Improvised ‘heavy duty’ weapon found in town park

Police have seized an improvised “heavy-duty” weapon in a park in Co Armagh.
By The Newsroom
Published 24th Aug 2020, 20:41 BST
Assistant Chief Constable Barbara Gray speaks to media at a press facility at PSNI headquarters, in relation to Operation Arbacia. Photo: Pacemaker PressAssistant Chief Constable Barbara Gray speaks to media at a press facility at PSNI headquarters, in relation to Operation Arbacia. Photo: Pacemaker Press
Assistant Chief Constable Barbara Gray speaks to media at a press facility at PSNI headquarters, in relation to Operation Arbacia. Photo: Pacemaker Press

The partially-constructed device was discovered at Lord Lurgan Park in Lurgan on Sunday during planned searches targeting dissident republicanism, detectives said.

Detective chief inspector Paul Rowland of the Terrorist Investigation Unit said: “Using a public park to store such items is irresponsible and demonstrates a complete disregard for the members of this community, including many families and young children who use this park for recreation.”

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Police have launched a series of raids targeting the New IRA in recent days.

The PSNI confirmed: “Amongst the items seized for forensic examination was a partially constructed, improvised heavy-duty weapon.”

Yesterday police said a ninth person has now been charged with terrorism offences as part of a police crackdown on the dissident republican group, the New IRA.

Eight people have already appeared before Belfast Magistrates’ Court following 10 arrests as part of Operation Arbacia, while one remained in custody.

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PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Barbara Gray described the operation as “significant and carefully planned”.

“Last week the Police Service of Northern Ireland arrested 10 people, eight men and two women, under the terrorism act as part of a significant and carefully planned operation called Arbacia,” she said.

“This is an ongoing and co-ordinated investigation into activities of the New IRA and involves partners such as MI5, An Garda Siochana, Police Scotland and the Metropolitan Police Service.

“Eight people have been charged with a total of 34 terrorist offences. All have been remanded in custody.

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“I can now confirm a ninth person has been charged with four terrorist offences. Overall these offences include directing terrorism, preparatory acts of terrorism, membership of a proscribed organisation, conspiracy to possess explosives with intent to endanger life and conspiracy to possess ammunition with intent to endanger life. These offences speak for themselves.”

The New IRA is believed to be responsible for the shooting death of journalist Lyra McKee while she observed a riot in Londonderry in April 2019.

ACC Gray described Operation Arbacia as a “longer term” probe into “every aspect of the activities of the New IRA in its entirety”.