Lough Neagh action plan back before Executive after toxic algae retakes lake

The Lough Neagh action plan is back before the Northern Ireland Executive today after toxic blue-green algae reclaimed large parts of its waters.

We reported how much the toxic blooms had spread after taking to the skies above the lough on Monday.

The Executive was first presented with the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs report to start tackling the pollution behind the blooms back in March but had not signed it off before summer recess.

Now we understand previous resistance to the plan has subsided following reports showing just how bad the situation has become and that the 37 point plan, which includes plan to ramp up pollution fines, could be signed off on Friday.

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Pictures from Reas Wood show a dead swan in the water near Lough Neagh's Antrim shoreline on Wednesday. Local man, Michael Henry, told us officials are aware of the corpse.

We have asked DAERA and Antrim & Newtownabbey Council whether the remains will taken away for testing to ascertain whether the algae bloom played a part in it death.

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