20/04/2006

Four held over discovery of bomb making materials

Four men who were arrested for questioning after the discovery of bomb making materials for a 250lb bomb in County Armagh are still being held by police.

The raid was carried out yesterday on a suspected bomb making factory in a breakers yard in the Antrim Road area of Lurgan.

Detectives believed the find to be connected to dissident republicans and the

four men, aged 22, 26, 36 and 46-years-old were arrested under the Terrorism Act.

Police said that the discovery of the equipment had foiled an imminent and major car bomb attack.

Lurgan's police commander, Superintendent Alan Todd, said: "Material of this sort is by its very nature unstable and, therefore, people preparing these things do so with the intent to use it as soon as possible.

"That means a device was being constructed for immediate use, but, more importantly, it means that unstable explosive substances, ready for use, were being prepared in what is a busy residential area behind commercial premises."

"The risk that provides to the local community is very high and we are very happy police have been able to act.”

Under the terms of the Terrorism Act the arrested men can be detained for up to seven days.

(EF/SP)

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