AK47s among ‘dissident’ cache found in Monaghan

Gardai have discovered what they believe to be a cache of guns and explosives controlled by dissident republicans but which once belonged to the Provisional IRA.

The discovery has been made after extensive searching and excavation work in Co Monaghan since last week.

The searches began after the arrest of a dissident republican suspect, though he has not been charged in connection with the arsenal subsequently found.

While discovered south of the border, gardaí believe the haul was controlled by a dissident republican group based in the North.

The faction thought to control the guns and explosives is based in Co Armagh but has strong links to like minded factions in the Republic, including Dublin, who are also involved in forms of organised crime such as extortion.

The operation that yielded the arsenal in the Scotstown area of Co Monaghan began last Wednesday and involved the Special Detective Unit, the Emergency Response Unit, the Garda Dog Unit and members from the Cavan-Monaghan divisional search team.

The searches were intelligence-led and were part of the Garda’s continuing efforts to target dissident republican activity along the Border.

Guns, explosives and components for bomb making were found well wrapped up and protected against water damage in sealed plastic drums buried in the ground.

Among the haul was an unspecified number of mortars, two handguns and two AK47 assault rifles along with explosives similar to Semtex.

A number of components for improvised explosive devices were also found, including detonators and detonating chord.

The Defence Forces said its bomb disposal team was called in to assist the search in Monaghan.

The team arrived at the scene at about 2.45pm last Thursday and remained until about 4pm on Monday when the area was declared safe.

All suspected explosive material and components for improvised explosive devices examined and made safe by the Defence Forces personnel were handed over to the Garda as part of the criminal investigation.

Gardaí believe the haul dates back to the Provision IRA’s terrorism campaign and may have been at the location it was found for many years.

Some of the Provision IRA’s arsenal was moved or taken control of by dissident republican elements opposed to the peace process and who were determined to continue a terrorism campaign.

The explosives and guns were put beyond the Provisional IRA’s reach by some of its former members before the organisation had the opportunity to fully decommission.