24/01/2014 BBC Newsline

things will get colder and sweet, find out

Welcome to BBC Newsline. The top stories: These two men admit being

high on drink and drugs when the stolen car they were travelling in

struck and killed a policewoman. Hearing loss claims by former RUC

officers will top over ?160 million. We have more on last night's

exclusive story. The Prime Minister says take-home

pay is on the up but what do you think?

Every year you are getting 1% and inflation is going up 3% so it is

not keeping up. The play that is causing a row of

biblical proportions in Newtownabbey.

A drive is on to get more and more people playing hockey than ever

before. Join me live in Banbridge. We are in for an unsettled weekend

with warnings in force for Sunday. I will have the full forecast shortly.

Two men who were charged in connection with the death of a young

police constable in Londonderry almost a year ago had consumed large

amounts of drink and drugs. They had been travelling in a stolen land

cruiser at speeds of up to 80 miles an hour in a 30 mile zone moments

before the fatal crash. It claimed the life of police Constable

Philippa Reynolds who was described by family and friends as fun loving

and dedicated to her job. Philippa Reynolds has been in the

PSNI for two years and was described as a kind and caring officer, deeply

committed to serving the community. Her un-marked police car was struck

by a stolen vehicle on the line to February last year. The former

teacher died at the scene. 26-year-old Shane Christopher Friern

admitted the manslaughter of Constable Reynolds. 24-year-old

Conor Clarence admitted they kill taking. -- vehicle taking. On the

day, they had been drinking heavily and had taken 16 tablets. After

stealing the land cruiser, Shane drove it at speeds of up to 80 miles

an hour. Moments before the fatal crash, the vehicle went through to

red lights and ploughed into the police car. In an interview with

police, Shane told the detective, I am very sorry for what I did to that

office. It was not my intention to do it. I am not into stealing cars

and driving around like a lunatic. It is not me. I am very sorry for

what I did do. The court heard that he had written a letter to the

family of Philippa Reynolds expressing his extreme remorse but

it has not been delivered yet. A barrister for Conor Clarence told

the court he wished to express his extreme and profound remorse and

regret. That, he realised, ABC and as small consolation. A barrister

for him said it was accepted that he does pose a significant risk of harm

in the future and he was considered a dangerous individual. The

barrister said he was not asking the court for mercy or compassion but

that it did not take all hope away. Both men will be sentenced on the

4th of February. More on an exclusive story we

brought you last night about hearing loss claims by former RUC officers.

We revealed that the bill so far is more than ?135 million to settle

over 8,500 claims but more than 2000 claims are still in the pipeline

waiting to be settled and the final bill is expected to be over ?160

million. A Sinn Fein member of the Policing Board says the payments are

unjustifiable and immoral. Police officers today where your

protection while engaged in firearms training but that has not always

been the case. The BBC revealed yesterday that more than 8,500

former officers here have been paid compensation for hearing loss. The

combined payment amount to more than ?70 million. In addition, over ?65

million has been spent on legal bills. This list is firm has settled

clearance for more than 3,000 officers. One of the senior partners

reject claims by critics who question the payments and say

hearing loss is easy to fake. Hearing loss can be measured and in

every case that is settled by the solicitors, the cloud has been

tested and examined by two doctors in each case so they are examined on

our behalf by one doctor and then they are also examined for the

police service as well and those two doctors, they may differ to some

extent but usually there is a meeting ground for what they agreed

to be the hearing loss that that person has suffered. These enormous

sums of money that have been paid by the police. When Sinn Fein member of

the Policing Board said it was undeniable. We have challenged many

of the figures that have come in and challenge the way these officers are

being paid. What is important here is that there has been a gravy train

culture, it has been there for many years and it is time for that trend

to pull into the station. He angered a retired detective chief inspector

who was one of those paid compensation by questioning the

morality of the payments. Something may not be legal but it may not be

ethnically right. That is absolutely rubbish, to come out with a comment

like that. It is maybe something that he wants to throw out to his

own community. That is a different debate. The final bill will be much

higher. So far, nearly 11,000 former RUC officers had lodged claims. More

than 2000 still have to be settled. Others are expected.

Assembly members have been updating the register of interests, giving

details of family members they employ using public funds, trips

paid by others and gifts received. With the details, I'm joined by our

political correspondent Martina Purdy. The new register shows that

the DUP MLA for a Lagan Valley Jonathan Craig has hired his sister

as a secretary and Mervyn Storey had his daughter last summer just for

the summer as a part-time office assistant. It also revealed the DUP

MLA for North Antrim David Michael Dean will no longer be employing his

father as a part-time researcher. This practice does draw a lot of

attention because it is taxpayers money but I will stress it is in

keeping with the rules, providing it is declared. The practice is

widespread? Not as widespread as it was. A quick look at the register, I

estimated a quarter of the MLAs were still hiring family members. None of

the Sinn Fein MLA 's hire some of their family members. In terms of

the DUP, around one third of its MLAs are still hiring dummy

members, around one quarter in the S DLP camp and the Alliance Party.

