20/02/2014 BBC Newsline

me. Time now to get the That is all from us. An

Hello, and welcome to BBC Newsline. Tonight's top stories: a former

nursing home manager is struck off the register after being found

guilty of failing to investigate allegations of abuse against elderly

and vulnerable residents. The courts in controversy, as

Stormont's Justice Committee locks horns with Northern Ireland's most

senior judge. Business owners in Strabane fear a

proposed out-of-town development will damage an already-struggling

town centre. A New York-based software firm is to

create 35 hi-tech jobs in Belfast, and more could follow.

Another famous win for Ireland's cricketers. They shock the World

Champions in Jamaica. And there's a colder feel to the

weather. More showers to come too, and I'll be looking ahead to the

weekend forecast. A nurse who worked at a care home in

Carrickfergus has been struck off for failing to investigate

allegations of abuse against elderly and vulnerable residents. Last year

a whistle-blower told the BBC that she'd raised concerns regarding

patient safety and neglect at the same home as far back as 2005. Our

health correspondent Marie-Louise Connolly reports. This nursing home

in Carrickfergus houses elderly and vulnerable residents. In 2010, the

manager, Katherine McCall, was made aware a number of families were

concerned about how loved ones were being treated by a particular member

of staff. Evidence was brought before the Nursing and Midwifery

Council which investigates cases of misconduct. It found Mrs McCall had

failed to investigate allegations of abuse I1 member of staff against

five elderly residents. The panel also found the former nursing home

manager guilty of being the profession into disrepute. The

chairman said they reached their decision as it was their duty to

protect the public and especially the old and vulnerable. The care as

us and against whom the allegations were made ceased working at the home

at the start of 2011. Mrs McCall also left and a new manager was

appointed. With regard to Mrs McCall's case, the hearing heard

that by failing to investigate allegations she had put residents at

risk. The chairman said Mrs McCall had deliberately closed her eyes to

what was going on and said due to the prolonged nature of her

misconduct the panel had no option but to impose the toughest sanction

possible, which meant striking her off the nursing register. In an

unrelated case last year the BBC revealed how a whistle-blower made

allegations of patient neglect and her practice at Cherry tree nursing

home eight years ago. A former care system said her concerns were

ignored for years. Shortly after she went public, the Health Minister

ordered an independent review. In response to the Council hearing, a

statement from the home said this was a sad day for the nursing

profession Tom for those who strive to meet the highest standards.

Masked men have stolen ?3000 from two elderly sisters in South

Belfast. It happened last night at Vernon Street. May Kelly was

visiting her sister Eileen, when the masked men came into the house and

said they were searching for drugs. The men escaped in the direction of

Oak Way. The sisters weren't hurt during the robbery, but were left

shaken. They did not want to appear on camera. We just couldn't do

anything after because we didn't know who to run to, to tell the

truth. How would they like their mothers to get this? How would they

like their mothers to be sitting and men come in? Old-age pensioners not

able to defend themselves. MLAs have criticised Northern

Ireland's most senior judge after he suggested the Justice Committee was

acting outside its powers. The Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan

accused the committee of unconstitutional conduct in its

inquiries into judicial appointments. Our political editor

Mark Devenport is at Stormont. Mark, what's behind this row? This goes

back to some extraordinary evidence the Justice Committee took in

November. They heard from a County Court judge, Desmond Marrinan, who

complained about being passed over for a promotion to the job of High

Court judge in 2009. He said the treatment he suffered amounted to a

flawed and biased treatment and criticised the Northern Ireland

judicial appointments commission which made the appointment. So what

happened today? The committee had been looking for Sir Declan Morgan

to give them evidence about this. They did a too look into this as

part of their probe into the commission, but he wrote back to say

he believed they were exceeding their powers and were behaving

potentially unconstitutionally in dealing with this. Paul Givan, the

committee chair, read out in part his letter and did not sound very

impressed by the argument. I was somewhat taken aback by the

correspondence from the Lord Chief Justice and the tone of the letter.

I don't believe it is helpful. It is not conducive to the type of

relationship we have been seeking to build with the Lord Chief Justice

and I believe it is an attempt to frustrate the workings of this

committee. He is clearly not happy but what happens next? The committee

will get legal advice to check if it is within its powers. What will be

crucial maybe the timeline. The appointment happened in 2009 which

was before the devolution of justice in 2010 and I think that is one

reason why do Lord Chief Justice feels they are acting outside the

remit. They may argue that because the looking at implications for

future policy they can delve into this matter.

The weeks of persistent rain have resulted in flooding in County

Fermanagh. The Derrychara link road in Enniskillen was closed today,

although some drivers ignored the warning signs. Water approached a

number of business units, and pumps have been brought in to help ease

the situation. Water levels in Lough Erne are currently about two feet or

60cm below their peak in 2009, when severe flooding resulted in

widespread disruption to businesses and the road network.

