THE PSNI has said it is not ruling out a link between the discovery of a major arms dump in Co Antrim and a 'viable device' the following day.
The discovery of the explosives hidden in a remote forest outside Larne last weekend has been described as “significant”.
The haul, which was buried in three barrels at Capanagh Forest, included a potentially deadly EFP (explosive former projectile) mortar and two anti-personnel Claymore mines.
Pipe bombs and other equipment, including timers and command wire, as well as ammunition and explosive powder, were also found.
Police said the find - being linked to dissident republicans - at the isolated location on Saturday was made by two members of the public who were out walking.
The following day a “viable” explosive device was discovered outside the nearby seaside village of Cushendun.
It has now emerged that police have said the device was discovered by birdwatchers at the side of Glendun Road.
After a security operation it was taken from the scene and the area declared safe by the British army bomb squad.
The PSNI last night refused to say what the nature of the device was.
However, a spokesman confirmed that they have not ruled out a link with the Capanagh discovery.
“We are not discounting this and it will form part of our investigation,” he said.
The Capanagh find came just two months after bomb-making equipment was seized at Carnfunnock Country Park, which is also close to Larne.
At the time police said the find was also made by a member of the public.
East Antrim Sinn Féin assembly member Oliver McMullan last night said police have told him that the Cushendun device was found by birdwatchers.
He said he was told that the person who found it sent a photograph to police, who described it to Mr McMullan as “a component part”.
The politician said police need to clarify the nature of the device.
He said officer told him they “were not clear exactly what it was but they sent it away for forensics”.
“It would certainly do way with the mystery of the thing if we knew what it was,” he said.
The Sinn Féin man added that he is “glad” that the Cushendun device was “out of circulation”.
The Capanagh haul included a deadly EFP mortar which in the past has been used by the ‘IRA’ to target PSNI vehicles.
Developed in the Middle East, the armour piercing mortar has been used in the past by insurgents in Iraq.
It is considered as the modern version of the Provisional IRA’s horizontal ‘doodlebug’ mortar which was used to kill British soldiers and RUC officers.
