FOUR MEN WHO were arrested in Lurgan last week are due to appear in a Craigavon court tomorrow morning charged with terrorist offences.
The arrests occurred after detectives investigating into dissident republican activity in the area recovered a fully prepared explosively-formed projectile (EFP) which was ready for deployment.
This potentially lethal device, found in an abandoned building close to a residential area, was made safe by police.
An EFP is an improvised explosive device designed to penetrate armour plating when fired at relatively close range from a makeshift launcher.
A 22-year-old man has been charged with the attempted murder of police officers and possession of explosives with intent to endanger life on 31 August.
Three other men, aged 22, 24 and 46, have been charged with preparation of terrorist acts, namely the targeting of a former member of the security forces in the Craigavon area.
A 22-year-old man arrested last Thursday as part of the same investigation was released unconditionally over the weekend.
Assistant Chief Constable Will Kerr, head of the Crime Operations Department said:
“We are relieved and delighted to have taken an extremely dangerous explosive device out of circulation.
Our experience of these devices in Northern Ireland has been that they have been used to try to kill police officers. Our action has probably saved lives and definitely made the community safer.
“We are issuing a photo of part of the device which had been deconstructed by police and shows the makeshift casing, a detonator, Semtex and copper piping.
The device was located in a derelict house in a residential area close to people’s homes. Those responsible have absolutely no regard for the local community, or indeed any community.
“I would ask all those with any influence in the community to use that influence to persuade people not to get involved in this type of activity. People who get involved, particularly young people, face the prospect of significant, possibly life changing, consequences.
Assistant Chief Constable Kerr also thanked the local community for their “patience and understanding” during the police search of homes and residential areas in recent days.
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