:00:13. > :00:15.Good evening, our top stories on BBC Newsline tonight: A court's told
:00:16. > :00:17.this former leading loyalist was beaten with baseball bats
:00:18. > :00:26.Two homes are targeted in pipe bomb attacks in Bushmills.
:00:27. > :00:28.What chance of a deal to give the undocumented Irish
:00:29. > :00:33.Belfast undergoes its biggest building boom
:00:34. > :00:40.Despite the wind and rain thousands attend the Saint
:00:41. > :00:54.We are from India and this is our first, we are out here for holidays
:00:55. > :00:56.and this is really awesome. Has Slaughtneil's GAA club
:00:57. > :01:03.fairytale season ended And we'll round up all the actiion
:01:04. > :01:07.from the rugby, GAA, And a miserable day
:01:08. > :01:10.for St Patrick's Day. Ten men armed with baseball bats,
:01:11. > :01:28.hammers and pickaxe handles carried out a bar-room attack on a former
:01:29. > :01:31.leading loyalist in That's what a Belfast
:01:32. > :01:34.court was told today, when a 27-year-old man
:01:35. > :01:36.from Newtownabbey was remanded in custody,
:01:37. > :01:48.charged with attempted murder. This is a former leading lawyers --
:01:49. > :01:50.that loyalist Darren Moore, he suffered head fractures, facial
:01:51. > :01:54.lacerations and a puncture wound to his stomach during what was
:01:55. > :02:00.described as a vicious beating at a pub in County Antrim two days ago.
:02:01. > :02:04.Details of the attack emerged as a 27 from Newton Abbot was remanded in
:02:05. > :02:09.custody, charged with attempted murder. The court was told that ten
:02:10. > :02:13.men, armed with baseball bats, hammers and pickaxe handles entered
:02:14. > :02:17.McConnell 's bar in dough and attacked him as he was having a
:02:18. > :02:23.drink. The victor was in his 40s and formally from the Mount Vernon area
:02:24. > :02:28.of Belfast and he has been under a loyalist paramilitary threat.
:02:29. > :02:32.Paramount -- police who viewed the CCTV footage have named the accused
:02:33. > :02:37.as being part of the gang. A bloody hammer was seized from his car as it
:02:38. > :02:40.was located shortly after the attack in Newton Abbot. A detective told
:02:41. > :02:43.the court that the PSNI havoc the nation from October of last year
:02:44. > :02:47.that the defender was trying to track down Darren Moore with a view
:02:48. > :02:49.to attacking him. The injured man remains in hospital and police say
:02:50. > :03:05.he could still be targeted. The defence solicitor described him
:03:06. > :03:07.as a man with a long and unenviable criminal record, whose credibility
:03:08. > :03:09.had been repeatedly called into question. He also insisted that his
:03:10. > :03:12.client denied any involvement in the attack. He was remanded in custody.
:03:13. > :03:15.A man has died in a road crash in county Down.
:03:16. > :03:17.The victim was 52-year-old Dean Weir from Portavogie.
:03:18. > :03:19.His car was in collision with another vehicle on the Dunover
:03:20. > :03:21.road in Ballywalter shortly before nine o'clock this morning.
:03:22. > :03:25.A man and a woman who were in the other car were taken to hospital
:03:26. > :03:30.Police are appealing for witnesses to contact them
:03:31. > :03:36.Two pipe bombs have exploded in a housing estate in Bushmills.
:03:37. > :03:44.Homes were damaged but no-one was injured.
:03:45. > :03:47.Police were called to the estate on the outskirts of Bushmills
:03:48. > :03:51.The first of two viable pipe bombs exploded outside a house
:03:52. > :03:53.in Woodland Court at the heart of the cul-de-sac.
:03:54. > :03:57.Shortly afterwards a second device exploded in Ballaghmore Court
:03:58. > :04:05.Windows were damaged and damage was caused to the exterior of some
:04:06. > :04:09.I was absolutely shocked and dismayed.
:04:10. > :04:16.The last thing we need is an incident like this dragging
:04:17. > :04:26.There was a potential for loss of life and serious injury so I hope
:04:27. > :04:32.whoever was involved is brought to justice speedily.
:04:33. > :04:40.Police haven't police have invested a high presence at the scene.