Anything else catch your eye? Two trips to China, one by Jonathan

Bell. That was played by the University of Ulster. -- paid. And

Lil went along with other European politicians to China on a visit paid

by the overseas Chinese affairs office and the Sinn Fein education

Minister was given a silver horse by JP McManus at an towards ceremony

last year but no details on how much it is worth.

One of our biggest unions has dismissed as laughable, a claim by

the government that take on pay has risen in real terms for the average

worker. Economists also read the situation differently.

The economy is picking up, figures show we are in recovery mode but

what about wages? David Cameron wants to see people paid more. What

stirred controversy is a government claim that take home pay for most

workers rose last year, faster than inflation. A hard sell on the

streets of Belfast. In my job, which is a nurse, our pay has not changed

over the last few years and a lot of nurses are struggling. Pedal has

gone up so I have to get the bus to work. Everything is getting more

expensive but the wages are not going up to meet it. -- petrol has

gone up. It has been OK. The government's argument is based on

statistics. They say cuts to income tax and national insurance meant pay

increased in real terms by 2.5% for most people. One of the big local

unions claimed that is not reality. I don't think there is any doubt

that our members will regard this statement as laughable. Their

experience very clearly is that their standard of living has reduced

over this last number of years considerably and their wages have

remained static. One economist said last year, wages here failed to keep

pace with the rise in the cost of living. Earnings growth was still

below the growth of prices. That has been true since 2008 and when you

accumulate the effect of that, it does represent a considerable

reduction in real take-home pay. Salaries here are on average lower

than the rest of the UK. It is there that this issue could dominate the

political agenda right up until next year's general election.

A row has broken out over the cancellation of a play about the

Bible at Newtownabbey Council's Mossley Mill Theatre following

objections by DUP members. The Arts Council has described the decision

as disappointing while stressing the artists' right to freedom of

expression. Those opposed to the stage production by the Reduced

Shakespeare Company say it made a mockery of the Bible.

The Reduced Shakespeare Company during rehearsals earlier today in

England. The widely acclaimed touring company's play, the Bible,

the complete Word God of abridged, was due to go on at a council owned

theatre next week. Not any more, it has been cancelled following

opposition from several DUP councillors who claimed it was

mocking the Bible. We attended to come -- contact the councillors but

without success. Some of their colleagues say it is blatant

censorship. It is typical of the DUP, they want to see censorship of

things that people want to see and we have had plenty of complaints

they wanted to see it and I was one of those who had booked to see the

show. The committee who look after the theatre made the decision of

months ago that this should be shown will stop a small number of the DUP

declare themselves as fundamental questions to get on board to have

this campaign. The Ulster Unionist mayor of midge larvae says he

supported the ban based on his Christian principles and he believes

councillors have a right to do so. Where do you draw the line? Do we

put on a live sex show? This is what is annoying most of the people on

the artistic board, not so much whether the play is anti-Christian,

it is the fact that they see this as censorship. The Reduced Shakespeare

Company say they are disappointed about the cancellation. It feels

like a political decision rather than a religious one. It feels like

a political party is stirring up religious sentiment and religious

sphere in the fear that we are doing something horrible. I don't think

any of these people have seen the entire show. We elected you to empty

our bins and make sure the leisure centres are open. We don't trust you

to do anything like this because you make us the laughing stock of the

world. This will have a knock-on effect financial aid, estimated to

cost the council around ?2000 but those involved in the arts are more

concerned about what it means for future reductions at this theatre at

the mill. Could the controversial issue of

fracking court transform local debate? Some suggest the outcome of

the debate would be a foregone conclusion. Here is our South West

reporter. Transfer fracking have been

dominated by protests. Campaigners say they would welcome the chance to

express their feelings at a ballot box. Two parties have the power to

put a stop to this. Opponents fear the impact of fracking on health and

the environment. Supporters say it would bring jobs and a secure energy

supply. A referendum could provide opportunity for a balanced debate.

We're not talking about the green and orange issues, so it has opened

up an interesting debate. As Minister of the environment, I will

not be giving the green light to fracking, in the absence of clear

evidence that it is safe and does not damage peoples health and that

it will not damage the countryside. As of yet, that evidence has not

been produced. A referendum could cost ?100,000, so I vote is keen to

have their say? I know who will win. They are trying to ban it. The

council already suppose a moratorium on fracking. Whether voters will get

their chance to say yes or no will be decided in the coming weeks.

