23/12/2016 BBC Newsline

You're watching BBC Newsline, and these are the headlines

The former police officer who's admitted killing a man

The renewable heat scandal - the Finance Minister's burning

accusation of widespread abuse of the system.

I have no doubt that hundreds of businesses are it gaming the system,

and that needs to come to a stop urgently.

Coming home for Christmas - how the airports are coping

as thousands of festive travellers fly in.

Really excited to be here on Christmas holidays. Deceit family

and friends I haven't seen in many years.

The busiest shopping day of the year - but it's

not frenzied Friday - it's Man Friday!

Spent too much money. On the last day.

A sell-out crowd begins to gather in Belfast as Ulster prepare

to take on PRO 12 champions, Connacht.

And it's going to be cold enough for the rugby tonight,

but by Christmas morning, it could be 12 degrees.

A former police officer has admitted killing a man by dangerous

Eilish MacSherry, who's 41, and from Brookmount Heights in Omagh

pleaded guilty to four charges in connection with the

He was a father of two children from Killyclogher.

Our south west reporter Julian Fowler was in

When Eilish MacSherry first appeared in court in September, she pleaded

not guilty. But today, when the charges were put to her again, she

admitted she was responsible for the fatal crash. She was driving one of

two cars which collided head on close to Omagh town centre in

October last year. The driver of the second car, a 49-year-old Paul

Mills, a father of two, was killed. Eilish MacSherry was serving PSNI

officer when the fatal crash occurred. She was off duty at the

time. She's since left the police service. Today, Eilish MacSherry,

carrying a blue umbrella, left court after pleading guilty to causing

death by dangerous driving, failing to stop at the scene of an accident,

and driving while unfit through drink or drugs. Members of Mr Mills'

family wept in the public gallery as Eilish MacSherry stood in the dock

in front of them. A defence Lister said alcohol dependency was a

feature of this case, but that his client had been dry since the

accident happened. The judge told Eilish MacSherry that the offences

are serious, and have had a devastating impact on the family

involved. He released her on bail until the sentencing hearing, and

want her that a significant custodial sentence is inevitable

when she returns to court in debris. -- in February.

A man has died in a car crash on the M1 in County Tyrone.

It was near Tamnamore, between junctions 13 and 14,

The Police have appealed for witnesses to the

The motorway has been closed in both directions, which has caused

A 25-year-old woman from Londonderry has died

in a two-car collision in County Donegal.

It happened just before 11pm last night,

The woman, from the Waterside area, died at the scene.

A 20-year-old man is being treated in

hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

The Finance Minister has said hundreds of businesses have

abused the controversial Renewable Heat Incentive scheme.

Mairtin O Muilleoir has also stated that the cost to the taxpayer

could be ?600 million - higher than first thought.

Our political editor Mark Devenport told me more about that

He's not necessarily saying that hundreds of people are committing

fraud. He acknowledges there is a higher bar to prove that. He

certainly believes hundreds of people are put in an eligible claims

to the scheme. That they haven't been energy-efficient or have gone

against the principle of the scheme in creating useful heat. He hasn't

done any particular investigation of its own, instead drawn on a recent

PricewaterhouseCoopers report. The PWC report which was published

and delivered to the Department of in October showed hundreds of

businesses in that survey, showed that only 47% for using the scheme

in a eligible fashion. Extrapolating from that, I have no doubt that

sample - I'm not saying it's true across all

businesses - but I have no doubt that hundreds of

businesses are binning Chrysostom and that needs to come to a stop

urgently. -- are gaining the system. In an article, it he describes the

renewable heat scandal as the Mosul areas facing institutions here in

the last ten years. He says that many nationalists and republicans

who want revenge and their DUP for their arrogant handling of

proceedings earlier this month. He said the revenge is not a policy,

but Sinn Fein will return to this in a motion early in the New Year for

Arlene Foster to step aside. And while Sinn Fein look for Arlene

Foster to step aside, speculation that the Deputy First Minister and

his position. This comes from a former Sinn Fein

MLA, it he says that Gerry Adams' recent references to Martin

McGuinness' health are an indication that a change of the guard in Sinn

Fein is maybe closer than people thought.

Thank you. The Department for Communities

has withdrawn funding The Liofa Bursary Scheme enabled

at least 100 people a year to attend summer language classes

in the Donegal gaeltacht. Our education correspondent

Robbie Meredith reports. The Liofa programme was set up by

Carol McGill and to encourage people to learn the Irish language. A

bursary scheme worth up to ?50,000 per year enabled to 100 people who

otherwise could not afford it to spend time in Irish language summer

schools in the gaeltacht. But the Department for Communities said, due

to the need for efficiency savings, they won't provide any money for the

scheme next year. Members of the Irish language community have

reacted angrily to the decision, with Dr Neil, calling it a blatant

act of discrimination. Air and seaports have been

busy today with people Mervyn Jess met some of the home

bound travellers as they arrived. This is the busiest day over the

Christmas period for Belfast International Airport. It may come

around once every year, but is no less exciting for all of that. We've

been waiting to be re-knighted with their friends for the first time in

over a year. This couple were the first -- Burton are the last people

off but flight. Also on the flight, pop star Tim Wheeler.

