Police uncover weapons in Derry 'dissident hide'

Police have uncovered a suspected dissident republican weapons hide in Londonderry.

Items including a handgun, ammunition and other component parts were found during searches in the Southway area of the city on Tuesday.

They were removed after the Army bomb squad attended the scene.

Detectives said: “Items such as these are lethal and were clearly going to be used to inflict serious harm and fear in this community.

“Whoever is responsible for burying these munitions does not care that these could have been discovered by a member of the public; nor do they care that these are intended to cause serious harm to a victim in the future – a victim from our community who will be someone’s child, mother, father, sister, brother, granny or granddad.”

A spokesperson went on: “Police are continually working to disrupt the work of all paramilitaries and today’s search clearly demonstrates our commitment.

“We know that the overwhelming majority of people living in this community do not want terror and harm being inflicted on fellow citizens by a shameful minority. Those involved in hiding guns or weapons want to cause harm, they don’t care who gets killed or injured.

“Their desire, to pursue violence and create more victims, has to be challenged.”

Police thanked the local community for the patience while the area was closed and asked anyone with information on the hide or dissident activity to come forward.