Loyalists questions UVF claims over bomb factory

A loyalist Assemblyman today questioned claims that the Ulster Volunteer Force was behind a bomb-making factory discovered in a block of flats in north Belfast.

Police found a significant amount of explosives and component parts for making pipe bombs during a raid last night on three flats in Ross House in the Mount Vernon area.

A senior detective said the devices were highly volatile and could have destroyed the entire block.

Progressive Unionist MLA Billy Hutchinson, whose party is linked to the UVF, said those responsible for making pipe bombs in the flats, off Belfast’s Shore Road, were ‘‘silly’’.

‘‘A number of people should understand now that the only way forward is through politics, and we still have people who have pipe bombs,’’ he said.

‘‘My concern about this find is that the police are telling us that it was very volatile and it could have gone off and they are saying it is very similar they’re not saying it is the same as what is being used in north Belfast and across the rest of the province.

‘‘What I intend to do is to try and find out who owns these things and who was responsible for having them and were they for immediate use as the police are suggesting.’’

A number of residents of the flats spent the night in a neighbouring youth club as Army bomb disposal experts examined the scene.

Police said the items found were similar to those used in recent attacks on Catholic homes across the province, which have been blamed on members of the Ulster Defence Association and smaller dissident loyalist groups.

But the rival Ulster Volunteer Force is believed to be much stronger in the Mount Vernon area.

There have been more than 50 pipe bomb attacks on Catholic families in Northern Ireland since the start of the year, with numerous incidents in flashpoint areas of north Belfast.

Mr Hutchinson said it was his analysis that the UVF’s ceasefire remained firm.

The North Belfast MLA told BBC Radio Ulster: ‘‘The one thing I do know about the particular organisation in that area is the UVF are committed to the will of the people.’’

The UVF would only react to republican violence, he said.

‘‘My understanding is that they have not been accused of throwing pipe bombs or planting any other types of bombs over the last year or 18 months,’’ he said.

Detective Superintendent John Brannigan said the bomb find was ‘‘very significant’’.

But those responsible for operating the factory had shown no regard for people living in the flats, he said, adding: ‘‘It’s absolutely despicable.

‘‘There are a number of people of all ages living in these flats. These devices are highly volatile and highly dangerous and effectively could demolish that whole block.’’

The police raid was welcomed by North Belfast Democratic Unionist MLA Nigel Dodds, who said: ‘‘It is absolutely deplorable that any organisation or individual would use a block of flats in this way, putting in jeopardy the lives of nearby residents.

‘‘I would condemn those responsible but praise the police for the work that they have done. I hope this will begin an end to the spate of pipe bombings we have seen in north Belfast.’’