'Bug' found in republican's home

Andrew McCartney said a 'bug' was found in the kitchen ceiling

A suspected bugging device has been found at the home of a prominent republican.

Andrew McCartney said the 'bug' was found in a kitchen ceiling cavity at his house in Londonderry's Branch area.

It was uncovered as electricians rewired an extension. Mr McCartney said the device had two aerials, batteries and a microphone.

Sinn Fein is blaming the intelligence services for placing it there. Mr McCartney wants an explanation.

He said he and his family needed an explanation for this "invasion of privacy".

"Because I am a republican, is that a justification for placing a listening device in my home, invading my privacy and the privacy of my wife and children?", he asked.

SF Foyle assembly member Raymond McCartney said this was "just the latest evidence that the PSNI, Special Branch and British Military Intelligence have no intention of entering a new mode". 'Explanation' call

"Although it is impossible to determine how long this sophisticated device was in place, it has to be assumed that it was placed there with the authorisation of either British Secretary of State Peter Hain or his predecessors," Raymond McCartney said.

He said he intended to call on Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams to demand an explanation from the British and Irish governments.

Last year, the party displayed two listening devices which it claimed to have uncovered.

SF said that one had been found at the party's Connolly House headquarters and another at the Belfast home of a woman who works for party president Gerry Adams.

One device was recently put up for auction on the internet, but was later removed by the site owners.