A SIGNIFICANT haul of weapons, ammunition and bomb-making components seized in counties Armagh and Tyrone relate to two separate dissident republican groups, police have said.
Community information led police to many of the items found in 13 searches in Lurgan and Benburb, Detective Superintendent John McVea said.
Eight houses and two derelict properties were searched over a 12-day period since April 29 as well as the derelict St Michael’s High School, Lurgan, at open ground in the Kilwilkie Estate and in fields and hedgerows near St Coleman’s Cemetery.
Among the weapons seized were two shotguns, four handguns, explosives, fertiliser and ammunition.
An improvised detonator, suspected mortar tube, component parts for bomb-making, mobile phones and other terrorist paraphernalia were also found.
Police have linked the items found at a Benburb property to the new dissident republican group, Arm Na Poblachta (ANP), while the other searches are believed to be connected to the Continuity IRA.
No-one has been charged in connection with the items recovered but police expect to progress their investigation once forensic tests are completed.
Mr McVea said items seized were "designed to do one thing - to murder".
"Many of these highly dangerous items were found in locations where members of the public could easily have come across them," he said.
"This demonstrates the sheer recklessness and absolute lack of concern these terrorists have about harming people living in these communities.
"I believe ANP are responsible for the items discovered during a search of a property in the Carrickaness Road in Benburb on Thursday 3 May, including a quantity of explosives, and items suspected of being used to make bombs.
"And I believe the items recovered during the remainder of the searches belong to the Continuity IRA."
During a search on Tuesday, a pipe bomb was uncovered beside a nursery school and community centre in the Tarry Drive area of Lurgan.
"Who in their right mind would put the lives of young children at risk," said Mr McVea.
"I do not know how long it has been lying there so the reality is that parents have been walking past this twice a day while taking their children to and from nursery.
"And members of the public attending various activities at the community centre have all been placed at huge risk also. If it had detonated, it would almost certainly have killed or at the very least caused serious injury.
"The pipe bomb is old and rusty, but viable, which makes the device more volatile meaning it could explode at any time.
"This clearly shows how reckless these terrorists are - they do not care if they harm people living in their own communities."
He said he was "pleased and relieved" the operation had "removed a significant amount of dangerous items from this small group of violent individuals".
"These recent events have shown how great results can be achieved when police and the community work together".
