23/08/2016 BBC Newsline

This is BBC Newsline and these are the headlines

on minister Mairtin O Muilleoir to step aside during

an investigation into secret NAMA contacts.

It is now impossible in any fair-minded process for a minister

to be able to carry on in office. A number of students at this Newry

school have A-level grades cancelled after exam details are shared

on social media. The man shocked to discover that

they do not resuscitate order was placed on his hospital notes. This

senior sports official from Northern Ireland is being questioned by

police in Brazil about alleged illegal ticket sales. Also to come

on the programme, it is home but not for long for these rescued seal

pups. The fallout from the controversial defeat continues. The

Belfast fighter could face disciplinary action.

And after today's disappointingly dull and damp weather, tomorrow

The Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, says

the Finance Minister has his full support and will not

A Stormont committee called for Mairtin O Muilleoir to stand

aside while an investigation is carried out into the revelation

that a Sinn Fein member coached a loyalist blogger how to give

Mr O'Muilleoir has denied doing anything wrong.

Here's our political correspondent, Gareth Gordon.

As finance Minister, Mairtin O Muilleoir has one of the biggest is

jobs at Stormont but not long ago, he was a member of the Finance

committee on the day it heard explosive evidence from this man.

Last week his party colleague resigned as an MLA after the

revelation that he helped advise him about how to give his evidence.

Given that there is reference to the finance member then of the

committee, now a minister, that people will be told what he would

say, when he would say, at what stage he would come in, that it is

now impossible I think in any fair-minded process for a minister

to be able to carry on in office and have the confidence of the assembly.

The call for the Minister to step aside was backed by all the other

parties on the committee, bar Sinn Fein. The confidence has been so

seriously eroded and damaged that he cannot possibly continue, regardless

of whether he is guilty or not. But Mairtin O Muilleoir 's own party

accused the others of paying petty party politics. I believe in

scrutiny. I am a passionate advocate of scrutiny. But currently there is

an investigation into this whole issue, and that is the place for

that investigation to that -- for that place. For all that was said

today, the committee cannot force Mairtin O Muilleoir to step aside.

That power rests solely with his party and so far he has sinned

frames full support. Martin nugget -- Martin McGuinness said today:

the committee which has also invited Mairtin O Muilleoir to appear before

it meets again in a fortnight with both sides seeing signs of digging

in for a long fight. Some students at a school in Newry have been

disqualified from an A-level exam and their grades have been

cancelled. Our education correspondent is outside the school.

It explain what has happened. I am at the school at the centre of this

problem. And the BBC understands that around 15 students who sat the

A-level sociology exam which was set by the exam board are affected. It

is understood that one student sat the exam early because of a

timetable clash and then shared questions on social media. Remember,

it would not be unusual for a student to get a timetable clash.

They have to sit earlier or later. But normally, they are allowed no

contact with the students during that process. It is still unclear

how this problem came to light. But the exam board did launch an

investigation and the affected pupils have recently been informed

of the outcome. We understand they were informed of the sanctions last

week. What other detail has the exam board given you? Well, in a

statement, they told us that they could not discuss what they called

cases of alleged malpractice but a spokesperson said, no one taking our

exam should have an unfair advantage so we thoroughly investigate

allegations of cheating and take action when there is clear evidence

against specific individuals. Our advice to any student is to report

any leaked details to a teacher straightaway. What has the school

said about it? We of course contacted the school and no one was

available for interview. At a short time ago, they also gave us a

statement and in that they said they regret to say that there was an

incident involving students. They say the matter was dealt with by the

school and the examination board in line with joint Council for

guidelines and the students involved have been sanctioned. They go on to

say there has been no suggestion of any breach of examination or invent

duration protocol. -- individuation. They end by saying that they prise

their deserved reputation for integrity and also know the

importance of care and compassion in times of difficulty and will offer

support as needed for the young women involved, all of whose school

careers after this point were without blemish. -- up until this

point. And there's more to

come on the programme The council funding row sparked by

these gates commemorating two IRA men killed almost a century ago.

A man has told BBC Newsline that he was unaware that

a "Do Not Resuscitate Order" was put on his medical file

and he feels his human rights have been violated.

