New IRA 'bomber' arrested and bomb parts seized

Components of bombs uncovered in a 'terrorist hide in Co Louth

Gardaí sought the assistance of the Defence Forces' Explosive Ordnance Disposal team on Friday morning to examine the hide and its contents. File picture: Dan Linehan

A suspected bomb maker for the New IRA is one of two people arrested after components of bombs were uncovered in a “terrorist hide” in Co Louth.

The seizure — and, more particularly, the arrest — is seen by Garda HQ as “very significant”, with sources believing it will result in an “important disruption” of the terror group’s activities.

The New IRA has increased its activity this year, including a car bomb outside Dunmurry PSNI station, near Belfast, last April and an attempted car bombing at Lurgan Police Station in March.

In July, the Garda Special Detective Unit, the organisation’s counter-terrorism squad, stopped a car in Co Monaghan and seized a large military-grade bomb linked to the New IRA.

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said the latest operation, revealed in the Irish Examiner on Friday morning, was “particularly significant”.

He said the organisation’s national security section is continuing to “degrade and dismantle” terrorist organisations.

He said he had been in contact with PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher in relation to the find and that they reiterated their joint commitment to tackle dissident groups.

What's your view on this issue?

You can tell us here

The discovery of the terrorist hide in Co Louth on Thursday night followed a lengthy surveillance operation by the Garda National Crime & Security Intelligence Service (GNCSIS).

The operation involved all the key units in the service, including the highly-secretive National Surveillance Unit, the elite Emergency Response Unit and the Special Detective Unit — the service’s main operational section.

The Garda Security Service, the security intelligence wing of the GNCSIS, was also involved.

Two men, aged in their 20s and 50s and from the border, were arrested and detained under the Offences Against the State Act, 1939.

Both arrests are considered important, particularly the older man's, who is suspected of being a bomb maker for the group and someone with past republican convictions.

Gardaí sought the assistance of the Defence Forces' Explosive Ordnance Disposal team on Friday morning to examine the hide and its contents.

Sources said this found significant component parts for bombs and explosive material.

In a statement from Garda HQ, Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said: "This is a particularly significant find. This search and arrest operation by our counter-terrorism unit, the Special Detective Unit, demonstrates the important work carried out by Garda national security personnel every day to protect people on this island.

"We must continue to degrade and dismantle the threat from those who are intent on destroying peace by harming others.” 

He said he contacted PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher about the find and thanked the Defence Forces for its assistance.

In a PSNI statement, Chief Constable Boutcher said: ‘I welcome the significant seizure and arrests made today in County Louth by An Garda Síochána. This excellent police work has prevented serious harm or loss of life.

"We will continue to work closely with An Garda Síochána as part of our shared commitment to counter the threat posed by dissident republican groups. 

"Our joint priority is to keep communities safe, and the PSNI will provide all necessary support to the investigation. 

"I pay tribute to An Garda Síochána and Commissioner Justin Kelly for this outstanding police work.”

Security services on both sides of the border have noticed increased activity by the New IRA and their continuing ability to recruit people in the South, including people in their 20s.

A source with knowledge of dissident groups said the New IRA “want to be seen as still alive, active and relevant”.

This source said: “This is an attempt by the New IRA to show their supporters, who get increasingly disillusioned with talks about ‘armed campaigns’, that they are still capable of conducting attacks in the North.” 

The source said intelligence services are “keeping close track” of their activities.