24/11/2015 BBC Newsline

Good evening, the headlines on BBC Newsline:

Shock as seven care homes across Northern Ireland are to close.

The Stakeknife investigation is to look at more than 50 murders.

The new technology making life easier

How here-to-stay low interest rates are helping the housing market.

The cheering's over, as a row kicks off over planned Euro celebrations.

The sport of mixed martial continues to grow - tonight we'll be speaking

to Leah McCourt, Northern Ireland's newest European champion.

And we're now in less cold air but feeling cool in the wind, which

Seven residential care homes privately owned by the Four Seasons

Following the announcement the Health Minister has halted

Lisa McAlister is at a Four Seasons home in East Belfast.

I'm at Stormont nursing home where in the last few minutes a meeting

has just got under way between management and relatives of

residence, and similar meetings are taking place at all seven homes

affect did across Northern Ireland. The Four Seasons group is one of the

largest providers of care homes and the UK, today a spokesman said the

closures were unavoidable, that all seven homes are operating at a loss.

Four Seasons is the UK's largest private care home operator, it runs

69 homes across Northern Ireland. But by February next year 's seven

homes will close. That leaves more than 250 elderly

residents looking for a new place to live and almost 400 staff either

transferring to other homes in the group of looking for new jobs.

Relatives of residence at the homes received letters by special delivery

this morning telling them of the decision.

Staff attended meetings this afternoon to hear more.

They didn't want to speak afterwards.

I don't think I'm allowed to say anything.

Four Seasons revealed widening losses of ?25 million in its

third-quarter results this week, because of rising costs and lower

occupancy. The proposed closures had already

been postponed, the Health Minister said today he was freezing all

decisions in the light of the uncertain to in the private sector.

It is only appropriate we pause and give careful consideration to what

has been proposed in respect of some was eventual care homes to ensure

that... Because some of these proposals to close these homes were

predicated on spare capacity within the independent sector. One that has

been reduced it is what we pause and consider the implications.

But that has no impact on the closures announced today.

Four Seasons says it will spend the next three months engaging with

families and health trusts to ensure suitable alternative placements for

residents, Bob Holmes will close by the end of February next year.

-- but the homes. Tonight's meetings at the start of a

12 week consultation period, but the utmost priority and concern for

relatives is what impact this will have on their relatives who are in

many cases already frail and a move may not be the best thing for them

both physically and emotionally. We'll bring you any updates on these

meetings tonight at 10:25pm. With me is Pauline Shepherd

from a group that represents private What's the big problem here? It

relates to the viability of the tariff, which does not meet the full

cost of care. The money comes from -- coming from Government, it

doesn't meet the pressures that the care homes are facing. They are

facing additional pressures from nurse shortages, which has resulted

in them needing to employee agency nurses which can cost three or four

times the hourly rate. The permissive levels have increased

with the complexity of care for older people. -- dependency levels.

And the tariff is not kept in line with those dependency requirements

and those needs. When your organisation and

independent providers go to the Minister and tell them they can't

make ends meet, what sort of reception do you get?

Each year we would be asked to submit information to consider the

yearly uplift of the tariff, but I have been expressing concern for the

past probably year saying that Herath does not meet the

requirements, and also specifying to them that they need to look at what

the true cost of care is. -- the tariff does not meet. They need an

independent economist to look at the figures and come up with a rate that

meet the requirements of the individuals in care homes.

For the 250 people affected by this closures, what does that mean in

general for relatives? It is a difficult emotional time for

residents and their families. There is uncertainty as to where those

residents were replaced, which is an issue for the health and social care

board, to liaise with Four Seasons and other providers to see if they

can be accommodated in other homes. Detectives from outside Northern

Ireland are expected to be brought in by the PSNI to investigate more

than 50 murders linked to a man alleged to have been the army's most

high ranking agent within the IRA. Our Home Affairs Correspondent

Vincent Kearney has this exclusive Hundreds of Republicans and

loyalists led secret double life is as informers and agents during the

Troubles. Stakeknife was regarded as one of

the most valuable. The only's must senior -- Abhi.

