Bomb Pc police seize arms cache

Police hunting the killers of Pc Ronan Kerr have arrested a suspect after discovering a 'significant' haul of arms (PSNI/PA)
12 April 2012

Police hunting the killers of Pc Ronan Kerr have arrested a suspect in Scotland after discovering a "significant" haul of arms, including rocket launcher components and detonators in Co Tyrone.

The cache, which also included four Kalashnikov rifles and possibly Semtex explosive, was discovered on Tuesday night in Coalisland, east Tyrone.

The suspect, aged 26, was detained in Renton, in Dunbartonshire, Scotland , on Wednesday afternoon and is being brought back to Northern Ireland for questioning.

Pc Kerr, 25, was killed when a booby-trap bomb exploded under his car in Omagh, Co Tyrone, on Saturday. The murder has been blamed on dissident republicans opposed to the peace process and to Catholics joining the police.

News of the breakthrough emerged after nationalist leaders joined police in a show of unity at the Catholic police officer's funeral in the village of Beragh, Co Tyrone.

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Assistant Chief Constable Drew Harris described the arms haul as one of the most significant for some time.

He told reporters at a press conference in Belfast the arms discovery will "form lines of inquiry into Ronan's murder and into dissident activity generally".

He went on: "The seizure was made in a garage unit on the Mountjoy Road. Inside the unit police officers uncovered a number of stolen vehicles and inside those vehicles a significant amount of arms and munitions.

"The haul included four rifles, ammunition, timer power units, detonators, incendiary bombs, components for rocket launchers and other explosive devices, and a quantity of explosives, possibly Semtex.

"This investigation into Ronan's murder will continue in the coming days and weeks with the same determination and professionalism which resulted in last night's discovery."

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