A quantity of bomb making equipment and explosives was found yesterday near Hackballscross, Co Louth. The find was made along a stone wall on farm land during a joint Garda and Army search at Keenogue, about 200 yards from the Border.
It included three warheads, one of which was primed, three mortar tubes, four mortar base plates, parts of a rifle and assorted bomb making equipment, including cortex and fuse wire. A controlled explosion was carried out on the primed warhead and the explosives by an Army technical officer yesterday. The other weapons were removed for technical examination.
Gardai say the explosives and ammunition had deteriorated significantly and could not have been used in their present condition. The find was part of continuing searches.