-- army. An agent of the state, who killed

other agents of the state. A former West Bell must -- Belfast

man has denied reports that he was the agent.

The investigation could be the largest ever in the UK into

allegations against a serious -- single individual.

The BBC understands it will investigate up to 53 killings

between 1978 and 1995, and also look for evidence of possible criminal

behaviour by those within the Ministry of Defence, the army and

MI5 work Stakeknife. Sources have told the BBC the case

could take a team of up to 50 list at this five years to complete.

In an interview to be broadcast tonight, the Chief Constable

outlined the scale of the task. This is so big and so vast ranging,

a time period of about 17 years, everybody is fixated on the

individual known as Stakeknife, and I'm quite sure he will be the

subject of investigative rigour, but there will be other suspects in all

of this. Relatives of some of Stakeknife's

alleged victims launched legal action earlier this month in a bed

to stop the PSNI investigation. It appears that legal challenge may

no longer be necessary. Whilst the police haven't

commented, understand the Chief Constable is likely to bring in

officers from other UK police forces. The PSNI is expected to

advertise for experienced detectives to apply to join a special major

investigation team on secondment. News of the expected move has been

welcomed by the daughter of Caroline Morlan.

The IRA said the 34-year-old mother of three was an informer, and shot

her dead in 1994. We didn't want the PSNI

investigating. It is a step in the right direction.

The director of public investigate -- prosecutions has told us the

investigation should have taken place much sooner. The police have

known of Stakeknife's alleged activities for at least 12 years.

This should have been taken forward thoroughly and expeditiously as soon

as the information became known to those whose statutory responsibility

it was to carry out investigations. Bringing in detectives from other UK

police forces may be easier said than done.

Even if they are available, the money may not be.

The question of who will pay has yet to be answered.

And you can see Spotlight on BBC One tonight at 10:40,

A senior police officer in Londonderry says

a so-called punishment shooting in the Brandywell area last night

ranks as one of the worst he's ever come across.

The 23-year-old victim was shot in the legs.

His mother told BBC Newsline she thought he was dead

Here's our North West reporter, Keiron Tourish.

23-year-old Jonathan Simpson was shot several times in both legs in

what police described as a callous incident.

His family say this was a particularly brutal attack. The

gunman entered the house and shot him a number of times and the living

room. The police say early indications are

that Jonathan Simpson sustained potentially life changing injuries.

His mother says that when she arrived home, she thought he was

dead. I had never seen a scene like it in

my life. How can anybody with grown-up

children have that on their conscience?

My son was rushed to hospital for a, his arteries were blocked and it

was like he was dead. They dragged him from the living

room to the hall, opened the front door and let everybody see him, so

that everybody thought he was dead, my son.

23 years of age. I think this ranks as one of the

worst I have seen. This young man was shot in the upper part of both

of his legs, twice in each leg, the femur in one leg and doing serious

damage to the other leg. These are life changing injuries. I think

we're looking at a situation where the attack could have caused this

young man's my. Sinn Fein server can be no

justification the attack. They have not just punished his

mother, they have traumatised her and those who have seen the

aftermath of what they did last night. Both the -- those people who

are standing -- who think they are standing up for a community, they

are nothing but love this. The police have appealed for

witnesses to come forward. -- they are nothing but bullies.

A former British soldier has told the inquest into the death

of a man shot dead by the army in Belfast in 1971 that he believed

"Soldier C" was giving evidence anonymously at the inquest of

Harry Thornton, killed by the Parachute Regiment on

In 2012 the British government acknowledged

that Mr Thornton was an innocent man and apologised for his death.

Henry Thornton, known as Harry to his family. He was shot by a member

of the Parachute Regiment. Only now has the coroner being able to make a

start on what happened. So more than 44 years after his

death, the inquest has finally begun, and the first witness spoke

of a loving husband and father, a man who missed his children and

tried to get home to see them every Saturday.

The second witness is known to the inquest as soldier C.

He was on a 4 month tour based in Springfield Road.

It has always been believed -- believed Harry Thornton's van

backfire twice and another soldier shot him, killing him.

Soldier C said the van was being driven in a manner which concern

him. He said he thought two shots were

fired, with one bullet passing very close to him.