Traders in Strabane say a proposed ?50 million development on the site

of the former army checkpoint at the Camel's Hump could have a

devastating impact on town centre businesses. The developer of the

massive project claims it'll create around 1000 jobs and help Strabane

overcome its unemployment black spot image. Here's our North-West

reporter, Keiron Tourish. It is an impressive sight as you cross the

Tyrone Donegal border and if one developer has his way in this area

will be transformed as well in the next few years. The developer says

the project represents an investment of ?15 million and could create 1000

jobs within three years of being up and running. The scheme includes a

learning and employment Park with back office jobs, a 90 bedroom hotel

and entertainment complex, but one element of the project is provoking

controversy, the plan to build a 60,000 square feet supermarket on

the edge of town. The new store would compete with a similar sized

Asda which opens nearby in July 2007. Some Strabane traders believe

that had a serious effect on the town centre. It would be this market

aspect. We don't have any problem with the other aspects, we think it

would be fantastic, but look around the town, shutters down and

businesses closing. We don't know if the town could take something so far

out of the town. The developer believes it could breathe new life

into the area. It includes plans for a promenade and cross-border bridge.

This is a strategy to tackle underinvestment in Strabane and we

have explained that they is one of this is at the border, phase two

will involve regeneration of the town centre. One independent

businesswoman welcome new investment but stressed the balance must be

right. I am passionate about my business. I love being an

independent retailer but you wonder why it is a constant fight to keep

your business turning and trying to bring people into the centre of

town, and you are thinking about local councils and ministers who are

not seeing what is happening on the ground. Shoppers had mixed views on

the project. Any investment is good for Strabane. There is little work

here. I think it would take a lot away from the main town. Good idea

or bad? Bad. It is down to planners to decide if the ambitious scheme

will benefit the area. Still to come on the programme

before seven: Don't be fooled by the soft furnishings. This is a school

and these rooms have been set up to help children who are having

difficulties. A New York-based software firm which

allows iPads to be used as cash registers is to create 35 jobs in

Belfast. ShopKeep POS is making the city its European headquarters. With

the details, here's our economics and business editor John Campbell.

Get started in no time, train your staff in minutes. Around 10,000 shop

owners and cafe owners use this device in the US and Canada. It is

built as an alternative to cash registers. The Enterprise Minister

was getting to grips with it today. The company is planning to expand

into Europe and is hiring software developers here. More jobs could

follow, so why Belfast? I came to Belfast back in October and it took

me about 24 hours to totally fall in love with this town. The people, the

great work ethic, the hard-working people and great engineering talent,

and it's just a great, cosy little town. I just thought it was a

perfect opportunity for us. Belfast now has a range of large and small

technology businesses and some in the sector say there is a problem

with not enough skilled people to fill jobs. The minister says that is

being tackled. I am working with my ministerial colleague in employment

and learning to make sure we do not just have IT skills but abrogate IT

skills, and we set up a software testing Academy to make sure we have

those skills and we are always engaging with the industry. Better

paying jobs like these are key to our long-term economic growth. The

challenge is to create more of them. It's a place none of us wants to end

up, but for victims and witnesses who find themselves in the courts

system, it can be a frustrating and upsetting experience. Changes are

being made to make it more efficient and easier for those who have to

give evidence. Our reporter Conor Macauley has been looking at

problems in the system. His report begins with the voice of a mother

whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver. I wanted to be there at

every court appearance. I made that clear. I felt I needed to do that to

enable me to realise that I had justice for my daughter. Denise

McCauley's daughter was killed by a drunken driver in 2011. She had been

in the car on a night out when he crashed. Even with a guilty plea

from the start, the case took a year to conclude. Lack of information and

a sense her family were a bit players in the process left in these

disillusioned. It is just a matter of fact to them and it is the same

as if it had been a dog killed in the road. It is the personal and

desensitised. Serious cases are tried in the Crown Court but much of

the preparatory work is done in Magistrates' Court. It can mean

checking things like parental resort -- like parental reports and making

sure it is prepared on time. It can mean short hearings were not much

happens but if you are a family member determined to come to every

hearing, you may find that frustrating. The knees's experience

is a tough one for the Public Prosecution Service do here. This

man is the victim 's' champion and hopes to ruled a service which will

see a defeated case officer for families all the way from charge to

conviction. He accepts reform is needed. When it gets to Crown Court

there is more focus on the victim and witness, staff who have the time

and make an effort to explain to the witness what is happening. In the

past we perhaps could have offered a better service to witnesses as cases

go through the Magistrates' Court. That attempt to give a better

service is behind a new justice Bill which aims to clear path of the

bottlenecks. Cases go through a preliminary inquiry, essentially a

mini trial in the Magistrates' Court to test evidence and decide if a

case should go to trial. This Justice Bill would see that process

abolished for serious cases. Virtually no case is ever dismissed

at that stage and yet it requires court time, bringing defendants from

jail, witnesses and cross-examination and has proven to

be of no great value in England and Wales and we need to see about

abolishing it here completely. No one wants to end up in the criminal

justice system but it is hoped if you do the changes will mean a

simpler and more apathetic experience. -- more empathetic

experience. If you've had a similar experience,

you can let us know by visiting our Facebook site.

