23/07/2014 BBC Newsline

showers and it will be notably fresher with temperatures not as

Good evening, the headlines on BBC Newsline...

Condemnation after a man is shot "by appointment" in Londonderry.

Calls for Nelson McAusland to quit after he's found to have misled

It looks like everyone is here tonight on the North Coast!

A world champion will lead out the NI team at the Commonwealth

And we've done it again - today is now the hottest day of the

year so far, but it could be even warmer tomorrow, so don't miss the

A man who was shot in both legs in Londonderry last night was

"shot by appointment", that's according to the DUP.

The attack was carried out in a play park in the mainly loyalist Lincoln

The Police have described it as horrific and barbaric

Here's our North-West reporter, Keiron Tourish.

The horror of the play park shooting - specialist

cleaners from the DoE had to be brought in to remove blood from

the streets of this housing estate in the Waterside area of the city.

Most of the footage is too graphic to be broadcast.

A 32-year-old man was targeted here at half past eleven last night.

He was shot in both legs only a few feet from

It's understood he made his way from the scene back to his home

a short distance away, a scene which shocked local residents.

It is terrible. I thought these things were over. That is a shock.

You like to think you're living in a safe area and you do not want any

things like that. The DUP say the man who was shot was

told to turn up here in advance so this punishment style attack

could be carried out. The party says there can be

no justification for it. It is totally disgusting that this

happened in a playpark. This area has been relatively quiet over the

last year, as have a lot of loyalist areas. I am surprised and shocked

that this has happened. But to happen in a playpark where you have

children playing, any child coming up here, there is a trail of blood.

It is down into the residential area. I think it is crazy and the

people who did this need a good look at themselves.

The Police say they've interviewed the victim in hospital where he's

Detectives are keeping an open mind as to the motive for the attack.

It is a horrific attack. A beautiful evening last night and this man was

shot in each leg. He is seriously injured. Thankfully he is getting

medical treatment. It was barbaric. It sends out all the wrong signals.

It has brought great injury to the victim. It is important we track

down those responsible and bring them to justice. Police have issued

an appeal for information. They want to hear from anyone who noticed any

suspicious activity or who witnessed the shooting to get in touch.

There've been calls for the resignation of a

DUP Minister after a Stormont committee found he'd misled it.

Only the members of Nelsons McCausland's own party disagreed

with the verdict of the majority of MLAs on the Social Development

Committee who are carrying out an inquiry into allegations of

political interference in the running of the Housing Executive. Mr

McCausland denies he misled the committee and has described

Here's our political correspondent Gareth Gordon.

The inquiry was launched after this BBC Spotlight programme alleged

political interference in the running of the Housing Executive.

The first issue it considered was a meeting the minister held

in April 2012 to discuss double glazing contracts.

He claimed it was with a body called the Glass and Glazing Federation,

In fact it was with a company called Turkington's which has in

In light of the witness evidence given to date and the recent

document discovery exercise within my department, I'm acknowledge I

inadvertently and unintentionally misinformed the committee in this

letter. Let me ask you you that this was not in anyway deliberate. I

never sought to hide that staff from Turkington's were there on 16th

April. I simply believe they were representing the federation.

But a majority of the committee found that determined efforts that

the Minister and his Special Adviser made to remove Turkington's

from the record were neither unintentional nor inadvertent.

This is the only jurisdiction in western democracy where a minister

would face such charges and still remain in office. His own party

should take action and tickets quickly and effectively. It is a

serious conclusion the committee has reached and there clearly are

serious questions needing to be addressed by those who have been

named in this report. This DUP committee member claims

the inquiry is a witch hunt. I do not believe that he has done

anything wrong other than hold meetings with a company which, as a

result of those meetings, he has saved millions of pounds for the

public purse which means there is more money to spend on other things

in housing. That is not a minister who is neglecting his duty, he is

doing his duty. It's emerged that earlier this

month, Mr McCausland wrote to the committee claiming the report

is fundamentally flawed and weak in its analysis and statement of

the facts and therefore should not The majority

of committee members also expressed "deep concern about the inaction of

senior civil servants" to robustly challenge the Minister

when they "knew he was factually incorrect in his statements to

the Assembly and the Committee.? But the DSD's Permanent Secretary,

Will Haire, wrote to them saying officials felt the need to put

on record their "disagreement" with the report's views "in relation

to the role of civil servants." Nelson McCausland was not giving any

interviews today. The inquiry is far from over. It begins in September

and this report will be evaded in the Assembly. -- debated.

