07/05/2014 BBC Newsline

building society. That's all from the BBC News at Six, so it's goodbye

from me, and Hello, this is BBC Newsline.

Tonight's top story. The latest on the letters given to the On the Run,

a senior police officer reveals 95 are linked to almost 300 murders.

Concern about what the sale of firm could mean for its workers in

Kilkeel. Why the poppy is at the centre of controversy at Queens.

Giroud fever is catching as Coleraine holds its cycle races

tonight. The children are raring to go but with the road closures there

will be a lot of disruption, join me later. Also to come.

Ever wondered how creatures like these get on your screens? The

latest in our series on the film industry.

There is a lot of work involved in it but it is fun, and exciting to be

able to, to put something there that wasn't there before.

And keep the raincoat handy as the wet weather continues to come our

way. 95 Republicans who received

so-called On the Runs letters were linked to nearly 300 murders, the

revelation was made at a meeting of the Northern Ireland Affairs

Committee at Westminster today. The Chief Constable stressed that did

not mean they are guilty, and said they could still be prosecuted if

new evidence emerges, or they were sent a letter by mistake.

Our Home Affairs correspondent reports.

The focus of this debate has until now been the number of Republican

sent letters telling them they weren't wanted by the police.

Today, details of the number of their potential victims were --

revealedment giving evidence today, the officer who leads the PSNI

serious crime branch was asked if any of those September letters would

have been considered to be notorious. When you look through all

of these, the full 228 names, there are people in that who are in your

terms notorious, not without a doubt. 95 of these individuals are

linked in some way or other to 200 murder investigations. So, but that

link may only be intelligence. That drew this response. I must say, it

breaks my heart today, as a citizen of Northern Ireland, as a citizen of

the United Kingdom to know that 95 people are holding letters that

excuse them for the murder of 200 people. But the Chief Constable was

at pains to stress that did not mean there was evidence to prove those 95

individuals were guilty of murder. I wouldn't say you can say it

cleared people of murder, that is an extreme statement. We need to work

through this. Mr Harris said they were linked. It doesn't mean there

is evidence there, they could have gone through a proper review process

and there may not be reasonable ground to arrest. The PSNI later

issues a statement to clarify the position. It said the 95 individuals

had been linked to incidents involving 295 murders.

It was also revealed five of those sent letters are being

reinvestigated because of new evidence provided by the Historical

Inquiries team. The police were asked if those letters will now be

-- now be annulled. That is not clear. We have to go through a

process and we haven't presented those files to the PPS and it would

be for the PPS to take a view on the weight of the evidence against them,

and then to pursue that, the issue then of the status of their not

wanted letter. The PSNI is currently reexamining letters sent to 192

Republican, telling them they were not wanted. To save mistake -- see

if mistakes were made and if there is evidence to change that position.

The Chief Constable said letters would not prevent prosecutions if

new evidence emerges. If we have new evidence or opportunities we will

take, some degree the letter is, is irrelevant because we are pursuing

an investigation. I have heard nothing and seen nothing that says

these are immunities or amnesties. A team of 19 detectives is reviewing

the case, it is expected to take round three years.

A 56-year-old man arrested earlier today, in connection with the

abduction and murder of Jean McConville in 1972 has been

released. A report has been sent to the Public Prosecution Service. This

lunchtime her family released doves, they also planted a tree in her

memory at the Wave Trauma Centre, on what would have been her 80th

birthday. I think the tree is a good way of

representing my granny, it will nower in the month of May when it

was her birthday and I will be something that will be there, just

like my granny, her memory will be with all of us, so the tree

represents that in a good way. A US aerospace firm which is one of

the biggest employ years is up for sale. B/E Aerospace employs more

than 800 people at its Kilkeel factory. It has hired an investment

bank to advice it on a sale or merger. Our economics editor reports

from Kilkeel. If you are lucky enough to fly first

class there is a chance your seat was made here, at the factory in

Kilkeel. The company's been here since 1993,

when it bought a local firm. It employs more than 800 people.

There are hundreds more jobs in the supply chain.

This operation is just one part of a $10 billion First Lady based in

Florida and the company has now effectively put up the for sale

sign. In a statement they said it hired an investment bank to explore

a possible sale or merger of the company. Alternatively there could

be the sale, spin-off or other separation of selected businesses.

