Three held following Derry raids targeting republican 'vigilantes'

Three men have been arrested and eight weapons seized by police involved in a major security operation against republican vigilantes in Derry.

They were detained in a series of searches in the city where a group called Republican Action Against Drugs (RAAD) has been involved in a number of so-called punishment shootings, killing one man.

Police said eight firearms and other items likely to be of use to terrorists were recovered.

Officers involved in some of the searches today were attacked by youths throwing petrol bombs.

The three men were taken to Antrim for questioning.

RAAD was formed in 2008 by a group of former IRA men and since then has shot and wounded an estimated 40 youths and men whom they accused of drug dealings.

Several other people were ordered to leave Derry, and one, father-of-two Andy Allen, 24, was shot dead at his home in Buncrana, Co Donegal.

His family emphatically reject claims that he was involved in drug dealing.