01/05/2014 BBC Newsline

pressure for change. That's all from us. Now on BBC One

it is That's all from us. Now on BBC One

it is Good evening.

The Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams is still being questioned by police

about the murder of mother of ten, Jean McConville more than 40years

ago. He was arrested last night after voluntarily going to Antrim

police station to be interviewed. Mr Adams has always denied any

involvement in the murder. Our reporter Chris Page is in Antrim for

us tonight. Chris. Gerry Adams has now been under

arrest at Antrim police station for more than 24 hours. This is the

first time in the modern era that the leader of one of Ireland's main

political parties has been questioned by police under

circumstances likely. -- like these. Shortly before

arriving at Antrim police station with his solicitor Gerry Adams spoke

to our tape. I am going forward early to talk to the PSNI because

there has been a lengthy malicious campaign against me. I will tell the

PSNI that I am innocent, totally, of any part in the abduction, the

killing was the burial of Jean McConville. Detectives investigating

the abduction and murder of the mother of ten were waiting for the

Sinn Fein leader when he arrived. That is because the timing had been

arranged in advance after talks between the police and his

solicitor. On arrival Gerry Adams was arrested and interviewed under

caution. He spent the night in a police cell and questioning resume

this morning. Sinn Fein has complained about the timing of the

arrest, pointing out that its party leader offered to meet the police

five weeks ago. What other conclusion can I any other come to?

In the mouth of an election, the leader of a political party which is

experiencing huge growth all over the island of Ireland finds himself

under arrest. The First Minister rejected that claim. He chose the

timing, he chose to be during an election campaign. The police must

not allow the election campaign to end anyway deflect them from their

duty that they have two the community and victims. The Chief

Constable refused to be drawn to date. It would be inappropriate for

me to comment on any investigation other than to say it will be

objective and methodical. Police sources rejected the allegation that

it was aimed at causing maximum embarrassment for Sinn Fein. The

police say they have to follow a proper process to be in a position

to put as much evidence as possible to a suspect during interview.

Detectives interviewing the suspect when they believe the time is right,

not when the person believes they are ready. Terry Adams spoke to

police after Ivor Bell was related -- arrested in March. He was charged

on the basis of an interview he gave. Former IRA leader Brendan

Hughes also gave an interview but has since died. One day ) of Gerry

Adams, the two men are seen together inside the Maze prison. He

implicated the Sinn Fein leader in the murder. There is only one man

who could give the order that woman could be executed and that man is

now the head of Sinn Fein. Gerry Adams was asked about the claim in a

BBC documentary last year. Did you give the order for the execution of

Jean McConville? No, I had no active part to play in either the

abduction, killing or burial of Jean McConville or any of these other

individuals and Brendan was telling lies. The interviews by Brendan

Hughes and Ivor Bell and other republicans were made available to

detectives investigating Jean McConville's murder. It is

understood the Sinn Fein leader would be questioned about any claims

made about his involvement. How long can the police detain Mr

Adams? Mr Adams is being held under the Terrorism Act. Under that

legislation suspects are initially held for 24 hours and then a senior

police officer can decide if they can be held for another 24 hours. We

are past that stage and Gerry Adams is into his second 24 hours in

custody. The time runs out at about eight o'clock tomorrow night. If the

police want to detain him longer they have to go to court and a judge

will decide whether they will be allowed to do that. Mr Adams has

denied ever being in the IRA and has denied ever having anything to do

with the murder of Jean McConville. Martin McGuinness today claimed that

the arrest was due to what he claimed was the dark side of

policing. The Prime Minister David Cameron denied that. Tonight, Mr

McGuinness and Mr Cameron has spoken by telephone. Sinn Fein say that Mr

McGuinness claimed to Mr Cameron that the police pursue some cases

more than others. Tonight detectives are still questioning Gerry Adams.

Jean McConville's murder has become one of the most notorious incidents

of the Troubles. After being abducted and shot by the IRA in 1972

her remains were only found decades later on a beach in County Louth.

Our reporter Conor Macauley spoke to her son Michael today. He began by

describing how, as an 11-year-old boy, he witnessed his mother being

taken away. I remember that night, between half

five and six o'clock, there was a knock at the door. We answered the

door. A group of people came in, some with masks and some without.

The people without masks, me and my brothers and sisters knew them

because they lived in the Divis Flats complex. These people knew us

by name. There was panic. We wrapped ourselves around our mother and we

didn't want them to take her. Do the children say anything about their

mother? Some nights they say, I want my mother back. She was panicking,

she was crying. They put my mother into the back of the van and one of

the cars drove away first and then the van followed. That was the last

any of us ever saw of her. The police know what I know and what

certain members of the family know, but I've never given a statement to

the police and the reason for that is because I know there could be

repercussions. Will have more on Gerry Adams' arrest just this

bulletin. -- we will have more in The View.

A 47-year-old man has been arrested after police found a substantial

amount of explosives in north Belfast. They were found during

searches of a flat in the New Lodge area by officers investigating

dissident republican activity. A County Antrim farmer has been sent

to jail for animal cruelty offences. Michael Agnew of Ballynease Road

near Portglenone was given six months for a range of offences. It's

the first time anyone has been jailed under animal welfare

legislation that came into effect here in 2011.

Turning to sport and in rugby, there was a shock defeat for the Ospreys

away to Zebre in Italy tonight - a result that has big implications for

Ulster. The Welsh side's 30-27 defeat means that Ulster now need

just one point from their remaining two games in the Pro12 to qualify

for the play-offs. They face Leinster at Ravenhill tomorrow

night. Now let's get a look at the weather

prospects with Cecilia Daly. Hello. It has been a shocking day

for the 1st of May. Temperatures in some parts of County Antrim were

sitting at six or seven degrees this afternoon. That is more typical of

February. At least it is tried for the rest of the night. There is a

lot of cloud around. Where it thins and breaks over parts of County

Antrim, it could get chilly. Temperatures dropping to 23 degrees,

leading to frost on the grass. Friday is going to be a much better

day. There will be a lot of dry weather and it will brighten up at

times. You should see temperatures at least in double figures. There

will still be a chill in the air, especially from the breeze, which

will be noticeable among the East Coast. Eastern counties will see the

best of the sunshine. Further west you are, the cloudier. That is

because of this area of rain coming in from the Atlantic nudging towards

the south west of Ireland tomorrow afternoon. Fine weather for many

parts of Britain. One or two showers around but not the heavy rain of

today. Cold over parts of Scotland and North East England with

temperatures in single figures. Temperatures for northern Ireland

tomorrow afternoon around 12, perhaps 13 degrees, closer to the

average. Any sunshine across the East. Through the weekend, Saturday

sees some drizzle or light rain, otherwise dry, and sunshine on

Monday. Keep up-to-date online and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Good night. It's shocking it'd happen

in a public place. I don't find it funny,

but I don't find it offensive. It really is vile.

Shock value sells. Men are even less tolerant of women

than they were before. The hatred of women.

Some people are offended.