31/10/2016 BBC Newsline

Good evening, the headlines on BBC Newsline: Arlene Foster causes

surprise in Dublin with her claim that the Irish government has been

The education minister brings in an expert to try to get

a single transfer test - but what are the chances

of agreement between competing grammar school groups.

A man's accused of trying to strangle his girlfriend

while on a camping holiday in Co. Antrim.

All dressed up with somewhere to go - it's fright night as Halloween

We a special interview in Qatar with Northern Irelands new double

And I'm live with the Halloween forecast

as well as a look ahead to the rest of the week this midterm.

The Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness says he was surprised

by the First Minister's claim that the Irish government has tried

to poach potential investors from Northern Ireland.

The DUP leader, Arlene Foster, made the allegation during her party

The comments come just days before the Irish government

hosts its conference to discuss the implications of Brexit.

Here's our political correspondent Gareth Gordon.

Arlene Foster's on fire at the post-conference song

and she certainly was when it came to the issue

I seek to take the views of the Northern Irish people

on Brexit at home, their representatives are attempting

to talk down our economy and poach investment.

That came as a surprise to a man she didn't attack during

her speech, her partner in government.

I'd heard absolutely nothing about that and if that was

From our perspective again, we need to

deal with the reality of where we are at the moment.

The British government has created enormous problems

It was also a shock to the

Irish Foreign Affairs Minister, who telephoned his counterpart to

We have to work together to ensure economic and

social prosperity for all the people of this island.

Irish government sources have described Arlene Foster's

One person said to me, if they are to be said,

we would prefer them to be said in a different way.

Enda Kenny will be meeting Martin McGuinness

later this week but he is not expected to meet Arlene Foster.

She has said that she hopes to see him soon.

Here to tell us more is our economics and business

John, where has this poaching allegation come from?

And for certain and been linked to a trip to Chicago, a standard curve to

seek investors. But somebody on that trip explained it as everywhere we

went, the Irish had been ahead of us. She had heard from a number of

sources that companies already in Northern Ireland or thinking of

going to Northern Ireland had been so tired. The feeling was that this

was an aggressive approach by Irish trade representatives.

Hasn't the Irish government been clear that it sees

Yes, and the morning after the Brexit result, a contingency plan

was published which look to push the market in key financial sectors and

assess the potential for new investment arriving in the UK after

leaving the EU. Lots of other Europeans will be doing that as

well. And trying to attract foreign

investment is always competitive. Exactly. Any times Investment

Northern Ireland are announcing new deals, they are talking about

beating off Poland or other countries. It is a competitive

process. Measures have been taken to compete on a more level playing

field with the Republic of Ireland. The Department for Education has

appointed an English academic to lead a formal process to find

a single transfer test. The first of this year's five tests

will be held next week. But, as our education correspondent

Robbie Meredith reports, the Education Minister says he wants

one common test in place next year. Some primary seven children will set

up to five transfer tests in five weeks, beginning next Saturday. That

is because there are two separate testing systems and some children

set both. The postprimary transfer consortium set to tests.

The education minister says that is too many and wants a common test

next year. That would be the aim. The thing was

to get something in place and get agreement within that. It is

worthwhile trying to see what benefits there can be to ease the

burden on children, parents and schools.

He has appointed this man, Professor Peter terms of Durham University, to

try to turn two into one. The minister's latest move has been

criticised. We've had no statement or notice,

despite the minister attending only two weeks ago. This is further

rejection of meant in evidence that links academic achievement and

disadvantage. We have got to put together a test

that is agreeable to both of us. To some extent are going to have to try

late in some way. Provide past papers, given permission to schools.

You're looking at a leader in... If I see two years, I think that is too

tight a time schedule. I'm thinking of at least, and I stress at least,

three years. There is disagreement over what form

the selection tests should take. The education minister cannot compel

them to change. He has to hope he can persuade them to.

The police are investigating the sudden deaths of three people

in County Tyrone and County Antrim on Friday night.

21 year old Amy Reid died at a house party in Coagh.

Three people arrested on suspicion of drugs

offences have been released, pending further inquiries.

In another incident, 38-year-old Gavin Scott

and his 24-year-old nephew Mark Scott were found dead

Their deaths are not being treated as suspicious and inquiries

A man accused of trying to strangle his girlfriend

on a camping holiday on the Antrim coast has appeared in court.

Details of the alleged attack emerged as Mario Felloni applied

for bail on a charge of attempted murder.

The 33-year-old defendant also faces counts of false imprisonment and

assault, occasioning actual bodily harm. He was arrested after police

received the report of a distressed woman with marks on her neck and

heavily bloodshot eyes. She had approached another woman, claiming

to have gone nine miles on foot after an attempt to choke her. The

prosecution said a doctor who examined her at Antrim hospital said

she had been significantly strangled in an attempt to murder her. The

women described escaping after Mario Felloni fell asleep. He was arrested

a short distance from the tent. During interviews, he denied using a

belt or any attempt to choke the woman but said he punched her up to

six times after she slapped his face in an argument. The woman has since

returned home to Cork and withdrawn her complaint. Mario Felloni remains

in custody while a suitable address is fine for him.

