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Builders find 'transmitter' in Ardoyne home minutes before police remove it

 Part of the ceiling that was concealing what was thought to be a listening device and transmitter
 Part of the ceiling that was concealing what was thought to be a listening device and transmitter  Part of the ceiling that was concealing what was thought to be a listening device and transmitter

REPUBLICIANS in north Belfast have claimed police swooped on a house within minutes of a listening device being discovered by builders doing work on the property in the Ardoyne area.

Renovation work was being carried out on the house belonging to well known republican Thomas 'Tucker' McDonald when builders removing a plasterboard ceiling discovered what appeared to be a transmitter and listening device.

They phoned Mr McDonald who was making his way to the house when a number of landrovers pulled up outside and police entered the property and ordered the builders to leave.

A spokesman for Republican Network for Unity claimed that after asking the builders to leave the house, police locked the doors and closed the blinds before removing a number of items.

Mr McDonald was refused entry to his house while the search was taking place.

A document given to Mr McDonald later confirmed that police had removed a 'suspected transmitter' from his house.

A spokesman said: "Republican Network for Unity demand the state forces immediately allow this man to live his life free from harassment and unnecessary state spying."

A spokesman for the PSNI said; "Police can confirm that a house was searched in the Ardoyne area of North Belfast on Tuesday 31 May".