Neill Birnie, who is 48 and from County Antrim,

is paralysed from the neck down, as a result of progressive

The Northern Health Trust insists the matter was

Our Health Correspondent, Marie-Louise Connolly,

Despite his condition, Neill Birnie wants to live for as long as

possible. The most valuable commodity you can give your child is

your time. Communicating via a computer and he loves a good joke

and has a wicked sense of humour. This can make me come across as

bloody-minded. In a busy environment... Let me assure you

that the lights are on and I am definitely at home. Mentally alert,

in anti-14, after being taken to hospital, he discovered a do not

resuscitate order had been placed on his record. He says he did not ask

for one nor was it discussed with his family. There was absolutely no

effort made to ask my opinion. The consultant stood at the end of my

bed flanked by two junior doctors and told me that I had gone through

enough and that I had to face facts and that he had consulted with the

intensive care unit and they were of the same opinion, so he was putting

a do not present -- do not resuscitate notice on my admission

file. In a statement, a spokesperson for the health trust said that the

decision to implement a do not necessitate notices a medical one,

taken when a professional feels that as attempts would be futile and not

in their best interests in providing a dignified death. The trust said

this was discussed with Neill Birnie initially and put in place at a

conversation with his next of kin. Guidelines emphasise the need for

medics to clearly discuss the impact of a notice. That means a patient

will not be resuscitated, equally a family should be prepared for the

impact CPR can have on a person's body. It is terribly distressing

because someone has had CPR apply to them who is maybe elderly, who is

maybe frail, maybe very sick and the CPR can be traumatic. And I think

then the family can get very upset by how their loved one appears when

they finally get to their bedside and CPR has been applied. A puppy

arrived last week for Neill Birnie 's birthday. The family hope it will

help heal the mental scars. The precious gift of my life was

considered valueless by the hospital. He says his mission is to

spread the message that not all chronically ill patients are waiting

for assisted suicide. And if you have any thoughts

on the issue of DNR, Do Not Resuscitate orders,

you can share your view Lawyers for the arrested Olympics

official Pat Hickey have said that he did not try to escape before

he was detained. The former President

of the Olympic Council of Ireland is being held in prison in Brazil

as the police investigate Three other officials from the OCI

who had their passports seized are due to be interviewed

at a police station later today. Stephen Martin is among the three

officials whose passports were seized by the authorities last week.

Late this afternoon, they were due to report to a police station in Rio

de Janeiro in connection with the alleged illegal ticket sales.

Officers involved in the investigation also took control of

their mobile phones and laptops after going to the Olympic Council

of Ireland accommodation in the city. Police in Brazil are due to

give a news conference on the ongoing enquiry this evening.

Meanwhile former OCI President Pat Hickey who was due before a judge in

Rio de Janeiro today is now not expected in court until a later

date. It was reported at the time that when the police arrived at the

hotel Pat Hickey 's wife told officers he had gone home to

Ireland. He was later detained in an adjoining bedroom. His lawyers have

released a statement saying his detention by police was under mere

assumptions. The statement says that Pat Hickey did not try to escape and

he was sleeping in one of the three rooms allocated to him and his

family due to an insomnia. The lawyers went on to say that he did

not want to disturb his wife and it would be ridiculous to try to escape

and then go to the next room. The statement also said that his wife

was taken by surprise by officers calling at her room early in the

morning and she panicked. The imported illegal prescription

drugs that pose fraud and health risks to anyone who uses them.

Secretary of State James Brokenshire has said that making

progress to resolve the issues of the past will be a priority.

He was speaking during a visit to Fermanagh where he met survivors

and relatives of those killed in the Troubles,

including the daughter of a couple killed in the Enniskillen bomb.

Here's our south west reporter, Julian Fowler.

The Secretary of State has been meeting people across Northern

Ireland to hear first-hand their concerns. Here it was the issue of

the past that this group wants to see progress made. He told them he

would make it his priority. I am in no doubt as to the compact cities of

the issues and indeed what people are looking to get from this whole

process. But what I think there is a clear message is that the existing

system is not working and that we do need to see change. We do need to

see things move forward and that is why I am very intent to see that

these new institutions that were set out in the Stormont House Agreement

to come to fruition but do so in a way that is able to command

confidence and respect and brings people with that process. He spent

more than an hour listening to their experiences of the troubles and

these victims and survivors said he listened to what they had to say. I

think a lot of innocent victims like ourselves have been forgotten about.

Everybody wants us to go away but we will never go away. I think he

listened very intently to us. There were several of us here with very

hollowing, horrible stories and maybe he take it from -- harrowing.

