28/07/2014 BBC Newsline

Condemnation of an arson attack on a Sinn Fein office which caused

An inquest hears that the drug caused the death of 20 people here

is principally in Northern Ireland problem.

A row has broken out here after the May or called on shops to consider

not selling any goods from Israel. The Belfast motor show rolled into

here this weekend, I will find out why some have branded the weekend a

disaster. Day 5 of the Commonwealth games, and

a second medal for Northern Ireland. And normal summer weather has

returned, I'll be looking ahead An inquest has been told that a drug

which caused the death of a man and 19 other people here is principally

a Northern Ireland problem. Deaths have been linked to bill is called

Bean Rolex and speckled cherry. The drug and the mounting death

toll. 20 people have now died because of the drug like this. The

green Rolex. Connor was just one of them, just 20 years old. Today the

court heard more about the drug. The inquest was told that the drug

probably originated in the Netherlands and although it had been

seized in several other countries have had only caused deaths in

Northern Ireland and eight others in Hungary. A senior forensic scientist

said that the drugs are new and are often mistaken for ecstasy. She said

that potency of the drug can cause the body to overheat, organ failure

and death. Asked about the investigation into detective

inspector told the court that officers need help from the public

in catching those responsible for pushing these drugs. The coroner

said he hoped that the family would find comfort that this issue is now

on the mains of the Attorney General and other government departments. He

adds that the rising death toll was a matter of grave concern to him,

Northern Ireland society and the police. Mr Cochran's family were in

the court to hear the coroner recorded his death as poisoning by

drugs. A senior DUP politician has strongly

condemned the arson attack on Sinn Fein's main constituency office

in Londonderry. Gregory Campbell said it was

an attack on democracy and he linked Other political parties said there

can be no justification Sinn Fein said

the repair bill would run into thousands of pound but it would

not be deflected from its work. Here's our North-West reporter,

Keiron Tourish. The police say a window was broken

at the state of Sinn Fein's mean constituency office around half past

11 last night. Flammable liquid was poured inside before it was set

alight. The attack was captured on CCTV and appears to show at least

one headed man carrying out the attack. Damage to the press office

inside was expensive, although it was largely confined to one part of

the building. People came here with the general intention of doing

damage to our constituency office, people with an anti-Sinn Fein

agenda. Our message is very clear and simple, our constituency service

will continue. This is not the first time Sinn Fein offices have been

targeted like this, other political parties strongly condemned the

attack. The mayor of the city said there could be no justification. I

totally condemn the attack, it has caused an awful lot of damage to the

buildings. Around ?10,000 worth of damage to computers, and it does not

matter who or what it was or what you represent in this city, violence

and intimidation have no place here. I would condemn it. Given that it

has happened to other parties, our party, the Alliance party, not just

Sinn Fein, it could if it is not eliminated and people do not give

the police to secure convictions, it could end up in a worrying cycle of

violence. The police had issued an appeal for information, we want to

hear from anyone who noticed any suspicious activity in or around the

Sinn Fein offices at 11:30pm last night to get in touch.

Unionists have called on the Sinn Fein Mayor of Newry and Mourne

Council to resign after he wrote to traders asking them to consider not

He also asked them to provide a list of produce they stocked from Israel.

BBC Newsline's Mark Simpson reports from Newry.

Toys, nappies and clothes are being collected in the centre of new data

be sent to Gaza. This was once a Chinese restaurant, now it is a

collection point run by volunteers. The mere of newly is also active on

the issue, he has written to be tailored in the district -- in the

district including Marks Spencer. He wrote, I would request a list of

all product you stop from Israel or the occupied territories. He said it

was to provide customers with the ability to boycott Israeli products.

But he added that the letter is in no way intended to reduce trade in

your store. Unionist Sadie Meer had no right to send the letter. He must

come out and give a wholesome apology to the people of the

district and recognise that there is more than one opinion in this

district on the Middle East crisis. The fact that he has written to

significant employers in the district with this letter demanding

information on that kind of thing was a big mistake. I hope that the

retailers had it in the bin where it belongs. As for the man who wrote

the letter he said he has no regrets. None whatsoever. I

understand that some councillors believe that the letter was sent on

behalf of the Council, I thought it was clear that it was not. Some

councillors have expressed anger at the fact that they were associated

with that, if that is the case I apologise but I meant in no way to

associate any council about myself. But will you know is in no way to

associate any council about myself. But will you now rescind this

letter? Never, never, never. I have no intentions to rescind the letter.

