This is the gun uncovered by police when they stopped a car containing four men – including two from Derry – over three years ago.
The four were detained when police stopped a Ford Fiesta car on the Gorticashel Road near Omagh on 11 October 2010.
During a search of the vehicle a loaded handgun and ammunition were recovered.
The men – driver, Mark McGuigan (29), of Sperrin View, Omagh; Daniel Turnbull (33) of Strule Park, Omagh; Darryn McCallion (25) Rathlin Drive, Derry; and Martin McLoone (25) Abercorn Road, Derry – were jailed for a total of 36 years at Belfast Crown Court today.
During follow-up searches police recovered a sub-machine gun, a hand gun and ammunition from a vehicle belonging to Turnbull.
Police believe these items were intended to be used in a dissident republican attack.
Speaking after the sentencing, a spokesperson for Serious Crime Branch said the recovery of the weapons had” undoubtedly saved lives.”
The spokesperson said: “Police will continue to combat the threat posed by dissident republican individuals and groups who plan to use violence to further their agendas.
“We would encourage people in the community to continue to work with us to reduce the threat posed by such reckless individuals so that we can bring them before the courts.”
Mark McGuigan was sentenced to 12 years; Daniel Turnbull got nine years; Darryn McCallion got seven years; Martin McLoone was sentenced to eight years.
Each will serve half their sentences in jail and the other half on licence.
Tags: