Real IRA suspects quizzed over bomb parts

Eight Real IRA suspects were being held by police in the North tonight after the discovery of a suspected bomb and bomb parts.

An area of Strabane was sealed off for the night, after a day-long search at Magirr Park in the Co Tyrone town unearthed a suspect device and a stockpile of what police believe to be component parts for pipe bombs.

The eight men were arrested in planned raids – seven in Strabane and one in Derry.

Police said it had been decided to seal off the area overnight after discussions with British army bomb disposal experts who wanted to tackle the devices in daylight.

The security operation did not involve anyone being evacuated from their homes in the area overnight.

Police Service District Inspector Graham Dodds said: “We regret having to put a cordon around this area overnight, but a decision has been taken to protect the community.

“Throughout this operation community safety has been paramount and that will continue to be the case. As soon as we can be sure that the area is safe and the community can get on with its normal life, we will remove the cordon.”

It is understood the suspected bomb making equipment is not old but ready for use and in various stages of assembly.

The security operation is part of one dating back to July 12 when there was a blast bomb attack on the Strabane police station.

The device missed the station and hit the home of 78-year-old Patsy Devine who had two sons shot dead by the SAS over 20 years ago.

Michael Devine, 22 and David, 16, both members of the IRA, were shot dead as they approached an arms dump in a field outside Strabane in February 1985. A third man, Charles Breslin, 20, who was with them, was also killed.

In April this year a pipe bomb was left at the Strabane home of a member of the local District Policing Partnership – also the work of dissident republicans.