The letter was sent out last week. So far the Meer has received one

reply. Still to come on the programme, all

aboard for a tour of the billion pound warship which has been twinned

with Belfast. It was supposed to be

the dream event for car-lovers, but the Belfast Motor Show over

the weekend has led many people to brand the event a 'disaster' and now

some are demanding a refund. The Belfast motor show, and has been

advertised for months and at the weekend thousands of motor

enthusiasts turned up to see ranks of muscle cars, sports cars and

vintage cars. According to a reasonable number of people who

attended that is not what they found. Pictures taken by visitors on

Saturday. There are cars but for some motor fans perhaps not enough

of them. And camera footage inside, a robot and lots and

of them. And camera footage inside, blue carpet. But for some, not many

actual cars. Andrew Smith took this Austin Allegro to the shore. If you

went to a regular classic car show that they run in village fete and

things like that you would see 200 cars. There was half that year.

There were some supercars but you could not get anywhere near them. We

made contact with the organisers of the Belfast motor show, they did not

want to appear on camera but they gave a statement saying that around

5000 people attended the event over the weekend and most of the people

who turned up seemed to be happy and think that the event was value for

money. The organisers also added that a small number of people were

unhappy and made comments on social media, the organisers say some of

those comments were abusive and threatening and that they were

reported to the police. Nearly 900 people have now liked

this Facebook page. The comments make difficult reading for the

organisers. One woman took her car to be sure. There were nails and

screws and pieces of metal and glass on the tarmac, evil are parking

their cars on top of it. It was ridiculous. She thinks people should

get refunds but not everyone felt cheated. I think it is unfair on the

organisers because there was a good range of displays, there was a good

range of activities there was a good range of activities therefore the

children. It was not a car show per se, but it was a new event, a

returning event, new organisers behind it. I think Belfast needs to

encourage and promote new event is coming to the area. Organisers say

they will take legal advice on giving out refunds, and they are

planning another, better motor show next year.

Anti-fracking protesters in Fermanagh have been reacting to

the government's announcement to open bidding for new shale gas

Companies applying to frack near National Parks, Areas of Outstanding

Natural Beauty and World Heritage Sites face tightened restrictions.

The government says I'm locking shale gas has the potential to

provide greater energy security, jobs and growth. One week ago this

man moved on the disc -- disused quarry and they want to drill to

take rock sandals. They say people have the right to know if the gas is

present. Outside the gates, people who fear this will lead to fracking.

After several demonstrations forced open a security fence, organisers

issued a code of conduct to try and ensure peaceful protest. The company

have been granted an injunction preventing protesters from accessing

the site and disrupting their own work.

the site and disrupting their own government will restrict fracking in

beauty spot, were taken restrictions near national parks. Local residents

say these rules should apply to Fermanagh. If you live in the Lake

District for Surrey and you want at any protective, but what about us

here? This is much more beautiful than some parts in England and yet

we have not protected that. Maybe our MLAs should be on the ball here.

Plans for a national park were rejected two years ago. The area is

designated as a global dual park. A dual part is a scheme supported by

UNESCO to promote geological areas of international significance.

However, unlike a national park it has no legal status and offers no

protection under UK or Irish environmental legislation. The

Department of the environment says it is carrying out an environmental

impact and habitat assessment to determine if the tests drill can go

ahead. People here have been expressing

their sympathies for the families and victims

of three recent airline disasters. A Book of Condolence was opened this

morning at Belfast City Hall for people to pay their respects to

those who lost their lives The book will be available to sign

for the next few weeks, after which it will be passed

on to the Dutch Consul. I think people are moved by

situations and want to have the ability to sign a book to cancel and

to leave a comment for those people whose loved ones lost their lives. I

thought it was important to give the people of Belfast the opportunity to

sign a book of condolence and show sympathy and share condolences with

the families of those who lost their lives in the air disasters.

Engineers are still working to repair one

The Ravenhill Road was shut to traffic last week

after large holes or voids were discovered beneath the surface.

It's still not clear how long it will take to fix.

Louise Cullen has been watching the repair operation.

On the surface, drivers deal with the destruction of a closed road.

