Northern Ireland

INLA rifles found in Derry sent to forensic experts

A submachine gun was one of three weapons found by police.
A submachine gun was one of three weapons found by police. A submachine gun was one of three weapons found by police.

POLICE have not yet been able to establish if guns seized in a major PSNI-Garda operation targeting the INLA were involved in any murders.

Two assault rifles and a submachine gun were found during a day-long search at Glenabbey on the outskirts of Derry on Tuesday.

In a cross-border operation, Class B drugs, counterfeit clothing and DVDs as well £13,000 in cash, 7,000 illegal cigarettes and tobacco were also seized in the north.

Gardaí yesterday also released pictures of around 60,000 illicit cigarettes, a large quantity of tobacco, counterfeit clothing and DVDs seized in a search in Co Donegal on Tuesday.

A PSNI operation continued in Derry’s Creggan and Brandywell areas yesterday morning although it was unclear if it was linked to Tuesday’s search.

A 43-year-old man arrested on Tuesday was released on bail pending further inquiries yesterday morning. However, a 44-year-old man, also arrested on Tuesday, remained in custody.

While in a seriously deteriorated state, the two assault rifles were similar to weapons used in INLA shows-of-strength in the past and at INLA funerals.

However, police said it was too early to say if they were used in previous attacks by the paramilitary group.

A spokeswoman said the guns, along with a badly-rusted submachine gun, have been sent to forensic experts for further investigation.

Derry PSNI district commander Gordon McCalmont said the INLA was involved in a range of “criminal money-making rackets”.

“The INLA in Derry/Londonderry and Strabane claim to be the protectors of their community but the reality is that they use violence and intimidation to control and exploit those communities," he said.

“Weapons like the ones seized today (Tuesday) post a threat to everyone and anyone who brings guns onto our streets does not care about our community.”