THE three incendiary bombs left in stolen vehicles by the killers of Det Garda Jerry McCabe were manufactured by the IRA, forensic tests have shown. The cassette type devices are exclusively manufactured by the IRA and are unlike devices made by other paramilitary groups or by criminals.
Ballistic examination of the spent bullet cases found at Adare in the aftermath of Det Garda McCabe's murder has also confirmed that one of the AK47 assault rifles had been used in another robbery three years ago in Limerick. This was also believed to have been the work of the IRA.
The Garda manhunt for the killers is concentrated on two highly dangerous IRA gunmen who are leading members of the Munster unit. Gardai have visited their homes and they have been missing since the weekend.
One of the men is in his 30s and is originally from Co Tyrone. He was released from custody in the past six months despite Garda concern. The other man is from Dublin, but has been living in the Shannon area. He is also regarded as highly dangerous.
The Garda Press Office last night issued four photographs which they believe may help in the search for the gang involved in the Adare shootings.
Investigating gardai in Limerick are anxious to trace the movements of a silver Mitsubishi Lancer, registration number 96D 20833; registration plates 96D 5985, which were affixed to the Mitsubishi Pajero jeep used in the raid; a sports bag, blue and purple in colour, which was found in the jeep with two flash bulb packs; two plastic containers - one in clear plastic which originally contained vinegar and a white gallon drum which originally contained anti bacterial soap cream.
A hand axe, described as a US made Estwing with a brown walnut handle in a brown pouch, was also found, as were a number of plastic ties approximately three feet in length.
Gardai at Henry Street station in Limerick can be contacted at Freephone 1-800-323324 or on a confidential line [1-800-666-111].
It now seems clear that the gardai established IRA involvement in Garda McCabe's murder early on Friday after examining the incendiary bombs and making an assessment of local intelligence reports on IRA activity. However, there has still been no confirmation of this from the Government.
The clearest link to the IRA is the source of the incendiary bombs, which were to have been used to destroy the two cars used by the robbers but were apparently abandoned. The man who perfected these devices - which have caused tens of millions of pounds worth of damage to commercial property in Northern Ireland and Britain - is currently serving a sentence in Portlaoise Prison.