:04:41. > :04:42.As the investigation continues police are appealing for anyone
:04:43. > :04:46.Large crowds are gathering in the Holyland area of south Belfast.
:04:47. > :04:50.Police say they're monitoring low level disorder in the streets,
:04:51. > :04:53.and have stepped up their presence in the area, following widespread
:04:54. > :04:59.Off licences closed early this afternoon and both Queen's
:05:00. > :05:06.and Ulster University asked their students to stay away.
:05:07. > :05:08.Eleven people were arrested last night for minor disorder
:05:09. > :05:12.The Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, has been in the US this week raising
:05:13. > :05:14.the issue of illegal Irish immigrants with President Trump.
:05:15. > :05:16.Mr Kenny has also been speaking to leaders
:05:17. > :05:20.Mr Trump has promised to clamp down on illegal immigrants
:05:21. > :05:28.Our Dublin Correspondent Shane Harrison reports from Washington DC.
:05:29. > :05:39.It is winter in America. A Time of collars are up and heads down.
:05:40. > :05:42.Especially if you one of the estimated 11 million illegal or
:05:43. > :05:55.undocumented immigrants. Up to 50,000 of whom are Irish. Brian
:05:56. > :05:59.Gaffney from Kerry was himself once undocumented, until he got legal
:06:00. > :06:08.status. He knows what the current illegal immigrants are now going
:06:09. > :06:12.through. Everybody is very, very nervous now. I know people in the
:06:13. > :06:16.situation my heart goes out them because all of a sudden things have
:06:17. > :06:19.been relaxed for years and they have been OK and nobody was really
:06:20. > :06:24.chasing anybody but now all of a sudden there was the uncertainty and
:06:25. > :06:28.the decisions that have been made since the new administration came
:06:29. > :06:32.in. Several Irish heads of government have raised with several
:06:33. > :06:35.American presidents the plight of the undocumented or illegal Irish
:06:36. > :06:40.immigrants, but never with any resolution. And one Northern Irish
:06:41. > :06:46.born Washington journalist doesn't see that changing any time soon. I
:06:47. > :06:50.very much doubt that the Irish will get special privileges. If that were
:06:51. > :06:55.to be the case there would be quite understandable outcry from the
:06:56. > :07:00.governments of Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, nations that have many
:07:01. > :07:04.more illegal immigrants here and I am personally never persuaded what
:07:05. > :07:08.the special argument for a special Irish deal is. With a new and very
:07:09. > :07:12.different president in the White House putting America first and
:07:13. > :07:17.taking a tough line on illegal immigration, some might be surprised
:07:18. > :07:20.to learn that one congressman with County Armagh roots believes there
:07:21. > :07:24.is light at the end of the tunnel for the undocumented. I do
:07:25. > :07:28.ultimately see this being resolved in a comprehensive way, not a
:07:29. > :07:33.piecemeal way, and take care of all of those who are facing the
:07:34. > :07:38.uncertain future in an undocumented state. All of which means it will
:07:39. > :07:41.still be some time before illegal immigrants can emerge from the
:07:42. > :07:42.shadows into the sunlight of legality and the warmth of the
:07:43. > :07:46.American nation. You're watching BBC Newsline,
:07:47. > :07:50.still to come on the programme: Thousands brave the bad weather
:07:51. > :07:53.to attend the Saint Patrick's If you've looked at the Belfast
:07:54. > :08:03.skyline over the last few months you'll have noticed construction
:08:04. > :08:07.cranes pretty much everywhere. The city is seeing it's biggest
:08:08. > :08:09.investment in new buildings But what's driving all this
:08:10. > :08:17.development and will it continue? Here's our Economics
:08:18. > :08:22.and Business Editor John Campbell. There are more than 20 cranes
:08:23. > :08:30.dotting the Belfast skyline. It's been ten years since we have
:08:31. > :08:33.seen numbers like that. There are now so many
