Explosive Device found, Forkhill, Newry
08 Sep 2009
A significant explosive device planted in the Forkhill area has been made safe by Army Technical officers on Tuesday 8 September.
Army experts estimate that it contained in the region of 600lb of home made explosives. A command wire led from the roadside where it was planted to a firing point across the Border. The Irish Army and An Garda Siochana carried out a similar security operation in the Republic.
The remnants of the device have been taken away for forensic examination. Police have launched a major investigation and have urged anyone with information to talk to them.
Newry and Mourne police commander, Chief Inspector Sam Cordner, said: "There could have been a devastating outcome to this incident. The actions of terrorist criminals in planting this device in the Forkhill area put local people and police officers at significant risk. Their actions were reckless and dangerous in the extreme. Their target may have been the police, but they did not care who they killed or injured. It is only through the hard work and professionalism of police officers and their military colleagues that the area has been made safe.
"The actions of these criminals will not deter my officers from providing a service to the people of South Armagh. Part of that service will be an investigation into the planting of this device. Anyone who can bring these criminals to justice should contact us.
"We want to thank the people of Forkhill for their patience and forbearance as we worked to make their area safe for them."
