Irish Daily Star

Seized bombs ‘part of bid to kill cops’ INVESTIGAT­ION CENTRES ON DISSIDENTS

- ■■Keith FALKINER

He is further accused of having a small quantity of suspected cocaine when police arrested him in June.

Detectives launched an investigat­ion after the dashcam footage, was posted online.

Mr Stalford allegedly issued a threat to “take the man’s head off ” and declaring “you are lucky I’m not taking your f ****** knees out”.

He was remanded until October 6.

MILITARY-GRADE explosives and weapons which could have been used by dissidents to attack police have been recovered in Derry, the PSNI has said.

Sixteen officers were injured in Creggan as police came under attack by crowds as searches were carried out.

A senior officer said he believes children as young as eight were involved in the attacks.

Investigat­ions are continuing but the “primary line of inquiry” has been described as dissident republican group the New IRA.

Two men and a woman were arrested under the Terrorism Act after the discovery of cash, handguns, grenades, ammunition and plastic explosives during three searches.

Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris said his thoughts are with the officers who were injured.

On social media site X, he said: “I would like to thank the PSNI for their work in keeping people in NI safe.

Harm

“This is a reminder a small minority are still intent on causing harm to the community.

“My thoughts are with those officers injured in the course of their duties last night.”

Two senior police officers described the searches as “exceptiona­lly challengin­g”.

Assistant Chief Constable

Mark McEwan said the significan­ce of the items seized “cannot be underestim­ated”.

He said: “These items are military-grade and we believe the intention was to mount attacks in an attempt to kill police officers.

“Whilst the investigat­ion is ongoing, and while we keep an open mind, the primary line of inquiry centres on the New IRA.

“Not only was the intention here to kill and maim, but there is a total disregard for the wider community.

“These items were being stored in a residentia­l area in close proximity to a children’s play area and any attack that would have been mounted would have taken place within our communitie­s.

“This is clearly extremely worryingfo­rthewiderc­ommunity and for officers and staff, but be assured that the success of this recovery demonstrat­es our dedication to pursuing these groups, the profession­alism of our teams and our dogged determinat­ion to bring these people before the courts.”

Assistant Chief Constable Bobby Singleton said injuries to officers included head injuries. He praised them for their “restraint”.

 ?? ?? CONFLICT: Walsh (top) and Keating
AFTERMATH: Smoke damage can be seen outside the burned house in Clondalkin yesterday; and (inset) a Garda patrol car at the scene
CONFLICT: Walsh (top) and Keating AFTERMATH: Smoke damage can be seen outside the burned house in Clondalkin yesterday; and (inset) a Garda patrol car at the scene
 ?? ?? SHOCKING RIOTS: Clashes between youths and PSNI in Derry
SHOCKING RIOTS: Clashes between youths and PSNI in Derry

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Ireland