LISTEN: Bomb and hand gun recovered in Lurgan were planted to harm police officers

By Hannah Spratt

It's understood a bomb and hand gun found during searches in Lurgan intended to harm police officers.

Residents were evacuated from their homes in the Tarry Drive area of the town earlier.

The bomb squad made the device safe.

Both items have been taken away for forensic examination.

Here's Superintendent David Moore:

David Moore said “During these searches a number of areas had to be cordoned, and some evacuations were necessary which affected local residents, including children attending a nearby playgroup.  We are hugely grateful for the patience, understanding and support shown to us by the local community, with whom we are proud to work in rooting out the scourge of terrorism.

Viable device and firearm recovered in Lurgan. https://t.co/rTLkaGLijg

— PSNI (@PoliceServiceNI) May 8, 2018

The device was examined by ATO and found to be viable and capable of substantial harm.  The device was made safe before being removed for forensic examination along with the firearm. 

There is no doubt that this device was intended to harm police officers, however its placement and the manner in which it was left undoubtedly mean that had it detonated, it would almost certainly have caused death or serious injury. Working together with the local community, this particular act of potentially lethal recklessness has been brought to an end.

The people living in this area were placed at great risk. Had this device not been found when it had, there is no telling what we may have been dealing with. Young children would have been walking right past this location and people residing peacefully in this area were put in danger. The misguided individuals behind this device are seriously out of step with this community and clearly don’t care about the lives of those living in the area and the disruption they have brought to their doorsteps. Placing this device where they did says much about the contempt and disregard in which they hold this community.

Sinn Féin Councillor Keith Haughian has said those responsible for leaving an explosive device and firearm in the Tarry Drive area of Lurgan should leave the stage.

Cllr Haughian said:

“This incident showed complete disregard to the local community and caused disruption to residents. 

“The placing of such a potentially lethal device in such close proximity to the near-by play park which is so extensively used by children and families in the area is madness.

"Those responsible have nothing to offer the community and they should leave the stage immediately.

"I would urge anyone with information on this attack to bring it forward to the PSNI.”

Meanwhile,

Upper Bann MLA Carla Lockhart has congratulated police following their seizure of an explosive device and a firearm in the Tarry Drive area of Lurgan.  This comes on the back of several high profiled searches in the area.

The local MLA said, “The discovery and removal of this weapon and explosive device has prevented injury or death. The fact that a children’s playgroup had to be evacuated demonstrates the disregard those who prepared this device have for the lives of anyone in our community.

I would congratulate and commend the Police for their continued efforts in keeping the community safe within Lurgan. Over recent weeks their policing operations have resulted in the arrests of those parading with their faces masked and the removal of weaponry designed to kill.

I would appeal for anyone with information to assist the police in bringing to justice those responsible for putting lives in danger.  Lurgan is a great place to live, work and do business and there is no room for this type of activity.  People do not support it and want these people to face the full force of the law.”