Foresnsics will determine whether a gun found during a search in Londonderry is the weapon that was used to murder Lyra McKee.
Police have recovered a fully primed bomb along with a gun and ammunition during a large scale operation in Ballymagroarty
However at this time police can’t confirm if this was the weapon used to kill journalist Lyra McKee.
Police believe the items belong to the new IRA.
The items were discovered on land where children are known to play.
The search by both police and military personnel, focused on an area of more than 38 acres of land and took place over two days, beginning on Friday morning (5 June) and ending on Saturday evening (6 June).
Derry City and Strabane District Commander Chief Superintendent Emma Bond said this operation was designed specifically to find items they believe were being stored by violent dissident republicans in the Ballymagroarty area.
“We were able to locate and safely remove a command-wire initiated bomb, a handgun and a quantity of ammunition. A strong line of enquiry is that these munitions belong to the New IRA. They have now been seized and will be subject to rigorous forensic examination in the coming days and weeks.
“The weapon found appears to be of the same type and calibre as the gun we believe was used to murder Lyra McKee, however at this time we are not in a position to say whether this is the murder weapon,” she said.
Posted by Police Derry City & Strabane on Sunday, 7 June 2020
“The gun will be subject to extensive forensic testing in the coming days and weeks to determine if there is a link between this firearm and Lyra’s murder.
“Whilst we regard this as an encouraging line of enquiry, I will repeat that we cannot definitively say at this time whether or not this is the murder weapon. That determination will be guided by the forensics.
“The fact that these items were left close to a populated area, and particularly on land where children are known to play, yet again underlines the total lack of regard these violent terrorist criminals have for their own communities.
“These people are so singularly focused on murdering police officers that they do not care if others – men, women, children, families – are caught up in their evil plots. The community is simply collateral damage,” she added.
The Derry City and Strabane District Commander said support and information from the community is vital to fighting the scourge of terrorism.
“Anything you know, or anything you have seen – share that information with us and help us put these criminals out of business.
“You can call us on 101, 999 in an emergency or information can be given to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111,” she added.
