13/04/2017 BBC Newsline

This is BBC Newsline and these are the headlines this Thursday

evening: A woman in her thirties dies after falling into Lough Erne.

We believe that she went to check the securing of the ropes against

the jetty before she bedded down for the night and at that time she

slipped and fell into the water. comments about engaging with those

who speak Irish. Good news for the construction

industry as new figures show it's Former polio patients

on the disease's lifelong impact and their memories of their time

in hospital: I was put in a plaster cast from my

Also on the programme: remember that.

It has a top speed of just 20 mph, one of 100 vehicles on sale in

County Tyrone. A bumper Easter weekend of sport

kicks off with Derry City's first derby of the season away to Finn

Harps. And it looks like a damp and dreary

start to Good Friday but things should eventually improve

for the afternoon. First to that family holiday

which ended in tragedy. A woman from County Donegal,

on an Easter break cruising She had been on the hired boat

with her husband and two children. It's understood she had gone

to check that it had been moored securely to a jetty

on Devenish Island A scene of tranquillity but also of

tragedy. The family had come on a holiday. They had hired a cruiser

for the weekend. Last night, they moored at a jetty on Devenish

Island. It was just after 1am and the children were asleep on board

when there are 35-year-old mother fell into the water. Her husband

tried desperately to save her, before he made a franking -- frantic

call to the police for help. We believe that she went to check the

securing of drugs against the jetty before she bedded down for the night

and at that time she slipped and fell off the back of the boat into

the water. Her husband then jumped in after two tried to retrieve her

but unfortunately was not able to do so. The woman was found after about

45 minutes in the water, despite attempts to resuscitate her, she was

pronounced dead in hospital. We are here to save lives and it is very

tragic when we are unable to do that. And certainly the crew are

affected by that. Easter is the start of the boating season on Lough

Erne. Local politicians have expressed their shock at what should

have been a happy family holiday turned so quickly into tragedy. That

shock is shared in Donegal by those who know the family. The deceased

was originally from China and the husband was originally from

Strabane. The kids would have been going to local schools here and the

local businesses and shops, they would have known the family. And

being with them. Just stunned by it. Just can't believe it. Both tourists

and experienced bulk users are being urged to think about their safety

while out on the water. Please do come and enjoy the beautiful lakes

and waterways of Fermanagh, but at all times, obey the rules of the

water and most importantly, always, always, always wear a life jacket.

Do we know if she was wearing a life jacket? At the moment, we believe

she was not wearing a life jacket. A tragic reminder that this area of

natural beauty is not without its dangers.

Sinn Fein have welcomed a move by the DUP leader

to meet Irish speakers to, as she put it, better understand

Arlene Foster said yesterday she wanted to engage with people

who don't want to use Irish as a political weapon.

This report from our political correspondent Gareth Gordon.

It is a long way from here... If you keep a crocodile, they are going to

come back and look for more. To hear. I do intend to listen and to

engage with those from the daily Irish background, those without

party political baggage or indeed demands. It is not such a long way

from Stormont to West Belfast. In areas like this, you could not avoid

the Irish language, even if you tried. Which, politically speaking,

may be just about where Arlene Foster and the DUP are right now.

