Summary

  • Updates for Wednesday 6 May 2015

  • More updates from 22:00 on Thursday

  1. Goodnightpublished at 19:01 BST 6 May 2015

    That's BBC News NI Live over for another day. Because of tomorrow's elections we won't be here until 22:00 on Thursday, when we'll have an election special live-page running through the night and into Friday.

    BallyhornanImage source, Bobby Cunningham

    We'll leave you with these scenic pics from Ballyhornan in County Down and a hat-tip to Bobby Cunningham for sending the images into us. As usual, you can keep up-to-date with all of the latest news, sport, travel and weather on the BBC News NI website.

  2. Best weather of the week tomorrow:published at 18:56 BST 6 May 2015

    Barra Best
    BBC News NI Weather Presenter

    The recent unsettled weather has been due to a big area of low pressure sitting over us. It's beginning to push northwards, leaving behind much better weather conditions.

    Evening weather 6 May 2015

    It means that tomorrow will be the best day of the week, mainly dry with decent spells of sunshine in places. You can watch the latest weather forecast here.

  3. Trucks destroyed in suspected arson attackpublished at 18:54 BST 6 May 2015

    Three vehicles used by Irish Water have been destroyed in a suspected arson attack in the Republic of Ireland.

    arsonImage source, RTE

    Damage estimated at €100,000 (£74,338) was caused in the blaze at a contractor's yard at Lacken Road, Waterford. The fire was started on Tuesday night.

  4. Minister's Casement statement challenged:published at 18:48 BST 6 May 2015

    Mark Devenport
    BBC News NI Political Editor

    A west Belfast residents group has challenged the Sports Minister Carál Ní Chuilín over her statement that she and her officials were unaware of safety concerns regarding the planned new Casement Park stadium until last week.

    What the new Casement Park should look like

    The residents say court documents show DCAL officials knew of safety concerns around the development.

  5. North Belfast searchespublished at 18:34 BST 6 May 2015

    PSNI

    Police arrested two men aged 31 and 49 earlier today after conducting a number searches in the Rosapenna area of north Belfast. Both men have since been released pending further investigation. Police say that a significant number of items were seized for further examination.

  6. Road closed near Armaghpublished at 18:21 BST 6 May 2015

    A temporary road closure is in place on the Ballybrannon Road in Armagh due to a crash that knocked over an electric pole.

    Ballybrannon Road ArmaghImage source, Twitter
  7. Ink leak responsible for red riverpublished at 18:06 BST 6 May 2015

    Delta Packaging, based on the Blackstaff Road in Belfast, says that an accidental ink leak from their factory is responsible for turning the Blackstaff River red.

    Blackstaff RiverImage source, David McElvanna

    Director Neal McCone said: "It is an accidental discharge of one of our inks which is a water-based, food-safe ink so it poses no threat to the environment."

  8. Church of Ireland bishop at Easter rising commemorationpublished at 17:51 BST 6 May 2015

    A Church of Ireland bishop has praised the decision to invite her to a 1916 Easter Rising commemoration in Dublin.

    Bishop Pat StoreyImage source, RTE

    Bishop Pat Storey said the invitation to a "female, northern Protestant to speak at a Catholic, republican commemoration" was "courageous and generous".

  9. Snow Patrol song used to back marriage equalitypublished at 17:36 BST 6 May 2015

    Northern Irish band Snow Patrol have offered their hit song Just Say Yes as the official song for the Yes Equality campaign in the Republic of Ireland.

    Just say yes

    A marriage equality referendum, external takes place in the Republic of Ireland on 22 May.

  10. Delays after M2 crash:published at 17:23 BST 6 May 2015

    Trafficwatch NI

    A crash on the M2 northbound just after the Templepatrick junction is on the hard shoulder but some delays remain in place in the area.

  11. Jamie Bryson given suspended sentencepublished at 17:00 BST 6 May 2015

    Union flag protestor Jamie Bryson has been given a six-month suspended prison sentence for taking part in unlawful public processions.

    Jamie BrysonImage source, Pacemaker

    The 24-year-old was told by District Judge Fiona Bagnall that he deserved no credit for contesting charges of participating in demonstrations staged in Belfast.

  12. BBC Sport NI coverage of the Championship:published at 16:44 BST 6 May 2015

    BBC Sport NI

    Donegal's Ulster Football opener with Tyrone on 17 May will start an exciting summer of Championship action on BBC Northern Ireland.

    BBC Championship coverage details

    The Ballybofey battle will be one of five games live on BBC Two NI with two other ties having a deferred showing.

  13. Red river pollution under investigationpublished at 16:30 BST 6 May 2015

    The Department of Environment (DoE) says the NI Environment Agency (NIEA) is investigating the source of the pollution that turned the Blackstaff River in Belfast red.

    BlackstaffImage source, @aarongk

    The DOE said the NIEA emergency pollution hotline received a call at 11:15 this morning about it.

  14. Cloudy Causewaypublished at 16:11 BST 6 May 2015

    It may be cloudy and dull this afternoon but the views on the north coast remain spectacular. You can watch today's weather forecast here.

    Giant's CauswayImage source, Philip Allen

    Thanks to Philip Allen for sending us a snap. You can send your pictures to us by emailing bbcnewsni@bbc.co.uk.

  15. River returning to normalpublished at 15:57 BST 6 May 2015

    Rick Faragher
    BBC News NI

    BBC News NI reporter Rick Faragher has just tweeted, external that the bright redness has now gone from some parts of the Blackstaff River in Belfast but that it remains redder further up the river.

    Blackstaff River collage

    Local workers say the river has been this colour since mid-morning. We'll have more details on the reason for the colour change as we get them.

  16. New chairperson of consumer council:published at 15:34 BST 6 May 2015

    Carrick Times

    The Carrick Times reports, external that former Carrickfergus Town Clerk Sheila McClelland is the new chairperson of the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland.

    Sheila McClellandImage source, The Carrick Times
  17. Increased police patrols:published at 15:23 BST 6 May 2015

    Helen Jones
    BBC News NI

    There will be more checkpoints and patrols in Northern Ireland in the next few days, police have said. You can watch a report from BBC News NI reporter Helen Jones here.

    Police checkpointImage source, Pacemaker

    The "high visibility operation" aims to counter a "severe" dissident republican threat, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said.

  18. Keeping up with the cricket:published at 15:14 BST 6 May 2015

    BBC Sport NI

    There will be live commentary from Malahide in Dublin of the One Day International cricket match between Ireland and England beginning at 10:30 on Friday on the BBC Sport NI website.

    Eoin Morgan and Ireland wicketkeeper Niall O'Brien in 2011
  19. Manslaughter admissionpublished at 15:01 BST 6 May 2015

    A 42-year old man has admitted killing another man at a house in Co Down over two years ago. Paul Stephen Bustard, who has an address at Bush Park in Antrim, was initially charged with murder but has pleaded guilty of manslaughter.

    Stephen DavidsonImage source, PSNI

    Stephen Davidson, 31, was stabbed and found in the living room of his home at Ballyholme Road Bangor in February 2013.