The funeral of the former senior UDA figure Ihab Shoukri was delayed today after a number of suspect devices were discovered in Belfast.
Mr Shoukri (34), who was ousted from the organisation along with his brother André two years ago, is believed to have died from a drugs overdose. He was found dead in a house in Newtownabbey on Saturday night.
This morning, a suspicious device was discovered at a house connected to the Shoukri family. A controlled explosion was carried out on the device which was later declared a hoax.
A second device was found in the grounds of Holy Trinity Church, Ballysillan Road, where Mr Shoukri was to be buried. It was also declared a hoax.
Meanwhile, nearby Cliftonville Street was also closed off this afternoon when a third device was found under a car there.
Ihab Shoukri was ousted from the organisation along with his brother André two years ago,
The Shoukris rose rapidly through UDA ranks in north Belfast, notwithstanding their untypical background. The brothers were sons of an Egyptian father who married a local woman.
Both were heavily involved in criminal activity such as drugs, extortion and racketeering which was tied in with their paramilitary activities. They were particularly engaged in drugs, making vast amounts of money in this area, according to security and local sources. About two years ago, the brothers fell foul of the UDA due to the publicity associated with them.
André Shoukri,who is currently serving nine years on a variety of charges, including blackmail and intimidation, was temporarily released from jail to attend the funeral today.