Irish language already seems to have the potential to change the

political picture. Anything which encourages dialogue and

conversation, which encourages increased understanding of our

shared heritage has to be positive, so as we move into this time-out, we

should take this from Arlene Foster positively. This language activist

says he would like to do the same with the DUP. Hopefully it is a move

towards the right direction, but what we would be asking are also to

do would be to scratch below the surface, to meet with parents and

schools and go out to see what the Irish language community is really

about. There have been a number of invitations across the sector to

Arlene Foster and I really hope she needs the right groups at the right

time. The apparent change of June has also chimed with the groups to

use the Irish language Centre in Derry. It has now issued an

invitation to Arlene Foster. I thought by inviting her or a

representative that we would be able to demonstrate that our work is

positive. It is in no way political and it is in no way a threat. It is

a message echoed by others. I think there needs to be a better

understanding of the Irish community. And the people involved

in it, that it is not all political. This man describes himself as an

Ulster Scots man. He started to learn Irish after hearing it spoken

during a hospital visit. If I were speaking to her, I would say why

don't you join me and learn some lessons and find out for yourself

because I think that she would be surprised that the reception that

she would receive. So yes, hurry along. Things could be changing at

Stormont, but maybe not that much. For retired police officers are

considering legal action against the police ombudsman. Following a leak

of their personal details. The leak came to light

after the arrest of an former As we revealed on yesterday's BBC

Newsline, he was detained over an alleged theft of sensitive

security documents . Our reporter Mervyn Jess

is at the Ombudsman's Office. As you say, yesterday we reported

the arrest of the 69-year-old man at Dartford in Kent. The former

ombudsman investigator was detained by officers from the PS and I's

serious crime branch or carried out a joint search with police in the

Dartford area in the south-east of England, but today a lawyer for

former Thai police officers here said the police ombudsman had

confirmed that their personal details were unlawfully disclosed.

The PS and I has launched a criminal investigation but these are

sensitive security documents and it is understand they contain

information which the police and the security service MI5 believe may put

individual's lives at risk and it is understood the information contained

the names of former RUC special Branch and CID officers. The retired

police officer's lawyer said his client's disputed claims that the

leak was connected to an historic case and said that there was a link

to an ongoing investigation by the basement here in Northern Ireland.

-- by the ombudsman here in Northern Ireland.

Official figures show activity in the local construction sector

The sector was devastated by the property crash but has been

gradually recovering over the last three years.

Our Economics and Business Editor John Campbell is here.

So what are the stickers and what do they show us? Never mind the

figures. If you just took a walk around Belfast city centre, you

would see the construction recovery in full screen. There are more

creams on the Belfast skyline then there have been in a decade but we

will have a look at these figures. -- cranes. It was helped by a

relatively strong last quarter of 2016. In 2015, it was ?2.4 billion.

But just look at what the output was in the year 2000. It was more than

?3 billion. So it shows just how much output has been lost in the

local construction sector as a result of that crash and how much

ground there is still to make up. Some of our local companies work

elsewhere. Is that included in these figures? That is an important point

because most of our biggest construction companies now do the

bulk of their work in Scotland and England. They have had to be focused

their businesses as a result of that crash. There is probably about ?1

billion not picked up in these figures, so they do not give us the

full picture of what is happening in the local construction sector. And

you have other figures related to the economy today. More positive

news. Yes, this is something called the Northern Ireland composite

index. It is really just the closest thing we have two local GDP. And we

can see what these figures have been like over the last decade, really.

Anything that is below the line here tells us the economy has been

shrinking. Anything above tells as the

economy is growing so we see just how deep and long-lasting the

recession has been and there has been weak growth over the last three

years or so. Until we get to that last bar at the end, which shows

that in the last quarter of 2016, growth was 2.9%, which is the best

we have seen in a decade. Retailers had a very strong Christmas and that

is showing up in those figures. There is also evidence that the

momentum has carried on into the start of this year but something we

have been talking about all week has been inflation and the big question

is if inflation continues to rise and that puts a damper on consumer

spending, will that affect this rise? Time will tell.

Coming up later on this BBC Newsline: We've been finding out why

the River Lagan in Belfast has been at a much lower level than usual.

The migrants in northern France were in the news again this week

when more than 1500 lost their temporary shelters

when a fire burned down a camp near Dunkirk.

Ten people were injured and many now have nowhere to go.

Their plight is well-understood by members of a Dungannon Church

who've been taking much-needed supplies to the camps

An inferno. The last few minutes of the temporary camp for 1500 people

at Dunkirk. In recent times, the authorities have been threatening to

dismantle the camp because of unrest. A fight led to this fire.

