Bomb-making factory raided

Police have uncovered a bomb-making factory used by dissident republicans in Northern Ireland, it emerged today.

Detectives scored a major success against dissident terrorists after they raided a flat in the Lisnafin Park area of Strabane last night. Two men were arrested.

Component parts of explosive devices were uncovered during the search which began after reports of suspicious activity in the area.

It is believed the flat was used as a base for manufacturing bombs. Police said one man was arrested in Strabane and a second was picked up in the Waterside area of Derry.

A detective leading the inquiry said: “Police believe this is a major success in the disruption of dissident republican activity in the North West.”

The flat is in a built-up area close to where children play and near a leisure centre.

Police have warned that a number of bombs may be stored in the Lisnafin Park area and appealed to the public not to approach any suspicious objects.

Police confirmed they made a further two arrests in the Strabane area in connection with the find.

Members of the Real IRA, the terrorist group who carried out the Omagh bombing which killed 29 people including a woman pregnant with twins, have been active in the Strabane area, carrying out a series of attacks on members of the local District Policing Partnership.

Strabane Sinn Fein councillor Ivan Barr described the latest find as a worrying development.

He said: “I am alarmed to hear there was a bomb-making factory in Lisnafin Park. This will come as a great shock to the community in the area.”