17/10/2016 BBC Newsline

The Assembly has voted against a motion calling

for Northern Ireland to be granted special status within the EU.

The motion, brought by the SDLP, was defeated by a single vote.

Our political editor, Mark Devenport, has more.

Given the sensitivities over the border and European peace, the SDLP

has been campaigning for Northern Ireland to be treated differently

from the rest of the UK. Making his case, column eastward accused the

executive of lacking urgency. Just writing a letter to the Prime

Minister and waiting for your reply. We should be kicking the door down

of the Prime Minister to ensure the interests of the people of Northern

Ireland are protected. I don't have anything coming from them that could

give us any confidence that the issue of people here is at the top

of their agenda. -- Colum Eastwood. But the DUP argued that the decision

had been taken by the UK as a whole. It pointed out that people have

voted differently here. This is the logic of saying that we should

divide the country up into certain areas. Maybe we should carve off the

eastern corner of Belfast. And it should stay out of the European

Union. But the other three quarters should stay in. This is the logic

that seeks to divide. Where does it end? Does London secede from the

union, too. Last week, the Ulster Unionists backed the Northern

Ireland remaining in the single market. But today's motion, talking

about a legal recognition was a step too far for them. Their decision

sealed the fate of the SDLP motion. And you can see more on that

on Stormont Today over on BBC Two. A man on trial for murdering his

friend and putting the body into a bin has admitted

telling his former girlfriend She's on trial too and the pair

are blaming each other. They were friends and they used

to socialise together. But Stephen Hughes, seen

here on the left, is accused of murdering Owen Creaney

and hiding his body in a bin. Two days after being punched

and kicked so hard Stephen Hughes is on

trial for the murder. And in court today

he admitted telling his ex-girlfriend he had

been involved. Although Stephen Hughes denies

murdering his friend, Owen Creaney, he admits he did put his body

into a wheelie bin. But he insisted in court today

that he didn't do it alone. He said another friend

had helped him - And that she had been

the one who attacked him, She too is now on trial

and she also denies murder. The two defendants have

blamed each other. Many more school mergers

and closures look likely in the years ahead, according

to a document published today. Earlier, I spoke to our Education

Correspondent, Robbie Meredith. He explained that the education

forecast has come about, because there are too many schools

and not enough pupils. It has been produced

by the Education Authority, and other bodies to set out

where we're going to need But introducing it in the Assembly

today, Peter Weir seemed to indicate that we had too many

small schools, especially. The area plan confirmed that in some

areas we have too many schools for the number of children. And young

people available to fill them. In other areas, it highlights than

sufficient places. But that they are not necessarily in the right places.

The challenges that face us is that we have schools that are too small

to adequately provide for the pupils and ensure they have an opportunity

to fulfil their potential. I will say this again, this is something

which cannot continue. Big changes may be ahead of us. Which schools do

you think will be affected? Those factors could include

things like if the school is attracting

enough pupils. Or if it is providing a good

education and good leadership. If you look at the number of young

people forecast to be in an area, This says in the Armagh council

areas, there is going to be an increase in the number

of young people. Early next year, we will hear

the names of schools that We do know of schools that have big

financial problems. What details do you have on those?

The EA says this is about all pupils getting good education.

But the finances are going to be key.

And this has some startling predictions in it.

It says that 325 primary schools - that is nearly four in ten -

and 62 post primary schools - that is almost a third -

they are going to move from a budget surplus this year to

That's at a time when the education budget is decreasing.

So, closing or merging, will save money.

Robbie Meredith speaking to me earlier.

Two girls, aged 10 and 11, are in hospital

after being hit by a car in Banbridge this afternoon.

The police are appealing for witnesses.

The incident happened on the Scarva Road.

The pupils, who are aged 10 and 11,

And one also had a broken leg.

Neither of them has life-threatening injuries.

Their school principal said the crossing patrol at that spot

And that it was an accident waiting to happen.

He said the pupils were very lucky to be alive.

And he would be writing to the Education Authority.

The name of a soldier, who fired a shot that killed

a teenager in Londonderry over 40 years ago,

has been officially disclosed for the first time.

