Arrest As Ronan Murder Probed

It has just been revealed that the police have arrested a 26-year-old man over the murder of Constable Ronan Kerr in Northern Ireland.

A special PSNI Press briefing took place in Belfast at 3pm today to reveal that the suspect was held in Dumbartonshire, Scotland.

The briefing also provided news that PSNI detectives investigating the deadly car bomb attack in Omagh on Saturday have also recovered four AK47 rifles, semtex and car bombs primed for detonation in a find that was made in the Coalisland area of Co Tyrone.

Speaking at the briefing, a senior officer said he believed it was the "most significant in recent years".

The developments come as PC Kerr, 25, who was killed by a bomb under his car in Omagh on Saturday, was laid to rest in Beragh, with a major shown of both political and community unity.

PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Drew Harris said: "Colleagues from Strathclyde Police assisted PSNI detectives in the arrest operation.

"The arms discovery was made in Coalisland last night and will form lines of inquiry into Ronan's murder and into terrorist activity generally.

"The seizure was made in a garage unit on the Mountjoy Road. Inside the unit police officers discovered a number of stolen vehicles and, inside those vehicles, a significant amount of arms and munitions," said, listing the munitions discovered.

The haul was four rifles, of the Kalashnikov variety; ammunition, six loaded magazines; bomb timer power units; detonators and incendiary bombs as well as components for rocket launchers and other explosive devices and a quantity of explosives, possibly Semtex.

"While this is very significant, the 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," he said.

"Everyone in Northern Ireland is very much safer today because these munitions have been taken out of circulation.

"They will now be forensically examined and provide new lines of enquiry for our investigators," he explained.

The senior officer went on to appeal to anyone with information about Ronan's murder or about terrorist activity generally to give information to police.

"Expressions of sympathy and condemnation are welcome but we need more. We need information.

"The police incident room is open and waiting to take calls. The number is 028 8225 6659.

"We understand there will be some people who might be frightened and not want to come to police.

"You can give information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestopppers, telephone 0800 555 111.

"Their announcement yesterday of a £50,000 reward for information which leads to convictions is very much appreciated," the ACC concluded.

(BMcC/GK)