The company is selling from a position of strength. 2013 was the

best ever year and its share price has been soaring. However, the

prospect of a change of ownership does cause uncertainty, often when

one company buys another the new owners will look to find ways to cut

costs. One local businessman says it is

vital to the economic life of this town. I call on all our politicians,

and all the relevant Government departments to make sure that this

firm doesn't go and these jobs stay in the area, because the South Down

area needs it and Northern Ireland needs it. It is not certain a deal

will even be done. So the workers here could face weeks, if not months

of uncertainty. The elderly woman who died following

a car crash in six mile cross in County Tyrone was Bridget Mullen,

she was 84 and from the area. Yesterday, another woman in her 80s

died in a crash in County Down. The collision involving a lorry and car

happened on down Patrick street. Her name has not been released.

This is BBC Newsline. Plenty still to come tonight.

I am in Coleraine where they are hoping the Giro will leave a lasting

legacy. Join me in a few minutes. Now, should the sale of poppies be

banned in the Student Union at Queen's University? That is an issue

being debated at the university's Student Council this evening.

For more than 90 years they have been used to remember soldiers who

died in war. But in the past, poppies have also divided the two

communities here. If this evening's vote is anything to go by, it is an

issue that is going to continue to divide people in the future. If the

In the propose motion was to be passed it wouldn't ban people from

wearing poppies anywhere, but it would Mina students couldn't

purchase one at the Student Union, where all the shops and bars are.

At Queens there is a permanent memorial outside the building to

remember those from the university who died in the two World Wars.

Most of the students I spoke to couldn't understand why selling

poppies in the union was an issue. I think that is a shame. I mean, you

see things, down in the republic, moving forward where by the Irish

Government are coming up to participate in Remembrance Day, and

that things might be taken a step backwards here, it is a shame to

see. It is not like the Student Union is telling you to wear it,

itle allowing you to buy it. It is wrong to take that away from people.

More young people are trying to move on from those issues so for one to

bring that up seems immature. The student who proposed the motion did

not want to be interviewed, in a statement he said it was not

designed to cause offence, but to make the union a neutral and safe

space. The republic's Justice Minister is

hat hat has resigned after criticism in a report about police

whistleblower, the announcement was made in the Dail. I am advising the

President to accept the resignation of Alan Shatter as a member of the

Government. I have accepted the resignation with regret, I would

like to thank him for the service to the Government and country. With

that announcement by the Taoiseach, there ended the career of an Irish

Government minister rarely far from controversy. Alan Shatter became a

government minister three years ago, in charge of justice and defence, an

important role within the coalition. Two bugging scandal, a row over

drivings' penalty point and failure to complete a breathalyser check

kept him in the headlines, he had been accused of intervening in a

tribunal. Today's resignation comes after receipt by the Government of a

report into allegations made by the police whistleblower sergeant marry

mechanic kad. A report critical of his Justice Department.

The body was runs the odyssey has rejected a bid to buy part of the

entertainment complex, the Irish cinema operator Omniplex had made an

over to take over the Odyssey Pavilion. The trust has turned the

deal down, saying conditions attached to the deal were

unacceptable. Now, the Giro D'Italia cycle race

starts on Friday, with the professional riders hitting the

roads for three days of racing. Motorists will face disruption along

the route and in Belfast some schools will be closed. Coleraine is

holding its own cycle race and Donna is there.

Yes, the traffic here is disrupted but nothing like what we can expect

between Friday and Sunday as the Giro, you can hear the children's

race is just starting here. The traffic disruption between Friday

and Sunday as the Giro makes its way from Belfast, to the north coast,

along the Antrim coast and from Armagh to Dublin is going to be

substantial. There is a big welcome for the riders, but the vent is not

going to happen without some sort of annoyance. BBC Newsline Mark Simpson

reports on the knock on effect in Belfast. Right on the route of the

Giro. One of the largest schools in East Belfast.

And with road closures in place, mid-morning and late afternoon on

Friday, these pupils have a problem. Especially getting home from school.

The solution - most will be getting an unexpected day off We have

decided it is too much of a risk to ask em to come into school if they

are not sitting exams so the girls sitting a public exam will come in

on the day, we will provide breakfast, open up early. Here is a

look at the route. Titanic to Stormont. Back along the Newtownards

Road before weaving round the streets of South Belfast and ending

up at City Hall. All of these roads will be closed

from 9.30 to 12.30. And from 4. Pm to 8.30. Stay away from route as

enough as you can if you are not going to see the race. Pay attention

to the sign, look at the leaflet, understand where the race is going

to be and try and give it a wide berth. If you want the see the race,

make your plans early. Understand where you want to get to, understand

it will take time to get there. Leave plenty of time and use public

transport where you can or walk or ride your bike. Bear in mind that

you can't ride your bike on the route itself, which will be closed.

