Families of Troubles victims are suing PSNI and MoD over loyalist weapons

In March 1991, Mr Frizzell’s brother, Brian Frizzell, was shot dead along with 19-year-old Eileen Duffy and 16-year-old Katrina Rennie by the UVF in Craigavon, Co. Armagh.

Mrs Lundy’s husband, Alan Lundy, was shot dead by the UDA in May 1993 while working at the home of Sinn Féin’s Alex Maskey in west Belfast.

Lawyers for the plaintiffs say police and MI5 knew of loyalist plans to import hundreds of rifles, pistols and grenades through South Africa but did nothing to intercept the shipment.

The UDA, UVF and Ulster Clubs – a network of organizations operating at the time – are said to have made efforts to obtain weapons in Europe, the Middle East and North America.

In early 1988, police confiscated Czech VZ58 rifles, Browning 9mm pistols, Soviet anti-personnel grenades, a rocket launcher, ammunition, magazines and pouches at locations in Belfast and Portadown.

However, it is alleged that other imported weapons were stored by Co. Armagh farmer James Mitchell and moved to a safe location after an RUC officer warned him of an impending raid.