A former supergrass who infiltrated the IRA at the height

of the Troubles has been found dead at his home in Kent.

Raymond Gilmour, from Londonderry, was the only witness in a trial

of more than 30 IRA suspects which collapsed in 1984.

He had been living in England under a new identity for

Raymond Gilmour was an RUC Special Branch informer,

who infiltrated both the INLA and IRA in the 1970s.

His cover was blown in 1982 after the RUC

used his information to recover a machine gun.

at what was then the biggest ever British or Irish trial,

testifying against 35 IRA suspects at the Crumlin Road Courthouse.

The case collapsed and the accused were acquitted.

The judge called Gilmour "entirely unworthy of belief".

he was given a new identity and a home in Kent, where he later

But in the following decades he remained bitter about his

treatment by his former MI5 handlers,

I'm living on a knife edge, no financial stability.

In later years he lived alone, troubled by pyschiatric illness

I think you had quite a troubled time. I think the pressure of living

undercover got to him in the end, really got to him. With maybe a

drink problem and mental health issues.

Two years ago Raymond Gilmour was asked if he had regrets.

You take it on the chin. You do what you do. When your country relents

from looking after you there is nothing else you can do. Just living

the best way you can. Does that mean looking over your

shoulder every day. All the time. All the time. Every

minute of the day. Raymond Gilmour's funeral

is expected in the coming days. It's unclear if his real name

will be on his gravestone. Four families have had

to leave their homes following a suspected arson

attack in Newcastle. A wheelie bin was set on fire before

being pushed against oil tanks in Bracken Avenue

early yesterday morning. Four houses were damaged

but no-one was hurt. Still to come on the programme,

World Champion for the second year in a row, and hoping to make it

a hat-trick. Now, of course tonight is Halloween,

and where else does it bigger It's been voted the best Halloween

destination in the world and this year the city

is celebrating its 30th anniversary And our north west reporter

Keiron Tourish is there. Yes, it is quite literally the

biggest night of the year. Lots of colour and spectacle as you can see.

As I have been finding out, 2016 is a special year.

The theme for Halloween this year was out of this world

and local children certainly came up with plenty of colourful ideas

which were then projected onto various public spaces.

I came up with a rocket because I like the idea of rockets going into

space and landing on the moon. I guess it is just that it is not

anybody else's, it is mine. It is going into space, which is one of my

favourite subjects. It started life as a small immunity

festival and has grown over the years beyond all expectation.

Thousands of people put in time and effort making the costumes and can

be lots of surprises just around the corner.

It started as a small project but a handful of people and no it is

citywide. As far as Donegal, we have lots of groups taking part. People

put so much time and effort into the costumes.

It's expected 50,000 people will take part in this

It now runs over several days throughout the council area.

Economically, lots of money comes into the economy is result of what

we are doing. We hope it will be as many as 50,000 this year or even

surpass it. In the last week shops have reported

a brisk trade as people decide Around 700 people will take

part in the massive carnival as it makes its way

along the quay. The highlight for many will again be

the major fireworks display. It traditionally attracts thousands

of people all keen to take This has to be the biggest one ever.

It certainly will be. The biggest year we have had so far.

What is the economic impact? We estimate it will be worth over ?1

million to the economy. We believe that is really good value because

that is four times more than it costs to put on.

?220,000 is a lot of money to spend on an event like this.

You getting value for money? Yes, it attracts numerous out-of-town

visitors and that is growing year-on-year. Last year we were

voted the biggest Halloween destination in the world by the USA

Today newspaper. That shows the International coverage we are

getting. The festival is a key part of our tourism strategy.

You're not trying to build a local reputation, but an international

one? Luckily we have always been known as

the best in the world but now we're getting international recognition.

We see that from day valuations from out of state visitors. It enhances

region and it showcases the heritage that we have naturally to the rest

of the world. Do feel under pressure because of

the success of this event? You have deliver year-on-year?

It is pressure but it is good pressure. We are here to grow that

any economic benefit. We want to make it family friendly for the

visitors. You want to see people coming out and enjoying it and that

challenges us to grow it next year. In terms of the future, as this is

what councils will have to do in the future, put on big set piece events

like this to bring visitors on? C have different things like jazz

festivals and Halloween and different things?

It is a big part of a reputation that we grow these. We have

ambitions to have a major festival every year on top of jazz and

Halloween and all that. But also we have a big natural heritage that we

want to see. Thanks for joining us.

I'm sure it will be a great night - and if you're dressing up tonight,

in Derry or anywhere else, please do send us in your photos

and we'll try and put as many as possible up on our BBC

The 100-acre JTI Gallahers factory site outside Ballymena

In a statement, Wrights Group said it was "too early" to outline

JTI will leave the site next year, following the recent ending

of tobacco manufacturing operations with the loss of more

Former Northern Ireland footballer Philip Mulryne has

The West Belfast man played for clubs including Norwich City

He was made a deacon in the Dominican Order at

St Saviour's church in North Dublin on Saturday and is on track

Can being outside help treat people with anxiety and depression?