Underneath, this. Engineers captured these images after 1000 cubic feet

gap was discovered during sewer replacement works. About 65 metres

of type, Voight have formed. -- Voight have formed. The must all be

filled in, hence the road closure. The actual road we are standing on

is actually a reinforced concrete slab, so even if a ovoid or hall

opens underneath it this slab is holding the integrity of the road

together. We are fortunate we have a competent contractor and group

designer here we have come up with a solution to repair this. That

solution is pumping form concrete into the halls. The city's geology

means that this is not uncommon. I would describe the Belfast geology

as being like having a nice cross on top but it is soft underneath. If

you break the crust the spin sinks in. We have soft sands and when you

break the crust of that the material underneath is soft. The Victorian

paper is nearing the end of its life, so whatever turns up along the

way the server placement project is in everyone's interests. Commuters

will be hoping all of this is filled in before the schools go back in one

months time. Join me in Glasgow to see how

Northern Irelands athletes fared on The Royal Navy has a strong

recruiting tradition here, a third of the sailors in Nelson's fleet

at Trafalgar came from Ireland. And the latest warship, HMS Duncan,

has been attracting hundreds of visitors

on its first visit to Belfast, Our reporter Martin Cassidy was

aboard as she sailed into Belfast This is the new shape of Royal Navy

power, built in Glasgow and costing ?1 billion, the HMS Duncan is at the

cutting ?1 billion, the HMS Duncan is at the

one of six type ?1 billion, the HMS Duncan is at the

service. And this latest addition to the fleet has been twinned with

Belfast. Powered by Rolls-Royce engines, the Duncan has a battle

speed of 30 knots, and carries an array of missiles and guns. We are a

power station at sea, we produce enough power here to probably power

half of Belfast. The Fulton 's war underlined the importance of

tracking incoming aircraft, and Duncan is equipped with a radar

system Duncan is equipped with a radar

hundreds of miles. The Duncan Duncan is equipped with a radar

also be used to locate pilots and drug runners and submarines. And to

provide shamanic area aid after natural disasters. It is an

opportunity for the city of Belfast to meet its ship and for my sale of

the meat Belfast. We are doing a number of events including opening

the ship to visitors at a demonstration to show some members

of the city what HMS Duncan does and what its capabilities are. Birthing

here for the first time, what its capabilities are. Birthing

Belfast sent out a pilot boat what its capabilities are. Birthing

help guide the Duncan to watch her moving. And as she births, there is

a warm welcome for the Duncan. To have this state-of-the-art destroyer

affiliated with Belfast is the and it means that we will have diplomats

around the world as this vessel to as the world and hit great

opportunities for Belfast from a is a point of view and for our

industries to show how we are up there with the high-tech industries

that are developing. There has been a big demand for tours of the ship,

tickets were quickly snapped up. Local Sea cadets have had the chance

to ball board. The crew, meanwhile, have been getting to know the city.

Playing golf and soccer with football clubs as well as helping

with refurbishment work for the children's Hospice in Newtownabbey.

The Duncan seals again tomorrow morning around 11 a.m., and look at

the distinctive figure as she glides out of

It is Day 5 of the Commonwealth and with news of another medal

for Northern Ireland we can join Stephen Watson live in Glasgow.

It is now a silver and a bronze for Team NI.

There was success for the Lawn Bowling team today.

The men were playing in the final of the Triples against South Africa.

They put up a valiant effort but eventually lost out.

Still delivered a super silver medal for Team NI led by the experienced

Neil Booth, it is a 4th medal in 5 Commonwealth Games for him.

And a first for Neil Mullholland and for Paul Daly.

They all have another chance of going for gold in

I spoke to our silver medallists at Kelvingrove after their match.

From a 7-0 deficit in the last few games and we nearly doubled that

this morning but we dug in and had a chance to play up to three or four.

We narrowly missed it and that killed the game off but I am proud

of the guys, have a silver medal. You have done OK. I know you have

the full set of medals but for due to it is the first Commonwealth

Games medal. And elated. I am disappointed not to have the cold.

It has been a great performance from the guys. First games for you. First

medal. Fantastic! Couldn't ask for any better. The goals would be nice

but we are very proud. Not many people have this and I have one now.

It was too much at the end there. Balls now is Northern Ireland second

most successful sport in the history of the games with this 19th medal.

The big money has brought most of them backed! Hopefully keep going in

the same vein. Just saying to the boys, this will be the last time

playing the game on a Monday morning. Well done to them.

Our boxers delivered 5 medals at the last Commonwealth Games

and could be on course to better that tally here in Glasgow.

10 of the 11 strong squad are still in the competition with 7

of them currently just fight away from securing a medal.

Walking out to represent your country. Representing Northern

Ireland! APPLAUSE

: Pick bronze medallist Conor knows what it takes to reach the podium.

