In a statement Mr Allister said: "Last Friday an arms and explosive cache was found in a dwelling house.

"Found with the munitions were IRA/Sinn Fein t-shirts and other items identifying the hide with the IRA.

"Is this the reason why the PSNI has made no public announcement of this find, which, I understand, included several rifles, a handgun and explosives?

"Protecting the IRA blushes, over weaponry which was supposedly decommissioned, may be politically convenient, but it is not acceptable in an open and democratic society, in which there should be no place for such illegal armaments and no cover ups."

The MAIL revealed that firearms and explosives had been found in a house in the Ashgrove area of the town.

The police later released a statement confirming that "suspicious items" had been found and taken away.

It is understood the discovery was accidental and the police were informed and later arrived at the house.