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Barricade brothers leave property Barricade brothers under arrest
(about 1 hour later)
Two brothers who were surrounded by armed police after barricading themselves inside a house in south Belfast have come out of the property. Two brothers who were surrounded by armed police after barricading themselves inside a house in Belfast have given themselves up.
Earlier, police said a number of pellets had been fired at officers and their vehicles from the house in Powerscourt Place on the Ormeau Road.Earlier, police said a number of pellets had been fired at officers and their vehicles from the house in Powerscourt Place on the Ormeau Road.
It is understood the men lived in the house at one time have not been there for a number of weeks. It is understood the men lived in the house at one time, but have not been there for a number of weeks.
Relatives of the pair have accused the police of over-reacting. A suspected firearm has been removed from the property for examination.
Police negotiators attended the incident, which was reported at about 0500 BST on Tuesday. The district commander for south and east Belfast, Chief Superintendent Brian Maguire, thanked local residents for their cooperation.
A local priest was also involved in trying to persuade the men to leave the house. "We regret any inconvenience caused, however, our priority was the safety of the community," he said.
An uncle of the brothers said police had prevented him from speaking to the pair.
"They (the brothers) said to me they were going up to the house to get clothes so they must have went up last night," he said.
"Somebody must have asked them if they owned the house and they said no, so the police came out.
"I asked the police if I could speak to them and they said no. The local priest asked and they said no to him as well."
Speaking from the scene earlier on Thursday, BBC reporter Andy Martin said officers had automatic guns trained on the house.Speaking from the scene earlier on Thursday, BBC reporter Andy Martin said officers had automatic guns trained on the house.
The area was been cordoned off during the incident and people were asked to remain in their houses. The area, which was cordoned off for a time, has been re-opened.
The house is owned by the Housing Executive which said the legal tenant of the property had transferred to another Housing Executive property with effect from April 27 2009. The house is owned by the Housing Executive which said the legal tenant of the property had transferred to another Housing Executive property with effect from 27 April 2009.