Manus Deery's sister says she wants the inquest to declare him innocent,

as there's still a stain on his name.

Manus Deery was shot on 19th May, 1972.

He had been standing with a group of friends

when a soldier fired from high up on the city walls.

The Army maintained that the soldier fired

But he missed and the shot ricocheted and injured the teenager.

The families have always disputed the Army's version of events.

They believe he was unlawfully killed.

I'm hoping they will overturn the original inquest's verdict.

And have that changed to unlawful killing.

For peace of mind for my family and the witnesses.

I loved my wee brother. He was beautiful.

And I will go another 44 years, if I have to.

On the evening of his death, the 15-year-old was celebrating

getting his first pay packet after starting work in

He had left home to go to a local chip shop.

But after he was shot, Manus Deery was pronounced dead

In his opening address, the counsel for the coroner said

that the soldier who fired the shot that killed Manus Deery

was no longer entitled to a claim for anonymity.

He said that Soldier A was a Mr William Glasgow,

The court was also told about a Special Branch

assessment of Manus Deery. He was not a known terrorist.

And not known to be engaged in terrorist activities.

The Deery family say there has never been a proper investigation

And the original inquest in July 1973 returned an open verdict.

The Duke of York paid a fleeting visit today.

He flew in to help celebrate 100 years of military cadets

When the first Army cadets set foot on the pictures here, it was in the

long, dark shadow of the Western front. And its terrible loss of

life. Military training and recruitment were at the very heart

of everything the organisation stood for. 100 years on and the Duke of

York arrives to celebrate the centenary of what is now a very

different cadet force. Right back to your cheek now. Right back. Well

done. Cadet forces are still funded by the MOD. But providing the

pathway for recruitment into the Armed Forces is no longer their

primary purpose. So, do they still have relevance to today's young

people? It has given them my skills to allow them to have fantastic

career tours and go to university. And develop life skills that perhaps

many of us wouldn't develop unless you are an adult. But they are

developing them at the age of 15, because they are being pushed out of

their comfort zones and challenged all the time. The skills that I've

got today I would never have been able to stand here and talk to you

like I am now before I joined cadets. I was really shy. And cadets

have made me more of a person than I am today. I am very thankful for it.

Royal School was one of five contingent in Northern Ireland who

see their future seems assured, if different.

The family of Munster Rugby's head coach,

Anthony Foley, say they've been plunged

into incomprehensible darkness following his sudden death.

The 42-year-old died on Saturday in a Paris hotel,

where the team were staying before a European game.

Ulster's Director of Rugby was among those paying tribute.

To think I am not going to see him again is surreal.

The most abiding memories are about his absolute passion

on and off the field to keep the traditions of rugby alive.

I think he was just a fantastic guy to be around.

The County Down swimmer Bethany Firth has been taking part

in the Heroes Parade to celebrate the achievements of Great Britain's

She won three golds and a silver in Rio.

It was great to have everyone out here supporting us.

So honoured that they got behind us in Rio.

And now, even though it is raining, everyone was still smiling here.

And we wouldn't be here without them.

So, it is great they came out and cheered us on.

Good evening. It has been a gusty start to the new week. Shari as

well. Unsettled, but once we get beyond tomorrow things will start to

settle down. A lot more dry weather in the forecast. We are looking at

Sunshine. The night is likely to be quite chilly. It has to frost as

well. Through tonight, we start off with wet weather. Fairly persistent

rain in places. Later, we are left with clear intervals and scattered

showers. Cold air coming in behind that. Temperatures falling away.

There could be a touch of grass frost tonight in some rural areas. A

cold start tomorrow. It is going to stay with us throughout the day.

Showers around again which should ease. They could break out almost

anywhere for Spain. But not all parts will see them using a weight

completely. After a wet start and wet end to the night, England and

Wales are largely dry. Similar for the East of Scotland. More showery

conditions into western Scotland. Some wintry mess over the Scottish

mountains and wet across northern England. It is this batch of rain we

need to keep an eye on. They could linger across parts of the north

coast and into the North East. Elsewhere, more in the way of dry

weather. Some sunshine. Highs of 11 or 12. Feeling cold.

Our next BBC Newsline is at 6:25am tomorrow.