In fact the committee intends to double

the number of evidence sessions in the autumn from one to two a week.

Still to come... It has been so busy here on the

north coast there will be big traffic jams and big queues for ice

cream. The jury has retired to consider

its verdict in the case of John Brown, the brother

of Eurovision winner and former The 60-year-old from Bracknell is

accused of five counts of indecent assault against two girls aged as

young as five and ten in the 1970s. It's been alleged during the trial

that his sister Dana helped to keep the alleged attacks secret for more

than 30 years - something she denied The jury has been told by

the judge to be "coolly analytical" The Northern Ireland Executive is

coming under pressure to make up a shortfall

in funding to turn Armagh's historic It comes after the private developer

involved in the project said he was Here's our business

correspondent Julian O'Neill. The jail's conversion into a hotel

and housing will cost ?25 million. But its owner, Armagh Council, is

fearful the project could be lost. It is hugely disappointed

its private development partner may withdraw his 11 million

because Stormont departments will One MLA believes they want to

be cautious with public money. It will be disappointing for the

developer to walk away but the reality is there have been questions

over the business case over the last number of months. If the business

case stacks up, I do not see any reason as to why people can't

support that. The developer wants a pledge

of an extra ?4 million by September and after seven years work neither

he nor Armagh wishes to go back to Scaling back on the project's cost

is not considered a preferable option. The city council feels

reducing the capital will reduce the regeneration potential of this

project. By regeneration, the council does

not just mean jobs in a hotel, And investment like this should be

very welcome and government, I think, should do all in its power to

secure that development. The contribution being asked of the

public purse in relative terms is quite small.

The council has written to the Office of the First and Deputy

It has not given up, but is now pinning its hopes

Staying with the economy and a major regeneration project in Strabane has

been given the go-ahead by the Environment Minister Mark H Durkan.

The Three Rivers project will involve developing a 50 acre site

It will include a hotel, business park and wildlife centre.

The developers claim it could eventually create work

But some retailers say the inclusion of a supermarket in

the plan could have a devastating impact on the town centre.

Our Economics and Business Editor John Campbell is here.

The potential of 1000 jobs on a 50 acre site is quite substantial? This

is probably the biggest regeneration scheme Strabane has seen in a

generation. The developers say that all told, they look to spend about

?50 million and include a hotel, a supermarket, leisure facilities, a

sports centre and wider environmental improvement of the

area. They say it is not just about Strabane but that it will bring

benefits to the whole area. Retailers are not happy, why?

Originally this scheme did not contain a retail element then in

2012, there was a new planning application which included a

supermarket. Retailers and the chamber of commerce say they are for

anything which improves Strabane but put a new supermarket on the

outskirts of the town and it will make things impossible for retailers

in the town centre. They say it is tough enough to make a living as a

retailer in Strabane, and if they have to compete with an out-of-town

centre it will be impossible. They say that the Planning Minister and

the Environment Minister, Mark H Durkan, came up with the policy

called Town Centres First a few months ago and it is all about

retail in town centres. He is riding roughshod over his own policy. What

has the Minister said in response to the concerns? The minister says he

has never said never, he has just said town centres first. He has to

take a broader view of the economic impact of any application. He says

when you look at a town like Strabane and its problems, he will

not apologise for making the decision the development to go

ahead. We all know that Strabane is an area of high deprivation and one

that needs any boost it can get. Strabane does not get that many

chances and I am certainly happy to approve this project to give it the

chance. What will happen next with the project? It will be down to the

developers to a pointy contractors. You could also possibly see the

retailers rang to challenge the decision in the courts. -- trying to

challenge. It's been blue skies pretty much

across Northern Ireland today. Yesterday we'd the hottest day of

the year so far with temperatures That was recorded at the Giant's

Causeway on the north coast. And that's where BBC Newsline Mark

Simpson headed off to this morning. We are looking at another good few

days. I can see you have plenty of sun cream. Did we reach a record

high? I have never seen anything like it,

particularly here in Portstewart when I arrived at around ten o'clock

this morning it was already a sweltering 24 degrees. Have a look

at what it is like here tonight. People are enjoying themselves.