The funeral has taken place in Newry of Paul Lambert, who was killed in a

suspected hit and run in San Francisco last week. Hundreds of

people attended the requiem mass at the Church of the Assumption in

Drumalane. It's the second tragedy for the family in the last year. His

cousin Kevin Bell died in a suspected hit and run incident in

New York in June. A number of people, including three

police officers, have been treated for the effects of breathing in

smoke after a suspected arson attack on a flat in Antrim. The fire at

Tiger Court broke out shortly before 1:30am this morning. No-one was in

the property at the time. Two men aged 18 and 22 have been arrested.

It will cost almost ?1.4 million to repair roads damaged in the recent

storms. The largest single bill is ?382,000 to repair the sea wall on

the Rostrevor Road near Warrenpoint. Part of the wall and the road

collapsed into the sea last week. Extra help is to be given to young

pupils who are falling behind in their schooling. Nurturing units

will help almost 500 primary school pupils. They provide extra attention

and comfort for children, and as our education correspondent Maggie

Taggart reports, it's helping them do better in class. On normal days

there are six schoolchildren in these three rooms, chosen by the

teachers that fully backed by the parents. They call it the sunshine

room and children can spend up to four terms here. As those schools

come under the education Department, the idea was started by the

Department for Social Development. Now another 20 units have been

opened, 11 of them in Belfast. So many different children can be in

the sunshine room, from a child who has difficulty maintaining or making

friendships, a child who just needs a boost in their self-confidence,

reach out to was resenting with challenging behaviours. They have

comfortable sofas and a kitchen so they can learn to chat and express

themselves. Some have quiet rooms with aromatherapy and soft lighting

to soothe and inspire. They are more willing to contribute to class

discussions and we see this as a huge benefit, especially to children

with low self-esteem and self-confidence and we are seeing

them thrive. They now want to learn and contribute. The two assembly

ministers are opposed politically and agree this is a good way to

spend ?3 million. When I met that teachers and children and talk to

them, I saw the difference it was making to giving those children a

good start early in life. If we changed young people's lives it is

value for money, improving the environment is value for money and

if we are improving family life it is value for money, and all those

indicators have been ticked. Schools are hoping the funding will continue

to pay for the extra teacher and classing assistant every unit needs.

She's only been in the business of creating works of high art for the

past five years, but already Belfast-based Alison Lowry has been

making her mark in the world of glass design. The University Of

Ulster graduate is now preparing to leave Northern Ireland to take up an

artist in residency post at the biggest contemporary glass museum in

the world, the Corning Museum of Glass in New York State. Ita Dungan

has been looking at her work. The minute I started working with glass,

the penny dropped. Alison Lowry founder calling late. I graduated in

2009. I was a mature student, I started late, and even now I am not

a full-time artist because I am also a mother and that takes up a vast

proportion of my time. Inspired by antique Irish textiles, she wove her

family life into her art. When I graduated I had just had my first

two children, so this christening robe had been in my family for over

100 years. It described a family tree of store and around this time

the first wearer of the robe died so it began to encompass fragility and

the delicacy in between birth and death. A stint at the Corning Museum

of Glass she hopes adds another dimension to her work. This

residency will allow me to get back in touch with my practice, what

fired me to make the robe and these big pieces, so I think that means I

am producing more work which has a value, honesty and integrity to it.

And you can see more of Alison's work on The Arts Show tonight on BBC

Two at 10pm. Now sport, and news of yet another

famous giant-killing victory by Ireland's cricket team. Gavin.

Ireland's cricketers recorded an impressive win in their first

Twenty20 international against the current world champions, the West

Indies. Yes, The match wasn't televised, but we

did unearth some footage from Jamaica. Apologies for the quality.

Playing at Sabina Park in Kingston, Ireland restricted their hosts to

116-8. Ed Joyce then starred in the reply. He hit 40 runs as Ireland won

at a canter by six wickets. They will play the Windies again

tomorrow, looking for a bit of history with a first-ever series win

against a top tier cricketing nation.

