10/01/2003

Bomb-making factory uncovered in Co Antrim

Police have uncovered a major bomb-making factory at a house in the Castlemara Drive area of Carrickfergus, Co Antrim.

The discovery was made last night during follow-up searches to a shooting incident in the same area on Tuesday evening. A man remains in a critical condition in hospital as a result of the shooting.

The haul included a quantity of bomb making equipment, explosive powder, pipe bombs, a fully primed under car booby trap, handgun and ammunition, clothing, and other component parts for explosive devices. A small quantity of suspected cannabis and a number of tablets were also found.

Acting Assistant Chief Constable for Belfast, Maggie Hunter, said: “We are delighted to remove this material from our streets which undoubtedly would have resulted in death, serious injury and destruction. As a result of the find we have made three arrests. Three other people remain in police custody in connection with Tuesday’s shooting.”

ACC Hunter has linked this find to the loyalist feud which has seen three people murdered and a number of attempted murders. To date, 12 people have been charged with various offences in connection with the feud and 22 house searches have been carried out as well as a number of other police operations.

She added: “We have seen this feud spread around parts of Belfast, Co Down, Newtownabbey and now Carrickfergus. It is time for this feuding to stop before more lives are lost.

“We have a team of 70 investigators working on this feud investigation with additional support from uniform officers. We need more successes like the find in Castlemara, however this can only be achieved with the help and support of local communities. We need people to speak to the police or in complete confidence to Crimestoppers.”

(GMcG)

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