The deadly military style assault rifle with lethal rounds found by police in Strabane over the weekend
A MILITARY-GRADE assault rifle found in Strabane at the weekend would have been used to kill police officers, says a senior PSNI commander..
The gun was found with ammunition during a security alert at Lismourne Place on Friday following a security alert after an intelligence tip off.
Police said that the discovery was part of an operation investigating dissident republican activity by a group known as the ‘New IRA’.
Officers believe the gun was brought into Strabane recently ahead of a possible attack on police officers on patrol.
Derry and Strabane police chief Supt Mark McEwan said that the weapon could have had a “devastating impact”.
“We believe that this item was brought into the Strabane area in an attempt to carry out an attack on police,” he said.
“This would have been an attempt to kill police officers.
“The calibre of this weapon is such that the ammunition that was recovered along with it is capable of penetrating brick walls.
“So, any sort of attack that is carried out using a weapon of this style is in complete disregard for the safety of the community.”
The ‘New IRA’ is believed to have been formed in 2012 from an amalgamation of several separate dissident republican organisations.
It will now be investigating how such a high-powered weapon fell into the hands of police ahead of a possible attack on security force members.
Supt Mark McEwan says seized gun would have been used to try and kill police officers
Supt McEwan said that the weapon would be given a full forensic examination and has appealed to the public for information.
Justice Minister David Ford said the discovery of the weapons is a worrying development.
“It is clear that there are a small number of people who are intent on dragging us back to the past.
“There is no doubt that it put at risk the lives of those in the vicinity had it been used.”
Local SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan said the gun find was a “worrying development”.
He added: “Illegal and irresponsible gun ownership is very dangerous and we have seen weapons of this type used in illegal activity including the attempted murder of police.
“The illegal storing of firearms is unacceptable and it allows those who committed to violence to continue to put the public at risk.
“We must all be vigilant against this threat and I would encourage anyone with any relevant information to contact the police immediately.”
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