The was well-known to volunteers from the Vineyard Church in

Dungannon. Some have visited several times to take aid and offer support

you and previously to the huge Jungle dismantled six months ago

near Calais. Now it has changed markedly from the first times. As

you would know, the Jungle now demolished. People are of the

opinion that the problem is gone and there is no problem any more in

Calais. But in the surrounding area, that is not the case. Families are

now in emergency accommodation. Others who fled the are sleeping

rough. Some spend their days in a cafe run by the volunteers. We had

time to sit and talk with people and we really made such a connection

with them. I think they had the same sense of humour as we do from

Northern Ireland and it was a lovely time, but the stories were

harrowing. It was stories of relatives being slaughtered and

things just that were terrible, children slaughtered. Having to run

for their lives, really. Most of the male relatives had already been

killed and if they did not go, they were next in line. That kind of

thing. It was really quite harrowing. 122-year-old Pakistani

migrant had seen friends killed whilst trying to get to England. Now

he would rather go home. He does not want his face to be shown. I want to

go back to Pakistan. The Dungannon volunteers say whilst

people need help, they will keep making their journeys and bringing

supplies. While it was once a serious viral

infection Polio is rarely heard off But more than 50 years

after the muscle wasting disease struck, some local people

are still trying to Our health Correspondent

Marie-Louise Connolly reports. As a young lad growing up in south

Belfast in the 1950s, Bobby Docherty was struck with polio. Now 73, he is

still coping with the illness as calipers remain part of his life.

They are a nuisance but they are vital. They allow me to get about

but they are heavy. But without them, I am lost. Eddie grew up in

Belfast Short Strand. He was five when polio struck, triggering a long

spell in Musgrove Park hospital. It was a very, very hot summer. I

remember it distinctly. A wasp got into the ward and the other three

were not as bad because they were not affected as I was and they pull

the sheet above their heads and I had to lie there and I was

petrified. At its peak in the 1940s and 1950s, polio would paralyse or

kill over a million people worldwide every year. A virus that affects the

muscles, you are in: in the 1970s, locals took part in vaccination

programme. There were two reasons for these. There was the lady who

was a contact and have the disease, although she did not show symptoms

and there was also a child's from Belfast who was in one of the

caravan sites last week and I think both of these cases frightened the

local people. And more than half a century later, around 160 survivors

meet up weekly to continue the support. Clearly, talking is

therapy. In mass grave, I was put in a plaster cast from my ankles to the

middle of my chest. You lay prone. I remember that. If I could comment on

it, I think that was the exact opposite of what they should have

done because once the fever stage was over they should have exercised

me to get the muscle memory back. The weekly Belfast meeting its

organised by the Northern Ireland polio Valley village -- Fellowship,

established in 1939. Now, in 2017, they are dealing with polio symptoms

still. I can say for pain, but aches in parts were I thought I didn't

have polio. My left arm which was always very strong will get sore and

things like that. And we are very sensitive to cold. From my knees

down now it will be like blocks of ice at night. The syndrome was

recognised by professionals in the 1980s, but at these disease has been

eradicated in the West, it is not well known. The symptoms associated

would be a general fatigue, some mental fatigue, and the physical

fatigue and also fatigue associated with muscle wasting, weaknesses,

muscle skeletal pain associated with it and in some people you will have

respiratory problems and gastrointestinal problems as well.

Why there are no longer any new cases of polio in the UK, these

people are a stark reminder that the disease is hardly gone and it is

certainly not forgotten. The River Lagan in Belfast

is a popular location for water activities with passers-by often

stopping to watch rowers But if you've been in the area over

the last few days you may have noticed the river is at a much lower

level than usual. Our reporter Aileen Moynagh went

down by the riverside The River Lagan is not often seen at

this level. With its expose river banks and mudflats. Many have been

commenting about the low level of the paper and asking what it is all

about. Well, I am joined by the river manager, Peter Gallagher. Why

is it so low? A lot of people your age would not remember but until the

River Lagan wheel was constructed, it used to be title and the mudflats

were exposed. On this occasion, we are only doing it for essential

maintenance and it is only ever worked for maintenance. On this

occasion, we are maintaining the river banks. There is a little bit

of disruption, but what are the benefits? The banks are maintained

in a stable state. We will not get bank slips. And the overlying roads,

in the worst case, if it wasn't maintained, they could subside and

slip into the river. So it is for a good reason and we try to keep

disruption to a minimum. Work on the river itself has now been completed.

