Arms find linked to loyalists

A quantity of arms have been recovered by police in County Antrim.

A shotgun, cartridges and two handgun magazines were found in the roof space of a derelict house in the Ballee area of Ballymena on Monday.

The find has been linked to loyalist paramilitaries.

SDLP Councillor Declan O'Loan welcomed the operation and called it "effective policing".

"This will have prevented crime and may well have saved life," he said.

"But it also demonstrates how loyalist paramilitarism continues to be very active here.

"Some of these people want to pursue political activity and at the same time prepare for acts of violence.

"The only answer to that is good police work, backed by community support."

Meanwhile, an illegal shebeen uncovered in the area at the weekend has also been linked to loyalist paramilitaries.

A makeshift bar was found by police officers who raided premises at Drumtara in the town on Saturday night.