Preparations for the big race are now almost complete. There is, of

course, one thing you can't guarantee, and that is the weather.

Fortunately, organisers have ordered thousands of these. Official

waterproofs. Rain or no rain, the Tourist Board

are hoping to show off the best sites of Northern Ireland, with

their latest promotional video. The advice from the organisers is don't

try this at home, but make sure you come and see the big race, starting

on Friday. More details about those road

closures can be found on the official traffic website, that is:

the Giro will happen just along the coast from here but the whole area

is embracing the two wheel fever. We saw the children's race starting,

the adults race will start here in Coleraine, just later in about half

an hour or so, tomorrow, about 800 cyclists will be coming this way, as

part of an all Ireland endurance charity cycle as well.

Professional cycling, well, it may not be the most popular of sports

but maybe the Giro riders can change that. We have been meeting some of

them. These cycling superstars are used to

being the centre of media attention, the location, though, is a new

experience for me of them. It is a bit of an unknown fact-

factor. We are here nor the overall classification. It will be important

not to win the race but to not lose time and that is going to be

challenging. It is a building site behind the

hotel. I hear them shouting in English, I was like, no we, it is

Giro but we are in Ireland. Remember that, so it is, it is nice, I think

it is a great opportunity for Irish fans to see what the Giro is about.

I think the race is going to remember this weekend for many years

to come. I think the welcome already from people in the hotel, and round

town is incredible. It is really special.

The welcome will be fantastic, I hope we can break the Irishster row

type that it won't be raining It might start here but this remains an

Italian sporting festival, and a sense of great national pride there.

Having said that the Giro D'Italia is very much a worldwide event. It

will be broadcast in 174 country, with an estimated television

audience of almost 600 million. Over the next 48-hours this press room

will be backed packed with over 1,000 journalists. It is unique and

completely different. I don't know, I think the Giro d'Italia is one of

those, it is most of all passion. Having embraced pink, local fans

must show their passion for the biggest sporting event ever to come

here. They're certainly passionate in Coleraine, the children are

finishing their first lap of the race. Let's hear more about local

cycling. You have invited a lot of local club, but how popular is the

sport. Very popular. We're blessed, because we have the north coast to

Sibling around. It is massive here and we are the biggest club in the

area and it is going very well. It is all about getting kids and adults

out. It is a big deal for our club and the town, because we are looking

to raise awareness of cycle safety. It is not just about racing. Looking

at the professional cycling, for someone who doesn't know about it,

it seems with the Tour de-France and the drug scandals, it has been

tarnished. How do you see it? I think we have moved on from that.

The Lance Armstrong scandal is in everyone's minds, but there is

passports and the drug tests are, they are tested all the time. Even

if you wanted to do it, I don't know how you could get away wit. But

local is different. Richard, there is a push here for more cycling. How

safe are you on the road when you go out? I think in Northern Ireland,

people respect cyclists on the road and there are so many cyclists there

is almost a respect for them and people give them space. So sing

generally in Northern Ireland -- so I think generally with the lack of

traffic... Don't we need more cycle lanes. I think there should be a

great deal of investment in cycle lanes on the roads and in the

mountain bike trails. There is great benefit from that, health and

economic, and the legacy of the Giro d'Italia will be significant. This

is your first in having this race tonight, do you see it continuing?