There are three words to describe it had a - hot, hot, hot. It is not

spin, it is not Portugal. It's not Brazil, its Northern Ireland.

Visitors who came here expecting rain rather than sunshine could not

quite believe it. I love it, it is really nice. It is like this all the

time. Know it is not! This is the first time it has been sunny. The

weather in Cyprus is normally 13 degrees but it is nice here. It is

cooler? Yes. In Cyprus you're used to high temperatures that this is

Portstewart. When the weather is good people, I'd earlier and stay

later and everybody is in better form. It helps the ice cream sales.

It is good for everybody. I love it but it is too hot for working. I am

going on holiday on Saturday so I can sunbathe then! It was so hard,

no wonder so many people came to Portrush to try to cool down. Even

the water is pretty warm - it is not often you can say that about the

north coast. And when the weather is so good it is only right to make a

song and dance. And here, fresh from Britain's Got Talent, and Irish

dancing group. Across Northern Ireland, the sun was shining. It has

been a relatively good summer so far, but nothing quite like this.

The longer the day went on, the hotter it got. It brought back

memories of last year's heatwave. And it looks like it is not going to

be a one-day wonder, with more sunshine to come this week from

morning to evening, from east to west, and from coast-to-coast. As

always, the good weather has taken a lot of people by surprise and

talking to the hotels around here and the B owners, they say they do

have some availability left for the rest of the week. As we know, the

weather for the rest of the week is supposed to be very good, maybe even

hotter than today. If I don't turn up for work tomorrow, you will know

where I am. Join me in Glasgow as we assess

the medal chances of Team NI as the An historic mill in County Antrim

has been badly damaged in a fire The 100-year-old former woollen mill

in Crumlin sustained extensive internal damage in the blaze

on Saturday. Police said three men were seen

running away shortly Although, the mill has lain unused

for several years, it's been They ceased trading in 1968. It is

an historic landmark in the area, especially the chimney, which

reflects how the town would appear in lots of postcards and things like

that. As the protest

against fracking continues outside A youth conference in Enniskillen

has been debating A gas exploration company wants to

begin drilling near Belcoo next month to collect rock samples -

part of the process that could lead Our south west reporter

Julian Fowler has been hearing Whatever happens at this site could

affect generations to come. The gas exploration company promises jobs,

investment and a secure energy supply. People living in the

community free of the impact on the environment and their health. As

work continues to secure the quarry, where a whole is set to be

drilled to collect rock samples, ten miles away in Enniskillen young

people joined the debate. I am not convinced that the big scary

headlines are fact. Members of the Northern Ireland Youth Forum have

strong opinions on both sides of the argument. I have support for it as

long as is supported properly. We are looking at economic issues which

could come as a result of fracking. It is one of the ways we could step

forward. I am and Ty fracking. The devastation that will be left behind

will not be paid for. They will take all the profits. We won't even see

any of the gas. It will just be exported for profitability. Jobs, I

say, what jobs? Some may have had their minds made up but others were

swayed by what they heard from their peers. You think that in ten or 15

years, we will have to do with the consequences. I think it is

important that they are the ones to discuss the issue now. Even night

with the recent events, you can see the conflict in the room. Whether

fracking goes ahead or not will affect not just the people in this

room but everyone. The debate will continue.

Excitement's building in Glasgow with just a few hours to go

before the Opening Ceremony of the twentieth Commonwealth Games

Do we have any idea what we can expect tonight?

Very little. The opening ceremony takes place this evening at the

Celtic football ground. As you probably know, all of the details

are a closely guarded secret. Like all of the big opening ceremonies.

Singers Rod Stewart and Susan Boyle will be performing and our own world

cyclist world champion Martyn Irvine will be the flag bearer for Northern

Ireland. He won a bronze medal at the last Commonwealth Games in Delhi

and since then he has become a major name in cycling. Last year he struck

gold at the World Track Championships becoming the first

Irishman to do so and 117 years. He is a big medal contender here in

Glasgow. But there is disappointment today for another cyclist, Wendy

Houvenaghel. She has had to pull out of the Games with a back injury. She

has decided to retire from competitive cycling. She calls time

on a glittering career that saw her win multiple titles as well as

Commonwealth and Olympic silver medals. The action all starts

tomorrow and Northern Ireland have plenty of competitors to look out

for. Can we get off to a winning start?

