‘NEW IRA’ EXPLOSIVES HIDE SMASHED

Army bomb disposal officer and robot move in to defuse mortar devices in Derry in March

Army bomb disposal officer and robot move in to defuse mortar devices in Derry in March

A dissident republican group calling itself the ‘New IRA’ has been dealt a major blow after a police found one of its suspected bomb-making hides.

A quantity of munitions and explosives were found during a planned raid on Monday based on intelligence information.

The search was conducted in the Beechwood area of Derry by PSNI Serious Crime Branch detectives investigating ongoing threat of dissident republican activity in the city.

Army bomb experts attended the scene to examine the munitions and explosives which have now been taken away for forensic examination.

A 32-year-old woman has been arrested for questioning over the explosives hide.

A police spokesperson said that investigations are continuing.

Meanwhile, in a separate operation, a 39-year-old Derry man has been arrested in the city in connection with dissident republican activity.

He is currently being questioned at the serious crime suite in Antrim.

The munitions and explosives seized on Monday belong to the dissident terror group which now calls itself the ‘New IRA’.

It is an amalgamation of the Real IRA, Republican Action Against Drugs (RAAD) a number of smaller groups.

However, since its recent formation, the group has been heavily penetrated in Derry with the use of agents within its ranks, electronic eavesdropping and covert surveillance by MI5, the Special Reconnaissance Regiment and the PSNI’s ‘C3’ Intelligence Branch.

The co-ordinated operations have foiled gun and bomb attacks in the city, saving both life and property.

Earlier this year, undercover police and soldiers foiled a mortar bomb attack on Strand Road police station after ramming a van.

Inside, officers found primed mortars and the roof of the van had been cut away for the devices to be launched through.

Derry mortar bomb accused Gary McDaid (left) and Seamus McLaughlin

Derry mortar bomb accused Gary McDaid (left) and Seamus McLaughlin

One of those arrested and charged Gary McDaid, claims the PSNI and MI5 have been trying to recruit him while he is on remand in Maghaberry prison.

He claims he has been denied a move to Roe House in the jail where dissident republican prisoners are being held on the orders of the PSNI and MI5.

If he is moved to Roe House, the police and Security Service agents would not be able to speak to him, says McDaid.

 

 

 

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