Rugby, and Ireland coach Joe Schmidt has named the same starting team

which defeated Wales just under two weeks ago for Saturday's clash with

England. And a fully recovered Brian O'Driscoll will set a new record at

Twickenham, as Thomas Niblock reports. A titanic force in Irish

rugby, it would take more than a tummy bug for Brad O'Driscoll to

miss Ireland against England, especially when he will equalled the

world record of 139 test appearances. 15 years in the green

shirt, 46 tries, for crippled crowns and Ireland's longest serving

captain, his contribution to Ireland continues to defy logic. The last

almost four years, he has been a special character. He cannot be that

there he is without being that person he is and he has developed

into the ultimate professional, he looks after himself well on his

leadership is often unspoken. It is what he does and I think that is the

most powerful way to influence people and the most powerful way to

influence our opponents. Victory over Europe will secure a triple

Crown on Saturday, playing at Twickenham a bonus. There is

something special about playing at England or you are, and this year

makes it special with our performances in the last couple of

weeks. We have a bit of momentum and are moving in the right direction

and this is our biggest challenge so far. We just need to take it to the

next level. A first triple Crown in five years would certainly be just

that. Tyrone lifted the first silverware

of the GAA season last night, defeating Cavan by seven points in

the rearranged Power NI McKenna Cup final. It was the third consecutive

victory in the competition for Mickey Harte's side. Thomas Kane

reports. An indication of Tyrone's strength and depth was that their

starting line-up was early recognisable from the side which

defeated Mayo in their last encounter. The side struggled to

cope with the scoring threat of Eugene Keating and Martin Dunn. But

the game changed seconds before the half-time whistle, as Plunkett

Kane's goal left the sides level. In the second period, playing with a

strong wind, Tyrone took control. This last number of years, people

into road expect to win things so is those of us working with the team

expect to deliver things on the players expect to win and that is

where the most pressure comes from, the players as a squad and on the

field and I would rather there was an expectancy there to win things.

Cavan's cause was not helped after they were reduced to 14 men after

the dismissal of defender Killian Brady. There have been some

fantastic bowlers who haven't got a lot of gametime and the team gets

rotated, so to come away with the cup proves we have the quality to

compete at the top table. Tyrone's season will be assessed in September

rather than fabric, but so far so good for Mickey Harte's side.

Golf, and at the WGC World Matchplay in Arizona, both Graeme McDowell and

Rory McIlroy got off to winning starts. Rory comfortably overcame

American Boo Weekley despite a trip to the desert on the fifteenth. He

came out of it a little better than this spectator, who took cover

against a cactus. And McDowell produced the comeback of the day

against Gary Woodland. He was three down with three to play, and forced

the match to extra holes, where this approach on the 19th set up a birdie

to win. I managed to make a couple of good swings coming in and he made

a mistake on 18. The first bit of momentum I had had all days, so I

had to hang tough out there and that is what I like about this event, you

put yourself under pressure and see where you are and I take a lot of

positives away, especially from the match today.

Finally, Coleraine skater Jenna McCorkell finished just one place

outside the top 24 qualifiers for tomorrow's free skating programme in

Sochi. She is on the way home. That is the sport.

Now let's get the weather. Earlier we saw the pictures and heard about

flooding in Fermanagh and the Met Office have today released figures

to say Northern Ireland is not too far away from having its wettest

winter on record. We will keep you up to date. There is still a week to

go and more rain forecast. Tonight that rain will fall as showers,

working their way in from the west. They will be more frequent across

western areas tonight but because of the wind some will blow to the east

and because the air is colder there could be snow on mountains by

tomorrow, the Sperrins and maybe the mourns. In between temperatures

could get low enough for ice, will be not widespread but something to

be aware of. This job is continued tomorrow and that will be quite cold

with gusty winds, so temperatures may stay around four degrees at 8am

but over the hills it will be lower and there could be sleet and snow.

For most people it will be rain at low-level 's so a lot of surface

water on the roads. As the day goes on, more showers come in, more

showers than sunshine. Some showers could have hail and thunder, seven

or eight degrees the temperature when the sun shines but with showers

it could drop to four, so feeling colder than we are used to but there

are some early signs of spring, the snowdrops here and even some

daffodils have been spotted, so that is encouraging. For the weekend, you

may wonder if you will get a chance to get out, but the next weather

system coming towards us will bring warmer air but also a lot of wet

hair with some strong winds at times. It won't rain all weekend. To

be given with on Saturday there will be dry weather, cloud and rain

pushing in and on Saturday the rain will become heavy with gusty winds,

so Sunday will start wet with gusts up to 60 mph. It will improve in the

afternoon, so Sunday afternoon and Sunday morning best bits of the

weekend. -- and Saturday morning. Our late summary is at 10.25.

We've got to get in the car. NINA SIGHS