British spy team uncovered

An undercover British army unit has been found attempting to install a spying device in the home of a County Tyrone family.

The family home of Kevin and Lorraine Murphy in Coalisland was the site of the incident which has embarrassed the British government in the week of a historic peace move by republicans.

Two men earing balaclaves and carrying holdalls, seen moving through the couple’s empty home , were challenged by a local man and were then seen to draw a weapon.

The area was subsequently swamped by PSNI who arrived to rescue the pair and escorted then from the premises to a Land Rover parked in the house’s front garden.

In June last year, Kevin Murphy was acquitted along with three other men of conspiracy to murder and having a rocket launcher in Coalisland in February 2002.

During his trial, it emerged that alleged informer Gareth O’Connor had lured Mr Murphy to the scene.

The couple, who got married earlier this month, said they believe the British Army was behind the incident.

“I have no doubt it was them,” said Lorraine Murphy.

“Nothing was taken by these men and there was evidence of work being done. There are pieces of felt missing from the roof and dust located around a skirting board, as if it had been removed and put on again.”

She also said her car had also been tampered with in recent weeks.

“It is my belief they knew Kevin was moving in here and they were trying to bug the house. I have lived here for 11 years and I am speaking out as the householder.

“There is no acceptable reason for somebody to be in this house; they had no reason to be there. I am disgusted by this. It just doesn’t seem like my own house any more.

“I don’t know whether these people planted this bug before they were disturbed and now I feel as if I’m living in the Big Brother House.”

Urgent Appeal