Decades later he says he doesn't believe the vehicle was backfiring.

The death sparked widespread rioting, while others held a vigil

at the scene of the shooting. But no weapons were found in or

around the van, and three years ago a British Government minister wrote

to Mr Thornton's widow stating that he was an innocent man and

apologising for his death. Today, counsel for the Thornton

family suggested soldier C was Mike description of events was lie after

lie to cover up what happened. -- soldier C's description.

The success of the international soccer teams on both sides of

the border has already led to some political squabbling over big screen

Now an SDLP proposal for a joint civic reception at Belfast City

Hall has fallen foul of the Ulster Unionists, as Mervyn Jess reports.

There were branches and smiles from Northern Ireland and the republic of

all and qualified for the European Championships. -- brought cheers.

But now a plan for a joint celebration of the qualification has

led to a squabble. An Ulster Unionist councillor says this is

playing politics with sporting achievement.

No, this is a simple recognition of two teams who have achieved great

sporting achievements. It will reunify sport as being the

winner. Reconciliation is the main theme of this, and the recognition

of achievements. I personally will be supporting the

four teams who have qualified from the British Isles, name -- namely

Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.

I believe like many of my colleagues that the SDLP are politicking. They

don't want to bring politics into sport. -- we don't. Sport unites us,

and it is good for people, so therefore I would ask the proposer

of this motion to reconsider it and to add on England and Wales as well

as the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

That is not the only controversy brought on by this. Public screening

of the two teams playing in the summer Championships has led to

disagreement over which matches should be shown in a number of

council areas. The civic reception proposal in

Belfast is likely to stir up emotions among supporters of both

teams when it is pitched at council next week.

This issue is due to be brought up at a meeting at City Hall next

Tuesday, and in footballing parlance that in itself could be a game of

two halves. People with breathing problems

have been given a new lease of life Thousands are taking advantage

of new technology. As Maggie Taggart reports,

they can now do a lot more activities than before,

yet the technology is cheaper than This man needs help to brief cover

24 a day. In the past, when he wanted to get out and about, even

the portable should -- portable machines were big and heavy and

didn't last long. I didn't want to go out. It was

embarrassing, so it was. He uses a condenser and tube in the

house but now Franciscan venture out more with the new equipment carried

like a shoulder bag. It is brilliant. The ones now, I can

fill those two containers, and the last May from eight to 16 hours, so

I can go places in the car. Three years ago no one was given the

new portable machines. Now almost 2,500 patients are supplied with

them by the health and social care board.

Because people can take more exercise, it can extend their lives.

I have heard examples of farmers who can visit fields that were just too

far away for them, and individuals who have been able to walk distances

they never could before, and for some people it appears to have

transformed their life, and we are delighted we have been able to

provide that criminal -- chemical benefit.

This technology has made a huge difference to 2,500 patients like

Sadie. It improves their lifestyle and health prospects.

It gives me my freedom and independence, and I really feel I

don't -- I am not a burden with it. I feel I can go on and on my life as

I want to plan it. There is a financial benefit as

well, using the new machines costs about two thirds of the old system.

A partnership between Google and the professional services firm PwC

The companies formed the partnership last year, aimed

at getting more business clients to use Google's software products.

It is the first centre of its kind in Europe, but will not immediately

However, it is understood that there will be recruitment in the coming

Householders have been told by the Bank of England governor they

can expect interest rates to remain low for some time.

Locally the housing market continues to recover.

But as our business correspondent Julian O'Neill reports, prices still

The housing market has been in recovery mode for two years, but it

is a long road back after the crash, with prices still around half

of what they were a years ago. But sales are ticking over. Take

here in Dungannon were one recent fire felt it was the right time to

purchase. It was a stage I thought, should I

sell my house and move into the renting market, but then the fear

was how to get back onto the housing market again.

So I am happy with what I've done now, and this is where I intend to

stay. Prices here in Mid Ulster are up 11%

over the year. That is the biggest percentage improvement of any

council district. Over the past 12 months, house

prices have risen in all areas. But there is significant regional

variation. In the Derry and Strabane council

area, prices are lowest. The cost of atypical has here is

?98,000. The most expensive area is in

Lisburn and Castlereagh, were it to become property is ?139,000.

