Large bomb defused-S. Armagh -- Stormont Watch

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Date Posted: Tue, Sep 08 2009, 22:08:09 PDT
Author: Forum Admin.
Subject: Large bomb defused-S. Armagh

BOMB DEFUSED IN SOUTH ARMAGH 09/08/09 07:43 EST

An explosive device planted outside the NI village of
Forkhill has been made safe by the army, following a
four-day security alert in South Armagh.

British Army experts estimated the device contained around
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 police mounted a security operation in
the Irish Republic while an army bomb disposal expert made
the device safe.

The remnants have been taken away for forensic examination.

Dissident republicans are blamed for planting the bomb on
the Carrive Road and police branded those responsible
"reckless".

Police said they did not care who they might have killed had
it been detonated.

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."

He insisted the actions of those responsible for the device
would not deter his 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."

Sinn Fein MP for the area Conor Murphy has condemned those
responsible for planting the device.

"There is an increasing recklessness being shown by these
groups and if they persist with this activity it will be
only a matter of time before someone in the local community
is killed", Mr Murphy said.

"I would question the motives of those who are putting the
local community in such danger."

SDLP Newry and Armagh MLA Dominic Bradley questioned the
response time of the PSNI in dealing with the situation.

"It seems the PSNI may have known about this bomb days
before they moved people from their homes and if that's the
case then it's certainly cause for much concern", he said.

The police issued a general alert for the area last Tuesday.
But, a local Sinn Fein Councillor said people near Forkhill
only heard about it on Saturday.

A number of residents were evacuated, as officers searched
the area close to the border with county Louth.

Police have urged anyone with information to talk to them.
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