Ahern meets group linked to loyalist paramilitaries

A delegation allied to loyalist paramilitaries in the North has met Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in Dublin tonight.

Mr Ahern held talks with the Ulster Political Research Group (UPRG), which provides political analysis to the Ulster Defence Association (UDA), at Government Buildings.

The delegation arrived in a red minibus with blacked-out windows and heavy Garda security amid speculation the group contained senior figures in the UDA.

The meeting came a day after July 12 Orange marches and amid growing pressure on loyalist paramilitaries to move away from violence and focus on developing their communities through social and economic initiative.