:08:34. > :08:36.that it is part of this Grand Central Hotel is going to be
:08:37. > :08:54.the biggest hotel in Belfast. Belfast has been added
:08:55. > :08:57.to a UK-wide crane survey. What does it tell us about the wider
:08:58. > :09:00.part of our economy? People have to make decisions
:09:01. > :09:01.based on confidence So this shows a level
:09:02. > :09:05.of confidence and that they are The local construction sector has
:09:06. > :09:08.lost about 15,000 jobs So all this new work
:09:09. > :09:14.is very welcome. Why are we now seeing this
:09:15. > :09:17.very visible recovery? Well, it all to do with investment
:09:18. > :09:20.decisions taken by two Ulster University is developing
:09:21. > :09:32.its new campus in the city centre. That has led to tens
:09:33. > :09:34.of millions of pounds being invested in private-sector
:09:35. > :09:36.student housing schemes. At the other end of the town,
:09:37. > :09:39.Belfast City Council has added a conference centre
:09:40. > :09:44.to the Waterfront Hall. That has stimulated
:09:45. > :09:47.a hotel building boom. That in anticipation of
:09:48. > :09:54.high-spending business travellers. Big firms like this are building
:09:55. > :09:59.both sorts of projects. It's a welcome change for people
:10:00. > :10:02.who have had to travel to work Our staff have become accustomed
:10:03. > :10:06.to being in aeroplane on Monday and flying back on a Friday
:10:07. > :10:08.so for us being able to bring them back home
:10:09. > :10:12.is a great welcome to them. The big question is what happens
:10:13. > :10:14.after the hotels and A firm plan to create offices
:10:15. > :10:21.in the Titanic Quarter later this year but other schemes
:10:22. > :10:34.are still seeking financial backing. The building trade said it would
:10:35. > :10:37.help if there was an executive to take firm decisions on some of the
:10:38. > :10:40.planned public sector schemes. Now, thousands of people
:10:41. > :10:42.across Northern Ireland have been We have reports from
:10:43. > :10:45.a number of towns. First up here's Sara Girvin
:10:46. > :10:57.from the biggest parade in Belfast. He famously drove the snakes out of
:10:58. > :11:02.Ireland, and today it looked like Saint Patrick had driven the sun out
:11:03. > :11:07.as well. A spot of rain did not stop thousands lined the streets for this
:11:08. > :11:10.years Belfast theme to parade. It adds an international field for a
:11:11. > :11:15.city welcoming visitors from all over the world. We are from India
:11:16. > :11:25.and we're out here for holidays and this really awesome. I look forward
:11:26. > :11:31.to the concept. I want to party. I want to have some cultural
:11:32. > :11:35.experiences. I will go on Patiala St Patrick's Day. Organisers hope the
:11:36. > :11:38.Saint Patrick 's parade will continue to attract tourists. There
:11:39. > :11:42.are about 20,000 people on the streets today and it is fantastic to
:11:43. > :11:48.see and I hope they will spend some money in Belfast city centre. With
:11:49. > :11:52.music and acrobats and dancers and even a dinosaur thrown in the parade
:11:53. > :11:56.had something for everyone. For some the day was out of this world, for
:11:57. > :12:06.others it was all about making a fashion statement. A leprechaun. A
:12:07. > :12:18.leprechaun with this. Everybody wears green. It says a leprechaun
:12:19. > :12:22.made me. Leprechaun made me do it! After a carnival procession came a
:12:23. > :12:27.concept at custom house Square. It may have rain today in Belfast, in
:12:28. > :12:37.fact it is poured, but it certainly doesn't stop the party.
:12:38. > :12:41.Despite the bad weather the crowds still came out to see a carnival as
:12:42. > :12:48.imagination and colour as it made its way in and around the city
:12:49. > :12:52.centre. Community groups from across the city and beyond had spent months
:12:53. > :12:58.preparing their floats for the big day. For the overseas visitors it
:12:59. > :13:02.was all worth it. I am from Germany and I think it is very great here.
:13:03. > :13:08.We don't celebrate St Patrick's Day in Germany and I really enjoyed it.
