Court told UDA planning end to criminality

A court in Belfast has heard that a meeting at a Belfast bar raided by police last week was called to bring an end to UDA criminality.

The claim came in evidence given as a Judge considered evidence in relation to police application to have prominent loyalist Ihab Shoukri's bail revoked.

PSNI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde had made an application to have Mr Shoukri's bail revoked following his arrest at a Belfast bar last week.

Police allege that the meeting was a paramilitary show of strength. However, defence lawyers have argued that the meeting was called to put an end to UDA criminality.

A document produced in court, allegedly a UDA statement found during the police raid, suggested that the loyalist paramilitary group was preparing to "take the fight into the political arena."

The court has been asked to rule if Mr Shoukri, 31, from Alliance Avenue, who is awaiting trial on charges relating to UDA membership, has breached bail conditions.

Mr Shoukri has previously denied membership of the UDA and UFF.

Following the raid on the Alexander Bar in Tiger's Bay, 11 men were remanded in custody.

Three of the bail applications made have been approved. A ruling on Mr Shoukri's bail conditions was deferred and he was allowed to leave court on bail.

(SP/GB)