POLICE SWOOP ON CAR BOMBS
POLICE SWOOP ON CAR BOMBS
Two arrested after vehicle stopped on border road
By Claire Regan
POLICE today said they had halted a major dissident republican operation with the discovery of two booby-trap car bombs and the arrest of two suspects. The men, aged 35 and 36, were arrested last night after uniformed officers stopped a car heading towards Newry from the border.
A massive police and Army operation swung into action as the vehicle with two substantial under-car bombs on board was discovered on the Omeath road, three miles outside Newry.
PSNI Chief Constable, Hugh Orde, who attended the scene this morning, said the security operation was still ongoing but said it had prevented certain death. "Lives have been saved. These bombs were clearly on their way into Northern Ireland to cause death and mayhem," he said.
"We believe dissident republicans are involved but it is much too early to say which faction may have been involved. It is also too early to predict where these bombs may have been destined for. I would not like to try and second guess those involved."
Mr Orde also declined to give details of the two suspects who are in custody. "This has been a major police success and massive resources have been poured into this operation and it has protected people. "There are two men now in custody and we have these two bombs, no-one will be killed by them. "This area continues to be a high risk, but we will continue our work here as I have promised to do.
"By arresting and locking up dissident republicans we will be saving lives in Northern Ireland."
Assistant Chief Constable, Stephen White, Regional Commander for the South Region, highlighted the destructive potential of the bombs.
"These bombs were in a state of readiness and were substantial in size. Had they gone off in a car, anyone travelling in that car would have been at certain risk from death. "This has been an excellent success for the officers of this area."
The seizure is the first significant blow against the terrorists since Mr Orde became Chief Constable three weeks ago.
Houses in Newcastle and Castlewellan were searched as part of a follow-up operation.
The Chief Constable had already warned of a high terrorist threat by dissident republicans and this had all the hallmarks of a significant surveillance operation. Troops were also involved.
Co Louth, not far from where the arrests were made, is one of the main bases of the Real IRA, the dissident republican organisation which bombed Omagh in August 1998, killing 29 people.
Two arrested after vehicle stopped on border road
By Claire Regan
POLICE today said they had halted a major dissident republican operation with the discovery of two booby-trap car bombs and the arrest of two suspects. The men, aged 35 and 36, were arrested last night after uniformed officers stopped a car heading towards Newry from the border.
A massive police and Army operation swung into action as the vehicle with two substantial under-car bombs on board was discovered on the Omeath road, three miles outside Newry.
PSNI Chief Constable, Hugh Orde, who attended the scene this morning, said the security operation was still ongoing but said it had prevented certain death. "Lives have been saved. These bombs were clearly on their way into Northern Ireland to cause death and mayhem," he said.
"We believe dissident republicans are involved but it is much too early to say which faction may have been involved. It is also too early to predict where these bombs may have been destined for. I would not like to try and second guess those involved."
Mr Orde also declined to give details of the two suspects who are in custody. "This has been a major police success and massive resources have been poured into this operation and it has protected people. "There are two men now in custody and we have these two bombs, no-one will be killed by them. "This area continues to be a high risk, but we will continue our work here as I have promised to do.
"By arresting and locking up dissident republicans we will be saving lives in Northern Ireland."
Assistant Chief Constable, Stephen White, Regional Commander for the South Region, highlighted the destructive potential of the bombs.
"These bombs were in a state of readiness and were substantial in size. Had they gone off in a car, anyone travelling in that car would have been at certain risk from death. "This has been an excellent success for the officers of this area."
The seizure is the first significant blow against the terrorists since Mr Orde became Chief Constable three weeks ago.
Houses in Newcastle and Castlewellan were searched as part of a follow-up operation.
The Chief Constable had already warned of a high terrorist threat by dissident republicans and this had all the hallmarks of a significant surveillance operation. Troops were also involved.
Co Louth, not far from where the arrests were made, is one of the main bases of the Real IRA, the dissident republican organisation which bombed Omagh in August 1998, killing 29 people.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0874
Published Date: 18-Sep-02
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