The home of a veteran dissident republican has been searched by police investigating threats issued by armed and masked men last week over drug dealing in a Co Derry town.
Mickey McGonigle, honorary vice president of Republican Sinn Fein, says 15 PSNI officers were involved in a two-hour search of his home outside Dungiven between 7pm – 9pm on Thursday.
Mr McGonigle said police told his wife the raid was connected to events in Dungiven last Friday when three masked men armed with a handgun, and claiming to be from the ‘IRA’, entered four local bars and issued threats to drug dealers.
Two men have since been charged and both were remanded in custody to Maghaberry prison.
A court this week heard the masked men claimed to be from the New IRA.
In an interview with The Irish News, Mr McGonigle is at a loss as to why he was targeted.
“I’m the honorary vice president of Republican Sinn Féin and what were they coming to me for?
“They searched every corner of the house, the very drawers.
“They even went through the bread and the fridge.”
Mr McGonigle said around ten PSNI officers were involved in searching his home, while five searched his outhouses.
The veteran republican added that the only item police removed from his home was a key for his car.
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