-- atypical property. In Dungannon this estate agent

employs only half the number of staff at it in the room, but the

recovery has arrived with this year's sales figures up on 2014.

-- as it did in the boom. The further west you have come, the

slower has been the recovery, and speaking to estate agents elsewhere

they are behind us in the market recovery.

Prices are rebounding, and the negative equity problem is easing.

Also helping has been a delay in putting up interest rates.

Experts predict they may remain untouched until the middle of next

year. Thomas Niblock has the sport this

evening, and joining him is Northern If Dublin has Conor McGregor,

we have Leah McCourt; she's 22, she's a mum,

she's works with children and adults And I'm delighted to welcome the

European amateur mixed martial arts It is amazing, all the hard work's

paid off. What was the experience like?

It was really tough, it was an amateur tournament with people from

all over the world. You can see the pictures right now.

Yes, but it was an amazing feeling being able to show off my skill, and

I worked so hard and train twice a day every day.

You look absolutely fantastic, and winning the gold medal as Europe's

best. Also your 4-year-old daughter

Isabella, you have also pretend wrestled with?

She loves it, she says as long as I bring home gold she doesn't mind me

going away. She does judo as well so it is to stick to getting involved.

Why is mixed martial arts so popular?

People understand how highly skilled you. It is becoming more and more

recognised. The likes of Conor McGregor, they relate to it, and if

they go and watch an event themselves they see how amazing it

is. Congratulations on the gold medal.

Thank you for coming in. Now, Kyle Lafferty scored seven

goals in nine matches to help Northern Ireland qualify for next

summer's European championships, only Bayern Munich superstar Robert

Lewandowski has scored more - but Lafferty can't get in the starting

line-up for his club Norwich City. Well, last night the 28-year-old

striker was playing against Manchester United U21s and hit

this wonder goal for the Canaries. Lafferty is out

of favour with Norwich manager Alex Neil, but desperate to prove

himself in the Premier League ahead of Euro 2016 in France - and goals

like that might just do the trick! Ulster's Iain Henderson has today

dismissed suggestions that the top Pro12 teams can no longer

compete against the bigger English Ulster play Leinster in Dublin

on Friday, after both sides lost I don't think April 12 has one in

the Champions Cup, so if you want to take a direct call it -- correlation

-- Pro12. I still think the Pro12 has a lot of quality sides who can

compete with those top-level sides. Finally, this evening,

in a first for ice hockey. Four American college sides have

arrived in Belfast; this coming weekend

they'll play in the first ever competitive colleges fixtures to be

staged outside of North America. We'll have a special report

on tomorrow's BBC Newsline. Angie Phillips is here with

the forecast. It was a little bit brighter times

today, but there were quite a showers around particularly across

parts of the north and west. Some of them quite heavy as well. The south

and East got away with relatively few showers in comparison, and we're

going to continue along that sort of theme throughout the course of this

evening. For a time there will be dry gaps with clear spells. But

through the night there was clear spells are going to be filling in

with cloud. It looks like it could be a damp old end to the night, but

not a chilly one. Frost free with lows of around five or 6 degrees.

Tomorrow we hold onto that gusty wind. We still have some showery

rain through the morning, it is likely to be quite damp and drizzly

through the morning rush hour. Then we start to see a bit of a change, a

drier but still quite cloudy conditions starting to move in from

the rest -- the West. Probably clearing away from the East Coast by

lunchtime. Nine at 10 degrees tomorrow, above average, but if you

are exposed to that gusty wind from the North West it will feel cooler.

The wind is is a little bit through tomorrow night. Still a bit breezy

round the coast, but it will end up quite misty and market tomorrow

night with patches of drizzly rain. Quite mild for the time of year. --

misty and murky. Potentially quite heavy rain on Thursday night. As we

head into Friday morning a weather front brings strong winds and gales,

and rapidly will be cooling down again, we could be heading towards

wintry showers. We're getting reaction to the

closure of seven private care homes. You can share your views on our

Facebook page and on Twitter. We will be back at 10:25pm.

Goodbye.