PSNI operation hits `terror unit capacity` as man jailed over bomb-making stockpile

Police believe the seizure of a munitions and explosives stockpile at a “bomb-making factory” has saved lives in Northern Ireland and seriously dented the capacity of a terrorist group.

A proactive surveillance operation by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) filmed father-of-two Barry Francis Petticrew moving equipment from a van parked at the farm near Kinawley, County Fermanagh, in October 2014.

Realising he had been detected, the mechanic tried to escape across the countryside, but officers caught up with him and made an arrest.

The PSNI`s investigation into violent dissident republican terrorist activity at the rural farm unearthed a haul which included 500kg of high-grade nitro-based fertilizer used in home-made explosives, three timer power units, detonators and fuses, pipe bombs and component parts for other improved explosive devices, a mortar base, a suspected firearm, approximately 100 rounds of ammunition, forsensic suits and gloves.

For context, the 1998 Omagh bomb – which killed 29 people including a woman pregnant with twins – contained between 150 to 250kgs of home-made explosives.

On Tuesday (December 20) at Antrim Crown Court, Pettircrew, 45, of County Cavan, was handed an 11-year jail sentence – with a further three years on licence – after admitting three counts relating to possession of explosives with intent to danger life, firearms and ammunition with intent, and having articles for use in terrorism.

Petticrew, who has been on remand in Maghaberry jail in County Antrim since his arrest, denied being affiliated to any terrorist organisation and claimed he been pressurised into his actions.

While he has not been held in the dissident republican wing of Maghaberry, Judge Gordon Kerr QC said the stockpile find was made in an area synonymous with dissident activity.

A previous hearing was told Petticrew also formed part of a guard of honour at the 2013 republican funeral of Seamus McKenna – a man suspected of involvement in the Omagh bomb.

Passing sentence, judge Kerr said the farm was being used as a “bomb factory”.

He said all the various items could be made into a series of smaller bombs, adding: “Or a large device of the size of some of the largest devices ever used in Northern Ireland.”

The judge said associates of Petticrew may have been the ones intending to deploy the terrorist arsenal.

“Serious injury of death were contemplated by those he associated with,” he added.

Detective Inspector Davy Lowans, from the PSNI`s Serious Crime Branch, said the 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”.

Det Insp Lowans said the force believes the haul “was for use by dissident terrorists in Fermanagh and other parts of Northern Ireland”.

He added: “The quantities and range of items recovered would have enabled a number of explosive devices to be constructed.

“The seizure will have had an impact on the terrorists’ capabilities and undoubtedly has saved lives.

“We firmly believe that the removal of this terrorist haul has prevented bloodshed, loss of life and consequent heartache.

“We would continue to ask people to work with us and provide us with information so that Northern Ireland can be a safer place for everyone.”