Woman arrested after Belfast hijacking and security alert
Last updated 27th Mar 2022
Police investigating a hijacking and security alert in north Belfast on Friday, which led to the Irish Foreign Affairs Minister being evacuated from a peace and reconciliation event, have arrested a 38-year-old woman and seized a suspected firearm.
The PSNI said that following searches in the north and west of Belfast, a suspected firearm, two vehicles, a quantity of controlled drugs and a large sum of cash were seized.
The UVF is suspected of involvement in the incident on Friday which saw Simon Coveney being evacuated from the event organised by the John and Pat Hume Foundation in north Belfast.
The Houben Centre, on the Crumlin Road, was evacuated and a funeral service at nearby Holy Cross church was disrupted.
Police said the driver of a van was threatened by two gunmen and forced to drive a device which he believed to be a live bomb to the church.
A police spokesperson said: "A 38-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm in suspicious circumstances, possessing criminal property and concealing criminal property, and is currently in custody assisting police with their inquiries."