Well, one conservation charity has hooked up with public health

They're involved in a project at Portmore Lough,

a wildlife sanctuary on the edge of Lough Neagh.

Our Agriculture and Environment Correspondent

They're flat out on the lough shore at Portmore.

These volunteers putting up tree sparrow boxes are part of a project

assessing the great outdoors as a treatment for mental health

And a couple of weeks in, they're really getting into it.

We went down to see the ponies and cut her the brambles so they don't

eat them. What I see is that in the morning

when people come and they are ready to get back out again. I definitely

see that the mood is better. The RSPB south Eastern trust

and PHA are all involved. The volunteers are surrounded

by nature here, or the much less common

and impressive marsh harrier scanning the reed

beds along the lough. There are no ill side-effects. After

we evaluate this we will hope to influence practice across the whole

public health service. And it is not just a physical

benefits of being outside and becoming effects of nature. There is

the social side as well. The bowl of homemade soup

and the conversation that goes along And participants hope that if it

gets permanent funding, this is something others can benefit

from in time. Northern Ireland has a new

motorcycling double world champion - We've a special interview with him

in Qatar where he was crowned Rea the first rider since

Carl Fogarty in 1999 to win Consistency was the key

to his success - Rea was on the podium 23 times out

of the season's 26 races. And he says he now wants to create

history by winning a third My report starts with

flash photography. At the glitzy prize ceremony,

Jonathan Rea is officIally crowned After earlier completing

an unforgettable season under With his family and

friends watching on, Rea rode into the record books in style,

fulfilling another We are country really rich in

motorcycling. People like Joey Dunlop and Brian Reid and Jeremy

McWilliams have paved the way for young writers like me coming

through. I hope to be able to encourage people in the future from

Northern Ireland to follow in my footsteps because I had a dream as a

young boy and I believed in it and ran with it and got the opportunity

and now I am here on top of the world and it feels amazing.

He wants to repeat the achievement in 2017 but knows it

We have new competition next year which will be strong. We need to

step up, not just as a rider but as a team and manufacture. We are ready

for the challenge to win two in a row incredible. Only three people

have done it before and nobody has one hat tricks that is my target for

next year. It is a big one but will start to think about that in a

couple of weeks. But for now some down

time for the champion Irish Premiership club Portadown,

who started this season on minus twelve points,

could face another deduction after they fielded a player

in Saturday's win over Ards Robert Garrett scored

in their 3-1 victory over Ards - but the IFA disciplinary committee

have been asked to rule on whether the midfielder should

have been on the pitch at all. According to the IFA website,

Garrett had been due to serve a one-match ban,

effective from last Monday. Rory McIlroy is back up to number

two in the world rankings following a joint fourth place

finish at the WGC-HSBC championship But he has withdrawn from this

week's Turkish Open, His absence makes his chances

of winning the season-ending Race I guess it is out of my hands. I

took the decision not to go to Turkey next week and those boys can

battle it out. If I have somewhat of a chance going into Dubai that's

great but over the course of the season the apparent big wins and

have played well. Two major champions. So I am OK with that.

In Gaelic football, Tyrone champions Killyclogher secured a first ever

semi-final place in the Ulster Club championship after beating

Goals from Mark Bradley and James Carlin saw Killyclogher

open up a substantial lead before half-time over their opponents,

eventually winning by two goals and ten points to one

They will now face Slaughtneil in the last four.

will see Maghery face Kilcoo, who eliminated the Donegal

That match turned on a red card incident early in the second half

which saw Cathal Gallagher dismissed for a high challenge.

Darragh O'Hanlon scored the penalty and the Down men never looked back,

How is the weather shaping up for Halloween.

Good evening from Derry. It is another mild Halloween. The third

consecutive mild Halloween. 24 team was a record breaker so some people

might be a little bit sweaty tonight. The main carnival parade

kicks off very soon here. If you haven't left the house yet, this is

what you can expect. There is some rain and drizzle to come southwards

tonight. We've already had some rain in the city so that will be edging

southwards. It is to get cooler as the night goes on with a northerly

breeze kicking in. Skies were clear and temperatures will drop back to

four or 5 degrees. As far as the week ahead goes, it will get cooler.

For the next couple of days, fine and bright. No excuses not to get

outdoors. On Thursday you may need to think about something indoors

because there will be rain around for the latter part of the week.

Tomorrow's headliners for a fine and bright day. It will feel chilly in

the northerly breeze. Temperatures dropping back compared to what we

have been used to. Feeling quite chilly in that breeze. Tomorrow

night we are likely to see temperatures dropped close to

freezing in parts of the countryside. Mostly dry and clear.

That will mean a crisp day on Wednesday. Not quite so breezy and

still some sunshine around. The outlook for the rest of the week is

foreign to come in on Thursday and a mixture of sunshine and showers on

Friday. It will get cooler this week so we will need to wrap up warm. The

fireworks are coming soon in Derry.