UVF chief held over ‘show of strength’
Stephen Matthews among three men arrested in anti-terror swoops following investigation into appearance of masked gang in east Belfast
UVF leader Stephen ‘Mackers’ Matthews was among three men arrested over a UVF “show of strength” in east Belfast, the Belfast Telegraph understands.
Three men, aged 58, 56 and 34, were detained yesterday on suspicion of terrorism and other related offences over an incident that saw dozens of men with their faces covered walking through Pitt Park, just off the Newtownards Road.
It is understood the gathering on February 2 was linked to an internal row within the terror gang and that the arrival of police prevented an attack on a home.
Security sources claimed last week that leading loyalist Matthews, who denies any links to criminality, was one of the men in the crowd. Footage shared on social media showed PSNI officers observing the scene before the crowd dispersed.
In a response yesterday, the PSNI said: “We do not comment on named individuals and no inference should be drawn from this.”
UVF leader Stephen ‘Mackers’ Matthews is one of three men arrested over a UVF “show of strength” in east Belfast earlier this month, the Belfast Telegraph understands.
The trio, aged 58, 56 and 34, were detained yesterday on suspicion of terrorism and other related offences over an incident that saw dozens of men with their faces covered walking through Pitt Park, just off the Newtownards Road.
Footage shared on social media showed PSNI officers observing the scene before the crowd dispersed.
It is understood the gathering was linked to an internal row within the terror gang and the arrival of police prevented an attack on a home.
Security sources told Sunday Life last week that leading loyalist Matthews, who denies links to any criminality, was one of the men in the crowd.
The newspaper reported that the gang’s target was another loyalist, William Mccaughey, who publicly criticised the east Belfast UVF last summer in an online video. Mr Mccaughey is not suspected of involvement in any criminality.
Loyalist activist Jamie Bryson told the Belfast Telegraph last night: “Regardless of who has been arrested, everyone is entitled to privacy until they are charged.”
During the incident on February 2 several residents had to seek shelter in the nearby Ballymac Friendship Centre, which runs training schemes and delivers food parcels and meals for the elderly and vulnerable, as well as housing a loyalist museum.
The centre closed following the gathering due to “threats being made to members of staff and volunteers”.
At a subsequent meeting of the Policing Board, PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne was questioned by Sinn Fein’s Gerry Kelly over the incident.
The MLA put it to Mr Byrne that, from watching footage of the incident, there did not appear to be an “appropriate response” from his officers.
Mr Byrne replied: “What you see on a short burst of film isn’t always the whole story.
“I have to accept the imagery hasn’t done us any favours... this was a fast-time and spontaneous response to what had been shown on social media.
“We are the people that police east Belfast.
“We have stepped up resources, we will work with the community to see can we identify people.
“There is no place for thuggery and intimidation and we want to keep these people on the back foot while we remain on the front foot.”
Yesterday detectives from the PSNI’S Criminal Investigation Branch and Paramilitary Crime Task Force also conducted a number of searches in east Belfast and Lisburn in relation to their probe.
Detective Chief Superintendent John Mcvea said: “Our investigation into the gathering at Pitt Park and activities linked to east Belfast UVF is continuing at pace and today’s arrests were conducted under the Terrorism Act.
“We continue to gather and examine all available evidence in order to determine who was in Pitt Park on February 2, 2021 and I would appeal to anyone in the community who has information or footage regarding the incident, or criminality in the area, to contact the police.”
The PSNI said: “We do not comment on named individuals and no inference should be drawn from this.”