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| Capanagh Forest arms find 'one of most significant in years', police say | Capanagh Forest arms find 'one of most significant in years', police say |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| A discovery of arms in a County Antrim forest was one of the most significant in recent years, police in Northern Ireland have said. | A discovery of arms in a County Antrim forest was one of the most significant in recent years, police in Northern Ireland have said. |
| A "terrorist hide" was uncovered at Capanagh Forest near Larne after two members of the public found suspicious objects in the woods on Saturday. | A "terrorist hide" was uncovered at Capanagh Forest near Larne after two members of the public found suspicious objects in the woods on Saturday. |
| Some of the items found included an armour-piercing improvised rocket and two anti-personnel mines. | Some of the items found included an armour-piercing improvised rocket and two anti-personnel mines. |
| The main line of police inquiry is the arms belonged to dissident republicans. | The main line of police inquiry is the arms belonged to dissident republicans. |
| Last week, Home Secretary Theresa May said MI5 believed an attack on targets in Great Britain by dissident republicans had become "a strong possibility". | Last week, Home Secretary Theresa May said MI5 believed an attack on targets in Great Britain by dissident republicans had become "a strong possibility". |
| Analysis: Vincent Kearney, BBC News NI's home affairs correspondent | Analysis: Vincent Kearney, BBC News NI's home affairs correspondent |
| The discovery of what appears to be a second dissident republican arms dump near Larne within three months has left police baffled. | |
| Based on location alone, the analysis would be that the items found most likely belonged to loyalist paramilitaries. | Based on location alone, the analysis would be that the items found most likely belonged to loyalist paramilitaries. |
| But the nature of what was found suggests otherwise and the finger of suspicion firmly in the direction of dissident republicans. | |
| Det Supt Kevin Geddes said the threat level in Northern Ireland from dissident republican groups remains "severe" and an attack is "highly likely". | Det Supt Kevin Geddes said the threat level in Northern Ireland from dissident republican groups remains "severe" and an attack is "highly likely". |
| Police officers found three barrels hidden in holes in the forest. | Police officers found three barrels hidden in holes in the forest. |
| As well as rockets and mines, there were also several pipe bombs, assault rifle ammunition and parts to construct a "substantial number of explosive devices". | As well as rockets and mines, there were also several pipe bombs, assault rifle ammunition and parts to construct a "substantial number of explosive devices". |
| Det Supt Geddes said the seizure was significant "both in terms of its size and its capability". | Det Supt Geddes said the seizure was significant "both in terms of its size and its capability". |
| "A number of these devices were ready to be deployed," he added. | "A number of these devices were ready to be deployed," he added. |
| "This seizure has undoubtedly saved lives." | "This seizure has undoubtedly saved lives." |
| He said the type of weapons that had been found meant police would focus their investigation on dissident republicans. | He said the type of weapons that had been found meant police would focus their investigation on dissident republicans. |
| In March, an arms find was made at Carnfunnock Country Park near Larne, and police said the were investigating a connection between the two discoveries. | In March, an arms find was made at Carnfunnock Country Park near Larne, and police said the were investigating a connection between the two discoveries. |
| "There are links in terms of the general location and the manner and method of storage and packaging of these munitions," Det Supt Geddes said. | "There are links in terms of the general location and the manner and method of storage and packaging of these munitions," Det Supt Geddes said. |
| He added that police are "indebted" to the two people who noticed the suspicious objects in the Capanagh Forest. | He added that police are "indebted" to the two people who noticed the suspicious objects in the Capanagh Forest. |