:13:09. > :13:12.It is really fun being here, yes. They don't care about the weather,
:13:13. > :13:17.just you are feeling free and you have fun all over the time and it is
:13:18. > :13:22.just call, it is good to be here. I am from Rome and for me it is really
:13:23. > :13:26.important to be had. It is my first St Patrick's Day in Ireland and I am
:13:27. > :13:29.really excited to be him. Earlier the apprentice days of -- earlier
:13:30. > :13:33.the Apprentice Boys of Derry stage what is now a traditional St
:13:34. > :13:36.Patrick's Day parade before a service in the cathedral. In a macro
:13:37. > :13:40.getting more getting more and more important, we celebrated a couple of
:13:41. > :13:45.years ago and we thought because of the popularity we would have the
:13:46. > :13:50.parade once again and celebrate Saint Patrick. As well as the
:13:51. > :13:54.celebrations people were enjoying celebrating and tasting all that is
:13:55. > :13:58.best in this area. The heaviest part of the rain stayed away during the
:13:59. > :14:06.carnival but this downpour was most welcome.
:14:07. > :14:11.Today was one of those days when Fermanagh was in the Lakes. They say
:14:12. > :14:16.there is no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes.
:14:17. > :14:26.This parade is organised by a team of volunteers, with dozens of
:14:27. > :14:30.community groups taking part. Their kids and the villains were here,
:14:31. > :14:37.they were being heroes and everybody turned up on a day like this and
:14:38. > :14:40.that is a credit to them. For the crowd sheltering under the umbrella
:14:41. > :14:49.is the weight in the rain was worth it. What did you like the best? The
:14:50. > :14:56.gym. I think it was the bands that were the best. So far very good,
:14:57. > :15:03.yes. Bring the sunshine the next time. We are going to Spain next
:15:04. > :15:11.year for it. They may have been wet but most people were staying
:15:12. > :15:15.positive. Thousands lined the streets of
:15:16. > :15:18.Downpatrick this afternoon to cheer on the traditional parade. Despite
:15:19. > :15:23.the wet weather the home of the patron saint put on a colourful
:15:24. > :15:27.display as the parade made its way through the town, with Patrick
:15:28. > :15:31.itself even making an appearance. This year 's theme was the myths and
:15:32. > :15:38.legends, with music, dancing and some leprechaun is taking part.
:15:39. > :15:42.Very, very good. In maybe a wee bit cooler but it's been a good day so
:15:43. > :15:48.far and I'm enjoying it very much. Are you enjoying the parade? What do
:15:49. > :15:52.you like best? Everything! Just to see the parade at older children and
:15:53. > :15:57.all the happiness. You get the kids out. There was also a large turnout
:15:58. > :16:00.in Armagh with music and floats to keep the crowds happy. Organisers
:16:01. > :16:06.are both events were keen to promote it as a family day for everyone.
:16:07. > :16:09.It was cold and windy in Dublin but it didn't deter thousands
:16:10. > :16:12.from taking to the streets to enjoy the Festival Parade there.
:16:13. > :16:13.This year's theme was "Ireland You Are..."
:16:14. > :16:17.And the city was awash with green as the pageant made its way
:16:18. > :16:19.Community groups and bands from Ireland were joined
:16:20. > :16:22.by musicians from around the world, including France, Germany,
:16:23. > :16:28.Today's parade is one of many events being held over the weekend.
:16:29. > :16:33.Coming up on the programme before seven:
:16:34. > :16:37.I am in New York as the boxer Michael Conlan makes his eagerly
:16:38. > :16:41.anticipated professional debut. St Patrick's Day is one
:16:42. > :16:56.of the busiest days Thank you very much. Yes, we will
:16:57. > :17:02.have all of the action from what has been a very exciting day in school
:17:03. > :17:05.sport very shortly. Firstly there was disappointment for Slaughtneil
:17:06. > :17:18.'s football players as they lost the all Ireland final to Kerry. The
:17:19. > :17:28.Derry side scored the first goal of the contest when Padraig Cassidy
:17:29. > :17:34.fired into the lead, but the opponents responded seven minutes
:17:35. > :17:47.later in an exciting first half, through Colm Cooper.
