Four men arrested following arms find

A sniper's rifle has been uncovered by police in south Armagh.

The discovery was made during a security operation in Belleek, outside Camlough, on Wednesday night.

Police set up a checkpoint at Newry Road after a security tip off. It is thought that two cars then pulled up and were searched.

Four men were immediately arrested and both vehicles taken away for forensic examination.

Several rounds of ammunition were also discovered during the search.

Newry and Armagh Ulster Unionist MLA Danny Kennedy welcomed the seizure. He said: “I await with interest the outcome of the arrests in South Armagh and continue to remain very concerned about the level of general threat posed by republicans in the area. This incident is clear evidence of that.

“I will be continuing to urge the Government not to ease the security measures currently in force in the area. Any further reduction in the number of security force personnel would be sheer folly as republican dissidents continue to pose a serious threat.”

(MB)