Today the Belfast bantamweight ranks number two in the world defeated his

Indian opponent to reach the last eight. I knew it was tough and he

showed today it was that kind of thing. I nearly got cut in my last

fight so I was worried about that. What is the buzz like among the

Northern Irish boys? We are a tight-knit grip and staying

together. It is great. When someone wins the other one has the ring, it

is that pressure. One famous supporter knows all about tension,

and has been ringside throughout. We are good at boxing and always have

been. I know we have Paddy Byrne and he will cause a sensation. Last

night for Northern Ireland boxers moved one step closer to their

medal. The cite their way past African opposition. John McGlinchey

from Derry progressed past his Jamaican opponent, counting on the

support around him, Sean Duffy made sure that the boxers are just one

win away from a medal. The support is amazing. I do not know when it

came from today honest. Scottish, English, Welsh, everyone is behind

us. There were even Malaysians behind us. It has been special. Some

medals would top it off. Paddy Barnes is currently

in the ring. Shooting has been a rich source

of medals at the Games. Veteran David Calvert is trying to

win a 9th medal in his 10th games. He's currently 7th in the

Individual Full Bore. But no success for yet for any of

his team mates on Day 5 for Team NI. A dramatic shoot out for a shot at a

medal. Sadly, Kirsty missed in the women's trap. And Gary Duffy about

out of the 15 metres prone rifle contest. But David Beattie is still

in the hunt for a place in the men's cup final. In the pool, 14-year-old

Daniel Hill's fine games continue, as she made it into her second

semifinal. I have not been well, so I am happy. To come forth it Lizzie

Simmonds, it is an amazing experience and I cant wait to race

again. Indy 200 metres women's experience and I cant wait to race

hopeful. I came here with high expectations but I will just get

back into training and look at how things will go from here. Things

have not gone to plan for our gymnasts. He has lost the rhythm!

But better in the athletics, her hammer thrower qualified for the

final. I can tell you that the netball

players have just beaten Saint Leger.

Michael Dunlop won the feature Race of Legends event at the Armoy road

races while Guy Martin was a double winner in North Antrim.

Martin finished ahead of William Dunlop and Keith Amor

in the Supersport race to secure his first-ever Armoy victory.

The Tyco TAS Suzuki rider then edged out Michael Dunlop by 0.8 seconds to

seal a start-to-finish success in the Open class.

Michael took the win in the final race of the day, finishing three

An ideal preparation for the Ulster Grand Prix in a couple of weeks.

The first time it was geeky and we were trying to a set, and I was

still a bit nervous there. But it is good for Ulster. It is all good. If

only road racing was a Commonwealth sports! Michael Dunlop would

undoubtedly be a gold medallist. That is all from Glasgow where I can

tell you that Paddy Barnes has won the first round. It is looking good.

Thank you. It is time for the weather.

It will not be a repeat of last week, unfortunately. Today has not

been too bad, it is quite warm especially across parts of the East.

The weather divides more or less into two. There will be drier

weather until about Wednesday, then we are likely to see it more

unsettled with heavy showers towards the end of the week. Temperatures

will be around average, which is 19 or 20 degrees. Certainly not a

repeat or a return to the mid or high 20s. We have had some sunshine,

with temperatures in the 20s across parts of the East. The rain is

making its presence felt across parts of the drivel and Fermanagh.

There will not be a lot of rain but there will be a sprinkle in the

garden is innate. Temperatures will be no lower than 13 or 14 degrees.

Tomorrow will be damp and dull, and most of the rain will be confined to

the far west as the morning goes on. We will not see as much sunshine as

we saw today but there could be some brightness from time to time, more

likely across Armagh. In the western model, fairly dry with spots of

rain, quite cloudy with temperatures and 17 or 18 degrees. More of a

breeze and so it will not feel as close as it did at times today.

Generally, a little bit cooler fuelling convert to today. A

reasonably dry day if you like, and then things turn more unsettled

tomorrow evening across the North and West. There will be showers

moving in on that list please. Wednesday is where the showers will

be, I weather initially in the south and then it will become more surely

in the north as the day goes on. That will mean heavy showers turning

up on Thursday and Friday. In the sunshine we should still see some of

it, and at least you will get out at some point during the week.

That is all for now. Enjoy your evening.

I leave the ashram, travel halfway across the world to find my father,

Oh, well. As Vashrati says, gotta keep smiling!

We don't tend to use the bathroom together here.

All right, well, I'll catch you later.