Pair Arrested Under Terrorism Act In Co Tyrone

The PSNI's Terrorism Investigation Unit has arrested two men in connection with an improvised explosive device that was left in Strabane in September.

The 25 year-olds were detained under the Terrorism Act following a number of searches in the Co Tyrone town today, Tuesday 03 December.

It follows the discovery of a mortar type device in the Church View area on Saturday 07 September, which police believed was designed to attack serving officers.

Detective Inspector Andrew Hamlin said he believes the New IRA were behind the "reckless attack".

Enquiries to date have identified an orange Fiat Sedici pizza delivery vehicle that was hijacked in the area of Mount Sion, Ballycolman, at 9.40pm that night and used to plant the device some five minutes later.

The vehicle was subsequently discovered on fire at the junction of Evish Road/ Spout Road at around 10.30pm.

Detective Inspector Hamlin said: "I believe that the New IRA members behind this attack are living in the community, amongst the people whose lives they put at risk. Our focus is on keeping the community safe and protecting them from the threat posed by these violent groups but we need the help of the public. Our chances of success are vastly improved by support and information from the community as today's search and rescue operation demonstrates."

Five people have been arrested to date, with a 28 year-old male charged with offences of perverting the course of justice, assisting offenders and recording information of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism.



(JG/CM)