:17:48. > :18:05.The Derry side battled down to level the match but then three more points
:18:06. > :18:06.saw Dr Crokes home. It has been a great season for the Slaughtneil
:18:07. > :18:07.club. Tonight in New York's Belfast Boxer
:18:08. > :18:13.Michael Conlan will step into the ring for the first time
:18:14. > :18:15.as a professional. He's topping the bill
:18:16. > :18:17.in Madison Square Graden, an impressive way to
:18:18. > :18:19.make your debut. And Conlan is determined
:18:20. > :18:34.to wow the American fans Happy St Patrick's Day! Cluelessly
:18:35. > :18:38.only in New York. The Saint Patrick's Day party is well and
:18:39. > :18:44.truly underway as the parade makes its way through the city. Michael
:18:45. > :18:52.Conlan is hoping the celebrations will continue later tonight. Focused
:18:53. > :18:55.and ready to go. This is his time to shine. Victim Care Unit it is going
:18:56. > :19:01.to be a great night of boxing and is well it will be a great night of
:19:02. > :19:05.entertainment. I think boxing needs that back, the flare back, and
:19:06. > :19:09.hopefully tonight I will show that I can bring it back in the light is at
:19:10. > :19:13.the end of the tunnel and I just want to grab it but I have to put
:19:14. > :19:21.the working and get the fight away first and hopefully I will do well.
:19:22. > :19:27.The guiding him will be a boxer who has worked with some of the biggest
:19:28. > :19:31.names in the history of the sport. I really believe that his boxing
:19:32. > :19:36.ability is in a very high level and his marketability is even higher.
:19:37. > :19:42.This kid is just gold. Every place where he goes he lights up a room
:19:43. > :19:45.and he is the kind of talent that we can showcase not only here in the
:19:46. > :19:54.United States but all over the world. Will patients be important in
:19:55. > :20:00.this whole journey? I just have to trust everybody around me because
:20:01. > :20:05.they will just help me. Michael Connolly is due to be walking into
:20:06. > :20:12.the ring by Conor McGregor at around 10pm, that is 2am home time. --
:20:13. > :20:13.Michael Conlan. That should be a great night.
:20:14. > :20:16.As is traditional on St Patrick's Day, it's been a very busy
:20:17. > :20:20.And there has been no shortage of drama in the finals played today.
:20:21. > :20:26.Nigel Ringland rounds up all the action.
:20:27. > :20:37.St Mary 's were looking to win the cup at the third attempt. The gap
:20:38. > :20:41.narrowed to three points and Saint Colman 's had a good shot for a
:20:42. > :20:50.penalty. Victim Care Unit there is the catch and the tackle is tired.
:20:51. > :21:02.That was as close as it got. It was a historic win for Saint Mary 's.
:21:03. > :21:06.Saint Mary 's have won the 2017 cup. I couldn't be happier. It is the
:21:07. > :21:10.least we deserve, the effort and what we're putting this year. At the
:21:11. > :21:20.king span stadium two heavyweights in schools rugby clash. RBI took the
:21:21. > :21:29.initiative and went into a 12-0 lead. Method even hit back with a
:21:30. > :21:37.free-flowing drive. RBI prevailed for three schools cups in the row
:21:38. > :21:41.for the first time since the 1940s. It was a great feeling. It was
:21:42. > :21:45.another cup final game against our rivals across the road and you don't
:21:46. > :21:48.think about the third win but now hopefully we can look back on it a
:21:49. > :21:52.couple of years' time and see that it is a great achievement. The
:21:53. > :21:59.senior schools cup final at Seaview between the holder 's Grosvenor
:22:00. > :22:02.Grammar Ansett columns College was won in extra time. Three goals in a
:22:03. > :22:08.few minutes the Grosvenor Grammar sealed the match. The captain sealed
:22:09. > :22:16.the victory. Wallace high school were beaten 3-2. Well done to them
:22:17. > :22:17.all. Fittingly there was more
:22:18. > :22:19.Irish success on St The feature race, the Gold Cup,
:22:20. > :22:25.was won by Sizing John, ridden by Robbie Power and trained
:22:26. > :22:29.by Jessica Harrington. Earlier in the day another Irish,
:22:30. > :22:32.Willie Mullins, won his fifth and sixth races to compete
:22:33. > :22:37.a memorable fesitval. Tonight Ireland's Women's rugby team
:22:38. > :22:40.hope to complete a Grand Slam The winner of that game will take
:22:41. > :22:45.the Six Nations title. Sadly that chance has
:22:46. > :22:53.gone for Ireland's men. They also take on England
:22:54. > :22:55.with the championship already But an Irish victory would stop
:22:56. > :23:11.the English from setting a new world We are well aware of everything that
:23:12. > :23:14.England are going for tomorrow but for cars I suppose, it is Saint
:23:15. > :23:19.Paddy 's weekend and we are at home and we have a very proud record home
:23:20. > :23:22.as well and we confidence from that. We are focused on how to beat
:23:23. > :23:27.England and we haven't focused on the reasons why we beat them or
:23:28. > :23:31.where we beat them because we are pulling on a green jersey and we are
:23:32. > :23:36.at home and that is our motivation for this weekend. I think if we are
:23:37. > :23:40.motivated by trying to stop other teams then that is not the Argentina
:23:41. > :23:45.has set the standards that is currently sitting where we are in
:23:46. > :23:49.the world rankings. A big game and I can't wait for it. And live
:23:50. > :23:54.commentary on BBC Radio Ulster tomorrow.