And its level will return to normal today.

Now what if I was to tell you that for twenty grand you could grab

a high spec porsche with a top speed of 20 miles per hour?

It's one of 100 vintage tractors on sale in a unique auction

We sent our Agriculture and Environment correspondent

Conor Macauley along to find the pick of the lots.

It was a lifetime love affair with agricultural machinery that gave

Donegal businessman the idea to build this collection of vintage

tractors. The man who own these to get great deal of pride in his

collection and in fact when it arrived, they were all covered in

these better blankets to keep the dust off. These vintage vehicles got

as much care, love and attention as any small child. Some unusual names

are going under the hammer. But the standout plot is a modest looking

little machine, once driven by its world-famous creator, Barry

Ferguson. There is a man who might buy it for a customer in Cumbria.

This little lady is the start of the show, because it is a rarity. There

are only 1356 in the world. Most of the others were manufactured in

their thousands. There has been huge interest in the auction from as far

afield as the US and Germany, were these Porsche tractors will be

sought after. But these were not built in Germany. Thousands were

assembled in calculation in the 1950s by an Irish engineer who

became a franchisee. There was probably 6-7000 dogs in Ireland but

the majority would have been sold in Germany, France and some went to

America as well. -- 7000 built in Ireland. These are a specialist

machines for enthusiasts. The auction company says the huge

interest is in parallel with people's nostalgia for the past.

Fond memories of trying to learn to steer a tractor on my grandpa's lap.

I am sure a lot of people will be holding on that little precious

memory they have their childhood days. But black to the grey

Ferguson. How much is David Marshall willing to part with two ticket

from? -- to take it home? All I will say is it will go for infinitely

more than the ?220 it was bought for.

There's a bumper weekend of sport on the horizon -

From a star of the tractor worlds to the star of Hollywood, Morgan

Freeman. The star was spotted having a stroll in the city centre and

filming in a local bar. He is more than welcome.

There's a bumper weekend of sport on the horizon -

Hurling, hockey football all no the to do list Donna -

The GAA, parents and custodians to the twin sports

of hurling and football, but in Ulster one is in rude health

- the other enfeebled to the point of being stick thin.

The powers that be recognise that a radical rethink

is required if the game here is to be rehabilitated.

This weekends notional showcase is between Antrim Armagh

Last year's Ulster football final. It attracted a crowd of more than

30,000 people. The Ulster hurling final, with approximately 29,500

fewer attended. These men have a love of the game. The truth is now

it is not the biggest day of the year for any of the counties in

Ulster. We are all more focused on our league performances and trying

to win promotion there and also in the other cops. Ulster exists in

name really only and it has definitely lost its appeal. Antrim

have one of for 15 consecutive years. Armour are still chasing a

first provisional title. At the competition this year, it has

brought greater impetus to the players, the rescheduled. I think it

has provided a realistic platform for the national conditions which

take place in a number of weeks and just after the league so I think we

have two praise them for rescheduling the competition and for

them to have it this weekend youth team cultures along with their

teams. I think that is a great initiative to attract young people

to go and watch the game. But growing the game will take vision

and investment. The places where tradition is so strong, it was

revived and it will probably still prosper but outside of that, we have

to have a rethink of things massively and the decline even in

Belfast in general is extremely worrying. The challenge of the

pictures to tackle and address those concerns.

Sunday's match live on BBC radio ulster as is tomorrow evenings big

northwest league of Ireland derby - Derry city who've lost back to back

league games for the first time under Kenny Shiels on the road

to Finn Harps - here's Keiron Tourish

There have been plenty of twists and turns at Derry City this season.

They have been off to a flying start, winning four before slumping

to two consecutive defeats. Clarke, who have won the opening eight

games, but three goals past them. It was good performance but it was also

not good enough and they had to step up because the responsibility goes

to the players now. This is their responsibility. We have to perform.

