Barry Petticrew

A CAVAN MAN was today sentenced to 14 years in prison after the PSNI seized an arsenal of weapons and explosives.

Barry Petticrew, 45, of Swanlinbar, Cavan, was at Antrim Crown Court today after a raid at Kinawley, Fermanagh, in 2014 resulted in the confiscation of bomb making components and guns.

During the search, they found:

• Half a tonne of fertiliser and a number of packs of homemade explosives
• Timer units, detonators and fuses
• Pipe bombs and component parts for other devices
• A suspected firearm and approximately 100 rounds of ammunition
• Forensic suits and gloves

Timer and power unit seized. PSNI PSNI

Ammunition seized by the PSNI.

The PSNI said officers confronted Petticrew in a disused farmyard at Caldragh Road, Kinawley on 8 October 2014 while he was moving some of the items listed above.

He tried to run several hundred yards across fields to the border with Co Cavan but was arrested.

Detective Inspector Davy Lowans of the Serious Crime Branch said: “This haul contained many of the components used by a terrorist grouping, everything from timer power units and fertiliser to a coffee grinder, ammunition and forensic suits.

We believe this was for use by dissident terrorists in Fermanagh and other parts of Northern Ireland. The quantities and range of items recovered would have enabled a number of explosive devices to be constructed.

Lowans said he believed the seizure had “undoubtedly saved lives”. He also urged the public in Northern Ireland to provide police with information which could end up stopping bloodshed.

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