A major arms dump has been found in south Armagh.
Police have uncovered a ‘significant terrorist hide’ containing mortar tubes in a forested area at Carewamean Road in Forkhill following a search yesterday (Wednesday, 6 March).
Component parts, including six mortar tubes were discovered buried in the ground in a wooded area.
The police are not yet linking the find to any particular group – however they believe it may be a ‘more recent hide linked to dissident republican activity.’
Detective Inspector Graham Orr from the PSNI’s Terrorist Investigation Unit said police were made aware of suspicious items, and following a search they discovered the items buried in the ground in a wooded area in a constructed hide.
He said enquiries are progressing and a detailed forensic examination of all these items will take some time.
“At this stage, it is too early to attribute ownership of these materials to any particular grouping or individual.
“It is vital that people remain vigilant, wherever they are and whatever they are doing. We will continue to work with our communities to disrupt the activities of the small group of people who are intent on using violence. There is no place for this type of activity and the vast majority of people in our communities want to live in a peaceful society,” he added.
Detective Inspector Graham Orr said due to the location of the find and the items located in it, he believes that vehicles or machinery may have been used to transport the items.
“The investigation is in the early stages and we are still working to establish the timeframe but initial observations suggest that this is a more recent hide linked to dissident republican activity,” he added.
And he is appealing to anyone who noticed any suspicious activity or vehicles in the Carewamean Road area to contact detectives on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference number 846 .
“This may have been something you saw recently or it could have been a few years ago – please let us know either way and we can consider the information. Alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime,” he added.