GARDAI IN RIRA WEAPONS DISCOVERY
Gardai in RIRA weapons discovery
By Michael O'Toole
MEMBERS of an elite Garda unit - drafted into the border area after the Omagh atrocity - yesterday uncovered rifles and explosives believed to belong to the Real IRA in Co Monaghan.
The Emergency Response Unit, which is normally used for hostage situations and raids on suspected paramilitaries and criminals, uncovered the cache in two barrels between Hackballscross in County Louth and Carrickmacross in Co Monaghan.
The haul was uncovered 150 yards from the south Armagh border during a planned search as part of an ongoing operation.
It is thought the cache included five AK47 rifles, two handguns and a small amount of Semtex.
The barrels were found hidden in a wall in a field just before lpm.
The area was sealed off yesterday in advance of a detailed examination by Garda technical officers.
Meanwhile, seven men were still being questioned by detectives in Carrickmacross investigating the Omagh atrocity.
The men, from the Castleblayney area, were arrested on Monday and Tuesday and can be held for 72 hours.
Gardai are trying to find the men responsible for stealing the Vauxhall Cavalier car used in the Omagh bombing from Carrickmacross days before the slaughter.
Six men were also being held north of the border last night.
By Michael O'Toole
MEMBERS of an elite Garda unit - drafted into the border area after the Omagh atrocity - yesterday uncovered rifles and explosives believed to belong to the Real IRA in Co Monaghan.
The Emergency Response Unit, which is normally used for hostage situations and raids on suspected paramilitaries and criminals, uncovered the cache in two barrels between Hackballscross in County Louth and Carrickmacross in Co Monaghan.
The haul was uncovered 150 yards from the south Armagh border during a planned search as part of an ongoing operation.
It is thought the cache included five AK47 rifles, two handguns and a small amount of Semtex.
The barrels were found hidden in a wall in a field just before lpm.
The area was sealed off yesterday in advance of a detailed examination by Garda technical officers.
Meanwhile, seven men were still being questioned by detectives in Carrickmacross investigating the Omagh atrocity.
The men, from the Castleblayney area, were arrested on Monday and Tuesday and can be held for 72 hours.
Gardai are trying to find the men responsible for stealing the Vauxhall Cavalier car used in the Omagh bombing from Carrickmacross days before the slaughter.
Six men were also being held north of the border last night.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0404
Published Date: 24-Sep-98
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