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

DETECTIVES investigating a foiled mortar bomb attack on a PSNI station have charged two men on Tuesday night.

The dissident republican suspects, aged 35 ad 37, are to appear Londonderry Magistrates court on Wednesday, March 6.

They are charged with possession of explosives with intent to endanger life, possessing of articles for terrorist purposes and conspiracy to cause explosions.

Two other men, including a man arrested 31-year-old arrested in Derry on Tuesday morning, are still being questioned at the Antrim Serious Crime Suite.

Three men were arrested on Sunday night after undercover police, MI5 and the Army’s Special Reconnaissance Regiment foiled a mortar bomb attack on Strand Road police station by a group calling itself the ‘New IRA’.

Police rammed a white Citroen Berlingo van on Derry’s Letterkenny Road around 8 pm and also stopped a motorbike.

In a follow up operation, a 37-year-old man was arrested at a house.

Police said the van was just minutes away from carrying out an attack on the fortified base.