Police investigating a security alert at at event Simon Coveney was addressing have made two arrests today.
Two men, aged 46 and 51, were detained as part of the investigation which saw raids in the Shankill area earlier today.
There are unconfirmed reports that one of those detained is a high profile loyalist.
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In a brief statement, the PSNI said that Terrorism Investigation Unit detectives, “investigating a hijacking and security alert in North Belfast on Friday 25 March, have arrested two men”.
A spokesperson added: “A 46-year-old male was arrested under the Terrorism Act in the Shankill area. Two suspected firearms have been recovered and a vehicle has been taken away for examination.
“As part of the operation, a 51 year-old male was arrested in the Ballymena area under the Terrorism Act. A van has been seized and taken away for examination.
“Both men are currently being questioned in the Serious Crime Suite of Musgrave police station in Belfast.”
Mr Coveney had been speaking at The Houben Centre in the Ardoyne area, addressing an event organised by the John and Pat Hume Foundation, when a hijacked van was driven to the site. The Republic’s Minister for Foreign Affairs was spirited away to a ‘safe location’.
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