:23:55. > :23:57.Rory McIlroy shot a round of one under par on the second day
:23:58. > :23:58.of the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bayhill.
:23:59. > :24:01.But he's 11 behind leader Charlie Hoffman.
:24:02. > :24:04.That is the first major of the season with a Masters in a few
:24:05. > :24:07.season with a Masters in a few weeks' time.
:24:08. > :24:19.That is it after a very busy day for sport! The weather was pretty
:24:20. > :24:20.miserable today it has to be said for all of the festivities.
:24:21. > :24:24.Now let's get the weather forecast for the weekend, here's Geoff.
:24:25. > :24:29.It has been so disappointing when you think it was 16 degrees at the
:24:30. > :24:31.start of the week and then today just all of this. It has been
:24:32. > :24:35.miserable for all the sporting events and the parade and the
:24:36. > :24:40.pageants. The sporting events come in all shapes and sizes, including
:24:41. > :24:42.this one, are ploughing match up at Ballycastle this morning, taking
:24:43. > :24:47.place in absolutely atrocious weather conditions. Overnight we
:24:48. > :24:52.have a bit more rain on what is still a very mild night. Actually
:24:53. > :24:55.not much difference between the daytime and night-time temperatures.
:24:56. > :25:00.Tomorrow we do it all again. It will be another wet day. Not quite
:25:01. > :25:05.perhaps as windy as we have seen today but certainly pretty miserable
:25:06. > :25:08.and stamp. This is what we will be waking up for tomorrow. We start on
:25:09. > :25:13.a dry no but it doesn't take long for the rent working from the West.
:25:14. > :25:19.It is drawing in some reasonably mild air with top temperatures of 11
:25:20. > :25:23.or 12 degrees. The best chance of any dry weather is the further west
:25:24. > :25:27.you go then the heavier the rain becomes. Temperatures are pretty
:25:28. > :25:32.reasonable for the time of year but underneath a rain cloud it is not
:25:33. > :25:35.feeling very nice. A big sporting weekend. I think the game in
:25:36. > :25:38.Edinburgh should get away without too much rain but the chance of a
:25:39. > :25:43.bit of rain for France and in the big game in Dublin I think the wind
:25:44. > :25:49.could well be the issue by the time we get to kick-off time for the big
:25:50. > :25:51.game. I promise not to talk about the result tomorrow! As we go
:25:52. > :25:56.overnight tomorrow the wind will start to build up. It is another
:25:57. > :26:00.mild night and Sunday is going to be a windy day then Saturday. This is
:26:01. > :26:05.what you will be waking up to one Sunday morning. A blanket of rain
:26:06. > :26:08.sitting over us. Gradually it will clear away and certainly going to
:26:09. > :26:14.see a brighter end to the day on Sunday. What will happen as we go
:26:15. > :26:17.into the start of next week? The mild there has been giving us quite
:26:18. > :26:21.mild temperatures and it is gradually going to sink away and be
:26:22. > :26:25.replaced by something just a little bit cooler. As we go into the start
:26:26. > :26:29.of next week the temperatures will take a dive down into single
:26:30. > :26:33.figures. Unfortunately there is still going to be some rain in that
:26:34. > :26:36.forecast. I wish I could have brought you better news but there
:26:37. > :26:38.you go. Thank you very much for that.
:26:39. > :26:45.You can also keep in contact with us via Facebook and Twitter.
:26:46. > :26:50.In a breathtaking new series, wildlife cameraman