Is it as manic over there as it is over here?

It wasn't too bad. The US consul general was having

family over from the States for their first ever Christmas in

Northern Ireland. We have been very lucky, very

fortunate this Christmas to have my wife's cousin and her grown-up

daughter to visit us. We're really pleased to welcome them to Northern

Ireland. We have 21 flights in today, not a

seat on any of them. That has been the case the last four days. Every

flight is very, very busy. We're delighted to see all those people

coming home and we are very happy. At Belfast City Airport, it was a

similar story. People glad to see family and

friends they have not seen in many years. General excitement, families

just glad to be home for the festive season.

Spending time with a family. Hearing and Northern Irish accent. Try to

get my son to losing this accident and speak proper Northern Irish!

What do you say? Accent!

We live in Dubai, there's a first-time hamper Christmas in three

years. I am visiting for ten days from

Australia, my wife is from Belfast. She's been here for the last ten

days. Would you think?

Fantastic, we hope are a bit of snow.

We haven't been hamper about nine years, my husband and I. It's just

lovely to see the family. The party has started! And then it

ends when he goes back! Elsewhere, the bad weather led to

the cancellation of the Rathlin very. But the main see writings are

performing as normal. -- Rathlin ferry.

Last year, Lynette McKendry from County Antrim was dreading

Christmas following a diagnosis of breast cancer.

Twelve months later she says she has been given the strength to face any

new challenges following a chance encounter with

She's been talking to our health correspondent,

As years ago, 2016 has been a roller-coaster for Lynette McKendry.

She had a double mastectomy after being diagnosed with inflammatory

breast cancer in one abreast, and a different form of cancer in the

other. Cancer and chemotherapy dominated, but an unexpected trip to

convert monastery in West Belfast offered a chink of light. Especially

at a time when Lynette, a member of the Church of Ireland, felt God had

abandoned her. I can understand why people would

question if there is a God, whenever they're actually threw so many

problems that are being thrown at me in the last year. At the beginning,

I did question that, but I got over that. I found peace. Just being able

to spend time on my own and praying has actually had me get through.

Lynette is dealt a triple blow when in August secondary cancer was found

in her brain. Questions followed. Why me? But then, why not me? I'm no

different to the next woman on the street, so why not me? I have got

the strength and the courage to go on and raise awareness, I want to

raise awareness of inflammatory breast cancer.

In my class Christmas, Lynette tells me this one will be a cracker.

This year it's all about family and food. Last year I couldn't taste

anything. I had a sore mouth from chemo. I am aggregate have Christmas

dinner this year. Is Santa coming?

Big-time! The kids are looking forward to it.

Bands are underway for a further fundraising next year. Before that,

Lynette intends to celebrate Christmas. It's been a tough year,

let's hope the next one is a happier and healthier one.

Today was being billed as Frenzied Friday -

the biggest shopping day of the year.

or did Storm Barbara keep people at home?

Catherine Morrison has been finding out.

Much time in Belfast, and business was brisk, as you would expect with

Christmas Day just around the corner. These are the last-minute

shoppers. We're mostly of the male variety.

This has been the busiest day for retailers this Christmas. The shops

are full and full of men. Forget about Frenzied Friday, at this is

Friday. You enjoying yourself? No. Spending too much money on the

last day. The place full of men! Have you bought anything yet?

Ice-cold no, I haven't. I don't even know the names of the

shops. That's not a good start.

No, it isn't. I'm very stressed at this time of

the year. You don't like to stressed.

I got my shopping done yesterday. Why do men leave it to the

last-minute? It's just the way we are.

Woody you think you might I think they're indecisive.

High-street stores are facing ever more difficult trading conditions.

Competition from online shopping. Despite these challenges, it's been

a strong festive season for Sam. November started extremely well, and

December is proving very positive. We had our busiest weekend since

2008, are busiest days since 2008, and this will be the biggest week we

have ever traded. That's because we have seven days this week. It's

proving very, very positive. If you haven't finished your big

shop yet, don't panic, there's always tomorrow. For everyone else,

it's time to sit back, admired the tree and relax.

There's no rest for Royal Mail workers just yet with

We've been to Omagh sorting office, which is not only busy, but it has

the longest-serving postman and the oldest postman

Our southwest reporter Julian Fowler met up with them.

There's not much room in the back of a post van at Christmas. Raymond

Black has delivered the post for 48 years. He began in 1968, aged 15,

delivering telegrams around Omagh. Back then, he made his deliveries on

a bicycle. Used to pile the parcels in the

front. Little bit top-heavy. It could have rolled off the ground.

But it was fun. There's no way you could put the present-day volume of

mail on a bicycle. There must be something in the water

in Omagh. Working out at the same sorting office is this 70-year-olds,

the oldest postie in Northern Ireland.

People may be getting a present from a relative or something in

Australia, somewhere like America may be. They recognise the writing

right away. Things you learn,. They've sorted more than 40,000

items in Omagh this morning. The delivery office is now empty, as the

posties router the rounds. Raymond Black delivers around here.

