Search continues after mortar find

Device was discovered in remote woodland

Police are continuing with a search of remote woodland in the Republic of Ireland following the discovery of a so-called barrack buster mortar.

Gardai discovered the mark-15 type mortar near Newtowncunningham on Monday, during a planned search of an area several miles from the border.

The device which did not contain any explosives was similar to one which had been fired at an army base last month.

Speaking on Monday, Garda Superintendent James Gallagher said it was too early to say who was responsible but indications were that it was the work of dissident republicans.

Supt James Gallagher: Delighted over discovery of device

Supt Gallagher said: "We are delighted that we have recovered this device which is capable of taking human life.

"We have struck a blow against subversives."

A similar device was used in an attack on Ebrington army base in Londonderry in January.

The attack on the base was blamed on dissident republican paramilitaries.

A barrack buster bomb is made up of a large amount of explosives, usually packed into a large gas cylinder. It is intended to detonate on impact.

Ebrington Barracks was also attacked last April, when a bomb containing five pounds of homemade explosives was lowered over a perimeter wall.

Dissident republican paramilitaries were also blamed for that attack. No-one was injured although a disused guardhouse was damaged.

The dissidents are opposed to the Northern Ireland peace process and the Good Friday Agreement.

In November, the security forces intercepted another so-called barrack buster when a van was stopped at Derrylin, in County Fermanagh.