THE offices of the Irish Republican Socialist Party (IRSP) in west Belfast were targeted by the PSNI today in an operation linked to the INLA.
Members of the the PSNI's Paramilitary Crime Task Force were involved in the search of premises on the Falls Road this morning.
Police also said a number of items “were seized and removed for further examination” and that the investigation remains ongoing.
Footage later emerged on social media of the PSNI operation at Costello House.
Officers could also be seen holding what appeared to be cutting equipment to remove a door at the front of the building.
In a Facebook statement the IRSP, who are widely believed to be the political wing of the INLA, said: “Not only is Costello House the political headquarters of the IRSP, it provides vital services to the local community such as housing advice, benefits advice, restorative justice and recently it has been the centre point for the local west Belfast community to campaign and organise against landlord exploitation and high rents.
“It comes as no surprise that the PSNI have chosen to raid the office of the IRSP at this time, due to rising tensions between the west Belfast community and landlords.”
The operation targeting the IRSP comes just weeks after shots were fired by a masked man over the coffin of party member James McWilliams at St Peter's Cathedral in west Belfast.
Footage also emerged last month of shots being fired at a commemoration event in Derry for INLA hunger striker Mickey Devine.
