The scale of the Drumcree standoff has been drastically reduced, with a large fall in the number of Orange protesters and moves by the RUC to arrest those involved in violence at the Portadown church.
Four hundred extra British troops flown into the North last week have returned to England.
As attempts to revive proximity talks to resolve the standoff remained unsuccessful last night, police roadblocks were set up on approach roads to the church after the discovery of assorted weapons at the standoff field yesterday. Twenty people were arrested. All cars going to the field will be checked by police to avoid any future build-up of such an arsenal.
The police search began at 7.30 a.m. yesterday and continued until late last night. It followed violent scenes early yesterday morning when about 50 men crowded before the barrier and threw 10 blast-bombs at police, as well as an assortment of "heavy duty" fireworks. A gas cylinder was also blown up. By 4.30 a.m. police had fired 80 plastic bullets and arrested six men.
During the following search police recovered a home-made sub-machinegun, spent and live ammunition, a number of explosive devices, including parts for blast-bombs and petrol-bombs. A five-gallon drum of petrol was also recovered, as well a Chinese-made mortar, fireworks and a launcher, (described as deadly within 25 metres), two crossbows with over a dozen explosive-tipped darts each containing a ball-bearing, and catapults.
Lines of police searched nearby fields and sealed off the route to Drumcree from the Dungannon Road for the duration of the search. Among those turned away was Mr Denis Watson, Armagh County Grand Master of the Orange Order. He protested that as a member of the Assembly he was entitled to go to the standoff scene. In the House of Commons the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, condemned the "appalling and evil tragedy of the murder of the three young children" in Ballymoney, and repeated his determination to "overcome these latest difficulties".
He said the overwhelming majority of people in Northern Ireland wanted the peace process to continue. "They don't share the views of the extremists. They have shown their will over the past few days for those extremists not to be able to set the agenda." By yesterday evening there were only a few people in the field beside the church. An Orange spokesman said there was also a group at Drumcree church hall. The Church of Ireland body which owns most of the property has added its voice to those demanding that the Portadown Orangemen leave Drumcree church immediately.
The Representative Church Body said it had not granted permission to the Orange Order to occupy or use church property at Drumcree. "The use of church property for political purposes, demonstrations or violence is unequivocally deplored and condemned," it said in a statement.
Meanwhile one of the men being held for questioning in connection with the burning to death of Richard, Mark and Jason Quinn was released without charge yesterday.