22/04/2014 BBC Newsline

club turned out to be a stalemate. And that's

Good evening. An investigation has begun into how more than 1,000 fish

were killed in a river near Dungannon. Pollution was discovered

over the weekend in the River Oona, which is a tributary of the

Blackwater. The River Oona is an exceptionally

pretty river, winding its way through the hills of County Tyrone.

It was once a famous trout river. Like all true beauties of the River

Blackwater, it suffered when the river was dredged. It has also

suffered from incidents of pollution. Thankfully, down here

where the river is at its finest, there has been no sign of pollution.

I have seen healthy trout in the water. It is a different story,

however, on the upper reaches of the system, as I found out earlier. My

short walk along the river soon revealed a carpet of dead fish of

varying sizes and ages. The Environment Agency is carrying out

an investigation to try to find the source of the pollution. While it is

at an early stage, initial indications are that it is

agricultural, probably slurry. With upwards of 1,000 fish killed, the

Agency has classified this incident as being of high severity. We have

identified the source, and we are carrying on our usual enforcement

action from that. What we will do over the next few days is get our

specialist biologists to carry out a survey of the ecosystem. The hope

for environmentalists and anglers is that the current low water levels

will help prevent this pollution spreading as far as it otherwise

might have. More than 1,000 people have attended

the funeral of the independent unionist Assembly member David

McClarty. He had been suffering from cancer.

In death, as in life, David McClarty brought people together. Whatever

the divisions that led to him not being selected as an election

candidate, every shade of unionism was represented today. The Deputy

First Minister adds his name to the book of condolence. He was so much

more than a politician. He was a raconteur. He made people laugh. He

sang in the parish choir all of his life. He kept them sane in Stormont.

He was company with the Queen, yet able to deal with everyone. He was

most happy with people who needed help. He was also a family man, one

of 12 children, who leaves behind his wife, Norma, and two sons. Dad

loved Coleraine, but it seems today, Coleraine loves dad just as much. In

his last few months he spoke of his pride in his family. He was a family

man, he didn't need to say it. It was something we already knew.

Today, we are so proud of him. A father and one of the stars of

Northern Ireland politics was laid to rest in Portstewart.

Vandals are being blamed for stealing a mechanical digger from a

construction site in north Belfast and going on a rampage. They damaged

property near the Valley Leisure Centre in Newtownabbey last night.

Fencing and goal posts were broken and sports pitches were damaged.

Trees were smashed around the construction site. An attempt was

also made to break into the site office.

Two men and women are to appear in court charges linked to an incident

in north Belfast this morning. They were arrested after a number of

flags and banners were damaged. One of Northern Ireland's best known

landmarks, Scrabo Tower, is to close for the foreseeable future because

of water damage. The surrounding Country Park will remain open.

It's a majestic monument which has graced the summit of Scrabo Hill for

almost 160 years. But this prominent position has actually caused

problems for Scrabo Tower. Because it has such a spectacular location,

on top of this hill, the tower is very exposed to bad weather. Over

the years, rainwater has seeped in. So the electrical and lighting

system has been damaged, forcing the Environment Agency to close the

tower for the foreseeable future. The Agency says it's spent hundreds

of thousands of pounds over the last 30 years to try to deal with the

issues. And now it's considering seeking specialist advice on

weatherproofing the tower. The landmark was built in 1857 as a

memorial to the third Marquess of Londonderry. These much beloved by

artist and poets. It is an iconic monument. It is identified with art.

This is not the end of that distinguished history. The Tower may

be opened occasionally and visitors will still be able to enjoy the

walks around it. In football, Cliftonville are

celebrating after retaining the Premiership title. They beat

Portadown 2-0. Their nearest challengers Linfield lost. Stephen

Watson reports on a dramatic day. Cliftonville started the day three

points clear of Linfield and with a better goal difference. They knew

that a win should be enough. How important could that be? As they

took a second half lead, in Belfast things were not going well for their

nearest challengers. He may have broken the hearts of Linfield. Back

at Shamrock Park the home side were pushing for an equaliser.

Cliftonville were still feeling the pressure. Soon, they edged another

step closer to glory. Stephen Garrett has scored a second. Within

a few minutes, more good news. That cheer can only signify one thing...

Linfield had fallen further behind. Linfield's title hopes dead and

buried. For the second year in a row, Cliftonville took home the

title. Cliftonville are the 2014 champions. They look after

themselves. They will maybe go on for years to come. Outstanding, a

joy to work with. There are probably another seven or eight who could get

in the team. It was hard to defend it. I am delighted. Championees!

The former Manchester United captain Roy Keane has tonight criticised his

old club for sacking David Moyes. The Republic's assistant manager

said that Moyes deserved more time and had been let down by the

players. When he took the job I think the Chief Executive did not

get the deals done that he wanted, a lot of negativity, I think it is a

shame, I think he should have been given more time. I think Manchester

United should be ashamed of themselves.

Looking ahead to a story we have across TV, radio and online

tomorrow, we speak to a former IRA member who raises questions about

Gerry Adams' claim that he was never in the IRA. An exclusive interview

on BBC News Northern Ireland starting on the Good Morning Ulster

programme. There is some more rain in the

forecast but that means it will also be mild. None of it will be

particularly heavy, more damp than anything else. We are expecting some

more showers tomorrow so you have to keep your umbrella handy, especially

through the morning but the second half of the day will bring drier and

brighter weather. Tomorrow morning it is cloudy with showery rain. It

will probably feel quite cool. The worst of the range should be

cleaning away from the north coast by midday. It is a band of rain

which slowly goes into south-west Scotland and into Wales and

south-west England. It will be a slow process but it will gradually

move eastwards across many areas of Britain. It lightens up across the

Republic of Ireland, temperatures reaching 16 degrees -- brightens.

Tomorrow there will be some dry weather and sunshine and it will

feel warm, but there will be the chance of one or two might heavy

showers and maybe even a rumble of thunder. The showers will die away

tomorrow night to leave drier weather on Thursday. Some sunshine

and quite warm when the sun comes out with temperatures in the mid

teens. Friday should bring dry and bright weather. The rain is back on

Saturday and with it a drop in temperature. Goodnight.