Northern Ireland

NCA insists no paramilitary link to Jerrettspass weapons haul

A picture of armed and masked men has been circulated on social media
A picture of armed and masked men has been circulated on social media A picture of armed and masked men has been circulated on social media

The National Crime Agency (NCA) has insisted there is no evidence to link a significant arms find last week to paramilitary groups.

The comments came amid speculation the huge cache belonged to loyalists.

A picture which emerged on social media over the weekend of masked and armed men taking part in a show of strength.

It has been reported that the image was taken in Co Armagh in an area close to Jerrettspass, where the cache of weapons were found by the NCA.

The haul included an assault rifle, machine guns, hand guns and ammunition, which were contained in two waterproof holdalls buried in the ground.

The find has been described as the "most significant" in the north in a decade.

The grainy image was circulated on social media appears to show several masked men carrying weapons.

It has not been established exactly when the picture was taken although it has been claimed it was captured in recent weeks.

In the picture, which appears to have been taken at night, one man can be clearly seen holding what is believed to be a long-barrelled weapon.

Other members of the group also appear to be holding guns.

The image emerged as tensions over the Northern Ireland Protocol continue to rise and in recent weeks protest parades have been held across the north, including Co Armagh.

Some reports have linked the find to Ulster Resistance, which is known to have had a strong presence in parts of the county.

The group is thought to have shared a cache of loyalist weapons smuggled into the north with the help of British intelligence in late 1980s.

While many of the guns were subsequently recovered, it is believed the bulk of those held by Ulster Resistance were never found.

The NCA was set up in 2013 and its primary role is to target organised crime.

In a statement last night the agency said there is no evidence to link the recent find to paramilitary groups.

"At this stage of the investigation, we do not have evidence to suggest a link to dissident or loyalist groups and are confident that this seizure sits within the NCA’s remit of serious and organised crime," a spokeswoman said.

"However, it is important to note that the investigation is ongoing.

"If there are any developments that indicate a link, then the appropriate authorities will be notified."