No evidence of fish deaths after river tributary is polluted

The Loughs Agency has said that it found no evidence of fish deaths, following a pollution incident on a tributary of the Derg River in County Tyrone earlier this month.

The pollution was spotted at Tievenny Burn between Ardstraw and Victoria Bridge on 6 May.

The Loughs Agency said its fishery officers were deployed and a "thorough investigation" was carried out in collaboration with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency.

It added that a "pollutive discharge was identified, and action was immediately taken to have the discharge stopped".

"Following an extensive search of the affected stretch of water, we found no evidence of fish mortalities as a result of this incident," the Loughs Agency said.

"This pollution incident is now a legal matter and we're unable to comment further at this time."

The Derg River is one of the main rivers across County Tyrone, flowing from Lough Derg on the Donegal/Fermanagh border into the Strule and then the Mourne River.

It is a key river for spawning salmon and noted for its brown trout and sea trout populations as well.