A Mark 15 mortar was discovered in woods close to the Border in Co Donegal yesterday.
Gardai, backed by members of the Emergency Response Unit, made the find in the Dooish area, four miles south of Newtown Cunningham, reports Theresa Judge.
There were no explosives in the mortar but gardai are carrying out follow-up searches in the area. The home-made device was hidden deep in a Coillte wood.
Supt Jim Gallagher said the investigation was focusing on dissident republicans.
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The Mark 15 was in good condition and required only the fitting of explosive, timing and detonation equipment to be ready. It was hidden under camouflage netting in the wood, off the main Derry to Buncrana road.