Police use cutting tools during raid on IRSP offices in west Belfast

The PSNI's Paramilitary Crime Task Force used cutting equipment to gain entry to Costello House and said a number of items “were seized and removed for further examination”. The IRSP, reported to be the political wing of the INLA, made a statement on Facebook saying: “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.”