Interest in the Irish language is growing, with classes springing up

in unionist areas. But organisations which promote it here have had their

money stopped. That decision by the funding body is the result of an

insistence by ministers north and south that they streamline spending.

So what are the implications for the language here? Conor Macauley

reports. The Irish language seems to be

thriving. There has always been a lot of interest in nationalist

areas, but a long shank ill and in east Belfast, they are learning it

too. It is everywhere. It takes money to promote it, but last year,

for groups here will be with those a lot of funding and they are deeply

unhappy. There are very specific circumstances here, two attitudes

towards the Irish language, and I think an opportunity has been

messed. An organisation was set up to

promote the language after the Good Friday agreement. It had been

funding a lot of Irish line which classes, but now it has in cut to

six. It is not a major concern of ours that your organisations don't

have their head office in the North, but only to have the skills and

expertise to address the language issues in the North. A lot of the

shops round here advertise their services in Irish as well as

English, and that former church up their is the beating heart. There

have been a lot of plans to develop this part of the city, but at the

front of those plans is one that has had its funding cut. So what happens

now? Your organisation has ?16 million worth of capital projects.

For example, Belfast City Council are in agreement to transfer. That

says our work back inevitably. They don't have the expertise, they

haven't been working on these things. It is hoped they will be an

orderly transfer. But it seems in some quarters there could be a

degree of resistance. Now Stephen Watson's out and about

tonight and getting a bit of sport at grassroots level. He's live at

Banbridge hockey club. It is junior training night here at

one of the oldest and biggest hockey clubs in Ireland and one of the most

vibrant. Hundreds of young people turning out here every single week.

The senior men are going pretty well as well, they are flying high in the

Premier league and are one of two Ulster teams left in the Irish cup,

but having so many young people here playing hockey is very good news for

one person in particular, and she joins me now, the new Ulster talent

coach. Surely, great disease are many young people. -- it is great to

see so many young people. It makes my work a pleasure and very easy. My

job is to try and increase anticipation levels. --

participation levels. It is very important we try and retain our best

players and make sure they have the best facilities and coaching. If we

can give them those things, hopefully we will retain them.

Ireland is a fourth biggest hockey playing country in Europe. In

schools, particularly with the girls, it is very popular. Good luck

with the rest of the coaching. There are two games in the Danskebank

Irish Premiership, including leaders Linfield at home to Ards looking

extend their lead at the top of the table to seven points. The games at

Warrenpoint and Coleraine are postponed due to waterlogged

pitches. League games were scheduled tonight because tomorrow sees the

League Cup Final centre stage. It's a repeat of last season's North

Belfast derby. Nial Foster reports. It is for-Neville. One year on,

those words still haunts Crusaders, but one year on, people and

attackers to seek revenge. We've just on their tails and

hopefully we will put in a better showing. Cliftonville went on to win

last season, but lately they have been struggling. Out of the Irish

cup. On Saturday, her season could be over. It is good for both clubs

and it is good for North Belfast. The Reds won the toss, but with

Crusaders coming, they will be hoping for a much closer affair than

last year. Live coverage on Radio Ulster

tomorrow and tonight. We'll have the action and results on our late TV

bulletin at 10.35. In Gaelic football Tyrone meet Cavan in the

McKenna Cup final tomorrow in Enniskillen. On the eve of that big

game, one of the GAA's star players has paid a visit to a school in

Northern Ireland - and warned that the demands of the modern game are

leading to player burn-out. Mark Sidebottom reports.

Sometimes when pupils get to meet their heroes, bacon, for just a

little starstruck, and that is when the teacher steps in. We have for

values, faith, family, football and family. He cautions that some

players cast a long shadow. I think of it continues a grows, I would

fear players' careers could be shortened. I don't know how they

balance it, they are probably risking burn-out. Before he hangs

his shirt up and goes up into the sunset, he gives one last rattle at

Tyrone. From a soggy Banbridge, that's

tonight's sport. If you are out and about tonight in

time, you would need to run Perella, because the rain has

cleared away. -- you won't need your arm Perella. -- umbrella. Some of

the showers tomorrow may be heavy, there maybe thunder and lightning.

Most low levels will only see rain. In between, there will be good

spells of sunshine. If it is windy radio row, it will feel called. --

it will feel cold. Pressure pushing across the Atlantic, quite windy and

it will tank whitebait. It will not really hit until breakfast time on

Sunday morning. If you are out and about on Sunday, prepare yourself

for windy weather. We have a weather warning for strong wins for coastal

areas. Further showers and spells of rain on Sunday evening.

Tomorrow night is Burns Night and in appreciation of the famous Scottish

bard we've put together a flavour of what you can expect from this Monday

night's Special Arts Show on BBC One at 11.35. From everyone on the

programme, have a very good weekend.