08/03/2014 BBC Newsline

City Good afternoon. this afternoon. Now it's

Army bomb experts are at the scene of two security alerts in the

waterside area of Londonderry. A local DUP councillor in the area

Drew Thompson says he believes a pipebomb partially exploded outside

a house in Lapwing Way and says there was a similar incident in

Lincoln Courts. The police say they received reports of loud bangs

outside the two houses shortly after 1.30 this morning. There are no

reports of any injuries. Police divers searching for a

missing man in the River Lagan have recovered a body. Eyewitnesses

reported seeing a man going into the water at Donegal Quay near Belfast

city centre yesterday evening. Dozens of members of the emergency

services were involved in the search, which continued into the

night. A man and a woman in their 30s were

tied up in their home in Lurgan last night by four masked men who

demanded money. It happened in Willowtree Manor at around 8:20pm.

The robbers made off with a small sum of money.

The former head of the Catholic Church's child protection body is

considering taking legal action against the Bishop of Down and

Connor, Noel Treanor. Ian Elliott is said to be unhappy at the

publication last December of a major review into safeguarding practice in

the diocese saying the report did not accurately reflect the child

protection situation in Down and Connor. Mr Elliott left his role as

Chief Executive of the National Board for Safeguarding Children last

July. In a statement last night, Bishop Treanor said the diocese was

fully open and transparent and the report was undertaken and prepared

by the National Board team, including independent professional

reviewers. The DUP is expected to put just one

candidate up for the European election in May. The party had

considered running a second candidate alongside current MEP

Diane Dodds, but the officer team is recommending that only Mrs Dodds

stand. In rugby, Ireland take on Italy in

Dublin this afternoon in the Six Nations. It's Brian O'Driscoll's

last international match on home soil. Our reporter Thomas Niblock is

in Dublin. If you placed ?10 with a bookmaker

on Ireland to win this afternoon, you will win the sum of 10p. Such

are the odds. Add onto that the fact that it is Brian O'Driscoll's final

game at home and he will win his 140th test cap making him the most

capped player in world rugby history. If Ireland are serious

about winning the Six Nations, inevitably it will come down to

points difference, therefore they must win this afternoon and they

must win big. Take into consideration the last time Ireland

play Italy, it was the Italians who won. Pressure on the side this

afternoon. Roddy Collins begins his managerial

reign at Derry City tomorrow, when they travel to Shamrock Rovers in

the first game of the new League of Ireland Premier season. And he's

depending on a Northern Ireland international to be among the goals

for the Candystripes. Here's our North-West reporter, Keiron Tourish.

After two months on the training bridge, Roddy Collins cannot wait

for the competitive action to begin. It is a tough assignment,

away to Shamrock Rovers who are tipped to be the title contenders.

The city boss intends to be up there. we are ready to go. We have

no injuries. There is great enthusiasm, pace, experience,

everyone is comfortable on the ball. Very happy. Elections --

predictions? I would like to be in the top three.

You'll be looking to the experience of last season's top scorer to

establish City among the pacesetters. We have had a good

pre-season, we're done hard work. We're just looking forward now.

Roddy Collins is clearly relishing the challenge of bringing a league

title back since the first time since 1977. He is making no rash

predictions. Hoping to get after to a good start to make sure his side

remain among the contenders. Now with the weekend weather

forecast, here's Angie Philips. Good afternoon. The wind is the main

feature of the weather today. The strong southerly winds helped clear

the rain. The emphasis for the rest of the Day is on dry weather. As you

can see, there is a lot of cloud. That will be a sticking point.

Having said that, it may thin out to give the odd bit of brightness.

Despite the wind, temperature is quite mild for the time of year, 11,

possibly even 13 Celsius in one or two spots. Across the Republic of

Ireland it is dry and rather cloudy. Condition is fine as Ireland take on

Italy this afternoon. It extends up to the north-west of Scotland, along

with gales and severe strong winds here. For much of England and Wales

it is a dry story, not as windy in England and Wales with decent spells

of sunshine. Quite warm sunshine, too. In the south-east, could see 16

Celsius. This evening, in Northern Ireland, the cloud thickens up. That

will bring spells of rain. That rain then extends its way is through the

night, but will become patchy as it does, so nevertheless it is a bit of

a damp cold night. But frost free, temperature is no lower than five or

six Celsius. Into tomorrow and not much change, cloudy skies, further

spells of rain to come. During the morning, most of the rain will be

patchy and light. In the afternoon, it looks like we will get pulses of

heavy rain starting to edge in and it could get quite persistent, not

as mild as today. Once it clears through, high pressure builds into

the start of next week which will bring settled weather, fine days,

but cold nights. That's it for now. Our next

television news is after the rugby. You can keep up to date with Radio

Ulster and our news online service.