Ballyhalbert: Holiday home seized as South East Antrim UDA investigated

A seaside holiday home in County Down, believed to have been bought with the proceeds of loyalist crime, has been seized by the National Crime Agency.

Officers towed the static dwelling from Ballyhalbert on the back of a flatbed lorry after obtaining a court order.

The NCA said it was likely bought with funds gained through fraud and money laundering by the South East Antrim UDA.

They described it as an "excellent result."

Officers towed the static dwelling from Ballyhalbert on the back of a flatbed lorry

The agency said the home's owner, Naomi Lough, 29, from Newtownabbey, is not alleged to be directly involved in the group and she denied any unlawful conduct.

The court order was granted on 7 March after an investigation under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

The NCA's Adam Ewart said it was part of an ongoing effort to disrupt paramilitary racketeering.

He added: "Civil recovery powers are a strong tool we can use to prevent those engaged in criminal activity from benefiting financially or materially from it."

Holiday homes in the area can cost about £50,000.

'Disrupt the activities of paramilitary groups'

The holiday home was frozen last June when the High Court in Belfast

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) detective superintendent Avine Kelly welcomed the seizure.

"This is an example of how collective efforts can disrupt the activities of paramilitary groups.

The NCA got a court order on Monday to freeze the static holiday home

"Along with our partners, we remain committed to tackling and disrupting the coercive control and criminal activities of those who seek to make their living from crime," she said.