And if they do that, we have got the ability. We can beat them, we can.

One of the influential defenders say the team have settled in well to

their temporary home and the support has been tremendous. The city do not

underestimate their opposition in the local derby. It is a test of

character now for the lads. As we have seen with some absences and 34

main guys are out, it is up to the young guys now to show good

character and whoever comes in and plays, they have to be a man because

they will really bring it to us. It is up to us to perform. North-west

derbies between Derry City and Finn Harps are always enthralling

encounter is. This one promises to be no different.

For the first time ever, two clubs from Northern Ireland

are into the last sixteen of the EuroHockey League,

the sport's equivalent of the Champions League,

which features the best sides in Europe.

Lisnagarvey and Banbridge play ties this Friday in Eindhoven, Holland.

Lisnagarvey book their place by winning the Irish hockey league and

play-off titles last season, beating Banbridge in the final. While they

have not reach those heights in this campaign, they believe they can get

past their opposition from Spain. On the success of last season, we look

at some of the other teams that are they are and Banbridge idea as well

and we would like to think that both teams can do very well and have a

good showing. And the two teams are playing against two very experienced

teams in Europe and we are looking forward to it. Banbridge already

have the Irish senior cup in the trophy cabinet this season and are

in pole position to add the league title. They had to come through the

qualifying round to make the last 16 of the competition and will now face

a team from France. I think we have an extra edge because we could have

got one of the Dutch or German sides and we would have found it difficult

but I think we could possibly win this one. We have to produce a top

performance. But that is what France will be thinking as well. It is

fantastic for Irish hockey. The club is buzzing at the minute. No Irish

side has ever reached the quarterfinals, but hopes are high.

Perhaps one if not both could make it this weekend. He is hoping.

Ulster have just three games left, against the top three

This weekend Les Kiss' side travel to Thomond Park for the derby

At this level, you might only get one or two opportunities and you

have to take them. If you do not, you will be second best. You have to

be clinical. We have not been as mentally strong as we should have

been. But we are trying to look at all these things and maybe at times

we are trying too hard. But we have to get to that level. There is

nothing else we can do. We have been banging on the door a few years now.

Potentially if we get there I am hoping when we get there then it

will make it all worthwhile. Bank holiday weather forecast -

heat wave Angie? Well, it is a holiday weekends and

it will get messy. Some rain and also some dry spells. The other

element to the equation is cloud and that will be coming and going,

certainly moving in through the course of the day. But we had a

lovely start this morning. Just look at the hazy sunshine in this

picture. Hopefully we will see some of that returning later on tomorrow.

This evening, one or two bright intervals but the cloud continues to

roll in. Initially, we have a scattering of showers. Through the

night, the cloud will close in so we will see more in the way of drizzly

showery rain. Still some dry slots. Temperature is settling between

5-7 C. Tomorrow, eventually we should see something a little bit

cheery coming in but not a great start. Quite wet. That is because we

have a weather system edging its way slowly across as. Further spells of

rain to come through the course of two morning. Eventually it will

slide away. It could be early afternoon before it moves away but

we will be seeing brighter skies moving in from the north-west during

the course of the afternoon. Again, some showers scattered around but

good dry gaps in between and some sunshine. Temperature is no great

shakes. 10-11 C. Not too bad if you are the shelter. The breeze picks up

through tomorrow night. It will eventually push the showers out of

the way and we have clearing skies. A cold night tomorrow. By Saturday

morning, we can badgers rules to freezing. -- temperatures close to

freezing. Some showers on Saturday but also bright spells as well. Some

sunshine. Again, it will be cool in places in that north-westerly

breeze. Into eastern Sunday, some cloud coming in and also some patchy

rain. Eastern Monday, hopefully better.

Our late summary is at half past ten.

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Every year, amateur riders of all ages race on our country roads.

When I'm out on the bike, nothing's in my head - only that road.

But crossing the finish line requires a family effort.