RUC uncover Belfast explosives

The RUC have recovered six explosive devices and 300 rounds of ammunition abandoned in a north Belfast playing field.

The RUC have recovered six explosive devices and 300 rounds of ammunition abandoned in a north Belfast playing field.

A bag containing the material was discovered by chance by officers chasing a group of children suspected of stone-throwing in the mainly loyalist Ballysillan area at around 11 p.m. on Thursday.

RUC Det Sgt Kevin Geddis confirmed the bag contained five primed pipe bombs, a crude coffee-jar bomb and assorted ammunition. While not speculating on who was responsible, he said the bombs resembled others used in recent attacks in north Belfast.

He was critical of the location of the devices. "These devices are very unpredictable and could have seriously injured anyone who picked them up, especially in a place where children are playing over the summer holidays."

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A local Sinn Fein councillor, Ms Margaret McClenaghan, said the find was further evidence there was an "orchestrated" loyalist campaign against nationalists in north Belfast.

A replica firearm has been recovered from a vehicle in Belfast city. Police arrested four men at the scene after reports they had been acting suspiciously close to Belfast City Hall. The vehicle and the replica gun were undergoing forensic examination last night.