Maybe he will take that on board. People have been let down. I know it

is not easy to establish as I say the truth and as I say move forward,

but I think over time, and I think if everybody could embrace the

possibility of a major feature for the next generation in Northern

Ireland, I think that could be achievable. But it will be a hard

job. When it comes to the past, it will be impossible to please

everybody. This is the last in a series of meetings held with victims

groups across Northern Ireland. Having told their stories, victims

and survivors will be waiting to see what the Secretary of State can

deliver. A Council is set to discuss funding

for a GAA community centre in the Glens of Antrim this evening

but the decision's Causeway Coast and Glens Council

has placed ?180,000 on hold for the project

at the Oisin Glenariffe club. That's because of a set of gates

currently at the ground bear the names of two IRA men killed

in a gunbattle with police in 1922. Our north east reporter,

Sara Girvin, is at the council Sara, what more can you tell us

about the background Good evening. Talk of building a

cross community Centre at the sight of the GAA club has been ongoing for

the last number of years. The project is set to cost more than ?1

million and it was hoped that ?180,000 that would come from the

Causeway Coast and then council. That was proved in theory earlier

this year but when it went to the full council, the DUP raised

concerns about the commemoration gates. They bear the name of two IRA

men killed in 1922. The DUP say that if those names remain, they simply

could not be viewed as a cross community project. I beg your

pardon. What is due to happen there this evening that the council in

Coleraine? The matter of funding will be discussed here this evening.

The council as I was going to say sought legal advice on the issue and

that advice will be related to night. I understand that will take

place in committee, meaning that members of the public and the press

will not be allowed to hear it. And what statement has been made by the

council? Sorry, by the club? We have not heard anything from the club

Bickley but I have spoken to a few members today and they told me that

they did not want to speak on camera. This matter is too sensitive

to do that. They want to wait until the outcome of tonight 's meeting.

However they did tell me that of the 160 odd members that they have in

the club, only around 35 of them actually turned out to vote on the

matter and of that, only three voted against. They are willing to see if

that decision not to move the gates from the entrance to a nearby

hurling site, not to remove them completely but to relocate them,

will secure them ?180,000 worth of funding from this council. Clearly

more to come up controversy from Finau. Thank you.

Four men have been arrested by police officers investigating

The men, who are in their 40s and 50s, were detained in police

searches in west Belfast earlier today.

The police have seized no fewer than 65,000 Diazepam tablets

The tablets are usually prescribed by doctors to treat anxiety,

If you think there's no problem in having

them since the drugs are legal, think again.

The penalty for possessing them without a prescription can be five

years in jail and the sentence for importing or supplying

Our reporter, Maggie Taggart, has been to see the latest haul.

Here at police headquarters, there is a continuing concern about

illegal drugs but these are prescription drugs which have been

found by the police and illegally imported. And presumably it legally

use. They implode diazepam but also a lot of other drugs which are for

instance the human growth hormone and very strong painkillers. Joining

me now is detected the Dunlop. Why are you concerned about these

diazepam? We are concerned because of the potential health and to

consider someone who takes these drugs. They do not know where they

are produced and by whom they are produced. They do not know the

strength of the pill and they do not know anything about it. There are no

quality assurances. They are taking something that does not have that

quality assurance stamp on it. Who are you targeting? The people

bringing them in all the people actually taking the drugs? Our

primary focus is on enforcement and enforcing the law against those

involved in illegal supply of these diazepam pills. We are continually

working with our colleagues in the Department of Health whose primary

focus is on the treatment end. Where are they coming from? They are

coming from all over the continent. And further afield. It is very

difficult. We are trying to stab is that at this time. -- establish. You

also believe there is a risk to people's identity, fraud and so

forth. Maybe their bank details. People will always run the risk of

those details being stolen and used fraudulently. So the risks are many,

not only to your health but perhaps to your banking, your identity fraud

and of course there is still the Lescott prison. -- risk of prison.

Two abandoned seal pups that have been nursed back to full health have

And the expert responsible has asked owners of jet-skis and speedboats

to take care in the coming weeks as young seals strike out

Here's our Agriculture and Environment correspondent,

The backyard is not normally the place you would expect to find the

seal pups but they have been living here for almost two months. The seal

biologist took them in when they were found abandoned. Now fattened

on a specialist milk formula, crushed fish and cream, it is time

to put them back. Initially at least, they don't seem that keen on

the idea. These two were taken into care because they were underweight

at birth and that normally means certain death unless an expert

intervenes. They have to be able to follow their mothers into the water

for their mothers to be able to care for them. They would not have coped

at all. She would have ended up with them being stranded as the tide went

down. Seven weeks after they were found abandoned, they are on their

way back to the sea. Hopefully to hook up with other members of the

seal family. But after several weeks of hand rearing, there is an

inevitable bond between the perhaps and Sue. One takes off without much

persuasion but for the other, parting is a long, drawn-out and

difficult affair. Even she is more orientated towards other seals than

she is two hours. As soon as she was able to break the bond with us just

there, I have no doubt that she will be fine with the other seals. And it

really took the arrival of the inquisitive adults to persuade her

it was time to leave her human helper and head for the open sea.

