SHELL SHOCK
Major security alert at port after Russian weapon found in woman’s van
A WOMAN caused a major security alert at Ireland’s busiest port yesterday when a Russian- made mortar launcher was found in the back of her van.
Anti- terror detectives and an Army bomb disposal team raced to Dublin Port when Customs officers made the shock discovery.
The decommissioned weapon was declared on import paperwork and destined for a private collector in the North.
Gardai said: “The Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal was requested, who confirmed the mortar launcher to be ‘ safe’.”
A MAJOR security alert was sparked yesterday after a Russian- made mortar launcher was found in the back of a van at an Irish port.
The Defence Forces bomb squad rushed to the scene in the early hours after the alarming discovery during a routine Customs check at Dublin Port.
Officers’ suspicions were reportedly raised when the Soviet- era weapon was found to be declared on the import paperwork.
Gardai believe the decommissioned 82mm KRH 36Y mortar launcher was destined for a private collection in Northern Ireland and there was no criminal intent.
The van driver, a woman in her 20s from Poland, was arrested.
She told gardai and customs officials she was a courier and she is believed to have been driving a delivery van.
It’s understood the weapon was stored in a wooden box tobe displayed.
She is being held under Section 30 of the Of fences Against the State Act at Store Street Garda station in Dublin, where she can be kept for up to three days.
It is still an offence under the Firearms Act to possess and import a mortar launcher, whether it has been decommissioned or not. Criminal proceedings could still be brought.
A Garda spokesman said: “Revenue and Customs officers carrying out a routine profile on incoming port traffic stopped an Eastern European registered van. On closer inspection a mortar launcher was being transported in the van.
“The Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal was requested, who subsequently confirmed the mortar launcher to be ‘ safe’. No munitions were present either.”
Detectives have been in contact with the PSNI to check if it was going to a legitimate dealer.
The terrorism threat level across the border has been set at “severe” since March 2009, which means an attack is “highly likely but not imminent”.
It was declared to be safe with no munitions GARDA STATEMENT YESTERDAY