The women's lawn bowls team hope to scale the heights tomorrow as they

start Northern Ireland's quest for silverware in Glasgow just hours

after the opening ceremony finishes. Across the city at the Strathclyde

Country Park, a Londonderry triathlete will find out if the long

hours training will pave the way for a medic. I know I can perform well

when I am at my best. It is just about that I do not feel pressure

from outside on having to do well. I just want to do the best I can do so

hopefully with the climate and proximity of home, and having home

support, I should really do well. Sticking with the water and we are

leading the charge in summing. At the Exhibition Centre, we are

bidding in the judo. Scotland is my second homes of this is a home games

for me. I have so much support there as well. I think it is even more

special. I just want to focus on my performance. I am feeling confident

and that I will perform well. If I do the results will take care of

themselves. For the first time ever, Northern Ireland will be represented

in the sport of netball at the Commonwealth Games. The lady says

Mullaly at the SECC. -- the lady 's face Mullaly.

The boxing competition is where Northern Ireland has traditionally

always done well at the Commonwealth Games.

Four years ago the team returned from Delhi with

five medals and, historically, our boxers have won more medals

Hopes are high here again, especially as we have top women

Women's boxing makes its Commonwealth Games debut in Glasgow

and Northern Ireland has two fighters determined to make their

mark. Michaela Walsh already has medals from European and World

Championships and is continuing a strong family tradition in the

sport. My brother boxes and my father is a coach. I asked if I

could try and he said it was not for girls. I kept torturing him and he

finally got me there and I have been in the sport ever since. And I am

not on the Commonwealth team. It is the best feeling in the world. -- I

am now on the Commonwealth team. Li-wen of -- Li-wen for Britain was

celebrated. She is the reason that women's boxing is where it is and

especially she is from Ireland, it gives us more confidence. We have

got the best pound for pound girls ranking in the world. There is no

better preparation and training alongside an athlete like Katie

Taylor. Four years ago the Northern Ireland squad topped the boxing

medals table with three gold and two silver. Michael Conlan lost in the

quarterfinals but is determined to make up for the disappointment. I

definitely think I am full of confidence. I am a lot stronger and

I have a four -- I am a far better fighter. I was only a kid then. I

did not have the mental strength for it. This time I am super-confident.

I am going to win gold. Paddy Barnes will defend his Commonwealth title

and the two-time Olympic bronze medallist is out to prove that age

is no barrier to success. I act like I am the youngest even though I am

the oldest. It is very young and very inexperienced, the team. But

the talent is there, there is no doubt about it. We discredit I do

our best. Boxing has produced medals for Northern Ireland and there is no

reason to think I it will be any different in Glasgow.

Andrew White today became Northern Ireland's most capped cricketer of

all time, 227 games not out. Quite a record. Cecilia can tell us what we

can expect from the weather. You are at Lee Dickson Park?

The hottest part of the day may have passed but it is still very warm

here. There is still quite a few people wandering between the roses.

It is a particularly good show this year. That is not my opinion, I

spoke to an expert earlier. The sunshine has brought out the blooms.

To keep the life of the Roses going they need some water at the roots.

It looks like that will come this weekend. How hot has it been? The

hotspot was Castlederg with 27.2 degrees. It is likely that tomorrow

will be hotter still. Many people have been cooling down on the north

coast, not just because Mark Simpson was there. Some people have been

taking a dip at Portstewart. If you fancy coming down to Grows Weak, it

continues to the end of the week. Warm sunshine coming over the next

couple of days. The shower will sprinkle over the roses and make

them look even nicer on Saturday. Getting warm. The temperatures were

not fall that much tonight. 15 or 16 degrees will be the low. Maybe the

odd shower, but most places dry. Tomorrow the headline is for more

hot sunshine. To begin with in the morning there may be some early

morning mist a County Down coast. That should bring back quickly.

There may also be ploughed in the West with one or two light showers.

-- there may also be applied in the West. We can expect lots of very

warm sunshine in the day. Temperatures will range from 20

degrees on the east coast with the breeze coming off the sea, 226, 27

or 28 over parts of Tyrone Londonderry. Those could set off

some thundery showers later in the day but there are more likely of

clinical. It is a good day for heading to the beach. As someone

else told me, only leave footprints behind. The weekend is bringing some

showers on Saturday and turning pressure.

Thank you very much. Make most of the good weather. That is it from

the BBC Newsline team. Good night and thanks for watching.