That is more than 20 pups now that seal has helped back into the waves.

Boxing, and Michael Conlan could be facing disciplinary action

The Belfast bantamweight was on the wrong end

of a contentious decision in his quarter-final

After his loss to Russia's Vladimir Nikitin, on a majority

decision by the judges, Conlan made several gestures

and went on to lambast the officials.

The President of the International Boxing Association, has branded

Conlan's post-fight behaviour as "unacceptable", saying Conlan has

"put himself in a difficult position" and that "a lot

With the start of their Pro12 campaign less than a fortnight

away, Ulster have some major injury worries.

In particular, their front row where there are big problems

at the tight-head prop with just one player fit in that position.

Speaking at today's launch for the new season,

Ulster's Director of Rugby admitted it's a cause for concern.

We have lost three front-liners. The rest are younger guys. Part of it is

to have a duty of care. We are trying to look for solutions. And to

see what the injury time lines are for those tight heads. We have a

similar situation in the back row. We have a lot of young guys that we

are hoping can get their boots on. Chris Henry is out for another eight

weeks. But Shaun Reid is ready to come back from international duty.

Those things are important to us. It is not nice to have those injuries

but you have to find the solutions to the challenges.

The Ireland Men's hockey team have risen to 10th

That's their highest ever position and it follows their qualification

and participation in the Olympic tournament in Rio.

It was the first time an Ireland Men's team had been

Brendan Rodgers looks to guide Celtic into the group stages

The Carnlough man, in his first season in charge, knows his side

will have the luxury of a five-two lead from the first leg of their tie

against Hapoel Beer Sheva, going into tonight's match

When you talk about the great clubs of European football, you are

talking about Barcelona, Real Madrid, AC Milan, through the

various countries and then Celtic are synonymous with those clubs. You

are talking about big clubs historically in Europe and a team

that has won the European cup, you talking Glasgow Celtic. To be back

in amongst those clubs is a great honour for Celtic. It is great for

the supporters. There is a three goal difference in this game but it

will still be a tough game for us. I think it is our responsibility to

respect them, the opponent, but we know that as I said we are in a good

place. Meanwhile Stephen Kenny's Dundalk

will have to overturn a two-nil deficit against Legia Warsaw

in Poland if they're to become the first Irish side to reach

the Champions League group stages. The weather forecast

is next with Cecilia Daly. Not a great day today but thankfully

things are looking more cheery tomorrow. It is starting to dry up

in a lot of places at the moment. You can see from the satellite

picture, some brighter skies coming into the West. A bit of late

sunshine and the weather front that brought today's rain and drizzle is

clearing away. Maybe not the spectacular sunsets that many people

saw yesterday evening but there will be some dry weather around this

evening. It will get clearer as the night goes on and temperatures

dropping into single figures. A fresh start to Wednesday. Maybe one

or two spots of fog first thing but otherwise a really nice day. Great

for the end of the summer holidays. Lots of sunshine around in the

morning. Small amounts of cloud and although it will start cool, it will

start to feel warm towards lunchtime. Temperatures in the

afternoon around 19 Celsius, maybe even 21 in some spots. Light winds

as well. As the afternoon goes on, a little bit more cloud developing

over the West. That cloud may produce some light showers but most

places will stay found. -- fine. A nice sunny evening to come tomorrow

evening. You're not need your Wellington boots tomorrow night. And

then on Thursday, we are looking at just one or two showers. Again, a

lot of bright weather. Temperatures just a fraction down on tomorrow.

More chance of seeing some showers towards the end of the day. Friday,

a ridge of high pressure. Not too much anyway of rain over the next

couple of days but it is this low pressure we are looking at for the

coming weekend, bringing some wet weather at some stage this weekend.

At the moment, we still have a few things to tie-up with regards to the

timing of that rain. A nice day to come on Friday. Likely to see some

rain later on on Saturday. You can also keep in contact with us

via Facebook and Twitter. PAUL HOLLYWOOD:

Buff up your baking trays. Just one day to go before

The Great British Bake Off.