Bible from Paisley's church found with loyalist arms

national | miscellaneous | news report Thursday July 11, 2002 11:03 by McMean

A UVF arms haul discovered during a search of a house in the Drumtara area of Ballymena last week also contained a Free Presbyterian bible and a typed oath of allegiance to the UVF.

Two sawn off shotguns, a single barrelled shotgun, three handguns
and components for pipe bombs were among the haul. The discovery
comes amid increased activity by the UVF in the area as well as
an increase in UVF attacks on nationalists in South and East
Belfast.

It is believed that renegade members of the UVF were behind the
killing of Catholic teenager, Ciaran Cummings, who was gunned
down in Antrim town a year ago.

Free Presbyterian minister David McIlveen criticised what he said
was, "the regrettable RUC/PSNI action on displaying the bible",
which he said pointed to a lack of integrity.

"When I was chaplain at the Maze and Crumlin Road I gave out
copies once they leave my hands I can't be responsible for were
they go", said McIlveen.

However the RUC/PSNI responded saying, "the bible was part and
parcel of the seizure and formed a material part of a criminal
investigation into terrorist offences".

Sinn Fein councillor for North Antrim Philip McGuigan said, "It
is very disturbing to see a bible and an oath of allegiance for
new recruits found among this arms haul. It proves the UVF are
recruiting new members in the Ballymena area".