It's not only dogs postman here have to be aware of.

I don't have a big problem with dogs. The main attack was a rooster.

A feathered rooster. It was really, really out of the blue.

Covering five miles each day on foot, and 70 miles in the van, it's

hard, but rewarding work. It's busy. You know you're doing a

good job. You go home satisfied it was a day well done, all your

parcels delivered. That's basically what it's all about at this time of

year. This won't be the last delivery.

Neither we nor Raymond plan to hang up their postbag is just yet. Watch

out for those roosters! We're approaching the end

of the year, and it's the end of the road for this caravan,

which came to prominence in the media during the summer's European

Football Championships in France. So as BBC Newsline's

Mark Simpson reports, At any point, did you think about

just abandoning the caravan? Several times! Honestly, I think the

first day we were in Normandy, we basically stopped. We have gone that

far, we were outside the campsite, and the shell was starting to come

off the caravan. So we bought a box of nails and nailed them in the

whole way round. It held together. We've left Nice and heading to Lyon.

The caravan's still going. And it somehow survived the entire

tenements. But only just. 3000 miles in three weeks took its toll. The

fans' plan had been to keep it for the next two years in case Northern

Ireland 05 at the World Cup, but now they've reluctantly decided to give

it away. They say it is too new. It's

20-year-old caravan, so we can give it to the museum.

What do you not be sorry to see her go?

Under present, but don't think my mum would be too happy that sat here

for another couple of years until Russia.

We like idea of destruction Derby. A out for us! I imagine the first

corner you go around 25mph, it'll be like matchwood!

But they're holding onto the old caravan until at least the New Year.

They want to have one last party in it.

Merry Christmas! Animate Christmas to you too.

A busy festive period for the Ulster rugby team begins with the visit

Mark Sidebottom is there with this evening's sport.

Thanks, Donna. No sign of Storm Barbara. But I am joined by a man

who wreaked just as much havoc in his playing days, Stephen Ferris.

Looking at Ulster wondering up, five-day town around for these guys,

could they be feeling it? They might be, but they have to get

themselves right mentally, played that conditions, hopefully the rain

doesn't come out later. Connacht are suffering a lot of injuries, key

players are missing. Some people believe that all struggling to get a

win. Oster went to Connacht a few months

ago, that's when the blip began. Comments plays turned them over.

In that game, it they should have won it, then they started losing a

couple on the banks. It's and experience nights, Rory Best

capturing the troops. Paddy Jackson is back in, hopefully get us a

result. The code is saying this is probably

the worst week of his coaching career, denied plenty of his squad,

you're expecting a home win? Pat Lam is going to have his work

cut out tonight with a strong Ulster team.

Thank you, back to the studio. Before we have the Christmas weather

forecast and a carol from a children's choir,

we're going to look back at some of the stories that

made our news this year. The only thing that I would like to

say is that I am delighted. People should not panic. This is

something that will take place over a long period of time.

# They sold me a dream of Christmas # They sold me a silent night

# They told me a fairy story # I believed in the Israelites

# I believed in Father Christmas # I looked to the sky with excited

eyes # In the first white baton

# I saw him in his disguise #. 580 posts will go this year, with

the potential same again to be shed in 2017.

Just some of the stories that made her a news this year. We have two

more sleeps until the big day. Here's the latest weather forecast.

This is the night that thousands of mums across Northern Ireland had

been waiting for, the night their loved ones get home. There has been

rain this morning and strong winds have come through, witty unpleasant.

Gusts of 60mph on the north coast. But as bad as it could be, because

it tracked a little further north. It was the north of Scotland that

took the brunt. For us through this evening and overnight, we keep the

westerly flow to the weather. A little bit of winter as in the

hills, temperatures down to 2 degrees. Into Christmas eve, though

showers continued. A chilly morning, 7 degrees. Through the first half of

the day. As we get into the afternoon, those showers will turn

increasingly into persistent rain. That is the sign of a little more

mild edge starting to feed in. A process that will continue over

Christmas Eve overnight. I don't think it will get in the way of any

important deliveries. We will wake up to a treat on Christmas morning,

because while it might still be hardier and breezy, in this little

triangle here, we have some very mild air. First thing, we could be

waking up to highs of 13 degrees. The temperatures will drop through

the day, but certainly a very mild start. We have a weather warning in

place, because it will be breezy, but it shouldn't have the travel

impact of today's storm. By Boxing Day, the temperatures just to drop

away to something a bit more normal. By Tuesday, the wind speed finally

drops down, everything gets,, and we can all just relax a bit.

No white Christmas? No white Christmas!

Finally a Christmas carol - it's In The Bleak Midwinter,

performed by pupils from St Patrick's Primary School

# In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan

# Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone

# Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,

# Our God, heaven cannot hold him, nor Earth sustain

# Heaven and Earth shall flee away when he comes to reign

# In the bleak midwinter, a stable place sufficed

# The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ

# If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb

# If I were a wise man, I would do my part