THREE mortars found in Co Cavan by gardai yesterday were primed with explosives, including Semtex warheads, and were ready to fire, it emerged last night. In a seven-hour operation, Defence Forces ordnance officers destroyed two of the weapons and removed the third for forensic examination to Aiken Barracks in Dundalk.
According to security sources the three mortars were of the type described as the "Mark 16" which was used by the Provisional IRA in its armed campaign in the 1990s. The missiles have a range of 300 metres and were used in attacks on Downing Street and Heathrow Airport in 1993.
It was not clear last night if the weapons belonged to dissident IRA elements who used similar mortars in attacks in the North during 1997 and 1998 or if they belonged to the Provisional IRA.
The mortars were discovered near a disused farmhouse at Crosskeys, near Ballyjamesduff, Co Cavan. A Garda search of the areas has been expanded following the find. No arrests were made.