Bomb find scene is re-examined

The van was examined by army experts

A security operation surrounding a 100kg bomb which was intercepted in County Fermanagh at the weekend, resumed on Tuesday.

Security sources have linked the dissident republican Real IRA to the mortar device, known as a "barrack buster".

The discovery was made in a van at Teemore crossroads near Derrylin on the main Enniskillen to Dublin road on Saturday.

Four men arrested at the scene are still being questioned by police at Gough Barracks in Armagh.

Peter Mandelson: Praised RUC vigilance

Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson has praised the security forces for their vigilance in intercepting the bomb, which was made up of home-made explosives.

He added: "There are people who are determined to disrupt the peace process and destroy the Good Friday Agreement.

"Those people have got to be stopped."

The security sources believe the Real IRA had been planning an attack on a security installation or RUC station.

Three cars were abandoned at the scene which is close to the border with the Irish Republic.

False number plates and two-way radios were found in a follow-up search.

'Peaceful society'

Local Ulster Unionist assembly member Joan Carson said the discovery underlined the need for decommissioning of illegal weaponry.

She urged Sinn Fein to condemn the foiled attack.

"Are Sinn Fein going to face down the rejectionists in republicanism and get on with creating a peaceful society for everyone?" she said.

The Ulster Unionist MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, Ken Maginnis, said the police had prevented a republican attack from causing multiple injuries and even death.