Gardai discover arms cache

Army explosives experts have dealt with a suspect device, believed to have been a pipe bomb, found in a remote location on the Slieve Aughty mountains near Gort.

The  device was discovered by gardaí along with a quantity of ammunition as part of an ongoing intelligence-led operation at Scalp Hill, close to Castledaly, on the main Gort to Loughrea Road.

Detectives located two boxes of ammunition and a pipe containing a suspect device in a section of woodland during the search operation. The device was made safe by the Army Explosives Ordnance Disposal unit.

All items seized will be subject to technical examination and investigations are ongoing.

This afternoon  gardaí in Loughrea issued an appeal for information in connection with the discovery of the ammunition and what is now believed to be components of a pipe bomb. Items located at the scene have been removed for forensic examination.

They are appealing to the public who may have been in this area recently and who may have information to make contact with them. The area where the discovery was made is popular with hill walkers.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Loughrea Garda Station on (091) 842870, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.