Police question loyalist suspects

The police described the find as significant

The police are continuing to question nine men after materials linked to the Ulster Volunteer Force were found in a mainly loyalist estate.

They were discovered during a security operation in Monkstown in south east Antrim.

The nine men, some of whom are known loyalists with addresses across Northern Ireland, were arrested after the operation early on Saturday morning.

The items recovered included three guns, balaclavas and combat-style clothing.

The police described the find as significant.

I think today's operation demonstrates that we don't ignore the activities of other organisations and we will continue to work against and strike at those organisations from whatever quarter

Acting Assistant Chief Constable Maggie Hunter

Army bomb experts and police forensic teams examined a derelict building in the Monkstown estate.

Acting Assistant Chief Constable Maggie Hunter said some of those arrested were known to police.

"In addition to the firearms that we recovered, we've also recovered items of paramilitary clothing and some regalia which we would believe to be associated with the UVF," she said.

"Some of those arrested are known to police but at this stage I wouldn't want to comment any further on those individuals."

Organisations

The three rifles recovered are being forensically examined.

Ms Hunter said the operation showed the PSNI was determined to crack down on all paramilitary groups.

"In recent months we have been directing a huge number of resources against the activities of the Ulster Defence Association," she said.

"I think today's operation demonstrates that we don't ignore the activities of other organisations and we will continue to work against and strike at those organisations from whatever quarter."

"We have to remind ourselves that holding illegal weapons is against the law," he said.

"If we are to remove the gun from politics here, then that does mean decommissioning.

"But it also means the paramilitary terrorist groups ending their violence and that applies to the UVF and the UDA as much as it does to the IRA."