Weapons And Ammunition Seized By PSNI Following 12-Day Search

The PSNI have recovered a 'significant quantity' of weapons and ammunition following a 12-day search operation in Lurgan and Benburb.

Detectives from the PSNI's Terrorism Investigation Unit conducted 13 searches involving land and properties from Sunday, 29 April to Friday, 11 May.

Detective Superintendent John McVea said: "Since Sunday 29th April detectives have carried out a total of 13 searches – 8 of these were in houses, 2 at derelict properties, 1 at the derelict site of St Michael's High School in Lurgan and its surrounding grounds, open ground in Kilwilkie Estate and in 7 fields and hedgerows near St Colemans Cemetary in Lurgan.

"We have recovered a significant amount of dangerous weapons including 2 shotguns and 4 handguns, explosives, fertiliser, ammunition, tools, an improvised detonator, a suspected mortar tube, component parts for bomb making, mobile phones and other terrorist paraphernalia."

DSupt McVea added that Arm na Poblachta (ANP) are thought to be responsible for the items discovered during a search of a property in the Carrickaness Road in Benburb on 03 May, with the remaining recovered items belonging to the Continuity IRA.

"These are all designed to do one thing – to murder," he said.

"Many of these highly dangerous items were found in locations where members of the public could easily have come across them. This demonstrates the sheer recklessness and absolute lack of concern these terrorists have about harming people living in these communities.

"I believe ANP are responsible for the items discovered during a search of a property in the Carrickaness Road in Benburb on Thursday 3 May, including a quantity of explosives, and items suspected of being used to make bombs. And I believe the items recovered during the remainder of the searches belong to the Continuity IRA."

Detective Superintendent McVea also added that he was "sickened" a pipe bomb was discovered beside a nursery school and a community centre in the Tarry Drive area following a search of the area on Tuesday, 08 May.

He said: "The pipe bomb is old and rusty, but viable, which makes the device more volatile meaning it could explode at any time. This clearly shows how reckless these terrorists are – they do not care if they harm people living in their own communities.

"I would appeal for anyone with information about any suspicious activity or about any of the items we have found over the last few weeks to get in contact with police on 101. Alternatively information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime."

Image: Some of the items found during the searches.

(LM/MH)