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Major dissident arms dump uncovered near Lurgan Major dissident republican arms dump found near Lurgan
(about 1 hour later)
A major arms hide believed to be connected to dissident republicans has been uncovered in County Armagh. A major arms haul believed to be connected to dissident republicans has been uncovered in County Armagh.
Major firearms and munitions were discovered by police during an ongoing two-day search operation on the outskirts of Lurgan. Firearms and munitions were found by police during a two-day search operation in the grounds of a former convent on the outskirts of Lurgan.
The weapons that were discovered are believed to belong to the group known to as the New IRA.
Det Supt Karen Baxter said police believe one of the items is a "fully constructed explosive device".Det Supt Karen Baxter said police believe one of the items is a "fully constructed explosive device".
"These items were in the advanced stages of readiness and some were ready to be used," she said."These items were in the advanced stages of readiness and some were ready to be used," she said.
It was a "significant and key" find that had saved lives, she added.It was a "significant and key" find that had saved lives, she added.
The hide was discovered in a wooded area near a derelict house close to the railway line between Lisburn in County Antrim and Portadown in County Armagh. Specialist search teams scoured a wooded area close to a railway line and discovered the weapons hide.
Other items found were homemade explosives, improvised mortars and launchers, a number of pipe bombs and three firearms. Among the items found were homemade explosives, improvised mortars and launchers, a number of pipe bombs and three firearms.
Det Sup Baxter said it was difficult to say how long the hide had been there, but during the search other hides in the area had been uncovered and other items found. Det Supt Baxter said it was difficult to say how long the hide had been in place.
Policing Board chair Anne Connolly thanked the police and army bomb experts who were involved in the operation. She added that other hides in the area had been uncovered during the search and more items were found.
Analysis: Vincent Kearney, BBC News NI's home affairs correspondent
This is significant in two ways, firstly because of the quantity and variety of what was discovered.
But also because of where the items were found.
The dissident republican group referred to as the New IRA is known to be active in north County Armagh, and particularly in the Lurgan area.
Police believe this find has dealt a serious blow to that organisation's ability to carry out its activities.
Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire said those who had hidden the weapons "want to drag Northern Ireland backwards" but added that they would "not succeed".
"This is a reminder of the continuing need for vigilance and to report any information, no matter how small, to the Police Service of Northern Ireland," he said.
Anne Connolly, the chair of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, thanked the police and army bomb experts who were involved in the searches.
"It's a great result for the PSNI to find these firearms and munitions and take them away from those who would have used them to cause harm in our community," she said."It's a great result for the PSNI to find these firearms and munitions and take them away from those who would have used them to cause harm in our community," she said.
Sinn Féin MLA Catherine Seeley said: "The fact that those who would try to roll back the progress we have made as a society will not be able to use these weapons is to be welcomed.Sinn Féin MLA Catherine Seeley said: "The fact that those who would try to roll back the progress we have made as a society will not be able to use these weapons is to be welcomed.
"I'm glad these materials have taken out of circulation and cannot be used to endanger life." "I'm glad these materials have been taken out of circulation and cannot be used to endanger life."
DUP MLA Carla Lockhart praised the police for their actions. Carla Lockhart, a Democratic Unionist Party MLA, praised the police for their work.
"It should be a wake-up call to those in our community who want to return to the past, that the PSNI will continue to work to defeat the threat of dissident activity," she said."It should be a wake-up call to those in our community who want to return to the past, that the PSNI will continue to work to defeat the threat of dissident activity," she said.
Secretary of State James Brokenshire commended the police and bomb disposal team for their "professionalism". It is the third significant discovery of arms to be made this year.
"Those responsible for hiding these explosives want to drag Northern Ireland backwards," he said.
"They will not succeed. This is a reminder of the continuing need for vigilance and to report any information - no matter how small - to the PSNI."
In May, components for making bombs were found at Capanagh Forest near Larne in County Antrim.In May, components for making bombs were found at Capanagh Forest near Larne in County Antrim.
Police said that was one of the most significant arms discoveries in years.Police said that was one of the most significant arms discoveries in years.
Arms were also found at Carnfunnock Country Park near Larne in March. Arms, including parts that could be used to make under-car booby-trap bombs, were also found at Carnfunnock Country Park near Larne in March.