tribunal is going on at the moment

and there have been complaints about the cup with marketing -- marketing.

Shawna McCarthy, you have been through the wars this year, I will

it end? I am going to open this with joy in

my heart. It has been challenging, I don't think any of us thought it

would be easy, but it has been an incredible journey. What I year. You

are getting another ?2 million to help sustain the legacy.

Will that be enough? Personally, I don't think so. It has

been made very clear by the Department it is only just the

start. The initial money invested it only until the end of March, so I

think there will be further announcements, a department or unit

here in the city and a new company set up. It all remains to be seen

but it would swell. It may dwindle, that is your

worried? I am concerned about that, but I

think we have done something absolutely ambitious and the

citizens you have experienced an ambitious, exceptional, incredible

year. There is no turning back on that. There is some turning back on

this venue, it will be dismantled in the next few days because no one has

been found to run it. Then the bat on will be handed on to

the city of Hull who are City of Culture next year.

Back to the security alert in the first city centre. What can you tell

us, Christian mackerel this city centre is extremely busy with

shoppers. Officers have now moved in.

The high street has been closed and part of Bridge Street, as well. In

the last few minutes technical officers have sent a robot into the

post office will bring on high street to examine what we believe

are reports of suspicious package. At this stage we do not know what

that is and the police are taking all precautions they can. Of course,

there was a bomb attack last week in the Cathedral Quarter and beyond

that, as well, the police had warned in the lead up to Christmas they

were involved -- concerned about attacks involving dissident

republicans. It is clear this evening they are taking this alert

seriously. It is better to be safe than sorry.

In sport, earlier this week planning permission was given for a new

38,000 seater Casement Park Stadium. This evening a plan to revamp

Windsor Park has moved a step closer.

Yes, previous issues between the IFA and Department for culture arts and

leisure seem to have been resolved. That is because the sports minister

this evening has approved the funding agreement with the Irish

football Association for ?31 million required for the redevelopment of

Windsor Park. This will allow the IFA to appoint a main contractor for

the overhaul of the venue, which will raise the capacity to 18,000

spectators. What is set to start in the New Year. -- worked is set to

start. Rugby, and Ulster will play Zebre in

the Pro12 tonight at Ravenhill and they have a man who has played more

times for Ulster than any other. Paddy Wallace will make his appeal

-- first appearance for nine months after an injury. Tonight it is 189th

cap for the province in a much changed starting line-up. There is a

bit of nervousness, still, whether I can still hold up to professional

rugby. At the moment I am not looking too

far beyond this weekend. I am just trying to, you know, do myself

justice, do the medical team justice, they have done so much work

to get me back. Northern Ireland has a new

professional boxer. Conrad Cummings from Coalisland today signed with

Barry McGuigan's Cyclone Promotions. He has won an impressive 14 Ulster

and Irish championships. He will live and train with Belfast

Boxster Carl Frampton in London. My aim was always to be a world

champion professional. I will take it one white at a time. There will

be no messing around. Hopefully I will be world champion. He is a

world-class amateur. I think you can quickly turn into a

world-class professional. He is dedicated, he trains hard comedy is

always in good shape, he never really leaves the gym. That is

important. It will be good for me, he will be training alongside me

giving me company, and that will bring the best out of both of us.

Best of luck to him. Now for the weather. Good evening.

It is a wet and windy night tonight, we could see costs in excess of 50

mph as we go through this evening. -- we could see costs. Plenty of

rain around in the early part of the night, and showers continue

overnight. No risk of frost tonight, temperatures overnight

around five or six Celsius. Into Saturday, blustery conditions

continue and we will have a constant threat of showers throughout the

day. This is the picture for Saturday, not wall-to-wall rain, we

will certainly see some breaks in that later on, maybe even some

brighter spells through Saturday afternoon. For temperatures, we will

see highs of around seven sales is. With the south-west of breeze it

will not feel terribly pleasant for the last shopping day before

Christmas. Obviously a very important few days with lots of

people travelling across the water, and as we head into the Christmas

period we will see more in the way of rain and wind in the forecast.

That could cause a little travel disruption as we get nearer to

Christmas Day itself. It is certainly getting colder, as well.

Certainly we could see a little in the way of wintry showers on Sunday

and the Met Office has already issued an early warning for strong

wind is on Monday. As we headed towards Christmas is at -- it is an

increasingly blustery picture with some wintry showers in the mix.

We leave you with another in our series of Christmas carols.

It is O Holy Night, and we went to Castle ward to missing to the

children from Saint Josephs primary School in Strangford.

Have a good weekend. # O Holy Night! The stars are

brightly shining. # It is the night of the dear

Saviour's birth. # Long lay the world in sin and

error pining. # Till He appeared and the Spirit

felt its worth. # A thrill of hope the weary world

rejoices. # For yonder breaks a new and

glorious morn. # Fall on your knees!

# Oh, hear the angel voices! # O night divine, the night when

Christ was born. # O night. # Divine. O Holy Night, O

night divine! # Truly He taught us to love one

another. # His law is love and His gospel is

peace. # Chains he shall break, for the

slave is our brother. # And in his name all oppression

shall cease. # Sweet hymns of joy in grateful

chorus raise we. # With all our hearts we praise His

holy name. # Christ is the Lord!

# Praise his name forever. # Noel. Noel.

# O night, O night divine! # Noel, Noel.

# O night, O night divine! Patrick Kielty

is back on home turf... When people ask you where you're

from, you can sound like James Bond.