Yes. Just as the Olympics have a legacy and the Irish Open, this

event the Giro d'Italia is as significant for the future. Thank

you. Tomorrow, at 6. 30 I will be at the opening ceremony of the Giro

d'Italia in Belfast. Join us for that. Now back to the studio. When

we see magical things appearing on television and cinema screens, we're

all pretty sophisticated viewers now... We know that monsters are not

really stalking the streets. But how's it done? Well, a Belfast

company has plunged into the industry and from very humble

beginnings is now part of the UK company which worked on blockbusters

like Captain Phillips, KickAss 2 and the Prince of Persia. Our arts

correspondent Maggie Taggart reports. The visual effects business

is in it is infancy in Northern Ireland, although the movie and

television industry is flurishing -- flourishing the post production work

is often sent elsewhere. An artist turned to Belfast and decided to set

up her own studio. It is difficult when you have no track record, but

we have some passionate artists here, but we didn't have a show reel

to say we can do this. When we filmed Gillian Anderson on a movie

called Robot Overlords, the robots were imaginary, now they're being

added. It is work which takes days for a few seconds on screen. This is

for Robot Overlords. The client has requested more people in the

background. So they have shot other extras on blue screen and we have

received that footage and we can take those people and put them into

the new shot. And this is what the actual final version is. Michael

worked as a printer but was made redundant, now his hobby has become

his job. The company has been relaunched as Nvizible Belfast. They

have worked on many stories such as Grabbers, the horrific sea monsters

were added after the actors filmed their scenes. The company now has a

staff of 60 with trainers coming to Belfast to teach new skills. Belfast

is becoming an exciting place with game of thrones and Dracula. We

noticed there wasn't a visual effects presence. We thought it was

a great opportunity and it is within the UK. So it is a big part for our

clients to take the tax break. All the staff here were recruited after

a two week intensive course here at the University of Ulster. We will

feature their efforts tomorrow. The Ulster Unionist Party says the

Stormont Executive has demonstrated an embarrassing lack of ambition

when it comes to drawing down EU funding. The party launched its

European and local government election manifesto in Co Fermanagh.

Here's our South West reporter Julian Fowler. The Ulster unionist

election wagon rolled into Enniskillen. Their candidate has led

the way in securing peace funding they say. The U. P said it is time

to renegotiate the relationship with the EU and supports a referendum. It

says significant EU funding is needed to create a single shared

education system and in the council elections it calls for flexibility

in rates for businesses in difficulty. The party leader says

the eleven council model for local government makes no sense. The logic

which says going from 26 to eleven will not apply. And people will not

save money. There are questions of local identify and come out of

Stormont and turn left and you're in his burn. That makes no sense unless

you see it as the DUP and Sinn Fein carving up the Northern Ireland. He

is said not cop certained at -- concerned at the number of

candidates, but that people turn out and vote. The TUV leader Jim

Allister says the European and Local Government elections are a roll call

for those who disagree with constant pandering to Sinn Fein. Launching

his party's manifesto he said the poll was timely. And he claimed his

party's message was resonating very well with the electorate. But he

denied claims by the DUP leader Peter Robinson that the pro-union

vote was being shredded - saying all shades of unionist opinion was

represented, which meant the vote would be maximised. On Europe, Mr

Allister claimed the European Union could not be reformed and that the

UK would be better off leaving. He also claimed votes for his party

would be taken as a barometer of Unionist discontent. I'm in the

business of fight fog win. It -- fighting to win. It is over to

people what they want to do. If they want to create the political

earthquake to shake things up then vote TUV. I'm finding a real

appetite for shaking things up and I think we will do well. But that is

in the hands of people. Now time for the weather. Good evening, those

stylish Giro upon poncho ises, I think we will need them. It is still

quite blustery, but the winds will ease and if you can get out. Later

tonight patchy rain in the south will edge northwards. Temperatures

around five degrees in rural spots. Tomorrow, the rain is back.

Initially it may be quite patchy and there may be some dry gaps. But they

will not be to be defended on -- depended on. If it is dry when you

leave home, the rain won't be too far away. It will be wet on the

roads with puddles and large areas of water. The winds will be strong

and temperatures around 10 degrees. That wet weather and cloudy skies

continues through the rest of the morning. The rain will become

persistent around lunchtime and into the'vy afternoon. But it should ease

away. During the latter part of day, there will be some brightness. Still

some showers, but some dry spells and we should 14 degrees in the

sunshine. Tomorrow, there will be some heavy showers and thunder

storms. They will continue into Friday morning. So to cheer us up we

are keeping the pink Giro theme. It is good to know the pink day is

waterproof. At least these sheep doesn't seem to be any streaks after

today's rain. Friday starting off wet and showery. But the showers

will ease and many places dry by Friday evening. That should include

Belfast for the important time trials. But low pressure is sitting

over us on Saturday. So Saturday will bring wet weather and some

strong winds on Sunday. Our late summary is at 10.25. You can also

keep in contact with us via Facebook and Twitter. From BBC Newsline

goodnight.